The Pogues – Rum, Sodomy & The Lash [Re-issue]

  • Bobby Gorman posted
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The Pogues

Rum, Sodomy & The Lash [Re-issue] - Rhino Records

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, without The Pogues there would be no Flogging Molly, no Dropkick Murphys, no Bloody Irish Boys, no Tossers; and the list just goes on. They were one of the first bands to fuse some energy into the Celtic sound and genre and had an untold influence on bands who formed afterwards. And while it would be hard to really forget MacGowan and the gang, Rhino wants to make it’s even harder and has recently re-released their entire catalogue with some extra songs tagged onto each release (many of which appeared on 2001’s The Very Best Of); and this is one of those releases.

Rum, Sodomy & The Lash was the band’s second release, and the release that really helped cement their identity. With Elvis Costello behind the knobs, The Pogues crew in size adding more traditional instruments and an extra guitarist to create a vibrant album full of songs about death, loss and drinking. Most of this album leans towards the Irish Folk sound, with a slower tempo then you would find on the band’s later releases (like their follow up, If I Should Fall From Grace With God which really picks it up a notch on a few tracks), but there’s still a certain kick to the songs that is certainly undeniable. ThinkFlogging Molly with more traditional instrument and less punk guitar. MacGowan’s vocals are angry and strong throughout, with a touch of venom in them on songs like Billy Bones, Sally MacLennane andThe Gentleman Soldier. But he’s also able to slow it down a tad with songs like The Old Main Drag (an emotional song retelling the tale of MacGowan’s childhood in London), the five minute single A Pair Of Brown Eyes and the eight minute closer The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. Although, one of the more surprising moments of the album comes from I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day which sees Cait O’Riordan taking lead vocal duties instead of MacGowan – leaning a bit towards the classic Christmas song that they would later release with Kirsty MacColl.

Now, to say that Rum, Sodomy & The Lash is for everyone would be a complete lie; you do need to have a certain open mindedness to really enjoy them. After all, some people will be very disturbed by the inclusion of so many traditional instruments like tin whistle, banjo, and accordion. But if you’re able to accept that The Pogues don’t play straight up punk rock but rather Irish music fused with a bit of a punch, then you’ll discover a solid release from front to back. It’s tight, catchy and energetic; and unlike some bonus tracks on the Rhino re-releases, this one seems to have received a good selection of bonus tracks.London Girl and Rainy Night In Soho are both great songs to be added as they show a slightly different side of the band then what you find on the rest of the releases.

The Pogues were a great band, and this album is just part of their greatness. Even now, twenty two years after the original release, Rum, Sodomy & The Lash can still be played repeatedly. I will admit though that I like If I Should Fall From Grace With God more just because that has a harsher feel to it and this is a slightly more traditional release (well, as traditional as The Pogues can get).