The first solo album from the ex-Pogue is, fortunately, the best thing he's done since If I Should Fall From Grace With God. With a new, energetic band who mix traditional instruments with loud guitars, MacGowan presents a set of spunky, aggressive tunes full of humour, emotion and bad language. With contriubutions from Pogues Jem Finer and Spider Stacy (and, on That Woman's Got Me Drinking, Johnny Depp), The Snake is largely a rollicking album with -- in some cases -- nods to the furious R and B of Them and MacGowan's first band, the earthy Nips. And while there's wit on I'll be your Handbag and uncouth merriment on Her Father Didn't Like Me, mostly The Snake impresses with a fierce new intensity; songs like Aisling and the title track see MacGowan baring his soul in a powerfully direct manner. 4 out of 5.