If I Should Fall from Grace with God (Expanded Edition)

OK, I'm an early Pogues purist. After the blazing brilliance of Red Roses and Rum, I was kinda let down by this one, and I never have been able to get with a lot of it. Yes, "Fairytale of New York" may be their very best song ever. You knew the first time you heard it that it would be a classic, and it has more than stood the test of time. I honestly think people will be listening to it and raising their glasses 200 Christmases hence. But it had already come out as a single anyway. Too many of the other tracks here sounded and sound, I dunno, formulaic and by-the-numbers and kinda pooped out -- a signal, in hindsight, of the band's continuing decline from here on.

Re Ewan MacColl: He was born in England of parents who'd relocated from Scotland. His daughter Kirsty was likewise born and raised in England, not Ireland.

let's not be so analytical, OK ?

Hate to say it - but the combination of the two voices doesn't work. Shane is great, but Kirsty? she sounds like a young boy trying too hard. Not liking 'Fairytale of Newyork' at all. Too perfect, too 'Hollywood'. This isn't what these boys were about. Can't imagine what they were thinking, perhaps it's because she was married to Lillywhite. Ah well, not perfect..but a great tragedy that this band couldn't keep it together. I found them too late - Id heard about them years ago, but didn't wander into their music. A great pity. What energy, rowdiness, originality. What great lyrics. -Makes you want a better stereo - an iPod dock that cost under $100 isn't doing it anymore..... And iTunes? Doesn't anyone get tired of their smugness? Good lord. You'd think they were the ultimate in opinion. And as for their music library? they don't even have the early Nick Lowe stuff. So they can't be considered truly cool. So there.

Stop what your are doing immediately and buy this album. It is perfect, and fairytales of new york is the best christmas song ever. The Pogues are amazing and are without a doubt the coolest irish band around.

Now I know where Flogging Molly get their inspiration from!

These guys do for Irish music what Fairport, The Band, and Los Lobos have done for their native music, and they do it in ways that are just as musically accomplished. Some of the lyrics are fabulous, as well. "Thousands are Sailing" might just be one of the best songs anyone has ever written; it communicates the bittersweet essence of the Irish experience in ways that no history book ever could. That song alone is worth the price of the album, but there is more, much more. The energy level never flags from start to finish. Truly a great piece of work.

I discovered this album back in the late 80's and was hooked right away. It always brings a smile to my face when I hear it and it's probably the best album to drink and sing along to.

With the exception of "Worms", this album is a straight through listen and a classic. "Thousands are Sailing"; "The Broad Majestic Shannon"; the immortal "Fairytale of NY". $7.99 is a steal The extras are okay but "South Australia" shines. A must own....

wow. greatest album EVER. acquired taste maybe but these songs are... wow