Its the time of year for them. But don't worry, I know more than The Fairytale of New York. My Dad was into them, those early albums were part of my childhood.

I've been digging out a few of the rarer tracks recently. I really like Summer in Siam, and the video with Shane looking very non plussed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em3ZlHZOUPo

I also like this performance of A Pair of Brown Eyes. Shane looking vulnerable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjzLz0kmhLM

And this performance of Turkish Song of The Damned. Shane looking badass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gijSDXhnvlc

I've been checking out The Popes a bit as well. There suprisingly good. To be fair to Shane he seems to have kept developing as a writer and artist throughout the nineties, despite being a bit of a wreck. Its only by the 2000s that he seems to have lost it.

Anyway. Lets not turn this into a a dissection of Shane Macgowan. Are you into the Pogues? Is your Dad into the Pogues? If not why notm ring him up and find out.