- Artist: Pope
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1997
- Genre: Rock
Review
Finally, the Pope LP appears two and a half years after Frankie Stubbs and bassist Andy Crighton's post-Leatherface band recorded it in six days, and then promptly split up, leaving only one of these songs, "Alone," to appear on the compilation The Best Punk Rock in England, Son. The mesmerizing "Alone" was so good, it just made the prospect of an unreleased LP that much more tantalizing. So it's not surprising that the other eight songs turn out to be almost as fantastic. Like "Alone," the production sound is muddled, where previous Stubbs productions have been as crisp as a new bag of Doritos. This may account for the band's reluctance to release John Paul, since Leatherface's split didn't preclude the prompt, posthumous release of the brilliant The Last. But despite the muddy mix, which is easy to get used to anyway, Stubbs, Crighton, and drummer Chris MacIntosh smolder with the sort of fierce fire, pounding chops, and ripping riffs that made Stubbs and Crighton's older band the finest, most moving, least nostalgic punk rock band of all the '90s. Any band who starts with Stubbs' unmistakable, totally moving werewolf growl is going to tear listeners' hearts right out of their puny breasts and dance around their living room with it. And the material picks up on the advancements of Leatherface's Minx and The Last: more tempered tempos and more stylistic variety (retaining the ferocious intensity), as evidenced by "Alone," the shuffling "Fine," and the swinging, punch-drunk waltz of "Kingsane." Stubbs has since taken his king-sized spirit, towering talent, and overflowing, sensitive, but coarsely delivered emotion on to Jesse, but now he's left behind two stunning bands that listeners would have eaten bowls of Brussels sprouts for the chance to see play. ~ Jack Rabid, Rovi| John Patitucci (1987 Album by John Patitucci) | |
| John Paul II (1995 Album by Pope John Paul II) |
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