hello I'm new to this forum. I'm a Pogues fan since nearly 2 years now (I'm only 18). It startet during the last day of an exchange to England, on the way to the plane which should fly me back home. There was a Best-Of-Album in the car from a band which I'd never heard of before. I put it on and heard The Pogues for the first time of my life. Thank God I did it! Now I own the first five albums, the box set, a biography, a live DVD (T&C) and some more DVDs and a book about Shane MacGowan as well.
Coming back to this topic, I really like all five albums from "Red Roses" to "Hells Ditch". In the Pogues biography it is said that on "Hells Ditch" the Pogues sort of drifted away from their original idea, mixing Irish Music (traditional) with punk influences. But I think "Hells Ditch" still sounds a lot like the Pogues, with new influences from Thailand mainly. It is brilliant, as well as the underrated "Peace and Love". What I prefer on those late albums is the musical development. "Red Roses for me" is great as well, but it is very simple and captures the band during a period when they were still learning to play their instruments. The later albums sound "bigger" and "fuller". I like the changing of Shane MacGowan's voice as well, on the first two albums he sounds so "clear" and young, on "Hells Ditch", and on his solo projects without the Pogues he sounds very raw, but still great! The only song that I really detest from him is his version of "My Way" (on youtube), but that's another topic. Excuse my bad english, I'm from Germany
good day!
Rather be a waster than a wanker.