THE POPES – New Church

Shake The Tree records 2012

Originally formed as Shane McGowan’s post Pogues backing band, current line-up are fronted by guitarist/vocalist Paul MadDog McGuiness and, alongside the twin guitar, feature a mandolin and fiddle.

The immediate feel of the opening track “Storming Heaven” is a full on dirty and rough hard rock with an Irish tinge. The title track has a more gothic darkness and an alternative jangle too.

Vocals and guitars alike have a growl, holding a melody within the clutter, adding to the fullness of sound.

“Throw Down Your Aces” (featuring Howard Marks) has a broody narrated intro, while “Alice”, full of vocal harmonies, is more uplifting.

The lighter moments see the mandolin and fiddle come through, adding more of an Irish touch, while keeping the roughness. There’s a sleazy attitude to “Queen Of Manhattan” and some decent picking too.

Much of the album, mixing metal and pop, has alternative, Celtic and gothic influences in equal measure, an interesting and often quite enjoyable mix.

***

Joe Geesin

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Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
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14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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