Reviews (page 7 of 13)
I am familiar with THE POGUES, but not the album IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD. I have and listened to the album RUM, SODOMY & THE LASH which I like very much. After listening to IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD, which is a very good album, although popular because of the Christmas hit "Fairytale of New York". I found it interesting that the instrumentals are a very strong part of the album, but I feel that RUM, SODOMY & THE LASH is a better and stronger albumin comparison. In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, THE POGUES’ RUM, SODOMY & THE LASH is also listed along with IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD Is the only album listed. Rate Artist: THE POGUES (6.0) Rate Album (Year): IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD (UK 1988 Original) (4.0) Rate Album (Year): IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD (US 2004 Expanded) (4.0) Ranking of THE POGUES - IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD songs No. Title Length Ranking 01. "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" 2:20 09.0/10 02. "Turkish Song of the Damned" 3:27 09.5/10 03. "Bottle of Smoke" 2:47 08.0/10 04. "Fairytale of New York" 4:36 09.5/10 05. "Metropolis" 2:50 09.0/10 instrumental 06. "Thousands Are Sailing" 5:28 08.0/10 07. "Fiesta" 4:13 07.0/10 08. "Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/The Galway Races" 4:03 07.0/10 09. "Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six" 4:39 07.0/10 10. "Lullaby of London" 3:32 08.0/10 11. "Sit Down by the Fire" 2:18 07.0/10 12. "The Broad Majestic Shannon" 2:55 08.0/10 13. "Worms" 1:01 07.0/10 Original UK 1988 Release 104.0/130 = 8.00 / 2 = 4.00 Bonus tracks No. Title Length Ranking 14. "The Battle March (Medley)" (B-side of "Fairytale of New York", 1987) 4:10 08.0/10 15. "The Irish Rover" (A-side single, 1987; with THE DUBLINERS) 4:08 08.0/10 16. "Mountain Dew" (B-side of "The Irish Rover"; with THE DUBLINERS) 2:15 09.0/10 17. "Shanne Bradley" (B-side of "Fairytale of New York") 3:42 09.0/10 instrumental 18. "Sketches of Spain" (B-side of "Fiesta", 1988) 2:14 09.0/10 instrumental 19. "South Australia" (B-side of "Fiesta") 3:27 09.0/10 US Expanded 2004 Release 156.0/190 = 8.21 / 2 = 4.11
This is definitely a mood thing. If you are willing to embrace the style, and revel in the rawness, sweat and dirt, this is a great ride with both frantic energy and passionate ballads. Just awesome.
great fun like irish rock
It feels like going through some Celtic RPG or watching a Celtic series...
Ovaj album je za day-drinking ili općenito pijenje alkoholnih napitaka uz pjevanje. Od početka do kraja sa dobrim stvarima, možda 2 pjesme mi nisu sjele, ali ostatak je dost dobar i imaju dobar streak pjesama koje su bile odlične. Pogotovo prvi dio albuma. Preporuke ako ste za seltički rok.
Nonni, tässä levyssä parempi yhdistelmä irkkukansanmusaa ja rokkia eli enemmän sinne kansanmusasuuntaan. Myös kiva kuulla positiivissävytteinen levy taas hetkeen. 4/5, nautin.
Good album.
A high energy, well-arranged folk album with a rock twist. 'If I Should Fall From Grace With God' (album) benefits from being lyrically upfront and vivid, complementing its easy compositions. On the side of pure listening, one would find only joy getting lost in a culturally prevalent atmosphere.
Really enjoyed this, title track, bottle of smoke, thousands are sailing and, of course, fairytale of new york, were my favourites. Really good to listen to it in Mid-december too, a strange coincidence of the list
Christmas Song, sonst die Irish Songs gefallen mir nurmässig
It's got one of my favorite Christmas songs, so there's that. Love the Pogues, though. Classic band and a classic album here. Perfect? Naw. But a unique sound (for when they were doing it) that holds up pretty well.
The lovely thing about this list is that while I knew about the Pogues (and I have previously been assigned Rum Sodomy & The Lash), I would never have put this on without this exercise. This is better than the other one and their sound, which seems to me truly unique, is this amazing mishmash of cultural styles that keeps entertaining. And their skills are much better since the other album as well. I even made it through the "extended version" of the album before I realized it was coming over.
The Pogues are amazing. Great Celtic prunk
I liked some of these Celtic style selections. I'd like to explore further and add some to my playlist.
Bouncy folk-rock with an charming roughness. But I had to skip Fairytale; I've heard that song far too many times and I hate how overexposed it is. It's probably the weakest track on the album as well.
Clearly inspired flogging Molly and other Irish punk rock. Pretty cool, better than expected!
A lot better than I had expected
This wasn't what I expected. I thought I knew what The Pogues were. I was wrong.
If you want an introduction to the Pogues this probably the album to start with. If you don't like this album you won't like the Pogues. True it does stray from the strictly Irish folk song paradigm and adds some middle-eastern rythms and an Iberian flavour on one song but they maintain their folky feel and traditional acoustic instrumentation, that still feels classic Pogues. Shane still dominates and sounds as gloriously drunk and loose and above all poignant as ever. And, of course, this album contains The Pogues most iconic and perhaps most beautiful (though that's debatable, song; Fairytale of New York. Can you tell that I love this album? 4.5 🌟
Love the Pogues. Great range of Irish rock, traditional jig, and one favorite Xmas carol. Great vocals and music from winds, accordion, strings and percussion. Bottle of smoke, fairytale, streets of sorrow, Irish rover
I really like this band, can’t believe I’ve never heard about them before
Raw folk poetry of the highest order.
Mixed folk content from everywhere performed by one band - sounds bad, but it's not bad at all.
Very upbeat.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Turkish song of the damned, Thousands are sailing, Medley,
How to appreciate Celtic music. The fusion of Celtic instrumentation and style with punk music creates a distinctive identity that carries the spirit of Irish music to a more accessible audience. It's danceable, upbeat, full of some amazing and creative tracks, not to mention that the tracks flow perfectly well from one to the next. "Metropolis" sounds like James Bond infiltrating the IRA. Love how the albums retains the spirit but slows down like an after-party following the medley. Favorite tracks: Thousands are Sailing, Fiesta
Good stuff.
Ska en clave de música folk, estilo punk y algo de música celta. Divertido de escuchar. Optimista e instrumental a partes iguales. Un género muy digno de escuchar.
i liked this!!! childhood memories
I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. This is very emotional musically, sometimes uplifting and full of joy and life, and other times full of woe and sadness. I feel I should have got into The Pogues many years ago but something always stopped me diving right in. I think I might be ready to take the leap now.
This was actually a lot of fun!
This albums fun as hell
4/5. First listen to this album but I do know a few of the songs already. And their style is unmistakable. Favorites: If I Should Fall From the Grace of God Fairytale of New York South Australia, Fiesta Streets of Sorrow Lullaby of London
Jag hoppar på tåget direkt när musiken börjar, och det känns som jag hoppar på tåget när det är i rörelse. För det är snabbt, mycket instrument och jag tycker mig kunna känna smaken av irländsk glädje. Dom har helt enkelt inte tid att stanna för att plocka upp mig. Det är något med instrumenten som känns väldigt festligt. Ett dragspel som ligger och myser i bakgrunden, lite sköna banjo-riffs som ligger fint i öronen och den där lilla flöjten, det är den som tar hårdast grepp om mig. Bäst: "Fairytale of New York"
Fun. Clearly influental. Great upbeat punk'ish irish folk.
Not the best Pouges album but a lot of bangers
Love it, celtic punk. Very Piratey
Music to jig to.
Not all what I was expecting when I started to listen. I was pleasantly surprised by the album. Sone really great Celtic rock.
Another great album, raucous, energetic and rich, with full steam song like The tile track and Fiesta mixed with really moments over beauty and the classic ballad fo Fairytale of New york.
I had only ever heard fairytale of New York by this band, which I don't love, bit the rest of this album was great!
A little patchy but overall a great listen. The energy on this record is incredible. Fantastic arrangements set against Shane MacGowan’s unique vocals. Hairs on end stuff.
Very Irish, very good.
This was a real treat to come back to from a brief holiday-enforced hiatus (would you believe there are other things than listening to old albums on a list someone made up?). The Pogues have such a singular sound in popular music; lyrical, filthy, raucous, tender and always always stories stories stories. Reaching into the past for comment on the present, and into the present for comment on the past. Compared to Rum, Sodomy and the Lash (it’s only fair that we compare them, right?) I feel like the expanded musical palette on show here didn’t quite allow for the same eternal quality that the earlier album has. Still hella good though. God I can’t remember how these review things work. Is this thing on??
That was fun!
Before diving into this record, the only song I was familiar with was the Christmas classic duet “Fairytale of New York” with Kirsty MacColl. I’ve always been aware of The Pogues as a sort of Irish version of The Replacements but never listened to them despite my love for their American counterparts. From the first note of the title track, I feel like I should be drinking a Guinness or an Irish whiskey. Accordions and banjos are flying recklessly over this track. “Turkish Song of the Damned” adds a middle eastern influence to the band's heavy Irish sound. The band pushes the pedal to the metal on “Bottle of Smoke” as Shane MacGowan spits out lyrics at a feverish pace while adding howls between the verses. Flutes, horns, and a throbbing bass drum propel the instrumental “Metropolis.” This song completely threw me for a loop. It's a curveball I didn't see coming. The party atmosphere comes to a brief halt with “Thousands Are Sailing.” A tale of immigration that adds a hint of melancholy to the Irish stew. Despite its boozy opening, the party atmosphere returns with “Fiesta.” Horns and McGowan’s howl make this song irresistible. For their next trick, The Pogues pull out an Irish medley of “The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to London/Galway Races.” I love the band’s ambition, and they wholly lean into this with abandon. But wait, there’s another medley. Featuring a quiet acoustic guitar, “Streets of Sorrow” is the first hint of a ballad before doing a 180 with “Birmingham Six.” Bagpipes welcome “Lullaby of London.” Although it's hardly a lull in The Pouges’ hands, it's about as close as they get on this record. Accordions and relentless percussion on “Sit Down By The Fire” will hardly have anyone sitting. “The Broad Majestic Shannon” sounds like a retread of “Fairytale of New York” and seems to be the record's first misstep. Unfortunately, the album ends on a whimper with “Worms.” The minute-long track is about as bunch fun as knowing you just finished your last Guinness. This is not a Monday night album. It's strictly for the weekends after a few drinks have been consumed. As my wife said, “it’s rowdy.” I have no idea why I have avoided The Pogues for so long. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this record is the drunken brother to their fellow Irishmen The Waterboys “Fisherman’s Blues” which was released the same year. Definitely two sides to the coin.
A little patchy but great verse and musicianship and overall a great listen. The energy on this record is incredible. Fantastic arrangements set against Shane MacGowan’s unique vocals. Hairs on end stuff.
Wonderful stuff
Great album, really enjoyed that
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: If I Should Fall From Grace With God, Metropolis, Thousands Are Sailing, Fiesta, The Broad Majestic Shannon Cutting Edge: Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/The Galway Races Overall Notes: This was probably a better and more varied album than the other Pogues album on here (Rum Sodomy and the Lash) but I preferred the punkier punchier sound of the older one. That being said, I'm still going to round this 3.5 up to a 4. Also The Pogues scoring an "All I Want For Christmas Is You" level smash Christmas hit with a full f-slur in the lyrics is hilarious.
Pure nostalgie. Alleen metropolis was nogal een kakafonie.
A continuation of form from the first 2 albums. The same punky drive as the first two but with a developing knack of a poppier tune. Clearly the timeless classic that is Fairy Tale of New York sits centre stage but is accompanied by a fine array of other songs ranging from Turkish Song of the Damned to Thousands are Sailing.
Jaunty
pleasant folksy ska-y times. A relatively clean sound compared to Dayz n Daze or something.
really enjoyable
Raucous. Experimental. Joyful. Melancholy. Some missteps but probably my favourite so far.
After going through it and relistening to a couple songs I think in the end I really enjoyed this album. Very wild and fun at times but also hit on someone serious topics Favorite Tracks: “Fairytale of New York,” “Medley:...,” and “The Irish Rover”
I have a hard time taking it seriously, but it sure is fun. Vocals are horribly sibilant at times which can be an annoyance.
Fun album! Love the Celtic Punk.
I was pretty blown away by this. I expected to like it, but I was not expecting the level of quality and diversity of the music. I was thinking the Pogues were just a bunch of drunken punks, but they are really good musicians as well. 4 stars.
Irish classic feel good mixed with some American blue swing- love fiesta. Great fun and energy
Fun, folk music
A fun, varied, and at times emotional album. Competent musicianship meets clever arranging and songwriting. Reminds me of the Levelers a bit.
I actually really enjoyed this album!
Great Irish folk-punk. I should have listened to this long ago since I love fairytale of New York
Loved this!
På vei til butikken for å kjøpe fløyte, mandolin, banjo og trekkspill
1 of the greatest Christmas songs, 2 other good songs the rest is a mixed bag
I've seen Flogging Molly a bunch but never listened to the Pogues. Can see the evolution. Good stuff, sounds like it would be fun drunk, disappointed I got this in dry January. Favorite tracks: "Fairytale of New York", "Thousands are Sailing", "Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant"
This is a tough one. The songs are all great, and I can see why it would be an all-timer for some, but this isn’t a type of music I would search out very often. But as an album, it is fantastic. Obv Fairytale, but Lullaby and Majestic Shannon are almost as timeless. Solid 4, and a 4.5 on some days.
Excellent Irish folk. 7/10 FT: Thousands are sailing
this was pleasantly surprising! can’t beat fairytale of new york
rym 3.78 Celtic Rock/Celtic Punk 感觉来到了某个dnd主题酒馆，或者什么Irish pub。是了，激昂又戏谑，冒险家与浪荡子的故事。 pick: Fiesta
Starts off great and obviously Fairtytale of New York is a classic which really transfers the sentiment of a less-than-a-fairytale Christmas beautifully. After a while this album just did not speak to me. Maybe I would have liked it a bit shorter.
There’s some classics on here. But the whole thing struggles to be worth an album listen
7/10 - I thought these guys were a one-hit wonder but they're surprisingly not. Fiesta is a highlight but there are other gems on this too. Only negative in my book as that the overly Irish music can get a bit much
There's nothing wrong with it, it's really quite fun, but there's only so much music like this can give me before I get bored. It's not the most crazy or groundbreaking album ever but it's fun and I commend it for that but I wouldn't really listen to this all again.
I enjoyed this more than anticipated
Irish pub music
An entertaining album with some variation in song style throughout to make it interesting.
Tjoa, wie beim letzten Album von den Pogues ist es auf Dauer etwas too much. Sind die eigentlich international so bekannt oder ist das vor allem auch ein UK Ding? Fairytale of New York aber auf jeden Fall ein Weihnachtsbanger und Klassiker in allem. Starke 3 Sterne.
Hatte das Gefühl wir haben das Album hier schon gehabt, nach kurzer Recherche stellt sich heraus, nein es war ein anderes Album der Band. Hier dann auch das mit dem Hit, den ich jetzt leider am Ende der Hitzewelle statt an Weihnachten hören musste. Das Album fing an etwas schwächer als das davor, aber spätestens mit Metropolis findet dann auch die Abwechslung hier einzug. Macht am Ende des Albums dann doch viel Spaß.
Its orite but every song is oretty much the same. They have a bloody christmas song on it too and its august for fuck sake
Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 Good album. “Bottle of Smoke” and “Metropolis” were my favorites. Of course “Fairytale of NYC” is a legendary (Christmas) song.
I understand why this is relevant, but wasn't my thing. I'd give a 2.5 if I could.
I didn't enjoy this as much as my first listen. There are highlights like 'If I Should Fall From Grace With God', 'Bottle Of Smoke' and 'Fairytale Of New York', but there's far too much filler. From 'Fiesta' there was only 1 or 2 tracks that I actually enjoyed. I'm not even going to mention 'Worms'! At least it's so short that you don't have to count it as a real factor in the album's rating, if you did, the album would be MUCH worse! As a whole, there is some notable tracks, but they are all in the first 15 minutes of the album and the worst tracks are very bland.
Very Irish, pretty good
ok super interesting, never listened to a lot of Irish type of folk music before, so its a new sound for me track 1 'if I should fall from grace with god' - new sound still getting used to it, 'bury me at sea where no murdered ghost can haunt me no corpse shall lie upon me', interesting start track 2 'Turkish song of the damned' - intro sounds kind of Arabian, it sounds very traditional folky im not sure if the sound is for me, I feel like it could grow on me because the lyricism feels powerful, but idk rn it sounds arabic Irish which Is an interesting blend 'the spectre on my back will soon be free, the dead have come to claim a debt from thee' wowza, it sounds like a lot of accordion, I guess its Turkish thats why I thought of arabic music, its asian actually track 3 'bottle of smoke' - ok I just don't like this one track 4 'fairytale of New York ft Kirsty maccolly' - ok I feel so much more connected to the leads voice this time, they really slowed down and the raspy messiness feels nostalgic and warm, I love it as a christmas song, 'when you first took my hand on a cold chrismas eve, you promised me broadway was waiting for me', 'you're a bum you're a punk your an old slut on junk, lying there almost dead on a drip on that bed, you scumbag you maggot you cheap lousy faggot' LOLLLL I like it, nice nostalgic instrumentals to close out track 5 'metropolis' - strong traditional feeling instrumentals, something new I like it track 6 'thousands are sailing' - immediately the lyrics feel bold and political, 'and the torch lights up a famished man, who's fortune could not save, did you work upon the railroad? did you rid the streets of crime? were your dollars from the White House? were they from the five and dime' I really appreciate and love that, 'thousdans are sailing, across the western sea, to a land of oppurtunity, that some will never see, fortune prevailing, across the western ocean, their bellies full, their spirits free' love this lyric focused on Irish emigration its something interesting I read about this semester and I love the ode to that experience in this song, omg I love the lyric where they tipped their hats to mister Cohen (assuming they're talking about Leonard Cohen?) interesting when another artist is referenced in a body work track 7 'fiesta' - oooo immediately in LOVE with the instrumentals at the beginning wowza is that saxophone, and then we transition into something lively as hellllll, love the Spanish bits I wonder which member of the band is speaking Spanish? is it the lead again it kinda sounds like him hmmm track 8 'medley : the recruiting sergeant/the rocky Road to Dublin/galway races' - ok long ass title, feels very traditional in terms of sound, I appreciate the ode back to their heritage and roots, again not sure if trad Irish instrumentals are my thing track 9 'streets of sorrow/birmingham six' - 'oh how I long to find some solace, in my mind I curse the strain, so farewell you streets of sorrow' love this instrumental on the first half so melancholy and soft, really up my alley sound wise, and then the second half has an abrupt and cool transition into Birmingham six and some very cool storytelling, 'who tortured the innocent the wrongly accused, for the price of promotion and justice to sell' track 10 'lullaby of London' - 'you can hear the cars and the shouts from bars, and the lauhjyer and the fights, may the ghosts that howled round the house at night never keep you from your sleep' I like this there's something rly comforting about it, one of my favs on the album definitely, so nostalgic feeling and it absolutely has something to do with the voice of the vocalist, raspy and melancholy its beautiful track 11 'sit down by the fire' - more intense feeling, quick one, probs not my favourite track 12 'the broad majestic shannon' - this is nice and upbeat but simultaneously nostalgic and a little sad, it feels reminiscent, the lyrics really feel like they paint a picture for me, it feels like im being told a story and I love it honestly, the chorus is lovely, love the lyric 'there'll be whiskey on Sunday and tears on our cheeks' track 13 'worms' - interesting and kinda eerie close to the album, feels appropriate OVERALL : this is something I can pay my respects to for what it is, blending strong and traditional Irish instrumentals with such stark sometimes comedic and political lyricism is bold and cool as hell, I love the Irish honestly, loved their take on a christmas carol, felt very patriotic and they paid strong respect and nod to their heritage, traditional music, and the rich Irish history, very visceral and fascinating narratives and storytelling, im still not sure if the traditional Irish sound is for me with all the fiddles and stuff but I think some of these songs are powerful enough to stick with me
Eh
Good album, more Irish folky than I'd have expected from them at this time.
goo but not me thing
I have a hard time hearing lyrics generally. Seems like the arrangements are a bit polished and lack dynamics compared to the singing
This was really great. Don't know that I would put this on often, but what a good time in the right context
Idk if this is because I’m visiting Ireland next month, but I’m feeling this one.
5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Glad it's on the list and enjoyed the celtic-punk of it all. Not something I'll return to often.
I quite enjoyed the Celtic influence but would only really listen to this album in particular circumstances. Good to have knowledge of for when that situation arises.
Christmas music in July! The Pogues have been an acquired taste for me. I had read about them before I ever heard them and when I finally heard them I was not really into it at all. But as time has gone on, I have been more open to their sound. It's not really something that I would put on and listen to entire albums of, but I like it when they come up in movie/TV soundtracks or shuffles. Definitely good drinking music.
Not my style, but i like the christmas song the most
Feeling like I'm in an Irish pub. Not bad.
A timely appearance for this album as we're only a few weeks away from the Galway Festival. Not really my sound overall but that's because I'm just tortured by plastic Irish pub singers but I did like this. Contains my favourite Christmas song but it does feel a bit out of place here at track 4. I can see why it's easily the most well known song from this band.
never actually listened to a celtic album so was good to finally do so. i liked the high tempo and how happy the tracks sounded. it also had some really unique instrumentation. the reason for the 3* is because it's just not really my thing and can't see myself coming back it. listening to "fairytale of new york" in july felt so wrong.
3/5 Favorite Song: E-Pro
Leuk op z'n tijd, maar nooit echt fan geweest van de hele celtic punk hoek
It's not their best (that'd be Rum, Sodomy & the Lash) but there's still some good stuff on this. Thousands Are Sailing is superb.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Also had no idea that Fiesta is a Pogues song (only ever heard the instrumental bit)
🦜🏴☠️?
This Pogues album feels quite similar to the other I heard earlier on this list. Interesting listen, with strong ballads and a punk infused energy.
Not sure why we need two Poges albums on the list, but we'll give it a listen. This has more musical variety than their other album on the list, but every song still reverts to Irish instruments and melodies which creates a feeling of sameness. Add to that - I can't stand Irish music and the combination of flutes and whistles and accordions is abhorrent to my ears. But it has energy and snarl which just about compensates for how much I don't like the music.
quirky asffff just a bunch of jolly guys having a blast Turkish song kinda eats?? love worms also shoutout frfr also adore how they have literally every instrument ever on the cover and how they r just saying nonsense 50% of the time incredible
Well, it's not punk I guess. The last few albums I've gotten have been rough, could really use a better one for tomorrow. I tried to like this and I think it's interesting but I'll never go back to this most likely. 3
It’s hilarious and idk why
Gran soundtrack. Algunas canciones lentas, otras pum para arriba con el acordeón. Me quedo con una buena concepción de la banda, pero no sé si le puedo dar más de 3 estrellas. Me hubiera gustado encontrar la versión real, no la extendida.
Very very Irish
Not my jam but good nonetheless
some shit i would listen to if i was an irish pirate i guess
I imagine if I was in my twenties, in a crowded pub or small venue, the energy here would be amazing. However, listening to this sober with headphones on, there isn't enough variety here to keep me invested.
The album is too long, which is something I didn't factor into my initial review. There are real stand outs though. Metropolis, Sketches of Spain are really interesting and a cool blend of things. Really want to give the album a 3.5. With just culling the track listing it would be a 4. With pushing the envelope into more weird stuff I could be a 5. Very happy I found this group, wouldn't have tried without this.
Ok
Gott stuð í byrjun en varð ansi einsleitt og langdregið en fær samt 3
Not for me
ирландский панк про нй крисмас, ок) для меня однообразно
Better than I expected.i have heard a lot of Dirty Old Town in my days and wasn't thinking it would have so much pep.
Much like my review of their last album, I dig the spirit but 50 minutes in a row is too much. This is good background music though. Love Fairytale.
Music that makes you want to drink Guinness and fight the English. A bit too long, but I enjoyed it more than I thought. 2.5/5
This has one of my favorite Christmas songs on it (Fairytale of New York). I enjoyed this. Some of this was punky and some of it was very Irish. I preferred the very Irish songs over the punky songs.
Lively and interesting. 3.5 but fall to 3. Would be a 4 after a couple beers.
Enjoyed a lot of this, mostly the songs that sounded more traditional. I shared this with a friend who loves all things Ireland, music as well. He was familiar and a big fan already. Generally not my favorite genre but I was pretty impressed, primarily by the lead vocals.
I'm going to need to listen to this one a little more because a lot of the stuff on the second half slid off me on first listen, but there is some fantastic material here. They were a great band.
sick for like 4 songs and then you see its 19 long
Didn't hate but didn't finish because while I don't mind the sound, it insists upon itself after awhile. I will rate what I listened to!
This was on the longer side but reminded me of Great Big Sea and all the East Coast Kitchen parties I’ve been to. Would be an easy album to throw on during one of these!
Piroatepunk
Lo que ya he dicho: no está mal, pero de sí estilo me gustan más otros
Музыка для таверны. Нот мач
Good
Enjoyable Irish folk nonsense that doesn’t take itself that seriously. The overplaying of fairytale of New York at Christmas time has given me a dim view of the pogues and while I wouldn’t say I’m an easy convert, the cheeky jolly tone with hard subjects is a good combo without kneecapping you, if you will. Would probably listen again though I’m not sure how much more there is to scratch under the surface.
The Pogues have a great energy that takes traditional Irish folk structures and infuses them with a grimy, urban punk-rock. This is music to be enjoyed live and I only wish I could have had to opportunity to watch them at this time. Also, it's mandatory to give this album a nod for including the best Christmas song ever produced by a rock band. It's become a bit of a national treasure and it's the only one I don't mind hearing every year. My criticism of this album is that it's a bit of a one trick pony. Once you have heard the first ten minutes there is little point in continuing to listen. That, and the production quality of the version I listened to was quite murky, with poor instrument separation and unclear vocals. The Pogues are a classic band that contributed much to British pop culture, but as an album to listen to from start to finish, this doesn't quite scratch the itch.
Better than I thought it would be. Plus, Fairytale in New York... 3.5/5
Not quite as good as Rum, Sodomy and the Lash, but still a good Pogues romp
This is great music with incredible energy and distinctive vibe. By all accounts the lyrics are sensational throughout, although I haven't focused on them. I'm marking it down a bit because it's just too long and gets far too same-y over the course of an hour, and having a Christmas song on an album never feels right - even if it is arguably the best one ever written The album for sure deserves to be on this list regardless. 7/10
it my cup of tea whatsoever…
A lot of artists in the 80s really needed to have the word "faggot" taken from them and placed high up on the shelf. Even if used in a "Money for Nothing 'Scumbag POV'" way it still weighs down what is probably the best song on this album (Fairytales of New York). That aside, I don't think I would've needed a Wikipedia article to tell me this band was unabashedly Irish. 6.5/10.
Two pogues albums is more than I would have thought on this list. It’s good, I like their vibe, but this one stays a little too long. Their folk stuff is good, and I’m always down for a harmony, and the guests are good, but it’s still too much of the same and the same is only okay.
Jsuis pas assez roux pour ça.
country music, wie es auch sounds gut findet. Partymusik für Nostalgiker.
Now this is the kind of folk music I appreciate. I don't think it's punky at all, but the spirit may lie in the lyrics which I for the life of me cannot comprehend. This record has two things holding it back. The length and the awful christmas song. I would've given it an 8, but those knock it down to a 7. I REALLY hate christmas songs.
The thing with Irish folk punk music is, I don't dislike it. But I really need to be in the mood to properly listen to it, and this was not the time for me. While listening to it, it just sounded like some neat Irish folk/punk, it was good but also nothing too special in that genre if I'm completely honest.
3.4
i love the scot’s they are so funny
I liked that this made Alice roll her eyes at me when ‘fairytale of New York’ came on, like I was being deliberately contrarian by playing Christmas music in June. Accidentally listened to the extended edition of this and an hour was a bit too much for me. Decent enough, but there is only so much of Shane McGowan’s awful voice (sure, it adds a degree of rambunctiousness that suits the music here) that I can endure. Relentlessly energetic, it’s the kind of stuff I can absolutely see being played in an Irish bar with the locals all joining in with.
If I Should Fall from Grace with God by The Pogues feels like walking straight into an Irish pub. At first, you're completely swept up by the lively folk songs and infectious energy. But after a while, you start thinking about heading to a different pub, simply because you've had your fill. It once again proves that very few artists can make an album that stays engaging for over an hour.
Great energy. Dynamic instrumentation. Sadly, this isn’t really my jam.
It's an acceptable album; it's not my favorite music, but it's acceptable.
There's a different energy here compared to Rum Sodomy & The Lash. MacGowan sounds even more rough, his voice now carrying a bit of a mean streak. It really gives the tracks an edgier feel, which I welcome. However, the edge is lacking in other departments. While The Pogues slightly diversify their sound with this album (Turkish Song of the Damned signfies this right at the start), ironically I feel like the album loses its legs much quicker than its predecessor. I can't quite figure out why that is, maybe losing Costello as a producer played a part, or maybe it's just a case of slightly worse sequencing. Still, any time spent with The Pogues is time well spent in my book. There are a lot of great tracks to take away from this album. I wouldn't mind a couple of others being outright cut, though. Favourite track: Turkish Song of the Damned
I enjoy Celtic punk... in moderation. This felt a little too long for me. There were some bangers though.
It grows on you a lil
n entendi como esse foi parar no top 200 pq é mt goofy, mas tudo bem
General thoughts: My instant reaction was - "What is this? Old-looking cover, but it's 1988? [See tags] Punk? Rock? Folk? Explicit? [10s in] Ok, makes sense" The Poges brings in a lot of puzzle pieces of different shapes and unexpectedly makes a nice portrait out of them. Now I see what they mean about punk being Irish. Their culture is pretty punk-ish by definition. Songs of patriotism, of defiance, honor, bravery, or just everyday life. Sounds from all around the world. Deserts, pirates, Mexicans. Basically, whatever represents Irish values, lol. The lead's voice also adds to this atmosphere; it's really fitting for the genre. The instruments are definitely an interesting part of their proposal; all of them are regional and typical of Celtic folklore, and together they deliver an energetic and explosive performance. These two elements make the album experience very cohesive; weirdly, it also makes it wide and narrow at the same time. The album can be tiring at first; I think they're more enjoyable as individual tracks. Otherwise, you'll hear everything just as Celtic folk-punk. The medleys are a hit or miss; I'd prefer only to keep the best part of them and use them as interludes to control the pace, which, by the way, 'Metropolis' did perfectly. Worms as a post-closer was cool, but the actual closer was pretty underwhelming, contrary to the opener and title track, which really bring the energy up and set the momentum. Yeah, probably more spacing would have made the album experience more enjoyable. It's not 'just a collection of singles', definitely, but the setlist could have been better thought out. Outstanding song(s): Metropolis Fiesta - lol the lyrics make no sense Weakest song(s): The Broad Majestic Shannon Cover: After the first unexpected impression, it's a pretty mild cover Real rating: 3.26
This was initially a 4 for me, however it lost a star just because of its general hokiness. I don't need a Christmas duet (which also happens to be their most popular song), or some guy in the back shouting "ey!" In literally every single fucking track. Not to mention the one Hispanic themed track aged like milk in the desert sun
Me sorprendió
Gee, wonder where Mumford and the Avett Bros stole all their supposedly "original" material? 🙄 Thirty years earlier and so, so much better.
Het is niet één van de 1001 meest aangename albums ooit gemaakt. Toch heb ik wel geboeid geluisterd naar de verhalen. Liefde voor Ierland en de moeilijkheden die bij dat leven horen. Van Ieren in ballingschap die zijn gevlucht voor de hongersnood of een afwezige dronken vader die een slaapliedje zingt na het doorhalen in de kroeg in plaats van thuis te zijn. Over vals veroordeelde Ieren door het Britse rechtssysteem en ondanks alle ellende en boosheid hoor je toch een onaantastbaarheid en energie die ik wel mooi vind. Het blijft wel in de folk traditie doormiddel van vertellen via personages. Dit werkt wel goed omdat je anders misschien gaat irriteren aan de verteller die alleen maar over zijn eigen verhalen zing, nu word het groter en is het een verhaal van een hele gemeenschap. Muzikaal gezien is het niet heel verfijnt maar dat zal ook niet de bedoeling geweest zijn. Het schuurt aan alle kanten en dat werkt wel goed. Het bekendste nummer Fairytale of New York is ook een aangename tegenhanger tijdens kerst. 3 is te laag en 4 te hoog. Leuk om paar te te luisteren maar zal waarschijnlijk niet terugkeren naar dit album. Dan toch de 3
I both like it and find it enervating. I can enjoy a song or two, but a whole album gets to be too much.
Enjoyed this a lot more than Rum Sodomy & The Lash. Not sure I'll ever consider myself a fan, but I appreciate a lot more what they're doing as a band
Perfectly enjoyable, energetic Irish tunes.
This album really was a nice experience being engulfed in the irish folk scene. Though that's not something I really listen too a lot I could really appreciate a lot of songs here and was swept up by the mood brought in some of them. 1. Fairytale of New York 2. If I Should Fall from Grace with God 3. Lullaby of London
Dropkick Murphys' ancestors. Very similar vibe I think
Pretty decent. I like the blend of Irish folk and punk. Does enough to remain interesting for the duration. Sets up the sequels by the Dropkick Murphys nicely.
Never heard this before and I can't say the replay value is too great for me but you can't help feel dragged along by the feeling this album creates. An impressive feat. However, there is still maybe a bit too much of it for one album. Has the best Christmas song on it too which is a bonus.
Not a fan of this genre, cant give objective rating
Irish punk. Not my thing but it's fine Got a thumbs up in "Fiesta" it may not last.
That was an experience…. That’s for sure
Fun
Great music to have a beer and a smoke . It’s like going to a good old house party.
35/1089 If I Should Fall from Grace with God by The Pogues Alright, I was excited for this one. It just sounds fun from the start. Feels like the kind of album where you need a few beers and to split the G on a couple of Guinnesses while listening. It’s definitely an interesting album. The whole Irish folk punk sound is very fresh to me since I’m not really experienced with Irish music at all. There’s a lot of personality and energy here, and the songs are all pretty enjoyable on their own. But as a full album it started to feel a bit repetitive for me. The sailing, drinking, Viking-pub energy eventually blurred together a little. Maybe this is one of those records that really comes alive in the right setting with friends and drinks around you. “Fairytale of New York” is obviously a classic though. Overall I enjoyed it, and I could definitely see myself revisiting it sometime. Wine pairing? Absolutely not wine. We’re splitting the G with Guinness for this one. Food pairing? Irish stew with soda bread. Feels mandatory honestly. Favourite song? “Fairytale of New York”. Vinyl? Not for now. First listen? Yes. Overall 3 out of 5.
Nobody blends punk with Celtic music like the Pogues. They were the pioneers in that music style and created something no one had ever come up with before. On the positive side, this is a really well put together album, with a surprising twist of several other types of music. There is even a Christmas song, which most of you have likely heard even if you aren't into the Pogues. On the negative side, this album is really long and if you aren't into this kind of music, it gets very repetitive and would be hard to listen to. This is the type of album that you want to hear in an Irish pub while drinking a pint, but maybe not something you would seek out otherwise.
raro, muy irlandes, pero bueno
Didn't hate it as much as I thought I would to be honest. Actually was banging at times!
Irish Folk music with some punk. An entire album is a bit much at a time. I also prefer the songs with more traditional elements and less punk.
It's a decent Irish folk rock album and that's about it. It doesn't do anything exceptionally different or noteworthy aside from being well made. 3.3/5
I've mentioned joy in my reviews of a couple African albums we've had so far, and I think being joyful and merry is also very important to Irish culture. You can hear it in the music. I don't know if there's a name for the 16th note melodies with lots of trills that are characteristic of Irish music, often played by the flute or the violin, but those melodies might be my favorite part of the tradition. This album had a lot of of melodies like that, as well as other elements that I like about Irish music. I have to say I preferred the folk elements to the rock elements, but overall this album was brimming with energy. strong, three to a light four
Nice Punk rock combined with Irish Folk
Aika meh. Ei oikein kyllä nappaa isommin. Ei kuitenkaan ihan paskettia
tais täs pari hyvää biisiä olla, vähän sekava kuva jäi
Tämähän oli ihan hauskaa meininkiä.
Kyl pepsodent-hymystä voi kolkin antaa vaikkei tää nyt kauheen hyvin lähe.
Niet mijn ding
The Pogues’ celtic punk sound is great. I listen to the previous album a fair bit but this one wore on me towards the end and I’m tired of the Christmas song (not their fault)
적당히 좋고 적당히 마음에 들었음.
Not something I usually listen to, nice to listen to something different but felt repetitive fairly quickly
I knew of the Pogues (of course) but actually had hardly heard any of their music - even Fairytale of New York I'd never listened to properly. The idea of folk with energy is appealing, but the name 'Pogues' is overshadowed for me by sadness at the drawn-out train wreck of MacGowan's AOD issues. I get that Pogues were significant at the time for bringing Celtic folk into a punk environment, but listening to this album now doesn't really do it for me. Favourite song on the album - Thousands Are Sailing. Rating for the album: it's Not Bad, 6/10.
good vibes, so bissi mittelalterlich. ganz cool aber jetz nit so meins. oder idk, vllt scho. solide 3.
I generally love bluegrass and I generally love Celtic folk music but I do not vibe with the lead singer's voice which is significantly affecting my enjoyment. 3.5 stars, but not something I'm likely to listen to again.
для любителей фолка.
No esperaba para nada como era este álbum viendo la portada, pero Irlanda I guess
Irish folk presented as some obscure subset of punk
Very nice.
I’m never going to choose this style when listening on my own. This kind of music thrives a few beers in, live, with your pals at the pub. I’ve got respect for a big ensemble like this though By the time I got to ‘Fiesta’ I was thoroughly overstimulated
I am so close to giving this a four but I have to be honest with myself. I like this a whole lot!
Fun but idk, a bit same-y/ not scratching any particular itch for me
Interesting Irish music, wasn’t my fave but I could get behind some of the songs. Love how they mixed up the genres on nearly every song Fave song: Fiesta
I really enjoyed some of the songs from this album - many classics. Overall, I liked it but I think I had to be in a certain mood to listen to it. I will end my review with the “are they an Irish band” controversy.
A very good album, just not really my cup of tea. I'd give it a 3.5 as it was enjoyable to listen to and well put together but the songs started to meld together for me. Not the fault of the album - just my tastes selectively coming to that conclusion lol.
absolutely not in the mood for this IM SORRY but I will give them 3 stars for creativity. if I were in a good mood I'd maybe enjoy it
its alright, I think it feels pretty standard and I don't really like the mix of songs on this album. Prob a 2.5 but I'll round up
This falls in the impossible position of being simultaneously a perfect example of Irish music and yet just so perfectly Irish that it feels like a parody. In the right mood, especially live, this would be peerless and perfect, but as an album, it’s not something I would reach for often.
Day 248 Not as good as Rum, Sodomy and the Lash but still several high points. Also, whoever needs to read this, there’s no such thing as ‘Irish American’, you’re just American. My dear old granny was Irish and I spent a couple of weeks every summer in Galway as a kid but I wouldn’t call myself ‘Irish English’ because that would be fucking stupid. Highlights Thousands are Sailing Medley Streets of Sorrow
Bottle Of Smoke
A cursory listen left me with the feeling this album lacked variety. Truly glad I came back to it. The pace and energy ebbs and flows wonderfully. The introduction of new-to-the-Pogues instumentation and styles really break up the punk Irish folk tracks. I've probably listened to most of this album out of order (and possibly repeated) over the course of an NYC St Patrick's weekend while behind the bar and not even realized it. Listening in one go is a different experience. Fairytale of New York
Really cool album. Lots of stylistic influences and of course strong Irish roots. Listened on a 4 hour drive and it was great in that context. Wouldn’t listen in any other probably lol. 3.5??
Dropkick Murphy progenitors
It's what you think the Pogues sound like. The instrumentals aren't as good as the ones with vocals.
Traditional Irish folk music is really not my cup of tea, but I respect The Pogues for fusing it with punk rock to pioneer a style that endures to this day. Shane McGowan was clearly talented as a songwriter. To me, he’s the most interesting part about this band, drawing attention to his storytelling and gruff delivery and balancing, somewhat, the high-tempo and repetitive fiddle, accordion, whistles and banjo runs that characterize this strain of traditional music but frankly drive me up the wall. So even as I like a lot of these songs, I prefer to hear them in small doses.
Irish, nice but not for me, there's a song with spanish lyrics that was fun.
I liked the style. Very listenable. Not amazing, but true to its Celtic style. Its fun and I could easily see it in a playlist with the Drop Kick Murphys and other songs, for a night in a pub.
ireland!!! need to be in a pub drinking a guinness rn.
Lowkey gave me a headache lmao. It’s alrightttt
folky
Fun punk and happy mood. Famous.
tin whistles and fiddles and a tone deaf singer, best listened to sitting on steps of caravan, sipping Guinness around a campfire. Otherwise it was irritating in places
It isn't bad, but I can't help but think of Spongebob. There's an overlap of pirates, Irish and drunk music.
Turkish song of the dammed stood out to me I don’t know the history around this album 80’s traditional Irish Music, I’m going to keep listening to it after today
Background music for a woke tavern in middle earth. Could also be used in battles.
Was close to a 4 star at first, but it was just too long. First half was good. 6/10
Irish folk music with a punk twist. Not really my thing.
Good album from Irish legends
interesting and v different from my usual stuff, but i liked it :3
Solid, glad to know where that Christmas song is from
Abends in der Kneipe bestimmt ganz nett. Morgens unter der Dusche eher weniger. Nicht so meins.
I was expecting something like Dropkick Murphys & that's what I got. But more authentic. I thought this was fun album even though the songs sound similar. I dug Streets of Sorrow & Fairytale of NY. I like the punk aspect of it, along with folk. Reminds of drinking songs. 3
thousands still sailing
I appreciate that LPs like this were included in the 1001 Albums book – not because they're incredibly unique or amazingly written, but because they provide a completely different experience than the albums that fall under one of the "normal" genre umbrellas. If I Should Fall from Grace with God is like a musical time capsule – listening to it feels like I'm getting a glimpse of what Celtic folk music sounded like before the concept of recording music ever existed. The album has a certain timelessness to it as a result. That said, there were definitely a couple tracks that tipped me off and somewhat broke that immersion: "Fairytale of New York" (with its very '80s piano ballad intro) and "Fiesta" (with its ska-like presentation). The latter actually was a strong highlight for me, but it did pull me out a bit. Ultimately, I enjoyed my time with If I Should Fall from Grace with God (and unsuccessfully attempting to do an Irish jig to a couple of the songs), but it's not the kind of thing I'm likely to revisit any time soon. I'm sure I'll be happy to see Rum Sodomy & the Lash pop up one of these days, though! Highlights: If I Should Fall from Grace with God, Bottle of Smoke, Thousands Are Sailing, Fiesta
Not what I was expecting. Now I know where the Dropkick Murphys get their sound from.
Punk fused with Irish folk music goes together so well, it's as if they were meant for each other. Shane's vocals are quite perfect with his punk-ish slurring, half-talking/singing, singing traditional Irish music melodies. I've heard a fair bit about this band but never listened to a song of theirs, very unique sound for sure. So it was quite a delight to listen to. Highlight Song/s: "If I Should Fall From Grace With God" and "Bottle of Smoke"
Traditional Celtic folk instrumentation meets punk aggression, though the frantic arrangements occasionally obscure the lyrical nuance.
This was actually really fun. I thought I was going to hate it. Raise a glass to The Pogues!
pas mon style mais ça va
Bien moins pire que la dernière fois, c’est ecoutable mais pas mon style
wasn't a huge fan of the singing style and something about the instrumentals felt disjointed. this album tired me out I think 3 songs in and it didn't really get any better from there. struggling to score this because I don't think it was BAD, I just didn't have a good time listening to it
This is the 2nd album in the last week where the album has been such a slug but the last 2 tracks have made me doubt my thoughts on the album and wow. I do think the last 2 tracks saved the album from a bad review, esp since so much of it is just the same Celtic sort music (which I do get is what the genre is haha)
I didn't enjoy their last album on the list, but this one is actually quite fun. The Irish folk pub influences are definitely there, but there is enough variety (especially in the first few songs and the last two songs) that it never gets too dull.
Seeing as it's St. Patrick's Day and I'm rating this particular album, I'll give it 3.5 stars as I'm indifferent to The Pogues.
Catchy and upbeat arrangements, good songs and vocals.
3.5 - good fun album
not at all my taste but I can understand why a person who was into celtic punk would love it. Very wide variety of instruments which surprised me. Liked it better than joni mitchell lololol
Good fun, very strange hearing Fairytale escaped from its typical Christmas quarantine Surprising mix of different genres despite all being rooted in the whole celtic punk schtick (although wasn't such a schtick when they did it I suppose) Second time I've heard Rocky Road to Dublin recently, it also features in Sinners in a great scene
Was kinda ready to write this one off after the first listen. Not a massive fan of fairytale of New York, I’m not sure I agree with “cancelling” songs for the language they used back when they were wrote but listening to a song with slurs in doesn’t feel right. I am glad I went for a second listen though the run from metropolis through fiesta was kinda peak. The broad majestic Shannon does sound like a non Christmas version of fairytale of New York 3
5/10 I was perhaps hoping for a little more from this. The Pogues are a band that I hear every now and then, and obviously regularly every Christmas, but I’ve never delved into their back catalogue. There sound is a punky take on traditional Irish music and when it hits, it can be really good, but it can also be pretty formulaic and lacking in range. The band are obviously excellent, they tear into songs at a clip and are rhythmically on point, even as they swing backward and forward with the beat, but are also capable of dealing with more subtle moments really well. Shane McGowan is hardly a world class singer, but his punky, sardonic delivery really suits the band and helps them to forge a sound that makes them instantly recognisable. And I did enjoy this, in bits and pieces, but the good stuff was just way too relentlessly similar, lacking in melodic and rhythmic variety. They did throw in some stylistic changes here and there, but I also found a lot of those less pacy, danceable numbers to be just a bit dull. To really emphasise my point about the lack of range, they even basically played the same verse for both Fairytale of New York, and The Broad Majestic Shannon. If I were to stroll into a pub with a band playing the uptempo cuts from this album, I’d pretty much be all in, dancing with strangers, tearing my way through pints and having one hell of a time, but sometimes music like that doesn’t translate all that well to a record, and unfortunately, that’s what I found here. It’s not that it was bad, it was just a bit too formulaic and didn’t manage to hold my interest when they did try and go off the beaten track now and again. If I Should Fall From Grace With God - If you asked me to describe a Pogues song, this is what I would attempt to describe. It’s trad Irish music with punky pacing and vocals stylings. It’s great stuff, and would be exceptional live. But it’s quite formulaic and if the whole album is just this round and round, I might struggle a little. Turkish Song Of The Damned - They’ve switched up into a middle-eastern modal composition now, but it definitely slips back into the celtic punk in the choruses. As a blend it feels a bit muddled, unfortunately. The chorus isn’t bad and falls way more into the wheelhouse of the opening track with a bit less zip, but those verses feel a bit forced. And then they finish it off by upping the pace again. Bottle Of Smoke - This is a bit relentless and not that interesting during the verses. The instrumental breakdowns are pretty cool, but the cadence of the instrumental melodies all seem to be very much of a type. It’s not bad, but as music to sit at home and listen too, it’s quite a lot. Fairytale Of New York - Well this is a classic Christmas song. It’s a classic for a reason, but perhaps not one that I’m in a hurry to listen to in March. It’s also the most pop/rock song structured song so far and while it has the classic Pogues instrumentation, it leans less on that style of composition. Shane McGowan’s biting delivery shines here and he and Kirsty MacColl is a superb foil for him. It’s really well written and has a decent range of sections and a nice narrative arc too. Metropolis - Back to the relentless rhythms of the earlier tracks. Kind of weird that it breaks down into an almost James Bond theme bit of big band in the middle though. It’s good music, well performed, but it’s not vastly interesting as music to sit at home and listen to. Thousands Are Sailing - We’re almost leaning into ballad territory now. It’s still got a bit of pace and drive to it, but it’s nice to have a bit of a stylistic break. It’s still quite rhythmically relentless through the choruses. This is tonally pretty good, but I do find the songwriting to be pretty middle of the road and not vastly interesting. Fiesta - This is great fun and is certainly one of their more well known singles. It is a bit of a novelty hit, in some ways, but it’s good fun regardless. Jumping off the Spanish inspired section it gets straight back into the frantic celtic punk of their normal sound. There’s something a bit more engaging about this than some of the other tracks. The gang vocals are great and that little blend of styles helps to give it something a bit different. The performances are all excellent, and it has compelling melodies and it’s super catchy. I bet this was an absolute riot live. Medley (The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road To Dublin/Galway Races) - And back we go to the more traditional Irish style. The strange thing about this is that in some ways I quite enjoy it, but listening to this quantity of it, I find that there isn’t as much stylistic range as I would like and I find it a bit relentless. I also find with songs like this that it never really lands on a hook that brings me in. But I’m still nodding my head as it rolls along. Streets Of Sorrow / Birmingham Six - It’s a delicate and poignant first half that builds political charge as it goes before Shane McGowan takes over and kicks the doors down. It’s a really good song that has hints of their more typical melodic cadences, but in a more restrained and varied way, which is nice. This is probably one of my favourites on the record so far, it has power, grit and has a good bit range of and dynamic interest. Lullaby Of London - This is more plodding. It’s not bad, but it’s a little bit dull and doesn’t really have anything particularly musically interesting in there that grabs me, unfortunately. It’s also very one paced which makes it drag even more. Sit Down By The Fire - This has a bit more pace again, but ultimately, it falls back onto that pretty generic sound and musical cadence that, by this time on the album is feeling pretty stretched. It also feels like there’s a bit less fire in the delivery from both the band and McGowan, whose delivery here just feels a bit phoned in. The Broad Majestic Shannon - Ah, this is basically exactly the same as the bit in Fairytale of New York when the band comes in. Listen back to it, it’s almost identical. It’s very good, but it’s not as good as Fairytale, so it feels pretty redundant. The chorus is obviously a bit different, although it does have some little moments of similarity, but it’s also not as good. Worms - A weird little cover of a traditional song about human decomposition. Why not, I guess?
Lovely Irish music. What's all the fuss? This is a happy listen.
The Pogues are great, but as many bangers on this particular album.
Interesting at first, but definitely got repetitive about halfway through.
I somewhat like my Irish folk from time to time, however it seems that my limit is around 35 minutes, after that it becomes to repetitive. At least this album has taught me that. So it is hard to rate this album, but I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt. 3/5
I thought I had a soft spot for the Pogues but re-listening to this so many years later I wasn't quite as enchanted.
Favourite Christmas song is on here. Other than that a few good songs but not really my style of music.
Haunted by Shane MacGowan is an all time great song to me. So I don't totally dislike him and his whole thing. And Fairytale of New York here is really great and I've not spent enough Christmases savoring it. Otherwise it's hard to know when one song ends and another starts and 20 minutes of it all is plenty.
Not my cup of tea
So Irish
There's a lot of fun and whimsy to the Pogues, it's impressive that they managed to get into the mainstream with Irish folk mixed with punk. It is an acquired taste though, this is probably here lately due to Fairytale of New York. Also they were like all born in England, mostly around London.
So many different sounds and genres in here. Pretty cool. Don’t care for the singer’s voice most of the time. Metropolis and Thousands are Sailing were excellent. Don’t know if I’d listen to the rest again.
Supersvårbedömd skiva. Å ena sidan kan jag få hudutslag av irländsk folkmusik, å andra sidan händer det något speciellt så fort Shane McGowan ställer sig framför en mikrofon. Han har en tajming och punch i fraseringen som nästan bara Joe Strummer kan mäta sig med. Han bär ensam upp hela den här skivan från träsket till lite över godkänt, till och med. Bäst blir det när de slår av på tvåtaktspartyt och närmar sig mer traditionell rockmusik, som i Lullaby of London, Thousands are sailing och Fairytale of New York - det är ändå en bra låt, fast att man hört den till leda.
Bueno, rollo así celta
Perfect album to listen to on March 1st. I would probably would've given it an extra star if I had listened to it in a pub with a Guinness in hand. Favorite track: Thousands Are Sailing 3.5/5
Good
I listened to this entire album. I read where people said they expanded their sound to Spanish and Turkish sounds. I heard the one song where he was singing in Spanish a bit and carrying on. But mostly it all sounded the same. An Irish folk tune sped up a little with a guy who could be a punk singer. Are the songs good? Sure but it got old. I’m sure the live show was one hell of a party though. I think I liked it but I wouldn’t listen again. It’s not for me.
Quite enjoyable, felt like being at a great lock in
Proto Dropkick Murphys. Not my cup of tea, but we'll crafted
If Rum Sodomy & the Lash was their tribute to punk music, this was a tribute to worldwide folk. There's some certified bangers on this album, and I liked parts of this album, but as a whole I didn't love it. Given I was sober when I listened to it, and Shane hadn't been sober when he recorded it so that may be on me.
Fun album, feels like early ska music.
I’ve heard of the Pogues, and I know one song for sure, I think. It’s that Christmas song, though I forget its name. It’s okay, but it didn’t make me go and search even more of their catalog. Our good friends at Wikipedia say the Pogues are a Celtic folk-punk band. Okay, that makes sense, somehow. Track one is the title track, and it’s what I expect songs of the sea from the late 1800s to early 1900s would sound like. Lead singer Shane MacGowan, whose name I’ve heard or read about for years, is not much of a singer, but with punk, all you really need to do is be able to get your point across. Track 2, Turkish Song of the Damned, has a very Middle Eastern groove for the verses, then the chorus comes in with the music that used to be in Old Spice commercials. I can’t say it’s not unpleasant. It makes me feel like I need to be out on a lobster boat in Maine, fishing in the Atlantic. Well, except for when they take me to Turkey with the verse. I really dig this song. Not what I was expecting. Oh wow, Track 4 is Fairy Tale of New York, the one song I know I’ve heard from this band. I don’t really want to listen to this song as it’s not Christmas, and I generally have a strict no Christmas music before Black Friday policy, but I guess I can let it slide this one time. Now that I really look at the lyrics, it seems to be about the love of two horrible people who seem to hate each other and/or blame each other for killing their hopes and dreams. Merry Christmas!!!! Track 5, Metropolis, is an instrumental. I won’t say that all the music on this album sounds the same, but when you hear the Pogues, you know what you’re getting. If you’ve ever danced a jig in your life, it would be to a Pogues song. But then, they totally go away from what you expect and throw in a horn section playing music Jim Carrey would dance to with Cameron Diaz. Track 6, Thousands Are Sailing, might be my favorite song so far. I can’t explain it. The Pogues give you this sea shanty type music for about 2 minutes, then they slip in something so different it makes you stop and listen closer. These guys could write songs. I can see why they had a devoted cult following. If you’re into these guys, I assume you were in all the way. The more I listen to this music, the more I can see where America’s old-time country music and bluegrass music came from. There are banjos, fiddles, guitars, that’s a bluegrass band right there. The only real difference is the addition of horns. Though the Pogues stick mostly to a truer kind of Irish folk sound. Bluegrass is a faster, more uptempo version of traditional Irish folk music. Track 8, Fiesta, has more of a Latin flavor to it. It sounds like a song that would be played in a Mexican cantina on a Saturday night in Jaurez. Well, except for MacGowan’s raspy singing. Very nice. This band doesma really good job at blending other types of music with their Irish folk sound. And for those who love lyrics and stories with their songs, then you’ll dig the Pogues the most. All these old traditional songs were essentially stories. A lot of them tell stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. Track 9 is a medley of traditional Irish songs, and it’s just great. You can’t really tell which songs are just traditional Irish folk songs and what the Pogues write and arrange themselves. They really are masters at their craft. While I am enjoying this album, as we reach track 14, it’s becoming the same thing over and over to me. I know that sounds narrow-minded and like I’m an old man, but it’s how I feel. Track 15, Worms, is a very creepy 1 minute song. It sounds like the grim reaper hisself is singing it, it does. And just like that, after 15 songs, we're done. There’s also an extended edition if you want to check that out. I decided 15 songs were enough for me today. I enjoyed this album, up to a point. It wasn’t exactly like I thought it would be. There were some surprises early on, but by the end, it all kind of blended in together. I can appreciate what the Pogues were trying to do, and I hope more bands are inspired by them because we need all kinds of different music in the world. If I ever go on a cruise or a deep-sea fishing trip, I might put this on, but I’m deathly afraid of water, and the sea, my friends, is full of water. If you’re a folk fan or a bluegrass fan, you might want to check this out, but you can go right on living without having heard it.
Too much Irish folk punk. It was mildly interesting for about 3 songs, then mildly annoying.
Reminds me of highschool. It's a shame music like this wpuls struggle to find an audience these days
This was pretty good. Not fantastic, but there you are.
Its a weird 3 star. Very aggresively Irish music, and if I weren't the group they sung about hating I would imagine it may have been a 4.
Today I learned I don't like folk-punk. For personal enjoyment I'd give this like 1.5 stars, it's really not the genre for me and I feel it sounds very similar all the time. But I have to say that there's obvious musical merits here, they can really play their instruments well, they have versatility and they find a very specific niche that they do very well, even if I don't like it. I'd say it's a 2.5, I'll bump them to 3 because they're pretty bold and they execute what they do very well.
I put this on whilst cooking dinner and was beating a chicken breast during the title track. It was a pretty crazy experience for me and the breast was well beaten by the end. This was such a fun start to the album and the 'fun' didn't take away from the political message. I loved the singing, the screaming, his voice is so infectious and fits the music perfectly. Fairytail of New York is obviously a banger but I wish it wasn't on this album. I've heard it so many times and im listening in February so it kinda took me out of the experience a bit. Was in a shitty mood before i listened to this album but by the time mountain dew came on I was doing a little jig around the kitchen.
Really very funny to get this on the day Ireland destroyed England in the Six Nations. I respect this, I get why it’s on the list, I’m a Fairytale Of New York enjoyer, but in general The Pogues are not for me.
It felt Irish.
Not drunk enough to enjoy this.
I don’t know if they came up with the Irish-folk punk thing, but it’s certainly a signature sound. I’d probably listen to this before other bands…but The Pogued aren’t in Tony Hawk so idk! Somewhere between a 3 or 4, but leaning 3 cuz I realllly don’t like that Christmas song
It sounded like a Disney channel original soundtrack in the best way possible
if i were snockered this would KILL
If I Should Fall from Grace with God has the rowdy energy and Irish folk-punk spirit that makes The Pogues fun, but it feels a bit uneven across the whole record. At its best the band sounds loose and lively, but some songs lose momentum. “The Worms” is the clearest miss. It leans into the band’s experimental side, but instead of charming it mostly just breaks the album’s flow. There are good moments here, but the inconsistency and my lack of love for the genre keeps it from being higher rated.
Fairytale of New York is a great song. The rest of the album was OK.
Not something I’d listen to often. Feel like it would be good music to listen to in an Irish bar (not sure why).
One of my favourite Christmas Songs. But I’m not up for a whole album. I loved some, got bored some, sang along to some. My husband left the house to find a pub. It’s an adventure.
This was NOT the sound of my 80s and, apart from fairytale and Irish rover this would’ve passed me by. Listening now it sounds like a breath of fresh air amongst all the style and sophistication. It would also be a good source of material to demonstrate traditional music to GCSE students! Quite an exhaustive listening experience for the time.
Fine, folky
by grace through faith? :D FAVS (top 3): if i should fall from grace with god, thousands are sailing, medley: the recruiting sergeant / the rocky road to dublin / galway races mençoes honrosas: turkish song of the damned, metropolis, fiesta, sit down by the fire, sketches of spain, south australia EEEEIIIITTAAA LASQUEIRA + musica medieval KKKKKKK ai n acredito q isso ta nessa lista, falando "isso" faz parecer q é ruim mas é legalzinho mt bem feito eu AMO; achei a segunda parte meio fraca tbh nota final: 3.5/5
A traditional Irish sound.
Me gusto mucho, lo disfrute y me hizo querer pararme a bailar y servirme una 'ale' bien fría. Juntar el folk y el celtic con el punk es de mis fusiones favoritas en la música. Tiene un carácter divertido y único. Me gustaría destacar de este disco los distintos estilos que mezclan como el estilo musical turco o español, los cuales suenan muy bien con el celtic. Hay que saber como unirlo y hasta que punto. Creo que The Pogues hace un buen trabajo. Me gusta muchísimo el género, sin duda disfruto mucho escuchar este tipo de música, pero tampoco es un género que pueda escuchar por más de 1 hora, lo comprobé al escuchar este disco. Creo que es bastante repetitivo y, a decir verdad, un poco cansado. Buen disco. Obviamente no para todos. Definitivamente no para cualquier ocasión.
Versatile, funny, aggressive pirate music, klingt irgendwie politisch aufgeladen
I looked to see when it was over. Turned out I still had 30 minutes more. Give me the next flight out of Ireland
This is another band that I like in small doses.
3.5
It's probably not a must hear but I personally do enjoy Irish music.
its fine. i can take it or leave it.
Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Won't go back anytime soon but feel this album will come back to me someday
Songzeile: The ones that go in are lean and thin The ones that come out are fat and stout Your eyes fall in and your teeth fall out Your brains come tumbling out of your snout Coronerfolkpunk. Nice.
Solid album but third best of their’s. Fairytale of New York is the best Christmas song,
It's loose, energetic, and rootsy. A good reminder that punk is an attitude and not an aesthetic or sonic palette. For the space that it occupies, it's good, though meanders in the back half. I wouldn't mind more music like this getting made, but I don't feel gripped by this record in any vital way.