Peace and Love - Opinions?!

[pogues22]

I did leave out USA didn't I, brilliant song.

Thanks,
Iain

[Mr. Joyce]

I think it's a brilliant song, and one that has come to mean a lot more to me as I've grown older.

Those lines are just spectacular. Changing perspective as one ages, tragedy of getting what you for, discovery that wherever you go people are still people and the world is still the world. I've always loved this song.

Well said - it has always been one of my favorites, too.

[Phil]

It's a crying shame Shane doesn't sing Young Ned Of The Hill.. that would be sweet.

There are some terrific live bootlegs with Shane singing it live.

[paddys pistol]

the first couple of listens to this album i didn't like it all that much, but it has deffentily grown on me over the years

[Alex]

There are some terrific live bootlegs with Shane singing it live.

It's interesting hearing Shane singing that song, but there's only one person in the group who sings the most authentically.

[Heather]

Like all Pogues albums it has songs I like on and songs I'm not so keen on. It's okay, just not as good as If I Should Fall From Grace With God (which is my favourite Pogues album).

[cougar]

I think its flawless. I don't think artists or bands make records so that folks can compare it to their previous work and point out how it doesnt fit commercial or personal expectations - they put down on track what they want at the time. Every song is completely different sounding then the one before and after it. I'm a big fan of that record. Night Train to Lorca is one of those songs I really have a hard time believing a human wrote. Absolutely perfect.

[anfield boy]

I'm with cougar here. I remember being in my girlfriends room soon after it came out and hearing the horns blast out from Gridlock. I was very impressed with the whole record. Just because you could tell they wanted to do something different than what they had already done. And I really struggle to compare the different albums. To be honest I probably put that one on the least right now, but I still like it in it's own right.

[RICHB]

I remember waiting outside Penny Lane Records for them to open on the day of P&L's release and being really disapointed by it. I was expecting so much after Grace With God and didnt think it delivered. The funny thing is that I love almost all the songs on it individualy but when I hear it as an album I dont like it. How bizare

[pogues22]

I've said this before and I'll say it again, Peace and Love is the most underrated Pogues album of the MacGowan era. Opinions for this album, differ, most people think this album marked the beginning of the end for the band. I thought the band were still in fine form, under the circumstances of constant touring (Shane even missed the entire Bob Dylan tour) and Shane's inconsistent behavior. Remember by the time they started recording the album Shane had become deeply involved with the acid house scene. Some say Shane's songwriting is well below par, but those people must not have heard White City or London You're a Lady. Terry Woods also provides two excellent numbers, as does Jem Finer. Overall this is more of democratic effort by the band, each one of the members provides their own insights. All in all not the Pogues best album, but a very solid effort following the wake of If I Should Fall From Grace With God, especially the new remastered version which contains the excellent traditional numbers The Star of the County Down (which was played brilliantly live, when I saw them in Atlantic City on March 11,) and The Limerick Rake. Also, Terry Woods and Ron Kavana's Everyman Is A King is wonderful and should have been on the original album.

Best songs

1. London You're a Lady
2. White City
3. Young Ned of the Hill
4. Boat Train
5. Misty Morning, Albert Bridge
6. Down All the Days
7. Lorelei
8. USA
9. Cotton Fields
10. Gartloney Rats

Gridlock, Night Train To Lorca, and Tombstone are okay

The only real throwaway track is Blue Heaven

[Simon Maguire]

I'd put White City as number 1, Boat Train 2, Young Ned 3, Misty Morning4, and London your a lady 5.

[Irish Rover]

Yeah Peace & Love has some great songs, and especially the remastered version with the extra 6 songs.

[Michaelo]

I think Peace and Love was criticised purely because it was the 1st Pogues album that wasn't perfect. There are a couple of average songs but overall it is a great album- until you compare it with what came before. But IMHO no album could survive a comparison with the Pogues first 3 recordings. My personal favourites:
1- U.S.A. (I think this is the band's most underrated song ever)
2- Young Ned of The Hill
3- Misty Morning, Albert Bridge

I think the other thing that did not help was the running order of the songs, especially the first few tracks. They are good songs individually but do not "flow" because the album constantly changes genres and I think it was a mistake to begin the album with a jazzy instrumental like Gridlock. Compare the flow of the first 4 songs on P&L to the first 4 on IISFFGWG!

[pogues22]

My sentiments exactly Irish Rover, most of the songs on Peace and Love are very strong, making the album as whole even more enjoyable. I'm still in the latter crowd that prefers this album over Hell's Ditch.

[SkaPunkAndOtherJunk]

I've said this before and I'll say it again, Peace and Love is the most underrated Pogues album of the MacGowan era. Opinions for this album, differ, most people think this album marked the beginning of the end for the band. I thought the band were still in fine form, under the circumstances of constant touring (Shane even missed the entire Bob Dylan tour) and Shane's inconsistent behavior. Remember by the time they started recording the album Shane had become deeply involved with the acid house scene. Some say Shane's songwriting is well below par, but those people must not have heard White City or London You're a Lady. Terry Woods also provides two excellent numbers, as does Jem Finer. Overall this is more of democratic effort by the band, each one of the members provides their own insights. All in all not the Pogues best album, but a very solid effort following the wake of If I Should Fall From Grace With God, especially the new remastered version which contains the excellent traditional numbers The Star of the County Down (which was played brilliantly live, when I saw them in Atlantic City on March 11,) and The Limerick Rake. Also, Terry Woods and Ron Kavana's Everyman Is A King is wonderful and should have been on the original album.

Best songs

1. London You're a Lady
2. White City
3. Young Ned of the Hill
4. Boat Train
5. Misty Morning, Albert Bridge
6. Down All the Days
7. Lorelei
8. USA
9. Cotton Fields
10. Gartloney Rats

Gridlock, Night Train To Lorca, and Tombstone are okay

The only real throwaway track is Blue Heaven

am i the only one who actually likes blue heaven?