Vinyl Vault

If only for the brief amount of time that their implosive ways would allow them, the Pogues offered a unique alternative to the MTV-fueled video stars of the day. The Irish band found an unlikely common ground between punk and the music of their native land and scored a hit with their 1988 release If I Should Fall From Grace With God. But was that success deserved, or was it all a load of blarney? A song-by-song review will be the judge.

If I Should Fall From Grace With God (1988, Island Records)

Side A

  A1. “If I Should Fall From Grace With God”
Here is the apotheosis of the Pogues sound: a frantic pace accentuated by traditional Irish instruments with charismatic frontman Shane MacGowan snarling his lyrics. MacGowan knows his fate with the Almighty is sealed and isn’t the least bit concerned.

  A2. “Turkish Song Of The Damned”
The Middle-Eastern kick at the opening is a nice twist and the pounding drums seem poised to make the Devil dance rather than scare him away. The tin-whistle and accordion return to Eire in the chorus though, and MacGowan says a lot with the line “The shadow hanging over me is no trick of the light.”

  A3. “Bottle of Smoke”
Just about the only decipherable lyrics here are of the four-letter variety, and the music isn’t memorable enough to compensate.

  A4. “Fairytale Of New York”
The best Christmas songs usually highlight the melancholy of the season, and it doesn’t get any sadder than a holiday spent in the drunk tank. But MacGowan’s lovely duet with Kirsty MacColl also sends a skewer through the sentimental trappings with a memorable name-calling session. All of that is bolstered by a gorgeous sing-along melody.

  A5. “Metropolis”
Spider Stacey’s tin whistle gets a workout in this time-passing instrumental.

  A6. “Thousands Are Sailing”
Guitarist Phil Chevron wrote this gem that sees the U.S. from an immigrants eyes, as the wonder gives way to the cold light of reality. The song works up a nice sense of drama, and when MacGowan bids the lonely souls of the song to dance, the band whips up a desperate jig in response.

Side B

  B1. “Fiesta”
Despite its whimsical tone and chorus ready-made for drunken revelry, the Hispanic references are a bit stereotypical.

  B2. “Medley: The Recruiting Sargent/The Rocky Road To Dublin/The Galway Races”
The band predictably handles this medley of traditionals but there aren’t any revelations.

  B3. “Streets Of Sorrow/Birmingham Six”
It’s easy to forget that Ireland was once the site of casual terrorism and despicable acts of violence in the name of God. This track is a brutal reminder. Guitarist Terry Woods takes the first part with a sad acoustic lament that envisions a scenario in which leaving one’s country is preferable to staying and watching it burn. Then MacGowan offers specifics with a furious real-life tale of false imprisonment and authority run amok.

  B4. “Lullaby of London”
MacGowan shows his softer side here with an effortlessly pretty tune which the band knocks out of the park. It’s too bad the band crumbled before they got more opportunities to show off this gentler side.

  B5. “Sit Down By the Fire”
After an exciting start, the blistering pace buries any discernible melody.

  B6. “The Broad Majestic Shannon”
The verses fall back a bit into clichéd Irish melody, but the stirring choruses rally (and even add a bit of harmony vocals for some variety.) MacGowan depicts the river as both a symbol of both loss and redemption.

  B7. “Worms”
A weird and macabre postage-stamp of a closing song.

The Bottom Line

The balance between the rowdy, up-tempo romps and more contemplative softer songs present a band that was beginning to broaden its horizons. They didn’t really capitalize on these advances, but If I Should Fall From Grace With God still stands as one of the 80’s most eclectic successes.

No Comments »