The Pogues
Pogue Mahone

THE REVIEW

...IT WAS BETTER WHEN IT WAS WORSE!!

We were saying the other day in the elevator, having already exhausted the topics of weather and the expensive euro. An old saying goes like this... they call it popular wisdom. Is it really true?!?! Who knows, in any case, this album is titled "Pogue Mahone" (Gaelic) which in English means: Kiss my Arse... which in Italian means: Baciami il Culo. Who chose the title? Who knows, anyway based on the objective side this is the second official album of the Pogues following the departure, heavy and due to major incompatibility issues and not only, of Shane McGowan. The most discussed album ever of the Pogues, a commercial flop, loathed by many fans who see Shane's absence as the very absence of the soul of this band.

However, the album is absolutely not bad. The absence of the charismatic and alcoholic frontman is felt, and not slightly, as over a long duration all the work turns out to be a bit boring and lacking in originality and punk-lazy-relaxed-intimate attitude typical of the Character Shane McGowan. However, this does not prevent admitting that within this CD there are excellent songs that even after 11 years are still appreciated. The main reason for the poor success of this album is undoubtedly due to the fact that the lead singer (Spider Stacy) gives his best in interpretation and singing only in some pieces. If we add to this an objective lack of a mind and a voice of undeniable talent, here we are with a record that, although good, cannot stand on its own legs and most importantly lacks that folk-punk fury that had characterized the best works of the Anglo-Irish band.

In the sad memory of what was and is no more "Love You 'Till The End" fits perfectly, also thanks to the beautiful triptych represented by guitar, piano, and bass to which are added the percussion and the excellent singing of Spider Stacy and Debsey Wykes. The following "Bright Lights" makes me shed a tear while happily thinking of pints of beer cheerfully flying in some pub... folk-punk fury indeed... Banjo is absolutely the protagonist in the very good and nursery-rhyming opener "How Come" which sounds as fresh as your favorite shirt ironed by mom and worn on a sunny spring day. "Living In A World Without Her" is a song I'm particularly attached to for the intro that gives me emotions and for the beautiful melodies created by Banjo and Tambourine playing above the piano all at a decidedly high tempo. Even Bob Dylan is revisited in Irish Stew & Guinness style with "When The Ship Comes In." Another noteworthy song is "Amadie" sung in French in which Banjo and Accordion have fun driving the rhythm for just under two minutes. Noteworthy is "Point Mirabeau," which is a text by Appolinaire set, very well, to music in pure folk-ballad style. "Where That Loves's Been Gone" is a beautiful track in which Banjo, violins, mandolins, and Tambourine draw folk melodies but at the same time tainted with blues, which makes the piece very engaging.

In the end, I don't know whether to heed the guys in the elevator at the beginning of the review, I have the album and every now and then I even put it on...