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The Pogues - Hell's Ditch Audio CD

A fair review of the The Pogues "Hell's Ditch" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Pogues reviews here, or go back to the The Pogues tabs.

The Pogues Band: The Pogues
Title: Hell's Ditch
Rating:
Release Date: 2006-09-19
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Sunnyside of the Street 2: Sayonara 3: Ghost of a Smile 4: Hell's Ditch 5: Lorca's Novena 6: Summer in Siam 7: Rain Street 8: Rainbow Man 9: Wake of the Medusa 10: House of the Gods 11: 5 Green Queens & Jean 12: Maidrin Rua 13: Six to Go 14: Whiskey in the Jar [*] 15: Bastard Landlord [*] 16: Infinity [*] 17: Curse of Love [*] 18: Squid out of Water [*] 19: Jack's Heroes [*] 20: Rainy Night in Soho [*]

Quite the decent album...
While this doesn't compare to the older stuff, there are some excellent cuts here. . "Rain Street", "Hell's Ditch" (GREAT SONG!!), "Sunnyside of the Street", "Maidrin Rua" (an instrumental that is sadly short, since it's the best song on the album), "Rainy Night in Soho", "Jack's Heroes" and "Whiskey in the Jar" are all standouts. Most of the other cuts are at least mediocre to good, except for the one that I've never understood. . . the love affair everyone seems to have with "Summer in Siam". Huh??? I've always found this to be one of only a handful of Pogues tunes that are absolutely unlistenable. Perhaps someone can enlighten me, as I am apparently the only one that thinks this song sucks like a Hoover. Overall, a recommended purchase, but not anywhere near being in the same league as "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash", "If I Should Fall From Grace With God" or "Red Roses for Me".
.


Sayanora
Or final straw. While more cohesive than PEACE & LOVE, this one is truely the last gasp. Like PEACE, this is the sound of making 2 different albums on one. The Pogues do their best to hold the fort, but only seem to tag along with MacGowan's increasingly garbled whims. Or vice versa. Perhaps it's a little of both.

Though he seems to have almost abdicated vocally, its MacGowan's songwriting that keeps this record on its feet. "Sunny Side Of The Street" & "Ghost Of A Smile" are great pop songs, marred only by MacGowan's slurred delivery. It seems not even the presence of producer, Joe Strummer could keep him interested. Throughout the album (any chemical issues aside) he sounds like his heart isn't in it.

Elsewhere, the title track & the Spainish influenced "Lorca's Novena" hint at what could be. Beyond that, MacGowan casts his romantic eyes to the far East for 2 standout tracks, "Summer In Siam" & "Sayonara".

Inbetween, its The Pogues doing their best to carry on, but the songs just don't have that old fire & brimestone.

"Rain Street" brings things back to the old stomping ground & "Five Green Queens" is a haunting coda but in the end, both MacGowan & The Pogues seemed to just be putting up with eachother as good naturedly as they can. It doesn't make for the most inspired of albums. The talent is there, but not the will. Overall, its the sonic equivalent of a weary, limp handed shake goodbye.

The Pogues stoically hung in there for 2 more albums & despite their musicianship, it just wasn't the same without Shane. As for MacGowan he released 2 as well. With mixed results. None of their post FALL FROM GRACE output quite reaches the heights of their first 3 albums together. Which are still as potent as a flaming bottle of poitin. Mad & furious. Chockfull of cheek, piss & vinegar. .


The church bell rings, an old drunk sings
While it doesn't quite live up to the stature of the band's first three albums, it's a marked improvement on their fourth record (Peace & Love). This is the fifth and final album that the Pogues and Shane MacGowan collaborated on, and it's a nice swan song. It's a surprisingly upbeat album, considering the nature of some of the lyrics, and the outside influences that would soon cause the band to move forward without it's driving force. Songs like "The Sunnyside of the Street", "Sayonara", "Summer in Siam", and "Rain Street" are among the Pogues all time best works. Unfortunately, the album loses it's momentum after a strong first half, and the bonus tracks that are included on the remastered edition, aren't particularly memorable for the most part. Still, for those that love the Pogues, this album is definitely worth purchasing, and enjoying time and time again. .


Parting Glass...
On "Red Roses For Me" he sounds sharp intense and clear. after "If I Should Fall From Grace Of God" you can tell something is happening to Shane MacGowan. When you get to "Hell's Ditch" he sounds muttled confused worn out and his voice has more of a gutteral sound. This is a way better album than "Peace and Love" the music is different than the rest of the albums. The songs on this album have more of a variety from Spanish guitar and Asian influenced music to pop with Shane's great songwriting (But not as great as it was). Many of the songs subjects are based off of Shane's trips to Thailand to dry out. The songs are mostly great but the vocals are harder to listen to since his voice has gone downhill. It is sad all of that talent got stifled by his addictions, I guess this is selfish since if he wasn't so talented I wouldn't care.


You can see a complete list of all The Pogues discography, or go back to the The Pogues tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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