The Pogues – If I Should Fall From Grace With God [Re-issue]

I’m a young punk fan. There’s nothing I can do to change that fact. I’m young, and that means that there are a tons of influential bands that I never got into or ever really heard. Of course there are the massive bands like Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, Descendents, Bad Religion and so forth that all punks, new and old, know about. But, at the same time there are the slightly smaller, but just as influential bands that we youngsters must explore to truly appreciate where our current music came from. Bands like Jawbreaker, Gorilla Biscuits, Sunny Day Real Estate, Black Flag, Rocket from The Crypt, Dead Kennedys and so forth are bands that need to be heard despite not being incredibly famous. The Pogues are one of those bands too, and with Rhino Records re-releasing their entire back catalogue, I’m finally getting a chance to hear yet another prolific band during the high of their careers.

If at anytime during the past few years you’ve called yourself a fan of the likes of Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys or The Tossers, then you need to hear The Pogues because the instant If I should Fall From Grace With God starts playing, you hear the untold influence this  band held over its followers.

The songs are slow, yet oddly energizing. They are a return to folk, with English and Irish sub roots and heavily accented vocals. Songs of gambling, drinking mixed with songs of love and old traditional anthems re-done. They are songs of hope and longing, giving the listener a sensation of nostalgia – it works even for me, despite the fact that I was barely one when this album was released. The songs are timeless, even now, 17 years after the release, the songs are still relatable.  It is Irish folk rock, full blown with tin whistle, banjo, accordion, and the likes; and without them, there would be no Flogging Molly or Bloody Irish Drinking Boys.

The entire album showcases Shane McGowan’s song writing ability. Switching from the Christmas duet with Kristy MacColl, to the fast drinking/gambling song Bottle Of Smoke back to the five-minute longThousands Are Sailing telling the tale of Irish immigrants moving to America. There are a few instrumentals that could be missed (particularly the bonus instrumentals which have been added to the release in this new version), but other than that the album shows what Celtic rock can be.

If I Should Fall From Grace With God is one of five re-releases from Rhino, all of which come with bonus songs and extended booklet; and I know for sure that it won’t be the only out of the five I’ll be hearing. After all, The Pogues were incredibly influential and this CD shows exactly why they were.