The Popes are a band I am aware of firstly as the backing band to Shane Macgowans post Pogues albums and also as a band in their own right, i managed to catch them touring the Hollyway Boulevard album at Shrewsbury some years back and although musically tight I couldn't help but miss Shanes input.
Holloway Boulevard itself was a credible album but compared to 'the snake' or 'Crock of gold' it didn't really move me, This album however is a totally different beast.
The fact it says features Shane Macgowan might help with the visibility of the album but to be honest they seem to have moved beyond Shane's involvement and in reality with the exception of the final track he is confined to lending backing vocals.
What really stands out is the bands own growth vocals are superb,celtic influences abound and yet in many respects this is Folk Rock with the emphasis on Rock.
Towards the albums end it even seems that the crunching guitars could give rise to a kind of industrial folk rock such is the guitar power which for all this doesn't overshadow the fine songs on this collection.
Shane's involvement is therefore only a bonus this is purely and simply a great collection of anthemic songs which personally I look forward to seeing live.
With form like this I can only hope a follow up isn't too long in the offing.