What can be said about the Pogues? One of the greatest song writing bands in history. Shane is a genius and somewhat of a drinker I hear. I think I'll get a beer...

Elvis Costello's influence should not be measured in what he gave to the Pogues, but rather by what he took away. Shortly after producing the Pogues' second effort, Costello stole the heart of Cait O'Riordan, the band's attractive female vocalist... and she was never heard from again. A pity, really, beacause her vocal skills would have been nicely placed alongside MacGowan's in the ballads he would sing on later efforts. Not that Kristy MacColl was all that bad, mind you, but O'Riordan was a centerpiece of the group from the beginning. Many a fan gnashed his teeth and hurled expletives into the air the day her departure was announced.

Anyway, it's nice to see the Poguetry In Motion 10" Ep finally available on cd, even if Rainy Night in Soho is only a remix. For a time, "Rum, Sodomy... " and "Poguetry..." were my favorite releases from the Pogues; that is, til "Should I Fall..." came along.

While FALL FROM GRACE is oft regarded as their most definitive album, RUM & SODOMY cannot be denied. One of The Pogues' pistol blarin' best. The fact that they tacked on the Poguetry In Motion ep, only makes this more essential. "Body Of An American" & "Rainy Night In Soho" are two of Shane MacGowan's most enduring songs outside of "Fairytale Of New York".

From the sickbed to the battlefield, they go for the throat on this one, hell bent on raising the dead. "Cuchuliann" opens the proceedings, all too somberly keeping vigil over an old hell raiser's final hour. For a few measures atleast. Then things suddenly ignite like a molotov cocktail. A flaming bottle of poitin tossed through a dead man's window.

What follows is the gutter woe of "Old Main Drag". Tom Waits, eat your heart out.

For sheer epic balladry, "A Pair Of Brown Eyes" has few competitors. MacGowan at his most yearning. More than anywhere else, he comes off here like the Irish answer to Jacques Brel.

There's never quite been a drinking song quite like,"Sally MacLennane". A reckless toast that touches on the surreal. Elsewhere, instrumentals like "Wild Cats" & "Paddy Garcia" go to show that The Pogues were far more than MacGowan's backing band.

As for their raids on traditional fare, "Dirty Old Town" ranks up with their previous takes on "Auld Triangle" & "Kitty". Their sneering rendition of "Gentlemen Soldier" puts all the "ire" back into Ireland. None of which prepares you for the album's closer. A searingly bleak version of Eric Bogle's "Waltzing Matilda". Its hard to walk away from this one unscathed.

Released in 1985, RUM & SODOMY was indeed at odds with the times. Remember this was era of Duran Duran & other "New Romantics". This along with their debut went to prove The Pogues were a problem that were not going to go away--- without a fight. A reckless gang of marauders loitering with intent. Leaving all those Synth Liberaci's trembling in their new lace sleeves.

Like none other, this captures the Pogues in all their irreverant glory. The sound of a bunch of drunken pirates setting their ship on fire. Giving producer Elvis Costello a reason to hold onto his hat.

After this, they took things to even greater heights. Only to fall from grace & gun eachother down in Hell's Ditch. I can't praise it enough. One of my favorite albums of all time.

If you're considering updating your collection with this version of the album, the remastering is excellent but the version of "Rainy Night In Soho" is not the original Poguetry In Motion EP version, but the inferior 1991 remix.

This album has it all. It is a necessary piece in any CD collection.
Genius.