Shane MacGowan - The Snake

Shane MacGowan is the former leader, vocalist and songwriter for the Pogues who was (is) known for having the occasional drink as well as a few illicit substances. And bad teeth! After getting kicked out of the Pogues he floated around quite a while (although he did cut a duet with Nick Cave of What A Wonderful World) until releasing The Snake his debut solo record with his band the Popes. Featuring a great set of songs with a traditional Irish music influence and some more straight ahead rock songs all played with a take no prisoners attitude by his backing band and as usual they all are infused his life of hard knocks poetic lyrics. What a great songwriter even if he does appropriate the occasional riff once in a while.

The Church Of The Holy Spook is a ram rod of a song about whiskey, women, rock and the traditions you can fall back on after all the temptations (maybe) while Aisling is an upbeat tune about longing to go back home with traditional instrumentation and an attitude. A very good record and if your a Pogues fan a must have if you don't already own it.

Buy it here.