The Popes new album - Outlaw Heaven

[Low D]

I have to say that the big surprise for me is how much i like this album. It got a lot of play over the summer in the van.

What with most of Holloway Blvd's writing credits reading McGuiness/McManamon, i thought it wasn't going to fly without the late Tom McManamon. And to be sure, this is not the same band at all that put out Holloway Blvd - it's Paul McGuiness & a new group. The sound is different. It's way less trad, way more rock - more Thin Lizzy than Pogues, perhaps, but i really like it.

I mean, they would do without some of those back up vocals (a bit stupidly over the top on "Back In YOur Heart", "Crucified" & "Boys Don't Cry") and McGuiness is certainly no MacGowan when it comes to writing a lyric (but who is?) I think "Black is the Colour" is fantastic. And "Raw", which i had heard as a demo and was not overly impressed, turned out stunning - sounds like it could have come off a Ron Kavana album. I mean, there's a couple of stinkers ("Crucified" Paul, really? Did we need that? And "Back In Your Heart" sounds like it wants to be on AM radio) but overall i was expecting disapointment & was plesantly surprised.

[Eckhard]

Reading about Paul McGuiness and his musical efforts always makes me sad somehow.

[Mark_Wafc]

I picked a this album up from a record exchange in Manchester last week for less than a fiver, it was a pre release copy, and i've got to say i like it.

Shane sounds like he has a bad cold on Outlaw Heaven sound wise, but apart from that some very decent songs on there.

I was more that a bit surprised with it i'll be honest.

[RoddyRuddy]

http://www.kelowna.com/2009/10/17/forme ... tic-music/

[RoddyRuddy]

An exhibition of paintings by Brian Whelan
inspired by sacred spaces around the world.
Reception: Thursday 8 July 2010, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Exhibition: 4 - 18 July 2010
Hours: M-Th 9:30am – 12:30pm
Sunday during services
39 Elm Bank Gardens
Barnes, London, SW13 ONX
Twenty percent of all sales will go to the church council

http://www.brianwhelan.co.uk/index.htm

[Goof]

Great great album. One of the more pleasantly surprising releases I bought in 2009 (and I buy a lot of music). I still give it a regular spin now and then. I hope they will keep on making great records, but on a more regular basis and hope to catch them live sometime soon.

[RoddyRuddy]

http://www.brianwhelan.co.uk/index.php? ... age&pID=22
http://www.brianwhelan.co.uk/index.php? ... age&pID=22
New book;
The Exchange, Thoughts on Faith, Art, Science and Culture By Jeff Frohner and Brian Whelan
http://www.brianwhelan.co.uk/index.php