Login for FavoritesThe Pogues - Rum Sodomy & The Lash
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Album Details
- Artist: The Pogues
- Album: Rum Sodomy & The Lash
- Label: WEA
- Year of Release: 1985
- ME Rating: Indie Classic
- Reviewed by: dscanland on 2007-10-18
RecommendCan you pick a favorite Pogues album? Damn it's hard but chances are that it is a toss up between Rum Sodomy & The Lash and If I Should Fall From Grace Of God. They are both worthy of the "classic" tag so consider this the first of two classic reviews for the Pogues.
Somehow Shane McGowan and his drunken Irish mates (actually English but their style is Irish) managed to convince Elvis Costello to produce this wonderful masterpiece. Elvis took the the flaws of the Pogues and laid them down on tape, that's why Rum Sodomy & The Lash has held up so well over the years, because it's an honest testament of The Pogues and drinking in general. The albums starts out fairly slowly with "The Sick Bed of Cúchulaínn" but it doesn't take long to get things moving. About 40 seconds in the band really kick up the energy. If you listen to "The Old Main Drag" you can't help but feel the man's drunken pain. The inclusion of some rowdy instrumentals ("Wild Cats of Kilkenny" and "A Pistol for Paddy Garcia") also lends a hand at showing this band's pure talent. I'd have to check but the only occurrence of their bassist Cait O'Riordan taking vocals is on the ballad "I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day", a fantastic change of pace. "Dirty Old Town" is a bona-fide classic. "Jesse James" is another great change-up with different styled vocals. My favorite track on Rum is the short "The Gentleman Soldier" with the rat-a-tat of the drums. Clever rim shots make this song. Then the inclusion of traditional track "Waltzing Matilda" makes for the most complete Pogues studio album.
The greatest thing about Rum Sodomy & The Lash is the diversity of songs The Pogues have written. They are songs that stand the test of time, allowing repeat listens year after year.
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Tell us why this album is great or sucks ass, or correct the reviewer. If you write enough quality reviews you may find yourself on the editorial staff.
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Log In or Register to Rate Albumson 2008-06-16 Bushywebb Said:
ha - you're BOTH wrong - "Red Roses for Me" is better then either!
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on 2008-06-16 dscanland Said:
No, I'm in agreement with you. If I Should Fall From Grace of God IS the best Pogues album. Rum Sodomy and the Lash is a close second followed by Hell's Ditch. That's my thoughts anyway. The three albums are all classics as far as I'm concerned.
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on 2008-06-16 psychoticbarber Said:
Sorry Dennis, I can't agree with you here. Rum, Sodomy and the Las is great, but it's got nothing on the other one you might have picked. And I've totally called dibs on "If I Should Fall From Grace With God", expect a review in the next week or two.
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