Search - Pogues :: Hell's Ditch

The church bell rings, an old drunk sings

Jason Michael Crannell | somewhere just outside the salt city | 12/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the fifth and final album that the Pogues and Shane MacGowan collaborated on, and it's a nice swan song. 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). 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...

Corky | 11/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"after "If I Should Fall From Grace Of God" you can tell something is happening to Shane MacGowan. On "Red Roses For Me" he sounds sharp intense and clear. 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."

Sayanora

K. H. Orton | New York, NY USA | 05/18/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While more cohesive than PEACE & LOVE, this one is truely the last gasp. Or final straw. 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."