Rum Sodomy & The Lash  by The Pogues

Rum Sodomy & The Lash is the second studio album by The Pogues, which was released on August 5, 1985. It is considered the band's masterpiece and one of the most influential records that combined traditional Irish music with the energy of punk. The production was supervised by Elvis Costello, who managed to capture the raw energy of the band while adding a necessary stylistic coherence.

The title of the album comes from a phrase attributed to Winston Churchill regarding the traditions of the British Navy: "Nothing but rum, sodomy, and the lash." The cover is a variation of Théodore Géricault's painting "The Raft of the Medusa," where the faces of the shipwrecked have been replaced by those of the band members.

The lyrics of Shane MacGowan focus on the lives of the marginalized, the immigrants, the poor, and the drunk, offering a raw yet poetic look at the reality of the working class. Despite initial reactions from traditional folk circles, Rum Sodomy & The Lash was recognized as a refreshing "injection" into the Irish tradition, reaching No.13 on the UK charts upon its release.