Customer Reviews

Waiting for Herb

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Your listing the tracks for "Hells Ditch", not "Waiting for Herb". Yopu won't sell to many that way. Want to know bonus tracks for cd listed as "Waiting for Herb"

Let me start by saying the Pogues without Shane MacGowan, is like the Sex Pistols without Johnny Rotten. The first post-Shane release after his departure from the band in 1991 is disappointing to say the least. The Pogues would never be the same band again after MacGowan left. Here Spider Stacy takes over the lead vocals and does a noble job. However, the songs seriously lack the fire of the old Pogues albums; they sound more like the Clash meets the Chieftains. Jem Finer has become the principal songwriter, and does a fairly good job, however most of his songs lack the energy of his earlier works and are easily forgettable. Spider Stacy provides the best cut on the album "Tuesday Morning," and I'm actually rather fond of the James Fearnley penned "Drunken Boat." However, all the other songs on this release serious lack the fire and energy of the earlier Pogues releases, and some of them I find myself just skipping over. Overall, "Waiting For Herb," is only for die-hard Pogues fans, and please don't let this release be your introduction to a great band.
The new remastered version contains the Philip Chevron penned "First Day of Forever." Andrew Ranken provides the song "Train Kept Rolling On," which should have been on the original album, as should have the Spider Stacy/Terry Woods number "Paris St. Germaine."

The album is good, but not the best offering by The Pogues. For a first time buyer, go for the earlier albums. The Pogues produced this album after the lead singer (who wrote most of the music) was kicked out of the band for being a stinking drunk. The music on this album doesn't have the variety of previous albums.

If I had never heard the Pogues prior to this release, this might rate a 3 or a 4, but the songs lack the power and unique vision of the '84-'90 releases. These songs are enjoyable, expertly performed, and melodic. You won't be disappointed...that is unless you've heard the Pogues' previous work.