The Snake or Crock of Gold?

[Mick Molloy]

I think comparing them is like comparing apples with pears. One is more rock and the other one is more traditional. They both have good and bad songs like most albums have. What I do think of the Snake is that most of the album sounds pretty much the same (same melody lines, chord buildups etc)

[zarom]

When "the Snake" came out it was a relief. Shane's still alive'n'kicking!! After years without news (there was no internet at this time, folks) it was the best thing to happen in those dark days. In my opinion this record reflects all that hellish times Mac had lived since his departure of The Pogues. For him this is the most important record for it is his resurrection. It has songs which he sangs with such a feeling like "The Song with no name". It comes right from the soul. The album is fantastic with great lyrics and good tunes amongst MacGowan's best. The best ones for me are: "Snake with eyes of Garnet", "Donegal Express", "Song With no Name" and "Aisling". The trad. songs are truly amazing with great rebel songs like "The Rising of the Moon" and "Roddy McCorley" (only in the reissue). The electrical tracks seem to be a little out of place, but they're very personal songs. Isn't "Mexican Funeral in Paris" great?
In the other hand "I'll be your handbag" is probably the worst song Macgowan ever released.

"The Crock of Gold" is amazing! The lyrics are strong and witty and the tunes are great. When I bought it I couldn't stop playing it for months, almost every single day. Every track is truly good and Shane and the band are in good form. The overall feeling is that this is a more folky album than "The Snake". I have no favourites! The album is really good.

My advice? Go get 'em both! Now!

[John Powers]

Yeah. You need to have them both. It´s a bit like how Mr. Chevron said about "Peace and Love" and "Hell´s Ditch", the different sides of a coin.

By the way, I recently read Joe Merricks "London Irish Punk" and it suggested that Shane had already recorded material for a new album called "20th Century Paddy" but it had not been released because of record company problems. Am I the only one who thinks those bastards are waiting for Shanes death to get publicity on him and then release his "unheard material"... Maybe I´m just too cynical about the business..

Anyway, it would be a loooong wait because record companies come and go but Shane MacGowan is forever.

[MacRua]

I believe showbiz is kind of things one can't be TOO cynical about

[Scotty Anxiety]

I have to say that I actually like the snake more than the crock... The first three songs on the snake are the ultimate opening to an album..(in all fairness the fiorst three on crock are pretty damn good too) but at the end of the day, I prefer the snake as it sounds more diverse and less confined then the snake does, sorta the same reason why peace and love has become one of my favorite pogues albums.


scott

[John O'Sullivan]

Gotta be the snake!!!

'Long years ago I fell in love with a lady proud and fair...'.

Its just... well, I cried my eyes out listening to that. My ol' fella was killed on a building site last year and it reminded me of him. He loved me mum but he was torn too (when we were young) between her and the music n' beer.

Peace y'all xxx n' up the workers

[Simon]

I love them bouth. But the snake is my favorite i think i played it very day for 3 years until crock of gold came out. love the punk style on the snake i'll be your handbag ,Victoria church of the holy spook,aisling,snake with eyes of garnet pure class

[Guest]

Definitely the snake. Crock of Gold has far too many re-workings of old songs and borrowed melodies. The Snake has some superb songs on like Donegal Express, Aisling, and Snake With Eyes of Garnet to name a few

[Niall]

it's gotta be the snake for me although i do like crock of gold also

[IrishRover]

I like Crock of gold more...there are some amazing songs there,but truly great !!!

[Pyro]

If I should fall...no, missed again.
If I should compare the songs, I would opt for Crock. But the performance is crucial imho. And songs on Crock sound rather tired and not very interesting.
There is a lot of tracks I dislike on the Snake (but some great as well) and a lot of semi-good tracks on Crock.
I like the Snake far more as it sounds more fresh and those bad ones...you can skip them.

[dublinrambler]

probably crock...though theres greatness on each of them

[Paddy Rolling Clone]

The Song With No Name is an incredible song and lyric thats often overlooked. Perhaps it's the recording and how it comes across. One of his best solo songs in my opinion though.

[GUEST]

The Crock was far to easy for Shane,im sure he came up with the lyrics for most songs in no time.The Snake is a much more diverse album with more character and guts.
Dont get me wrong i love both.But i think Crock is a paddybeat album that lacks the touch of genius that is Shane MacGowan.

[Phil]

In the other hand "I'll be your handbag" is probably the worst song Macgowan ever released.

I love I'll Be Your Handbag. It's just a great punk song- "every little breeze seems to whisper disease" - love that line. The Snake is a very diverse album and an excellent album at that. I love Crock and The Snake equally. They both have their merits.
Edit/Delete this post

The Crock was far to easy for Shane,im sure he came up with the lyrics for most songs in no time.The Snake is a much more diverse album with more character and guts.
Dont get me wrong i love both.But i think Crock is a paddybeat album that lacks the touch of genius that is Shane MacGowan.

I hear you. While I love Crock the lyrics aren't even close to Shane's best. Let's be honest here. And again, I love the album. It was mainly funny Irish songs except for one like Paddy Public Enemy #1. That song's lyrics are very average for a genius like Shane.

For me the 2 songs on Crock that can stand beside his best work are Lonesome Highway & St. John of Gods.