csberry

Yeah, critics call The Pogues a mix of traditional Irish folk and punk. Personally, I think they just sound like the most fun, irreverent Irish party band on the planet. If you are under 50 and don't listen to this album on St. Patrick's Day, no amount of green can convince me you have Irish blood of any amount.

Musically, there are really only three songs that wander much from traditional Celtic music, IMO - "Wild Cats of Kilkenny," "A Pistol For Paddy Garcia," and "Jesse James." The first song has a bass line and mandolin (?) riff that sounds quite a bit like the theme for Doctor Who. The other two songs have some country & Western influences in there such as slide guitar and harmonica along with the traditional Irish sound. No, really, it works.

Lyrically, Shane MacGowan is rough, bawdy, and frank. His language can be coarse and explores such things as male prostitution and popping pills in "The Old Main Drag" as well as odes to bar brawls elsewhere. The originals are not songs you'll likely see sung by elderly Irish men with hair coming out of their ears.

Besides the two instrumentals ("A Pistol For Paddy Garcia" and "Wildcats of Kilkenny"), another song that separates itself from the others is "I'm a Man You Don't Meet Everyday"...which is sung by the female bassist.

Songs I knew I liked: None

Songs I didn't know but now like: "The Old Main Drag," "I'm a Man You Don't Meet Everyday," and "Dirty Old Town"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: I wouldn't mind pulling this out each year on March 17th.