The Pogues – Rum Sodomy & The Lash

Rum Sodomy & The Lash (1985) is The Pogues’ breakthrough second album, a raucous and poetic fusion of traditional Irish folk and punk energy. Produced by Elvis Costello, it captures the band’s raw spirit and Shane MacGowan’s gift for storytelling — equal parts tenderness, rebellion, and wit. Songs like “A Pair of Brown Eyes,” “Sally MacLennane,” and “Dirty Old Town” blend drunken romance and social realism, their melodies anchored by fiddles, tin whistles, and accordion. The record feels timeless yet visceral, steeped in history but pulsing with urgency.

Beyond its chaos and charm, Rum Sodomy & The Lash is an album of extraordinary emotional range — from rowdy pub singalongs to moments of aching beauty. MacGowan’s lyrics turn everyday lives into legend, while the band’s musicianship grounds every tale in authenticity. It remains one of the defining albums of the 1980s, a raw and lyrical masterpiece that reimagined folk music for a new generation.

Reviews

“A glorious, drunken, defiant masterpiece — heartfelt and unforgettable.” – Rolling Stone

“Folk-punk perfection — wild, tender, and vividly alive.” – The Guardian

“One of the greatest albums of its era, where poetry and mayhem meet.” – AllMusic