By the time they released their third album the Pogues were at the top of both their critical and commercial success. If I Should Fall From Grace With God found the band drawing from a myriad of styles to create what many feel is their most cohesive effort. Along with traditional Irish folk and punk elements there are traces of Turkish and Spanish music. The album features their most popular and widely known song, "Fairy Tale Of New York." It's a tale of two lovers quarreling during Christmas time in New York city and features Kirsty MacColl in the female role against The Pogues' front man, Shane MacGowan. There are many moments throughout the record where bleak tales are contrast against celebratory tunes. MacGowan tells tales of Irish emigration and the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four, two groups of Irish people imprisoned in the UK for terrorism offences. If I Should Fall From Grace With God paired inventive use of traditional instrumentation with lyrics that were particularly poignant for the time.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• original release year: 1988
• music label: Pogue Mahone Records 2015

reviewed by Hank Ohs 06/2015