Customer Reviews

Rum Sodomy & The Lash

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4 star:		(1)
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It doesn't get any better than this. If this album doesn't move you, then you've already been shoved into the ground. Which may not matter, 'cause there's still a drink waiting for you in Shane's world. While If I Should Fall From Grace With God is often hailed as their pinnacle, the raw power of the Pogues and MacGowan is most evident here. Rum Sodomy & the Lash is definitely my favorite, and in my top ten favorite albums ever.

The re-release is great, with the addition of the Poguetry in Motion tracks (and two more), particularly Rainy Night in Soho. (For even more recent Pogues re-releasing, check out Nick Cave's B-Sides and Rarities collection, which features his duet with Shane on "What a Wonderful World," as well as Cave's rendition of "Rainy Night in Soho.") The repackaging is nice, with a booklet containing brief comments by Tom Waits, liner notes, some great photos, and of course complete lyrics for those who have a tough time remembering 'em all. I particularly love MacGowan's substitution of "Spring's a girl from the streets at night" for the printed "Spring's a girl in the street at night."

"Rum, Sodomy and the Lash," is simply put brilliant from "The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn to the Band Played Waltzing Matilda." Elvis Costello was brought on board as the album's producer and gave this release a more polished sound than "Red Roses For Me," without taking away the raw power that made their debut album great. Shane MacGowan was also growing as a songwriter as well, with such beautiful ballads as "A Pair of Brown Eyes and The Old Main Drag," to the drunken rave-ups of "Sally MacLennane". This release was also the beginning of the MacGowan/Finer songwriting team (the new Lennon/McCartney,) with the excellent instrumental "Wild Cats of Kilkenny." Finer would also provide the surreal instrumental of "A Pistol For Paddy Garcia," as well. The Pogues also proved that they had an ear for other people's songs from Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town, Phil Gaston's "Navigator, to the traditional "I'm A Man You Don't Meet Everyday," sung beautifully by Cait O'Riordan (she would later marry Elvis Costello). Overall, I'm at a cross to decide whether this album, or "If I Should Fall From Grace With God," is the Pogues best album. So, I declare a tie, both of these albums show the band at their most creative peak and utter brilliance.
Now "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash" contains the entire "Poguerty In Motion," EP. This release featured three of MacGowan's best penned songs. Starting with "London Girl," which reminds me a bit of the Nips, but with a bouncy accordion. "A Rainy Night In Soho," is one of the best ballads Shane has ever written. "The Body of an American," returns to the "Irish soul, equipped with swifting uileann pipes. "Planxty Noel Hill," is an excellent Jem Finer instrumental. Finally the traditional reworking of "The Parting Glass," is on here as well.

A remastered Rum, Sodomy is worth the extra dosh on its own. Throw in the entirety of the long unavailable EP, Poguetry in Motion and you've got a winner. Anyone with an ounce of soul needs this one.

Don't be nervous about buying this CD. It is an amazing listen. All the songs are crisp excellent quality full of fresh melodies. Some slowed pacers, fast pacers, good dancing fun. Old fan or new get Rum Sodomy & the Lash.

I feel it is my duty as a good part Irish-American to go and write this while inebriated. The Pogues best album, and the best Celtic rock album of all time. Period. I'm too drunk to write anymore.

This is the Pogues tour-de-force. Their best album by far. If you only buy one Pogues album then make it this one. And then buy the first two.
This still has plenty of raw Irish tunes, and Shane's voice is at its peek.

The Pogues aren't great musicians. They're not great at rock and if you want great Irish music you'd be better off with Planxty, Patrick Street or Danu. But the Pogues are unique, entertaining, touching and influential.

I always thought this was their best album. It had the urban decadence, some good Irish folk, and the obligitory bloody battle songs. What it didn't have was an example of Shane's more tender poetry. Well, now it does. The bonus tracks kind of mess up the continuity of the CD but it's worth it to get "Rainy Night in Soho". I have never heard a better written, lovelier ballad. It's worth the price of the CD. Die hard Pogue fans will object, but it deserves a better singer. Mary McPartlin made a remarkable recording of it in 2005. The beauty of her voice accentuates the tenderness of the lyrics. Still, there is a magic to Shane's renditions of his masterpieces like "Rainy Night" or "Fairytale Of New York". He is a rare talent.

This is a great set of music. I highly recommend it but don't believe the fun and frolic reviews. Shane McGowan is the heart of the Pogues. He may be a poetic genius but he's a dissipated, drunken junkie. His songs in particular, and Irish songs in general, fluctuate between joy and despair. And, as I mentioned, in all Irish folk albums there will be at least two cuts in which people are blown up or hacked to pieces. In fact another benefit of the bonus tracks is ending the album with the classic "Parting Glass". The original closing cut was Shane's version of Waltzing Matilda. It's not the Aussie folk song but a powerfully written, thoroughly depressing recounting of the Battle of Gallipolli. When the original album ended the last thing on your mind was a round of darts and another pint.

In spite of the raucous "fun" of some of the cuts this isn't a party CD.

Well here's a rock band you don't see everyday. Irish themed pop music. I like it. Every song on this album is great, and Elvis Costello produced it, the legend he is. You will feel great after hearing this record.