![Rum Sodomy & the Lash [Bonus Tracks]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0006957S0.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Release Date: 11 January, 2005
Audio CD
Tracks
- Sickbed of Cuchulainn
- Old Main Drag
- Wild Cats of Kilkenny
- I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day
- Pair of Brown Eyes
- Sally MacLennane
- Dirty Old Town
- Jesse James
- Navigator
- Billy's Bones
- Gentleman Soldier
- Band Played Waltzing Matilda
- Pistol for Paddy Garcia [*]
- London Girl [*]
- Rainy Night in Soho [*]
- Body of an American [*]
- Planxty Noel Hill [*]
- Parting Glass [*]
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Rating 5.0
best of the PoguesIt 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."The Pogues At Their Best"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. How could you not fall in love with this???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. |
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