This 40th anniversary edition features the original album plus a bonus LP that brings together the legendary POGUETRY IN MOTION EP, with tracks from the July 1985 BBC Janice Long session, plus original single B-sides. The bonus disc is completed by rare live versions of "A Pair Of Brown Eyes" and "Sally MacLennane" recorded at Glasgow Barrowland in December 1987, and a rough mix of POGUETRY IN MOTION outtake, the band's version of The Lovin’ Spoonful's "Do You Believe In Magic," all currently unavailable.

Produced by Elvis Costello, RUM SODOMY & THE LASH was the second studio album by the London-based, Irish folk punk band. Costello, who was originally brought in to work on the singles, extended his stay to work on the entire album. At the time, he said, "I saw my task was to capture them in their dilapidated glory before some more professional producer fucked them up."
The album was released on 5 August 1985 and reached #13 on the UK charts. It features the singles "A Pair Of Brown Eyes," "Sally MacLennane," and "Dirty Old Town."