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THE POGUES
Rum, Sodomy and the Lash (WEA Records Ltd.)
Reviewed by Sherman Wick
Rum, Sodomy and the Lash (1985), the second album from London's the Pogues, illuminated for the first time the greatness of the band. Important musical innovators, the group fused the energy of punk rock with the timeless beauty of Irish folk music. Elvis Costello produced, and the band constructed a fine collection of songs - mostly originals with a few traditional covers - that were loosely based on the navy and, in particular, its drinking tradition. In fact, the title is taken from a quote attributed to former Prime Minister and champion of imbibing spirits Winston Churchill, who said, "Don't talk about naval tradition - it's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." The title was a perfect fit for the heavy drinking band led by chronic inebriate Shane Mac Gowan, who is also immensely musically and lyrically talented.
This reissue captures the Pogues at their best, before the partying and drinking got the best of Mac Gowan. Although it is not as consistently strong as If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1987), it's among their best records. It commences with the rollicking Irish folk punk of "Sickbed of Cuchulainn," then gracefully transitions into the melancholic ballad, "the Old Main Drag." Mac Gowan beautifully tells a tale of the plight of an Irish immigrant to London. The song poetically evokes a despairing image of the sex trade, vice and discriminatory law. Mac Gowan surmises the protagonist's abject condition in the song's last verse:
"And now I am lying here I have had too much booze/ I've been shat on and spat on and raped and abused/ I know that I am dying and I wish I could beg/ For some money to take me from the old main drag"
The musical arrangement is centered on a droning accordion riff, which is the perfect accompaniment for the somber tale. " A Pair of Brown Eyes" is a more traditional Irish folk song with accordion again, tin whistle and acoustic guitars. And "Sally Mac Lennane" is the perfect Irish pub song: a tune about drinking, drinking and more drinking. The original record concluded with "The Band Played Waltzing Mathilda." It tells the lamentable story of an Irish-Australian fighting in World War I, and losing his legs. No longer can he dance to "Waltzing Matilda." The song is a powerful anti-war statement, as the eight-minute epic concludes with the song's chorus.
A perfect ending to a great record - but wait. For the reissue, six "bonus tracks" were added, but they are largely filler compared to the original twelve on the album. However, they don't seriously detract from the brilliance of the songs and lyrics on the first issue of the record.
© 2005 - Sherman Wick