Search - Pogues :: Peace & Love

If Captain was still at the helm it would've been way better

Corky | 11/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the fourth album of for the Pogues and their worst. I'm not saying this album is bad but if you're going to buy your first Pogues CD buy one of the first three. There are some excellent songs on this album: White City, Misty Morning/Albert Bridge, Boat Train...but it doesn't have the consistency of the previous CD's. Another thing is that Shane's voice is bad on this one. I heard it was because of the constant touring and probably the chain smoking helped too. Steve Lillywhite had to mix other members vocals to get a solid vocal (which he later regretted). At this time there was a big division in the band and you can tell this by their music. Shane's songs are sparse, from what history says is that Shane was deep in to Acid house music and every drug that goes with it and more. When he was at the studio he was barely coherent and unable to sing most of the times. The rest of the band seems to be taking another direction which was more musical and fusion based.

The added songs keep it from being a three. If they would've cut out the duds and used the extra songs on this album in place of them this would be a way better album."

Underrated classic

RR | Chicago | 03/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't get the harsh reviews this album gets. I think it's every bit as good as Rum, Sodomy and Grace of God. Read Trouser Press's review which I agree with wholeheartedly. White City is a great song. Blue Heaven is a great song. Gartloney Rats is a stomping good song. Train of Love, Everyman Is a King, -- the list goes on. So what's the deal? This is a great album."

Down All The Days

K. H. Orton | New York, NY USA | 05/17/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The record cover pretty much says it all. This is a bare fisted brawl of a record. The sound of egos & artistic differences duking it out, bloodying noses & blackening eyes. Atleast behind the scenes. Pity it doesn't sound that way.



While The Pogues seemed to want to distance themselves from Irish Music & "experiment", frontman Shane MacGowan stubbornly stuck to his guns. If they only listened to MacGowan. Though an arguement could be made for it being "diverse", truth be told, this is their least cohesive album. In light of their preceeding work, possibly their worst. There's a general malaise on this album. Of being exhausted & not wanting to admit it. But all is not lost, I mean this is The Pogues after all.



With the exception of Jem Finer's "Albert Bridge" & Philip Chevron's "Lorelei", its the MacGowan numbers that by & large hit home, lending the album some much needed glue. Highlights include: "White City", "Down All The Days", "USA" & "London, You're A Lady".



That said, as performers The Pogues seem far more invested than MacGowan. Where "Blue Heaven" sounds like a desperate attempt to cheer things up, "Tombstone" seems to capture the true morale of the band. On the shambling, bender of "Boat Train" MacGowan appears to have summed up his attitude towards the proceedings.



In terms of the bonus tracks, "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" is essential. Full of all the vitality & humor lacking on this record. Elsewhere, "Honky Tonk Women" is an exercise in self parody, perhaps meant to be "ironic" but marks a decided low point in their recording career.



Anyway you cut it, its just not The Pogues at their best. While I wouldn't call it a complete "fall from grace", I suppose its safe to say this is their "hangover" album."