If I Should Fall From Grace With God

It's probably the best Irish punk album.

Emotional listening to Shane

One of the angriest albums ever

If I Should Fall from Grace with God - 9/10. Awesome Celtic Folk/Punk. Turkish Song of the Damned - 9/10. I have no idea what I expected. It wasn't this. Absolute banger. Bottle of Smoke - 10/10. Shane McGowan (may he rest in peace) in full Patter Song mode is exactly the thing I didn't know I needed to hear. Over top of full Celtic Punk is incredible. Fairytale of New York - 11/10. One of the first songs of this challenge (205 albums in) that I can't help but sing along to the whole thing. It's completely perfect in hitting every emotion I have, and it absolutely goes to 11. Metropolis - 10/10. Once again, I don't know what I was expecting, but this isn't it ... in the best possible way. Thousands are Sailing - 11/10. I started ugly crying about one line into the song and kept on through the song. Because my own ancestors are part of the Irish Diaspora this song memorializes. This song is for you, Great-Grandfather Tim, one of the thousands who sailed. Fiesta - 8/10. Celebrating Latin immigrants in the way that only an Irish Punk band can. Great musicianship, if a little jarring a change from Thousands Are Sailing. The Recruiting Sergeant/Rocky Road to Dublin/Galway Races - 9/10. Relentlessly Irish. Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six - 10/10. The voice of Irish sorrow and pain at the treatment by the English. Incredible. Lullaby of London - 9/10. Smooth and simple. Awesome. Sit Down by the Fire - 9/10. Relentlessly Irish and awesome. The Broad Majestic Shannon - 8/10. Not hopeful, per se, but almost defying sorrow and pain to find out. Worms - 5/10. Weird and not like the rest of the album. The Battle March Medley - 9/10. I love it. The Irish Rover - 10/10. Absolute perfection. The Dubliners are the perfect addition. Mountain Dew - 10/10. A great rendition of this classic Irish folk song. Again, possibly the two most Irish bands ever together. Shanne Bradley - 9/10. Great instrumental. Love it. Sketches of Spain - 8/10. Fun and really good. South Australia - 9/10. You knew there had to be one, last shot fired at the English for all of the Irish Diaspora in Exile. Overall Rating - 4.55/5 (9.11/10). Celtic Folk Punk is a very specific musical space. The Pogues are its pinnacle. Awesome album from beginning to end.

There are many times if I know an album was released between 1986 and 1989 it's going to have so many hallmark recording sins of the 80's that will ruin what could potentially be there. This album proves that didn't always have to be the case. I'll have Irish music moods but the Pogues get to be an anytime listen. When I'm at my most ecstatic or world weary, doesn't matter. Lyrics actually worth hearing to fit great music. Timeless classic.

A whole album of 'Home for a Rest'. This is incredible!

10/10

Dnf

I see who Dropkick Murphys were influenced by! Top energy

Tämä löytyy omasta levyhyllystä ja tätä on tullut paljon kuunneltua jo 35 vuotta. Osaan kaikkien biisien sanatkin. Täyden kympin levy ja jos bändi on uusi tuttavuus, tästä kokonaisuudesta on hyvä lähteä tutustumaan.

This band absoluely rules and this album does not disappoint. Should be in everyone's rotation!

Amazing.

Ah, this is a special album for me, I discovered the Pogues while at college, and it rekindled my love for Irish music and punk music at the same time. The first 3 tracks are the perfect introduction to the band, and then you get to hear one of the best Christmas songs you’ll ever hear. It’s really an amazing album all the way through. My favorite track may be Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six, a scathing political song about injustices during the Troubles inflicted upon innocent men by the British justice system. PS: RIP Shane McGowan 5 stars easily

Best Song: Turkish Song of the Damned This was so good! I had never listened to The Pogues before. I had never even heard of them but I was a bit taken aback on how much I enjoyed that Irish, sea shantiness of this. Before there were the Dropkick Murphy's, there was The Pogues. Just a great album and I can't wait to hear it again. BTW, Turkish Song of the Damned is a total banger and Fairytale of New York should be on everyone's Christmas playlist. 5/5.

Absolute riot!

The Pogues in their absolute heyday. Great stuff.

I've always associated The Pogues and Shane McGowan as a bloke with no teeth who once sang Fairytale of New York with a shark on Harry Hill's TV burp. Turns out they're really fucking good. Who knew?

5

One of my all-time favorite records. While not perfect, I skip “fiesta” and “Sketches of Spain”, but the highs are so extremely high they cover all warts. Some of my favorite songs of all time are on this record. Title track, “fairytale of New York”, “Thousands are Sailing”, “South Australia”, “Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six”, “Irish Rover”, and “Lullaby of London” all establish this record as a legendary entry of the entire 80s, and solidifies The Pogues as a “forever” band. MacGowan is at his peak songwriting prowess here, showcasing his otherworldly storytelling and character building while encapsulating all the fears and joys of the immigrant experience. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 Pogues Forever!

God, I don't want to make the mistake of channeling all of my understanding through a frontman but Shane McGowan, what a bolt of lightning. I liked this a lot on my first relisten and then just have been unable to listen to anything else all day. Special stuff

A great album that leans heavily into the trad roots. Fairytale of New York is a classic but lots of great tracks and no skips. Shane was one of the great song writers of his time.

great album. loved it

This may be heretical, but it's the Pogues' best record, and not just because of the inclusion of "Fairytale of New York." It's also the whirlwinds of the title track and "Bottle of Smoke" and the grandeur of "Thousands are Sailing" and the killer instrumentals as well. Just a beautiful band at the perfect point.

Probably my favorite Pogues album. Can’t ignore their album Rum…. But this more polished with a handful of bangers. Unique sound that until then hadn’t broke through. Great album highly recommended. 4.6/5

Very fun Celtic punk with a bouncing timeless old sound. Defiant with strong feelings of humanism and romanticism with the sense of punching up from a low position purely out of hope, spite, and the joy of life with nothing left to lose.

Makes me want to play M2TW as the Irish. 5/5

Gritty. Raw. Awesome.

Wow, this one was fun. You certainly get caught up in the Irish jig.

I am weak to irish folk music and i love the way the vocalist sings!!!!!

I was borderline obsessed with this album in 1990-92. Listened countless times, infested mixtapes, played at parties; pretty much every single song was used and abused by me someplace or another. Front runner mixtape frequency was Bottle of Smoke, coming in at twenty fucking five to one. Revisiting it today was a gift. Truly. Thank you, 1001 Albums. Thank you.

2026.03.23-24.

Repeat listen

Love it

The folk punk combination works marvelously well it was a blast to listen to

- Super catchy - Plays with a bunch of different styles but still stays consistent - The WHOLE album is a standout, but I liked 'If I Should Fall from Grace with God', 'Metropolis', 'Thousands are Sailing', 'The Broad Majestic Shannon', 'The Battle March Medley' 'Mountain Dew', and 'Sketches of Spain'

I love the Pogues, I love irish music, I love punk, I love the lyrics, I love the layers. Yeah :)

Oh what a fun, spirited start! What energy! My kids couldn’t help but dance to this. We had fun. Very good.

This was sooo much better than I thought it was gonna be. Fenomenal album.

I remember my mate's sister bought this the same day I bought some heavy metal album and we were sneering at its cover. Fast forward about 10 years after that and I had every Pogues album on CD. Fast forward to now, I still listen to The Pogues, the heavy metal album is with my records but very seldom thought about. I'm looking forward to finally buying this album on vinyl. It's fantastic.

The Pogue's Christmas song is a part of my circle of friends forever. We grew up drinking a lot, and although I never spent a night in the drunk tank, I did embarrass my friends and piss off my parents. College fixed that, of course! What I didn't know: the Pogues were a great Irish folk band! Shane must've been so chuffed for his duets with the Dubliners. He had the spirit of his culture in his trampled, shouting heart, and we all recognize it. Salud!

Love this album. Fun to listen to while cooking....bopped around the kitchen like I did when I first listened to them as a teen.

I want this to be playing whilst I smash a chair over someone's head in a pub brawl. Or, more honestly, I want to be sat in a corner watching someone *else* smash a chair over someone's head. The Pogues must have been brilliant to watch live. This album has some absolute classics on it including one of the best Christmas songs of all time. Incredible how a bunch of Kentish plastic paddies can do Irish better than the Irish.

Smile Shane!

I love this album so so much. It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s dark, it’s grimy, it’s sad, it’s the fuckin best. I want to be in this band between the ages of 23-38. Fairytale of New York is a top 10 song in my life.

I was SO excited for this !! A phenomenal band, such brilliant Irish talent. I know so many songs off of this album anyway, a lot of extremely popular classics. Fav song is ‘Fairytale of New York’.

Loved this album so much!

Lovely. Fairytale of New York is legendary.

I always kind of wrote Shane MacGowan off as a hard partying guy with nothing especially deep to say. I’m disappointed in myself for not listening to more of his music earlier. The fusion of punk with traditional Irish music is ingenious, and the lyrics are incredible. He was truly a poet. RIP.

Barn-stormer of an album. Every track is a cracker. The musicianship is flawless and the poetry of the song’s immense. An album I could never tire of listening to and enjoying.

Buffff, mi "villancico" favorito!!!!! Discazo! Son capaces de hacerme perder el control, venirme arriba, venirme abajo... ponerme a saltar, ponerme a llorar, muchos recuerdos...

This really surprised me, I enjoyed it a lot. Great music. 9/10

Magic

my first listen to this a couple years ago (have i really lived with this that long?) felt like one of the most instant Before And After music experiences ive had in the past half decade. im so enamored with the instruments and melodic idiom of irish folk music that i honestly cant even imagine what a record in the style id Dislike would even be like. the pogues take things even further by managing incredibly strong and distinctive ideas all the way through, adding little inflections in arrangement and melody with p diverse influences while remaining such a cohesive slab of energy and beauty. so many of the performances and melodies on here make me happy cry, to say nothing of the obvious emotional powerhouses like christmas in new york and thousands are sailing. so full of possibilities and the vivid Air of the place that birthed it that it just about has the same power to me as the likes of velvet underground and nico. an album to live in.

IRISH EXCELLENCE 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

This is a true banger of an album!

Are you kidding me!?! I'm going to go listen to it again.

Well, that was a pleasant surprise. Folksy and punk wasn't really a combo I was expecting to hear, much less like as much as I did. This is the type of music that makes you want to be stomping your foot alongside a mob of others in a beer hall with a massive and occupied dance floor. It's truly an awesome marriage of more traditional sounds and styles mixed with modern themes and outside influences. From the decidedly non-Western sounds of Turkish Song of the Damned to the jazz vibes on Metropolis to the heavily latin Fiesta...this album continually kept me on my toes and excited for what could possibly pop up next. This album really embodies a lot of what makes the punk genre so great. The Pogues freely jump between regions and genres, producing such interesting chimeras to pick apart. I'm sure I'll be coming back to this repeatedly and finding new little bits of instrumentation, lyrics, or influences that I've missed.

A very well put together album, blending Celtic folk vibes and punk rock with an amazing energy. So many great songs including, Streets of Sorrow, Thousands are Sailing, Lullaby of London, Sit down by the Fire and of course Fairytale of New York.

One pogues is enough. But this is a great album. The pogues are important and successfully mixed a punk attitude with folk sensibilities. In Ireland Shane is considered a great poet. I think this is probably the album rather than rum sodomy and the lash. But either one works. Not both. I know not all commenters will agree but fairy tale is a great song documenting bad choices.

A rip-roaring ride through the wild side of life - tender ballads, too, with the wonderful "Broad Majestic Shannon"

In the week that we lost Andrew Rankin, drummer with The Pogues 🙏🏼, it was fitting to hear “Worms” again, I first saw The Pogues live in 1984, lucky to live in “Archway”, so they were a local band - saw them many times in London, one of my favourite bands ever, “Fairy tale of NY” - what a song, RIP Shane, and Kirsty🙌

This album is for life, not just for Christmas. The Pogues fusion of Irish folk music with punk energy is totally unique.

I listened to this album a LOT when I was a student, and it's really hard to give an unbiased assessment. But who cares. This takes me back to one of the Roskilde festivals I went to in the 1990s, and where I saw them live. It was great, BUT PJ Harvey, who went on to became my heroin, was playing at the same time, and I have since regretted that I missed most of her gig in favour of the Pogues. Should I have stayed with PJ, flashing her green glittery catsuit? Listening back to the Pogues now, maybe I shouldn't regret. I have seen PJ since, but the Pogues won't happen again. And the Pogues created an amazing party in the field (NSFW). Listening again after all these years was great. I am now pretty much off Irish folk (had an overdose) but this, yes this I'll always love. It's quirky, the lyrics are good, McGowans singing is very suitable, there's energy - so much more than your typical twiddly twaddly fiddly "we are from this tiny villiage in County Clare" folk band. The Pogues have achieved what very few can. They wrote an acceptable Christmas song. One that I actually like (Fairytale of New York). The other one is of course, Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses - what a bass line! I think the Pogues are genius.

This album is the sound that comes with feeling cramped yet comfortable in your local pub necking down pints until the night closes in. 5/5- best track- Turkish song of the damned

Oh it turns out I love The Pogues? This is an absolute riot and Shane’s voice drawling over the top is just something special.

The album showcases the joy and sorrow of The Pogues. Poignant lyrics, beautiful songs, then party anthems. And Fairytale of New York takes this into 5 star territory for me.

Love this album so damn much.

This album feels a bit more experimental than Rum, Sodomy and the Lash. They were clearly playing around with different styles/genres in songs like Turkish Song of the Damned, Metropolis, Fiesta, Sketches of Spain. The variety is cool and helps to differentiate the two albums. Fairytale of New York is a fantastic song that I have a soft spot for. The Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan passed away a few years ago and the song was performed at his funeral (the video is on YouTube). Everyone was singing along, clapping, and people started dancing towards the end and it struck me as a really lovely way to celebrate his life. Overall, this is album has great energy, lots of heart and soul, and makes me attempt to jig even though I don't really know how.

I think I like this better than the last one. Great album and happy to know it exists now.

Absolut subjektives High-Ranking, weil ich nur positive Dinge mit Irish Folk, den Pogues, den Dubliners und v.a. Fairytale of New York. Getreu dem Motto: The older the fiddle, the lovelier the tune.

Нужно послушать. Фолк, но интересный.

Like the best night you ever had at a pub. There's rowdy dance music, a song that'll break your heart, some politics, someone is reciting poetry and everyone is as happy and full of the joys of life as is possible. And then, when things can't get better, someone puts on Fairytale of New York and it DOES get better. And maybe it does outstay its welcome and maybe Shane McGowan's voice makes Joe Strummer sound like Doris Day, but this is obviously a master work.

I'm not Irish. Not by a long shot, but that shouldn't matter as only two members were born there anyway! However, when I was about 14 I saw a documentary about Shane McGowan and The Pogues and the next thing I knew I was buying their albums. Love this band. The tunes, the lyrics and the atmosphere is just next level. It's like a piss up with your mates and what's wrong with that? R.I.P. Shane, you were a true one off. Best Tracks: Turkish Song of the Damned; Bottle of Smoke; The Broad Majestic Shannon

Certified 5 star banger. One of my favourite albums. Some rollicking good songs - Bottle of Smoke, Fiesta, Turkish Song of the Damned, Thousands are Sailing to name a few - plus the best Christmas song ever written. RIP Shane

Listened to while playing with my daughter. Having only ever heard Fairytale of New York previously I found myself entranced by this record. The instrumentation, the folksy harmonies, the biting humour, I loved all of it and I think this record is going to enter my regular rotation.

Traditional irish folk but with the punk energy that resonated in the 80s and frankly still resonates today. All time classic.

Two tracks in: "God, there's so much going on. It all feels very busy. Not sure how I'll get through this." Listens to Fairytale of New York: "Oh it's THESE guys that sing this! Okay, I'm beginning to have a change-of-heart here!" Listens to Thousands are Sailling: ' I AM SO PROUD TO BE IRISH!!!" (I'm from Mexico) This album made me fall in love with Irish Folk. Can't wait to listen to more. Took me more than a day to get through it just because I kept repeating tracks.

Absolutely Phenomenal. A whole range of emotions intertwined (happy, defiant, sad, angry) weaving through an amazing tapestry of melodies. Everything. I've heard of The Pogues before, but had never listened to this album. A happy day.

The best Pogues album, but still have a soft spot for Shane MacGowans The Snake

this makes me want to do a little jig j’ai bien apprécié edit 10/01/2026: i’ve given it 5☆. it’s so good. ♡: If I Should Fall from Grace with God, Bottle of Smoke

Just wonderful; punk sensibility meets old Irish sentimentality.

I grew up listening to a lot of Dropkick Murphys on account of them being one of my dad's favourite bands, so I'm admittedly a bit preconditioned to enjoyment of Celtic punk, but how could you not love this?! So fun and joyful, and nice to have an album with a Christmas song generated at this time of year.

Reminds me of Christmas

What I appreciate the most about this list is the fact that it'll randomly throw an album at me where my immediate reaction is "what on earth even is this?" and that feeling stays for the entire thing, and that feeling is usually positive. If it weren't for this list I would have no idea who The Pogues are, let alone feel interested enough to listen to this album, and yet, I just spent 45 minutes listening to the most incredibly Irish sounding rock music ever. I would love an entire list of 1001 albums where all of them are as unusual and different as this one is instead of Beatles Clone #45 or the nine different David Bowie albums. Hell, give me another Pogues album on this list. Either way I'm certainly gonna be checking out more from these guys, this was fun.

Brilliant album by a brilliant band. Shane MacGowan was such an incredible songwriter. He was a great storyteller; his songs are full of humour, wit, and emotion. And as much as he became a bit of an easy punching bag, he had an incredibly sharp mind and was simply a prolific songwriter. Compared to Rum, Sodomy and the Lash, the musical style is a bit more developed, using a wider range of styles while keeping that traditional Celtic sound at the forefront. Fiesta and Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant / The Rocky Road to Dublin / The Galway Races are my favourite songs on the album but not by any distance.

Best Christmas song ever made is on this album. These guys are just awesome.

10 stars!

I’m a sucker for this kind of music and The Pogues do it the best. Plus this album contains the only Christmas song featuring a hate slur so it’s got that going for it!

PEAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brilliant! An album that will allow you to smile, dance, be sad, think, and dream. And all this under the nuclear sauce of folk and punk. I highly recommend it.

Oh my god. I've briefly lichened to this before but just listened twice in a row. Brilliant all round. The Pogies are great musicians but can be a bit ramshackle (maybe it's the production) but this takes you through life, death anf everything in between. Thousands Are Sailing is my new favourite song.

Väga hea

Irish Folk Punk is so good

Five stars for one song.

Off the cuff remark: no idea if this can be called a folk album or folk-pop or what but it is an absolute blistering gem of an album. Full of stories of heartbreak, self-destruction, and in many ways nuggets of Irish history delivered in Shane McGowans poetic acerbic wit. Genius Standout track: not a "genre" I would usually celebrate but it has the best Christmas song ever on it, no debate - heartbreaking pop tune of wonder. The first 7 tracks are all absolute wonders - how often can you say that? Revisit?: Often, with feeling.

Celtic Pubk Folk-Rock from the masters. Contains their massive hit with Kirsty MacColl, "Fairytale of New York".

What a funny album! I've enjoyed it so much and, yet, it's so brilliant, with so many different layers. It's really interesting. I've loved this one, so much. Some melodies here are truly enchanting and lovely. What a delight!

Producer 1: "What if the Clash/the Jam/the Ramones/the Sex Pistols made an entirely new style of music?" Producer 2: "Nah, let's just make them irish."

Reminds me of REM but was coming out at the same time. At the minimum, I'd say REM was into The Pogues both musically and lyrically. Currently, IDLES is a way more raucous version of this. Interesting to have a song with heavy Christmas lyrics "Fairytale of New York" in the middle of an album. Trying to remember other Christmas classics that are from a regular release album?! I like the different style of "Metropolis." I was prepared to give this 3-4 stars but honestly it was delightful and much more diverse than expected. 5 stars!

It becomes a little exhausting once you get to about track 9 but how extremely fantastic all the songs up until that point are makes this deserve a perfect score. Fairytale of New York is an all timer.

Quintessential trad album from start to finish. Fantastic production quality, well written songs and having fairytale of New York part way through is no bad thing

"Will the Real Leopold Bloom Please Stand Up?" Feminist women love James Joyce "Chicka-chicka-chicka, Leopold Bloom, I'm sick of him Look at him, walkin' around, grabbin' his you-know-what Flippin' the you-know-who", "Yeah, but he's so cute though" Yeah, I probably got a couple of screws up... Ireland sober is Ireland stiff. - James Joyce The Pogues are one of my favorite things to come out of Ireland since James Joyce & Thin Lizzy. I really wanted to write this review in the style of Ulysses but that would have taken AT LEAST 2 hours MAYBE 3 & I just don't have that sort of time today, but I will likely go back & edit this review of sorts in the near future & get all straight out of Eccles Street on all you wanna be Leopold Blooms. Well seeing how there is still only 24 hours in a day I will end this brief collection of notes to myself with one of my favorite quotes that I long ago memorized in my soul and sometime later in my mind. You forget that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence: and the kingdom of heaven is like a woman. - James Joyce

It's like coming home to versions of me throughout life, and The Pogues are there jammin' along.

Perfection

497 days. That's how long it's been since this randomizer last gave my group a Pogues album. And y'know? I'm gonna say it, and you can't stop me: that's a crime. A nearly 500 day gap? I get giving us a break between albums — you got to too many parties in a row you're bound to get worn out! — but nearly 500 days? Inexcusable! I mean, come on, did you **hear** 'Rum, Sodomy And The Lash'? If I were the randomizer, I'd wanna give folks a second helping as soon as possible! And believe me, I have every right to be mad at the randomizer over this. This is a fun as hell album. I knew it would be going in, and I was proven right by a significant amount. This album is jus' a big ol' Irish pub singalong. I get how that could get tiring for some people, but, goodness, I ate up every minute of it. What a joy! What makes this album great, though, isn't just its singalong quality alone, no. There's also the number of times they shake up the style on this album. Yeah, for the most part it's the Celtic punk you'd expect from them. But then you have a track like "Turkish Song Of The Damned", which, true to its name, has a lot of influence from Turkish music. "Fiesta", meanwhile, has a lot of inspiration from the music of Spain. They're both standout tracks for this reason, and I say they handle these worldly influences and inspirations well. Then there are the lyrics. I'm typically not the kind of person to follow along with lyrics, but for this album, I made my most successful attempt yet. I sort of fell off during the last few songs (through no fault of the album), but from all of the stuff I was able to listen ... goodness me, these are some **good** lyrics. I particularly wanna praise on "Thousands Are Sailing". It's the only song on the album written by guitarist Phil Chevron, and it's such a wonderful set of words about Irish emigration. It's no wonder it became one of their most popular songs, despite never being a single. And I must give credit to the rest of the band as well, alongside Shane MacGowan's vocals. I've read enough reviews to know his vocals are a turn off for some people, but, like come on — this is Celtic punk. Would you expect him to sound like anything else? And when you back him with the hooligan choir, goodness me, it's a right ol' party. And the rest of the band kicks so much ass— gawd, as I'm writing this I already wanna go and listen to it again. It's such a fun time. Speaking of time, I wanna take a second to address this thing's length. Not that I have a complaint about it, I should say; I just wanna push back against this one review saying the thing was nearly an hour long. Here's a fact: it's not. And before I walked into this album I thought it was! Wikipedia told me it was 51 minutes! As it turns out, however, that's only if you include the two bonus tracks from the CD issue. Take those out and follow the vinyl running order, then the thing's only 44 minutes — much more manageable! Like, if this thing was actually 51 minutes I could cop to its length being a problem: I mean, every party's gotta run out of steam eventually. "Life is just a party and parties weren't meant to last," to quote Prince. Since it ain't, though ... nah, it's the perfect party length. Party on! Honestly, of everything present on this album, I feel like the only thing I'd complain about is the closer, "Worms". It's just ... y'know, a **little** odd and out of place? And certainly a strange way to close the album. I mean, after all of this Celtic punk and singalong fun, you suddenly end on this Primus-ass song about worms eating a decaying body? And I know these lyrics were taken from a children's song that was made popular during World War I, but ... again, it's just weird, is all. And not in a way I'm particularly fond of. And I'm the kinda gal who goes "Primus sucks," so...! But let's finally get to the centerpiece of the album. And I don't wanna act like this album **is** this song; that's absolutely not fair to every other one on here. Y'know, let's not forget about "Thousands Are Sailing". But if I were to point to one song that emphasized everything great about this album ... yeah, of course it's "Fairytale Of New York". The waltz balladry, the story and imagery evoked in the lyrics, the duet vocals with Kristy MacColl ... I mean, this is almost legit one of those "What do you want me to say?" kind of songs. You might've no doubt long heard about how this is one of, if not **the** greatest Christmas song ever written. I know I have! And I'll be blunt that there was some part of me going in that wanted to refute that! Maybe it **don't** live up to the hype, actually! And yet there I was, coming up the final chorus, and by goodness, I was on the verge of tears. I never flowed over, but just the fact **alone** I came so close ... yeah. I'm willing to agree it's one of the greats — largely for how non-traditional it is, but still. And it's absolutely one of those songs that elevates the album its on by a whole point, on the level of Stevie Wonder's "Living For The City" or David Bowie's "Life On Mars?". Now if only we'd gotten it **after** Halloween ... though it would have meant waiting **long** for this album, so... In conclusion, I gotta admit, I'm surprised I had this much to say about this album. I mean, when you get down to it, my enjoyment of this album is so simple: it's Irish pub singalongs. Songs that can and often **are** about important shit, but that're nonetheless fun to drunkenly sing with your friends as you let your worries go, even for a little while. It's not somewhere you're supposed to **stay** — again, my comment about parties — but as a brief reprieve from a hard world, where you can drown it all out with some good whiskey and friends ... how can you hate that? Honestly. And I would be more than willing to go another round — and it more than likely won't take me another 497 days to do it.

Celtic folk deserves more love. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 10. Fucking hell. That was worth a 500 day wait between albums; I thought “Rum Sodomy & The Lash” was a damn good album, almost solely on account of the Celtic rock energy, but this is *excellent.* Certainly one of my favorite ‘80s albums we’ve gotten so far in this thing, and we’ve gotten 122 of them so far. I hesitate to say “top 10”, but probably within the top 20. Unlike “Rum Sodomy & The Lash”, a lot of these songs fit into a more contemporary bubble, less about the escapades of the past (or whatever half the songs were about on the last album, since most were traditional / riffing on traditionals), and more of a socially conscious one, not only to the issues of Ireland at the time (lots of vaguely nationalist viewpoints here, but decently justified ones), but also some lovely tracks set around the world. “Turkish Song of the Damned” is a very adventurous track, “Fairytale of New York” is a super fun Christmas track, “Fiesta” is a Polka-infused Spanish delight, and “Thousands Are Sailing” (my personal favorite here) might be one of the most brilliantly written tracks in regard to the impact of immigration to America, leaving your roots, and finding success that wasn’t possible back home, even if you miss it dearly. Since I felt totally locked in & in-sync with the infectious energy of this album, reading along with the lyrics on its faster paced tracks (especially “Bottle of Smoke”, which is fucking awesome), I don’t have as many notes as I’d like to write a deeper, longer review; that, and I just don’t really have the words that can capture that energy as effectively as it deserves. Someone else can cover for me on this one in terms of the individual tracks (which are all so, so good, save for “Worms”, but it’s practically a bonus track), but just know that the soundscape of this album, which feels like an Irish version of Streetlight Manifesto at full blast, blew me away. It’s not that much different from “Rum Sodomy & The Lash”, but the grit in his vocals combined with a lot more technical skill in the percussion (deeply underrated), just elevates everything to another level. Past that, on this album’s softer moments (namely the first part to “Streets of Sorrow” & “Lullaby of London”), they just feel earnest, with a little bit of a wistful gravitas that matches the moment & imagery the lyrics are allowing for. I’ll give a single nitpick; the album probably didn’t need “Worms”. I understand that “The Broad Majestic Shannon”, for as good as it is, isn’t the most energetic closer, especially after everything else, but “Worms” feels just a little weird to end on. It’d be like if the post-credits scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off had been… well, the actual final scene of the movie. I’m not sure what else could’ve ended the album (maybe the 3-track medley?), but I do think the ending feels just a little flat as a capper to the whole project. Regardless, it doesn’t matter that much. This is an album that needs to be heard rather than read about, and frankly, it blew me away. I knew the wait for this one would be worth it, and it exceeded all of my expectations. I don’t know if other Pogues albums hit a downward slope after these two, but I need to hear more of these guys before I die, and that’s a testament to just how good of an impact 2 albums can have if they’re done right. This is an excellent album, a 10 for me, and probably a top 20 album of the 1980s (hell, maybe 15 or higher?) that we’ve gotten so far, at least to my ears.

I loved this album. I understand why it is considered one of this group's best. I liked that all the songs were different from one another; from the silly song titled "Worms" to the more serious song titled, "Fairytale of New York". I enjoyed the use of several musical instruments and different voices. I appreciated the inclusion of the Dubliner's on a couple of the songs also.

Quintessential Irish folk punk—if you love it, you love it, and I love it! Big sound, incorporation of a melange of musical styles, lyrics ranging from melancholic and reflective to political and philosophical to whatever's happening on "Fiesta," and I'm here for all of it. Best: "Turkish Song of the Damned" Worst: "Metropolis"

One of their finest. Not as „punky“ as the ones before but more political. And it contains two of Shane MacGowans best songs: „Fairytale of New York“ & „The Broad Majestic Shannon“

Fantastic record, probably their best, Celtic folk meets punk, musically brilliant, McGowan's vocals aren't amazing but that's the charm, lyrically the story telling is fantastic.

Loved!

I love it. Love the integration. Of irish traditional, folk, punk elements. It is harmonious. If I should fall from grace with God, fairytale of new york are standouts, especially fairytale and the a side and everything on the b side.

This is the reason people love the Pogues !

Great lyrics with great songs makes for one killer album! 5/ 5

The last incredible achievement amongst the chaos. Phillip Chervon and the others stepping up and proving their talents alongside Shane's giant. Beauty right on the brink.

I loved this more than I thought I would. Knew a lot more songs as well

Irish music is always fantastic, and The Pogues are some of the best.

Fantastic, a bunch of different styles, all great, with some amazing bangers in the mix.

Celtic rock known for reinvigorating the genre

Great fun

yes yes yes

It's fucking great, although a little too long

The Pogues are one of those bands that I love when I hear. Just listening to this folk punk always brings a smile to my face.

Given how much I listened to Flogging Molly, and that they've been covered by Titus Andronicus, you'd think I'd have heard The Pogues before this. But I hadn't. I have now, and my life is better for it.

As a Newfie who enjoys Newfie music, the allure of Irish music is obvious. In that sense, The Pogues were already an ideal band for me. However, combining in all the different influences they do on this album - rock, punk, snippets of music from other cultures, and even the most iconic Christmas song of the last century - make for a truly spellbinding experience. This is one of music's peak forms to me.

What an amazing surprise!! I had no idea what to expect at all but instead got this incredible album of talented musicians going hard as hell. What a pleasure to listen to. I was so impressed by how they made different genres their own while the original effort remained recognizable. Definitely going to keep this in the rotation and enjoy more of their stuff.

Celtic rock, Baby. Loved most of it. Lyrics as commentary on life and I really felt it. Listened before? N Saved to library? Y Favorite track(s): Turkish Song of the Damned, Fiesta, Sit Down by the Fire, Streets of Sorrow, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Really liked it. Saved a lot.

Fav: Fairytale Of New York (Feat. Kirsty MacColl) Least Fav: If I Should Fall From Grace With God If you’ve never drunkenly sang Fairytale Of New York with your mates at a pub/nightclub around Christmas, you’ve not lived life to its fullest

Pogues Good

My favorite Christmas album!

I love everything Irish.

Favorite Track: If I Should Fall from Grace with God

I liked this album very, very much. I didn't know anything about this band, and it ended up making my night way happier with the punk rock and ska energy that they bring. My rate: 4.5/5 mini0n, 08/09/2025

Grab a Guinness and enjoy. Dance your joyous nihilistic dance. I can see not being in the mood for it, but you are in the mood for it, aren’t you? My best friend caught one of their drumsticks; she revisits the perfect moment whenever she can.

I am a Pogues tragic

Great!

Holy hell, what an album! Is it perfect? No. Is it Irish? Oh yeah. Is Irish music meant to be perfect? No. Is Irish music the original punk music? I’d say so, and also that the Pogues do Irish music a punk as anyone before or since. They said ‘Fuck the British’ instead of ‘Fuck the Establishment’ or ‘Fuck Mom&Dad’ or ‘Fuck…’ whatever modern punk rails against. But, make no mistake, this is punk music. Through and through his album also surprised me when every song goes the extra mile - when most bands would finish up, these guys play around a few more bars of instrumental melody and give that little extra. I guess that epitomizes Shane MacGowan, who sounds like he always said “around once more”, whether he was singing or drinking. So, in a way, he sacrificed himself on the altar of ‘too much’ to leave a legacy of Irish punk music like no one else.

10/10 love this album. The inspiration for so many Irish bands.

Excellent record this - perfect blend of joyous energetic music with incredible storytelling lyrics. Im very familiar with Rum Sodomy and the Lash but this was all new to me. Turkish Song, Bottle of Smoke, Metropolis, Fiesta, all highlights, but the whole album is really. There’s just something very very very interesting about The Pogues and I cant always put my finger on it.

Hard not to enjoy the pogues but don't think I've heard an album by them and was surprised how interesting it was, I think they are just way tighter as a band than you'd expect them to be. Its Irish folk music for the most part but they keep it as varied as you could possibly expect. Turkish song of the damned in particular was unexpected. Listened to a few tracks again and its great, I'm not sure if the pogues are a 5 star band but this a 5 star album.

I've got a soft spot for the Pogues. Don't think I've listened to this album before though.... I thought this was great, so much better than I was expecting. It's got that traditional Irish folk sound, but with an extra punky edge that really elevates it. The stuff with the Dubliners is great, got some interesting other bits in there too. Metropolis and Sketches of Spain were cool. Highlights: Thousands are sailing Fiesta Irish rover Medley Streets of sorrow/Birmingham six Mountain dew If I should ever fall from grace with god My main criticism is that it felt really strange listening to fairytale of New York and it not being Christmas. Always makes me think of everyone drunkenly singing it at a pub in my hometown at Christmas... It's the best Xmas song It's a 5 (I'm ignoring "worms") and I'll be back

This was great. I want more of this.

This was right in my wheelhouse and lots of fun to listen to! I don't like the use of the f-slur in Fairytale but society generally wasn't concerned about that in 1988, I suppose, and it's only the one, so I guess I'm gonna let it slide.

Okay this is pretty awesome. Folk witb a punky edge. I knew I liked folk metal, but I really just like a good celtic folk song. Has Fairytale of New York too which is one of the best xmas songs. Eastern influence in Turkish Song of the Damned Metropolis is a crazy instrumental track, from celtic folk to big band/jazz? Halfway through and no bad tracks Even Mariachi in Fiesta?! The Broad Majestic Shannon is like a prototype Fairytale of New York 2nd half definitely feels 'safer', less crazy energy and fusion of genres. Musicianship and songwriting is insanely good. Best track - Metropolis, Bottle of Smoke, Turkish Song of the Damned 4 or 5 stars. First half is so good! 5!

An undeniable classic 5*

This album was my first exposure to the Pogues. Bought it after seeing them performing “Body of an American” on Saturday Night Live. I couldn’t understand a word that was said but I loved their energy, their look,their sound, everything. Album did not disappoint and became the soundtrack of my autumn and winter that year. Cassette tape had the fun James Joyce collage cover.

Worldly Irish Folk Punk

Really dug this one

Building on the highs of Rum Sodomy and the Lash, The Pogues really hit their stride here with their Celtic-folk punk. A lot of fun.

Irish folk music is top-tier. Favourite Songs: If I Should Fall from Grace with God, Turkish Song of the Damned, Fairytale of New York, Metropolis, Streets Of Sorrow/Birmingham Six. Least Favourite Songs: NO.

I unabashedly LOVE Irish music, obsessed

Loved this. A lot of fun, great musicianship, something I can see myself listening to again. 5/5.

I mean. If this is what you want? Rebel songs. Gambling songs. Heartache songs. This is the highest.

An excellent album, The Pogues at the very top of their game with timeless ballads like Fairytale, Americana, Irish roots and a huge amount of historic, folky depth. Shane never sounded better!

Amazing from top to bottom. I loved every second.

catchy. I liked every song

I heared the name Pogues, but never heared a note from this band before... Haven't heared much of Celtic Punk either, so I didn't know what to expect. And I liked it more than I would expect it. I haven't heared much punk or even rock here, though. This music is so joyful. So much rooted in folk, but still quiet modern. It has so much of NATURAL APPEAL, without even trying to get it. Like, you can put this music to people any age, any social status, etc, and I believe that these melodies and sounds will make them joyful. The arragements are great, but even more of this words are about Shane MacGowan (R.I.P.). He sounds like a rough drunkard, but with so much appeal, that I believe I finally found music that no one will be annoyed by. It just sounds so happy, without being sugary or fake in any way. I don't know how often I will go back to this record, and how much I will listen to that style of music per se, so I didn't know if I will rate it 4 or 5. But hey! What the heck. I will rate it 5, just because it's so charming and brings as much of a naked pure joy as only music can bring

So happy this came up. Love it!

Loved it!

I guess I like the Irish

9/10 A passion and feeling that is all too rare in a lot of albums. Musicianship is top notch and the songs are angry, informed and funny. Loved it. Fairytale of New York got skipped as it is a baking hot day in July and I ain't listening to a Xmas tune, no matter how great it is.

Only knew the hits, but it is a great album. So much variety.

I knew this would be five stars, and of course it is. I love The Pogues. I have a soft spot for all Irish punk bands, but I have a real soft spot for Irish folk punk bands with bittersweet lyrics and a jig in their step.

yep. a classic.

AWESOME SAUCE.

celtic punk is such a cool genre. I love it when people fuse two completely unrelated genres together, especially if it ends up sounding as awesome as this. this album also happens to have "fairytale of new york" on it, which I believe is the most played christmas song in the UK. a rare instance of a christmas song on a non-christmas album as well. there's a few features by the dubliners (an irish folk band) later into the album. the whole thing is a ton of fun. favorite song: "fairytale of new york". yeah it has a slur, yeah it's weird to be listening to this in the middle of july, but this song is lowkey beautiful. overall: 9/10

A stone cold classic.

Depuis que j'ai vu le documentaire sur Shane MacGowan "Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan (2020)" The Pogues m'est apparu sous un nouveau jour. Quel personnage quand même. Jeunesse de grosse misère, désir de faire une fusion du trad et du punk, autodestruction d'abus inimaginables. Ça serait ma recommandation de musidocu de l'année pour qui n'a pas vu.

Festif! Agreablement surpris que ce soit sur le 1001!

Autre belle découverte que je connaissais de nom seulement. Punk, folk, irish, tout ensemble. C’est festif, c’est d’party, c’est dense, c’est profond, c’est réfléchi. Fairytale of New York, classique. J’ai aussi adoré Thousands are Sailing RIP Shane MacGowan!

this feels like it’s going to end up in my regular rotation. i’m fascinated

I listened to this album, and then I suddenly found myself wearing a kilt and drinking a Guiness. That is to say I have discovered I love Irish folk rock, and the list has finally after a plethora of nonsense, delivered an actual album that you must listen to before you die. 5/5

Amazing from start to finish.

Such a great listen.

This album makes it very hard not to like it. It’s just full of really fun songs back to front. Fairytale in New York is obviously one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time and I personally love the Irish rover. Honestly just a great time that’s safely a 4 and maybe even pushing a 5/5. I guess I’ll have to round up 🤷‍♂️

I thoroughly enjoyed this, so many great fun tunes. Flagged several. 4.5/5

I snuck into a club in Dallas to see this tour and never looked back. Seeing them live that night confirmed for me the brash brilliance of this band. From the title track to Turkish Song of The Damned to Fairytale of New York (which to this day remains the best Xmas song ever), this effort really sees the band at their peak firing on all cylinders. The Pogues have the amazing ability to kick you in the balls, help you back up then hand you a pint and tell you how much they love ya. Poignant lyrics. Bombastic jigs n reels. Poetic frontman. Lots of craic. Sláinte Shane! I got the next round…

A goddamn Irish fever dream.

Irish ska lol

Hurtling chaotic traditional Irish songs with gorgeous writing and ripping energy. And I love Shane's voice. This is a stone cold classic.

What a fun one. It’s clear they were influenced by many different genres. And I love me a big band.

The best - loved the Pogues

Just awesome

Wow

Unfassbar gutes Album mit einem Mix aus Spaß, Ernst und Verstand. „Fairytale of New York“ oder „Fiesta“ werden auch noch in 100 gespielt werden. 😊

Crossing punk rock and folk/Irish music is always going to hit a sweet spot with me. And what an album! Great songs from start to finish. The greatest revelation for me was the track Metropolis. As soon as I heard what was happening, I smiled and said “this is so cool.” Crossing Irish reels with echoes of orchestral pieces like Powerhouse and similar city/industrial evocations of the big band era, with half-tone movements happening on horns. Very cool piece.

Absolute perfection! Favorite songs: The Irish Rover, If I Should Fall From Grace With God, Mountain Dew, Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/Galway Races, Bottle of Smoke, Thousands are Sailing, Fiesta, Fairytale of New York, The Broad Majestic Shannon, Sit Down by the Fire, Turkish Song of the Damned, South Australia, The Battle March Medley, Lullaby of London, Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six, Sketches of Spain, Shanne Bradley, Metropolis Least favorite songs: Worms 5/5

Fabulous. What lyrics and what musicianship!! For such a long album the quality of the songs is amazing.

This is one of my favorite albums from one of my favorite bands, I fucking love the Pogues! It's like folk punk, Irish anger and liquor with traditional instruments and rhythms. It doesn't get much better than this!

Ye inner swashbuckler cowboy Irishman be scallywagged off a short pier

Stunning!

The title track and Fairytale of New York are iconic - I never realized these songs were from this band. This was a thoroughly enjoyable Irish album with great instrumentals. Very much like the Dubliners, and in fact one song features them.

Rip Shane!

Wait I loved this?

This is the hundred eight album I’m rating. Fantastic album title by the way but I don't know who they are. Adding to my Playlist - Fairytale of New York, Metropolis, South Australia, Fiesta, Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/The Galway Races, Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six, and Worms. Not Adding to my Playlist - If I Should Fall from Grace with God, Turkish Song of the Damned, Bottle of Smoke, Thousands are Sailing, Lullaby of London, The Battle March Medley, Sit Down by the Fire, and The Broad Majestic Shannon. Fairytale of New York - Maybe my brother was right when he said that female singers are just better. It's more likely that the male singer just sucks though. All in all I liked 7/15 songs. Worse than Celtic Woman I think.

5+ cos I fookin’ love Irish music and Irish attitude and this album has heaps of both. Even the wtf songs like Worms have attitude. Not too bad at all.

Yes, this one gets 5 stars. Maybe it’s not a full 5 star, but it’s damn close, and I’m going to round up anyways. Sound was absolutely killer, this album will forever and always get me hyped up 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

Twenty FACKIN’ five-to-one 🇮🇪 Oh me gamblin’ days are done ❌ I bet on a horse called Bottle o Smoke 💨💨💨 And my. Horse. Won 🐎🥇

Fantastic all the way

5/5. A full collection of great songs, none overstaying their welcome and all unique in their own way. They really nailed down the energy of short and quick folk-punk tracks for the most part, sprinkling the ballads throughout here and there. Although I can barely understand any of the vocals, they are still exciting and rhythmic in their own way. The album is a treat to listen to front to back. Best Song: Fairytale of New York, Fiesta, Turkish Song Of The Damned

THE BOYS OF THE NYPD CHOIR WERE SINGING GALWAY BAY

The Irish go crazy for this stuff. So do I

Love it! Jason kelce Christmas song

finally, up until this point i think the only other 5 stars i have given were to the smiths - meat is murder unreal artistry and a classic sound. rip shane

Great love the pogues

5 Stars for best Christmas song, ever

Irish band, super fun to listen to

5 out of 5. This album is a festive good time.

What a fucking blast, I already new fairytale, but hearing it the larger context was fascinating.

Just incredible!!

RIP Shane McGowan. This is the Pogues at their best. There's not much else to say.

I'm an idiot for not listening to this sooner considering how much i like 'Rum Sodomy and the Lash' which came right before it. Songwriting is just top tier all over this. Plenty of albums on here feel like they drag on forever, this one I was shocked when it ended, felt like it only started.

Raucous, lyrically brilliant, fun and always joyous. There was just something very fun about the Pogues.

I truely believe it’s a metal masterpiece and an excellent depiction of its era. However, listening to it in 2025 I can’t help but think it’s theatre rock- it could and should be a Broadway musical. High energy and extremely animated. A good way to start the day, adds 2.5x speed to whatever you’re doing.

Yes! Lots of fun, would be even better knocking back the beers. I can skip the Christmas one right?

Great album. Multiple different styles and melodies. Very catchy and heartfelt in parts. Stand out song ,- Fairytale of New York

Loved it. Would’ve been much better with a pint of Guinness than behind a desk reviewing insurance claims, but bills need to get paid. Nobody does folk music better than the Irish. Give it a little bit of modernizing and you can’t miss. If you’re into Flogging Molly or Drop Kick Murphys than you’re gonna like this too.

Un álbum extrañísimo, muy divertido, con mucha experimentación genial y con poco más de una hora en la que no dejé de sonreír con lo absolutamente loco que se pone todo, pero sin jamás recurrir a hacer ruidos innecesarios o meter cosas que no sirven para nada. Me la pasé muy bien.

Great stuff guys.

Super fun. All those Irish punk bands are just covers of this

Surprised at how many of these I actually knew. I can get behind some Celtic music, but throw in some elements of The Clash? Now we’re talking a language I didn’t know I spoke. Fun album, if a bit disjointed at times (why is there a Christmas song on here). Makes me wanna grab the homies and some beers and run around in the street

The Pogues are so fucking cool. Irish traditional fixed with folk-punk is fucking glorious. This isn't even their best album but goddamn is it magnificent. Love the playing on here

While not their best album, if you are a fan of Celtic Punk, this album hits all the right notes. While 'Fairytale of New York' is the most standout track, there are so many great songs on this album that delivers track after track.

One of my all time favorite albums. My only complaint is that I got it on March 4 instead of the 17th.

No need explanation.

The Pogues are much more than an Irish folk band and this album proves it. Yes, we still get the traditional songs, although fewer than you might think - there were three out of fifteen that I counted on the original release plus a couple more on the expanded edition including the classic Irish Rover with the Dubliners. The musical influences are broader and more diverse here - Middle Eastern sounds and wild Spanish fiestas sit comfortably alongside punk influenced folk (or maybe folk influenced punk) with a solid backing band of talented musicians. Shane MacGowan’s lyrics and vocals are as distinctive as ever from the mawkish Christmas classic Fairytale of New York (with the unmistakable Kirsty MacColl) to ballads and shanties, and powerful political songs about miscarriages of justice and the scattered Irish diaspora. A great album that has stood the test of time.

That's an absolutely great album! It's very entertaining while having also a message to convey, it's folk and it's punk and you can sing their song with a pint of ale in one hand dancing on the counter and the musician are great.

i deny it no longer: i am a white person who gets down with some Irish folk music. am i Irish? kinda? probably? (Northern Irish Protestants count, right?) either way, i just know that the bouzouki and the tin whistle go well together instrumentally, and that Shane MacGowan goes well with that duo as well. he's got such a way of describing a scene that it feels like you're really there, going through it next to him. special commendation obviously goes to "Fairytale of New York", of course. when i'm not either of the characters in the song, i feel like i'm watching them argue and fall apart at the seams while still loving each other as much as two shipwrecks can. i want to build my dreams around another.

perfect

Great fun, no-nonsense Irish punk. Love it.

Do I like Irish music? Yes Do I like Folk music? Yes Do I like Punk music? Yes Do I like this album? No, I LOVE IT!!!

Loved it

Awesome!

If an album makes you wanna go to the nearest Irish Pub, drink a lots of Guinness dance and sing the night away with your friends…then it’s my pint of Guinness!

Day 32: If I Should Fall From Grace With God - The Pogues. Pogues album 1/2. The concept of The Pogues is really genius; they somehow managed to seamlessly combine punk rock with traditional Celtic folk music. It is a combination that feels like something that shouldn't work, but somehow does. The Pogues pulled it off very well. They released the angst in their spirits while simultaneously honouring their culture and heritage with the incorporation of traditional Celtic folk instruments. The lyrics to the songs on this album cover a variety of topics, and each of them are paired with lively instrumentation, and punk rage. It feels slightly confusing, but the music is very touching, and very fun to listen to. Despite how different and unique this album is, I'd find it hard to believe that there are people who dislike this album. I am extremely grateful that Robert Dimery decided to highlight them (not to mention that he did it TWICE; with this album, and with "Rum Sodomy & the Lash"). The Pogues are getting their dues paid. The music on this album is timeless, and generations of individuals deserve to hear the innovation that takes place in this album. Personal Enjoyment: 5/5. How Much It Belongs Here: 4/5.

Bottle of Smoke The Battle March Medley

p585. 1988. 5 stars. Absolutely brilliant - possibly the greatest live band ever and one of the great songwriters on absolutely top form. And it has the best Christmas song ever on it. God bless you, Shane and Kirsty.

RIP Shane

I listen to this album at least a few times a year. I like many other songs from their career, but this album does have so many classics and is great all the way through and is really the pinnacle of their output, as far as I'm concerned. The albums before are still very good, but the album after lost a lot before McGowan was then out. Definitely an album that still holds up and is just as relevant as Irish culture continues to come back after centuries of oppression.

I could play this on loop all day! Rocky Road to Dublin is a classic. Number of these I knew already (On an old forgotten hard drive somewhere is even an mp3 of my own rendition of Mountain Dew from many years ago). I was kind of surprised to see the play counts on Spotify that Fairytale of New York is by far the most played from this album though!

Despite being a bit fan of Celtic music, I'd never listened to a Pogues album. Which is odd, and this certainly grabbed my attention. A couple of tracks I knew, and I deliberately chose to keep the extended mix tracks in to see what the collaborations with The Dubliners would be like – not entirely sure the other extended tracks are worthwhile and might make this all feel a little overlong if you didn't like a trad-arr tune. But I do. And I've been missing out on this and, presumably, other Pogues albums. I enjoyed this. It's really, really close to a five, and I'll give it that because of all the other missing Celtic music and shanties which deserve to be here.

My horse won

Not a bad track on it and a rare case of an album where almost every track is danceable

I don't know if it's me getting older, not having had a beer in a while, or if I am turning somewhat Irish, but I officially like The Pogues. Just in time for Christmas!

Oh, I could fall in love.

This album has a lot of the ingredients for a 5 star album for me. Edgy, raw, variety, unpredictable, and many different instruments. I had never heard it before and I really enjoyed it.

One of my all time favorite albums. This is one that's been with me since I was 15 years old, and one that I can truly say changed my life and changed the way that I listen to music. They always say that punk rock is a gateway drug, and it's true, because punk rock led me to this. It was kind of a natural progression from Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. Bands that I love, but I needed more. This was the perfect scratch to my itch and it really bridged the gaps of punk, rock, country and folk for me. The music is so full and so lively, while Shane's lyrics are so thoughtful and haunting. This record not only led me other music (folk, bluegrass, ska, reggae, dub, rocksteady, jazz) but also helped my world view. Immigration / Emigration. Poverty, globalization. Love, sadness, heartbreak, alcoholism. I started to grasp the troubles in Northern Ireland and the duality of what it means to be an America and how we fit in the world. This album really opened my eyes to a lot of things. When I left to live in Ireland for 2 years I was so excited and a large part of that was because of this record. Musically, I love how much fun this band is having. Each song is different from the next. There's epics, ballads, marches, sing alongs, pub songs, bo diddley's. It's all over the place, and it's not just *Irish.* They into other world genres and absolutely slayed them. I also love that they brought The Dubliners in for 2 songs and went full traditional. The songwriting is impeccable. Shane McGowan was a truly one of the greatest 20th Century poets. So many songs give me chills. For such a long album, I don't even know what I would say for each song, because I seriously love each one of these songs so much. I'm just grateful I've had this in my life so long. When I first got this album, I would show my friends and they thought it was either weird or silly. But when you really listen to it and get into this record, you'll find its a masterpiece and something to be cherished.

Oh, that's The Pogues! Shit, I had no idea. This is more fun that a Guinness or six in an Irish pub. Now I have a great complement to the Waterboys when I need a lively jig with political undertones and punk influence.

High octane Celtic punk. Top of the form. When I was younger I would dream about being in a band that could create such powerful, crowd interactive music. (I hate that Fairytale of New York has become a Christmas standard in the UK. Nothing says "Christmas Season" like domestic violence, I suppose.)

So great. Love the songs with the Dubliners. And the song Fiesta is excellent.

Fun, loud, polka tracks mixed with softer and sweet tracks Kind of reminds me of They Might Be Giants It just gets better and better as the album goes on. I'm so glad I got this album and now I need to listen to more.

feestje van eerste tot laatste noot... ook al zijn teksten niet altijd even vrolijk... best plaat van --volgens mij-- beste folk-punkband aller tijden

Shane MacGowan and the gang have produced a masterpiece here. Listened to it 3 times in a row. A beautiful mix of traditional Irish with some world music and punk. Always liked the Pogues but couldn't get through a full album with my previous music tastes. Now it flows like water. A poetic look into the Irish diaspora experience. 5*

The Pogues trad punk was so fresh when they first appeared on the scene. Who would have thought that Shane MacGowen would live as long as he did. His lyrics and style were just incredible, you wonder what he could have done if he got his health together. The love for him when he passed was so lovely to see. All in all a brilliant album start to finish, one to add to the vinyl collection. Stand out tracks: - If I Should Fall from Grace with God - Turkish Song of the Damned - Fairytale of New York - I wish this wasn't played at Christmas as much as it such an amazing piece of work and can be ruined by overplaying - Thousands are sailing - Fiesta - The recruiting sergeant / The rocky road to Dublin / Galway Races - streets of sorrow / Birmingham six - The broad majestic Shannon - The Irish Rover - Mountain Dew - Shane Bradley

For the first time since starting this experiment, I listened to the Extended Album and I’m not mad about it. That’s 5 stars right there.

Great craic

Das nenne ich ein frisches, ungezähmtes Album voller Ideen. Zwischen Melancholie und Trink-parties wandern die wunderbaren Melodien hin und her. Das ist so gelungen. Hier fällt bestimmt niemand in Ungnade bei Gott.

godDAMN this album is so good!!!!! i was thrilled to see it come up and listened to it like four times. the pogues rock hard and kinda do a clash-london-calling-esque thing here where they meander off into different genres and grooves and it just WORKS. these are the songs of the people!! favorites: pretty much everything. didn't end up adding streets of sorrow / birmingham six, sit down by the fire, or shanne bradley to my liked songs.

Classic Irish music

“Fairytale of NY” is one of my favorite Christmas songs and earns this a 5. Besides this we have Irish folk rock, well played and amusing at times though it’s only good for about a half hour with me before I get bored with it

This album is just a ton of fun, I don't know how else to describe it. These guys take all the elements of traditional Irish music and then elevate it to make it feel fresh and interesting. It's just such an interesting mix of Celtic music and folk and punk and a whole bunch of other influences. "Love You 'Till The End" is still my favorite Pogues song (at least for now, and I'm guessing it won't be on this list, but it was one of the two songs I picked to play right after my wedding ceremony, along with The Zombies "This Will Be Our Year), but this whole album is just consistently solid top to bottom. It has a standout song of its own too, with "Fairytale of New York". "Thousands Are Sailing" is a close second, an ode to immigrants coming to the US with a bunch of NYC name checks. I'm not sure if this is actually one of the greatest albums of all time or not, but I also don't know what they could have done to make it better. After so many mediocre '70s soft rock and '80s new wave albums on here, this is totally fresh and unique. They find a way to make the punk spirit live in this traditional genre. No notes on my end. RIP Shane MacGowan. Favorite song: Fairytale of New York Other: If I Should Fall from Grace with God, Turkish Song of the Damned, Bottle of Smoke, Thousands Are Sailing, Fiesta, Streets of Sorrow / Birmingham Six, Lullaby of London, The Broad Majestic Shannon, The Irish Rover 10/25/24

At first, I felt like this just sounded like a less refined Flogging Molly, but both the diversity of music here and the slurring lyricism make it increasingly obvious that there is much more going on here, and that the like of refinement is kind of the point. Despite being yet another punk band, this actually feels like it belongs on the list because Irish punk is so distinct (or at least the Pogues are) as opposed to the thousand and one indistinct and frankly unnecessary iterations of British punk.

I loved this one and then went through all of their stuff. I had already gotten their album with Elvis Costello but didn’t like that one as much as this one. It was better relistening today however. What a unique and fun blend of genres. I could listen to it all day Rating: 4.7

I thought this was great. I love the driving energetic punky vibe with the traditional gaelic sounds and instruments. The lyrics sound like modern folk music, with references to sacred music sometimes, and a nice sense of storytelling. It made me want to jump around and drink cider and punch things and hug people.

As I already own the iconic "Fairytale Of New York" on a compilation somewhere, I originally dismissed that LP as an unnecessary addition to my record collection, and as record that was probably second to *Rum, Sodomy And The Lash* and its own iconic tunes. Guess the tongue-in-cheek mariachi antics of "Fiesta" also put me in the wrong track here (as it was also the title theme of a very stupid show on French TV when I was a kid, which is probably why I took the whole album derisively when I browsed through it before). But boy was I wrong! And I got this app to thank for allowing me to revise my judgment today. First, there are the killer arrangements. They're just everywhere. I'm not a traditional Irish music buff, so all of this could have left me cold without all the crazy and original flourishes gracing the vast majority of those songs, from the oriental scales of "Turkish Songs Of The Damned" to the dissonant Peter Gunn Theme-adjacent brass of "Metropolis". And then, and most of all, you have the songs per se. Sure, there's the title-track and opener. But what totally led me to lower my guard is the Peter Chevron-penned sea shanty "Thousands Are Sailing", with a killer introduction, a killer chorus filled with all sorts of tense minor harmonies, and then a killer bridge to boot. From then on, I fell in love with most of the other tunes, like the political ballad "Streets Of Sorrow", the topically and musically heavy "Birmingham Six", with its abrasive sounds in the background -- like prisoners grinding the bars of their jail cell -- or the melancholic "Lullaby Of London". Steve Lilywhite's production aged very gracefully considering the time period, and the whole album is a perfect companion to *Rum, Sodomy and The Lash*. Unless it's the other way around. Rest in peace, Shane MacGowan. You were a toothless alcoholic punk and you had poets, pundits and generals waltzing in the aisles at your funeral. A life well-lived. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 5 9.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5 + 4.5). Number of albums left to review: 36 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 417 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 243 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 307

The quintessential Irish rock album for sure. The album cover embodies the sound where it is obviously very fun/cheeky kind of attitude but authentic/great irish traditions blended in their more modern rock sound. It is a little long but there are not really bad songs on it.

I slept like crap the night before. My coffee didn’t help. But folk-punk was there to save the day.

Raufen, saufen, gröhlen, tanzen und musizieren. Mit den Pogues fällt niemand bei Gott in Ungnade.

Bitchin'. Beautiful, even.

I liked it

Feels like going for a nice walk with an old friend

Loved this album. My first exposure to the Pogues, and I am upset I have lived this long without knowing about them. I saved If I Should Fall from Gace with God, Bottle of Smoke, Turkish Song of the Damned, The Battle March Medley, and South Australia to listen to often. Loved the use of drums and accordion. Definitely fits the Irish Folk Punk classification, three things I enjoy.

This has aged very, very well in my opinion. Much of that is down to Shane’s poetry. And the production. The drum sound kicks ass.

Favourite tracks: if I should fall from grace with god; fiesta; fairytale of new York; streets of sorrow; the Irish rover; Shanne Bradley

very jaunty rock music with an unafraid and EXTREME celtic influence. a single track will make you wanna riverdance in a pub where a dozen red-haired thugs chug heavy drinks and get into heated fistfights. all members of the group create quite the hootenanny with their songs, slurry, and dare i say almost drunken-sounding singing and passionate instrumentation make this album stand out among the rest. if you don't like the sound, maybe you should take another drink lad.

One of the greatest albums ever.

The big one for The Pogues. Most U.S. listeners first heard of The Pogues from this album, after it became a darling of the alternative rock stations. It contains their most recognizable song, Fairytale of New York, which is often played as part fo Christmas playlists. This is hilarious because it's anything but a nice Christmas song. Like so many Pogues songs, it's a story song about disillusionment and addiction. It's a rollicking album full of high energy folk-rock and sad ballads. It's predecessor, Rum Sodomy and the Lash, was more raw, and it's successor, Peace and Love a hot mess. If I Should Fall From Grace With God is Pogues at peak.

Love it, no notes

This album rocked, really fun vibe reminded me of Flogging Molly. Favorite songs were: 1. If I Should Fall from Grace with God 4. Fairytale of New York 10. Lullaby of London 9/10

i’ll admit i can only take so much of this at once, but that’s not a judgement on the achievement

irish sea shanties with layers of different genres.

1988 fue año plagado de estupendos discos y este de lo Pogues fue de los mejores. Aclamado por crítica y público, contiene algunos de sus mejores y mas conocidos temas: Fiesta y Fairytale of NY especialmente, que se convirtió desde su publicación en un clásico imperdurable. Cierto es que el revival flokie tenía en los Waterboys un puntal ese año, pero la mezcla de Punk-Folk y el carisma de Shane los hacía irresistibles. Con Rum, Sodomy and the Lash habían logrado la aclamación de la crítica (que no les perdía la pista desde su estupendo debut) pero la exhuberancia y equlibrio de If I Sholud hacen de este un disco especial. Arranca como un tiro con la canción titular y sigue con brío Turkish song of the dammed. La banda está en plenitud y se nota, Shane está inspirado como nunca (como siempre). Bottle of smoke no baja el pistón un milímetro y llega el pelotazo de Fairytale. Después de esto cualquier cosa es posible. En este caso, la instrumental Metropolis, compuesta por Finer. Termina con Thousands Are Sailing de Phil Chevron, otra gran canción. La cara B comienza a ritmo de pachanga con la inigualable Fiesta (de letra en muchos momentos tan incoherente como su vídeo musical), que transmite una alegría exuberante. De vuelta a la raíces con el medley de The Recruiting Sergeant / The Rocky Road to Dublin / Galway Races que continua con Streets of Sorrow / Birmingham Six , esta últimamente censurada por la mismísima BBC. Lullaby of London es un bonita balada que nos lleva al ritmo acelerado de Sit Down by the Fire y con The Broad Majestic Shannon retornan las melodías de Fairytale con aires más folkies, gran canción y acabar con la lúgubre tonada tradicional Worms. Posteriores ediciones incluyen temas extras, como la versión charanga de Sketches of Spain, o la 27ª versión del tradicional Irish Rover con los Dubliners (grabada con ellos un año antes). UNa maravilla. Otros grandes discos del excelso 1988 fueron: Public Enemy con It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back ,Pixies con Surfer Rosa, Daydream Nation de Sonic Youth, Lovesexy de Prince, Green de R.E.M. ,Talking Heads con Naked, el debut de Tracy Chapman, Eric B. & Rakim con Follow the Leader, Tender Prey de Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Morrissey debut con Viva Hate , I'm Your Man de Leonard Cohen, el debut de The Sugarcubes con Life's Too Good, Bug de Dinosaur Jr, Pet Shop Boys con Introspective, Vivid de Living Colour; Prefab Sprout con From Langley Park to Memphis, 69 de A.R. Kane, Run-D.M.C. con Tougher Than Leather, The House of Love de The House of Love, The Serpent's Egg de Dead Can Dance, Barbed Wire Kisses de The Jesus and Mary Chain, 101 de Depeche Mode, Bummed de los Happy Mondays, Bummed de Happy Mondays, Songhai de Ketama, Sex & Drugs & Jesus Christ de Christian Death, Birth, School, Work, Death de The Godfathers, el debut de L7, Stronger than pride de Sade, G N'R Lies de Guns and Roses, Only life de The Felies, Today de Galaxie 500, Fisherman's blues de Waterboys, 16 Lovers Lane de The Go-Betweens, Spirit of eden de Talk Talk, Watermark de Enya, Cocteau Twins de Blue Bell Knoll, Peepshow de Siouxsie & the Banshees, Idlewild de Everything but the Girl , Conscious Party de Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, The First of a Million Kisses de Fairground Attraction, People de Hothouse Flowers, Straight Outta Compton de N.W.A, It Takes Two de Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, Nothing's Shocking de Jane's Addiction, Ancient Heart de Tanita Tikaram, La pistola y el corazón de Los Lobos, Talk Is Cheap de Keith Richards, Everything de The Bangles, el Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, Look Sharp! de Roxette, El Ritmo Mundial de Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Shaday de Ofra Haza, Straight out the Jungle de The Jungle Brothers, California de American Music Club, The Trinity Session de Cowboy Junkies, Isn't Anything de My Bloody Valentine, Pata Negra y su Blues de la frontera No digo ya cosas como Robert Palmer, Eight Wonder, Boby McFerrin, Tiffany, New Kids on the Block, Jean Michel Jarre, U2, Martika, Milli Vanilli o Womack and Womack, que tuvieron su gracia.

I love Irish music and this one is fantastic. Loved it’s upbeat, fun tone!

Easily in my top 10 all-time. I was lucky to get into the Pogues with this album. I was able to go backwards so to me they evolved into a more punk band before becoming a great all around band.

I love when traditional music steeped in history is combined with more contemporary instruments, so this is right up my alley. Energetic, traditional and modern at the same time. Skipped Fairytale of New York as it’s September but I already know what it sounds like and love it. One of my favourite Christmas songs. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard any of the other tracks before. I really liked it, more than I expected. Highlights: If I Should Fall from Grace with God Turkish Song of the Damned Fairytale of New York Fiesta The Recurring Sergeant / The Rocky Road to Dublin / Galway Races The Broad Majestic Shannon

I am always struck by how much I love this album. I might just be a sucker for banjo. Overall just really fun. 4.5/5

My 2nd Pogues album from the generator. Another enjoyable album full of bangers. Could've had a few more tracks with Kirsty MacColl singing, her tune was a highlight. Makes me wish I was in a pub in Ireland, non stop dance jigs.

The Pogues have been on my list to deep dive for quite a while. Fairytale of New York is in my top 5 Christmas songs, so I was excited when this came up. I loved it. I've also been on an Irish music kick that started when Shane McGowan died a few months ago, so thay definitely influenced things. Album cover: A-

Ah, here's the reminder that I need more Irish folk music in my life

The only thing better than this album was their prior, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash. Love them. Loved this.

You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot, "Happy Christmas" your arse, I pray God it's our last Fuck it, è stato un bellissimo ascolto

Killing

You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot, “Happy Christmas” your arse, I pray God it’s our last Fuck it, è stato un bellissimo ascolto

Loved this album. I knew a handful of Pogues songs, but had never listened to an album, but this is one of a handful of albums from this project that I have put straight back on after the first listen. Brilliant. It did feel odd listening to Fairytale of New York in August, though.

Elsker irsk

One of the great albums in the history of The Pogues. Wonderful collection of great songs!

My new favorite Christmas album. Varied yet cohesive and a fun plot twist at the end.

The Pogues. I remember hearing 'Dirty Old Town' then 'The Irish Rover' and thinking, this is a bit mad. Then this came out, which was an improvement on 'Rum, Sodomy and the Lash', this features one of my favourite tracks 'Thousands are Sailing' and so many more quality tunes. It's punk played with traditional Irish instruments, it shouldn't work, but it does and so well. Everyone loves 'Fairytale of New York' , like the rest of it, it's bittersweet stuff. Well maybe apart from 'Fiesta' it brings a huge smile to my face when I hear it. A 5 star effort deserved by a band firing on all cylinders, before the wheels fell off a short few years later.

lo and behold it's one of the best albums i've ever heard and my entryway into a new genre! like side b is great but side a is maybe the best run in the history of music hufdhufdj...baroque, poetic, vibrant, melancholic, warm, amazing 10/10