More Specials

Nicht schlecht! Macht Spaß!

A bit difficult for me to judge since it was a major favourite of mine at the time. The sounds are indeed eclectic and better for it. Lots of beats, ideas and great, great songs. They were the coolest bunch of guys and I absolutely love this album.

I enjoy this sound, I can definitely hear the bands they've inspired.

Smash

Really good stuff

Inte lika vass som föregående platta men det spelar ingen roll. Det här är top notch ändå.

In some music you can here the work, the sweat that goes into making it. Rush would be an example. More Specials is an album where the music flows effortlessly, ever changing (unlike Do Nothing) and evolving. As off the cuff as prime Jack Nicholson. Yes there are nods to film music and easy listening from Dammers, but at heart it's as rocksteady as the debut. And as flawless.

Fantastic album. Love it as much now as I always have.

Yesss

Great to hear this, never actually had all the way through which is damning, considering my roots. Intelligence, anger, social observation, cultural history and great musicianship. Marvellous.

i've loved this album since I first got it back in 1985 or so. Everybody seems to love the first specials album, but I thought this one had much more diversity and range and has held up better.

Gran disco. Tiene de todo, ska, rockabilly, reagge, guitarras latinas, coros. Entretenido y muy buena compañía.

A really good album, I like the style of music. Recently found out this band later becomes Fun Boy Three which I also love. So many good songs! Do nothing would have to be my favorite.

Defining album of 2nd wave ska and definitely deserves a spot on this list. So good. I played this record to death as a high school kid. Still have the vinyl.

I just love their execution of the SKA theme. Makes me want to listen to more songs. It's a rather refreshing album, with a bit of a christmasy theme?

wut? wut is this? I like this. It's a bit peculiar in the right ways for me. favorites: Enjoy Yourself, Man at C&A, Do Nothing, Holiday Fortnight, I Can't Stand It, International Jet Set, and the Enjoy yourself reprisal was a great way to end the album. I would be into Sock It to Em more if I was a James Bond fan. This is a special kind of ska.

I don’t know how to describe it, it’s like lounge, meets ska, meets reggae, meets funk, meets elevator muzak. It’s really interesting and different compared to much of the stuff the generator spits out on the daily. Still, I’m going through the exercise of trying to find reasons not to like this and coming up short. An album about how shit everything in life is, ‘More Specials’ is bleak, but darkly humorous and catchy as fuck.

giving this one a 5, i dont care about anything else in the world right now other than letting go

The Specials are legends for a reason. A fantastic blend of ska, punk, and social commentary.

Got it when it came out!

excellent stuff. a bit long but very worth it. very "london calling", has a bit of everything but none of it clashes (ehehe) and it all complements well. ska rock reggae punk it does it all. "enjoy yourself" really grows on you. "i cant stand it" and "stereotype" stand out.

Skimmed the album, got caught up in the wonderful feel of it, will definately re-listen

Digging this, feels like drinking with buds. I enjoyed the entire thing. I actually listened to it twice, it's amazing. It will always now remind me of dancing in the kitchen with my daughter.

it's hard to follow up a debut album as good as theirs but this does a pretty decent effort.

One of my favorite albums. Second wave Ska was my lead in to third wave which defined my teenage years. It's fun, loud, and catchy. Love the sound and feeling you get while listening.

Not as immediate as some of their other work, but really interesting and enjoyable. Roughly the same age as me (the album; not the band), from the same island, and with a similar wide range of musical influences - of course I love it. Fully deserves its place on this list, and fully deserves 5 big stars!

One of my favourite albums ever, quite a bit better and more varied than their debut (also 5-star) for a big part due to Jerry Dammers, but song contributions of other band members are also great. Favourite song: the 7.5 minute extended version of Stereotypes.

The transition from ska revivalists to something a little more meaningful runs throughout More Specials. This isn't the sound of a pastiche tribute; it's the sound of The Specials. They deserve their own genre. Enjoy Yourself sums up the entire album, both in spirit and sound. It's tremendous fun. The gang mentality comes across on each track, even though they were about to fall apart. It's a time capsule for the in-between period of post-punk and pre-80's pop. Do Nothing is just perfect.

Super cool! I really liked it - what a versatile band! It felt like the band had a blast making this music & that makes the music itself so much more fun.

LOVE the specials love that they're from Coventry, love the album cover (photo from Leamington Spa), love the lyrics and themes, love the reggae sections, love the jazz sections, love the vocals, love the up-beat dance vibes, love the messages, love the power of music overall!

Love it. Such a sound, such a band. and thanks to Grace's review I learnt that the cover image was taken in the Regent's Hotel in Leamington Spa :)

An all-time classic. Very inventive, brave and absolutely of its time, yet also timeless.

What a band what an album cant be mess3d with

Soundtrack to my youth. The beginning of Thatcher's disaffected, unemployed and miserable Britain mixed with cold war paranoia and all wrapped up in a perfect ska-pop soundtrack. And Terry Hall. What's not to like? Pretty much perfect archive of the era.

The best

There's never a time where the specials can't be played

Superrrrrrr

stupendous, 5 stars.

Still wonderful.

I wasn't quite sure about this at first, but as I kept listening, it got more and more fun. There are so many ingredients in this recipe! Ska-punk-mariachi-lounge organ-music hall with themes of nuclear war, James Bond films, emotional alienation, and maybe plane crashes?

On paper, this seemed like the kind of thing I wouldn't like at all but I took their advice from the first track and enjoyed myself throughout. Some impressive horns and saxophone and rockabilly guitar here and there highlight a fun variety of styles. It made me happy.

Love the Specials. Very sad when Terry hall died last year, massive talent. Didn't know this album, but knew a few tracks. Looks like I missed a few classics. Only complaint is that it was too short. Great lyrics and sounds, added to collection.

Liked this way better than the debut.

RIP Terry Hall.

cool

Top Album

curto o som deles

This was a favourite of my teenage years, as were all Specials albums. And I still love them

Enjoyed

Super fun ska.

10/10

Second album by them and I am yet to be disappointed.

This was fantastic. What a ride. Definitely a new favorite.

Good album! Like the specials and their vibe for sure

I dug it!

Pretty classic ska album. I had no idea the Go Go's sang background on this record. Cool.

es un álbum de Regae sin olor a Cannabis sativa; para un oido simple una excelente elección parta un día de lluvia

Fitting I got this on Fathers Day as this is the most 'dad' sounding album I've ever heard

I've heard of the Specials but I have not heard them until today. I know they are the OG of the Ska. The fact that they have 3 albums on The List tells you their importance to Ska. I do love the full sounds that the horns & piano bring to band. Reggae is strong here. I find it interesting looking at the infancy of genres. Hey, Little Rich Girl reminds of a 50s song. Ska is fun genre. I guess I'm an aSKAcianado. I've used that before but it's funny. If you understand that reference, you can be my friend. If you see above, this is actually my second Specials album & I don't feel like editing this. So due to the fact that I barely remember their first album which I gave a 3. I like this one slightly better. 4

Eine 80er Wundertüte. Die Musik schwankt zwischen Pop, Reggea, Sound, Synthie... Mit typischem 80er Brit-Pop Gesang dazu. Lustig zu hören, die Texte bearbeiten auch (Gesellschafts-) Politische Themen der frühen 80er. 3-4/5

This album is much more diverse and experimental than their previous 2 tone ska/reggae album. I would highly recommend reading the wiki on this album. While there is still 2 tone, there are a variety of other influences such as Northern Soul and Calypso, there are is an intentional overall lounge and Muzak feel. The second side is more experimental/trippy with cheesy electronic beats and keyboards sounds. Stereotype/Stereotype and International Jet Set are the best examples of this and are my favs.

A bit hit and miss but this is getting a 4 for Pearl’s Cafe.

First time actually listening to The Specials, and this didn't disappoint. Some real bops on here. Favourite tracks: Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think), Man at C&A, Do Nothing, Sock It to 'Em J.B, Stereotype / Stereotype, Pt. 2, International Jet Set.

I enjoyed this more than I expected. Very easy, up-beat listening

Not as good as the previous album but still enjoy it. Not as much bottom end as the first album?

Never heard this album before, and maybe I am in the minority here, but I enjoy Dammers studio-driven creative effort here as an a full length album a bit more than their debut album, in which I really was just passionate about "A Message To You Rudy". Perhaps I am a bit biased in this opinion, as it is clear to me that MORE SPECIALS was an inspiration for my favorite Cherry Poppin' Daddies album, FEROCIOUSLY STONED. As a James Bond fan, I really dug the cover of "Sock it to 'Em J.B.", with The Specials having a vibe similar to the The Coasters "Tequila". I delighted in the quirkiness of tracks like "Stereotype/Stereotype, Pt. 2" Love how many creative ideas they try on this album. Even though it was recorded mostly multitrack, it feels more lively to me than the debut album well.

"It's all a load of bollocks/And bollocks to it all" The Specials are so iconic of their time and place that I can kind of understand how this album might be... I dunno... too British for some people? To hear them is to have a Shane Meadows film playing in your head. Agree it's not necessarily the most cohesive album (and the remaster sounds like it needs remastered), but it's great fun.

Is it kinda annoying that I gotta listen to the sequel before the original? Yes. I know this band though, my friend really fucked with their song "Gangsters" back in the day, and wanted to play it in our school's guitar club. Now I was a fucking buzzkill, so that didn't end up happening. I'm much cooler now and I love "Gangsters." I will also be using that song as a general comparison point for this album, and in that, it can be quickly seen that this is MUCH more eclectic than their previous work. More straight-up reggae/dub, and some weird-ass lounge influence going on here too. The album's also very satirical, but with a sorta sincere edge at times, most notably on a song like "Do Nothing," a personal favorite off here for me. Now, is it incredible? Not by any stretch. If you want incredible punk-influenced ska, go to... I mean probably their debut album. I'm waiting for this site to give me it so that I don't have to relisten to it. Other than that maybe bomb the music industry? Catch 22? That's another one the guy who liked "Gangsters" liked, and I always thought they were real good. But yeah this album's pretty good! 7.8/10

More fleshed-out if less iconic than the debut.

Surprisingly catchy

Hört sich gut an

Special.

I am more familiar with ska punk than I am with more traditional ska, but I found the record quiet enjoyable. A nice mix and entrancing rhythms and zany lyrics come together well on this album.

The album with the lowest average rating yet (perdi uma avaliação completa, então essa é minha segunda vez ouvindo) I can feel the SKa in Enjoy yourself, i can feel where No Doubt came from. I liked the lyrics(They mention God). It gives a nice lesson. A very nice instrumental. 8.7 de 10 Um instrumental muito bom na C&A(me lembra a loja) e tem até o Mickey! Trilha sonora de video game, tipo Mario Kart. É inovador. 9.9 de 10 Rich girl gives me beach vibes in the beggining, but its a nice song. 8.4 de 10 Do nothing é um ótimo exemplo de alguém cansado da vida, até a voz soa distante. Incrível, acho um dos melhores exemplos de músicas que refletem uma vida sem Jesus. 9 de 10 Pearl gave a sweet(cafeish fairy) vibe. I could see that in a kids show, very nice song and the lyrics are nice(especially the last verse). 8 de 10 Sock tem um instrumental muito massa. Acho as músicas de desse álbum bem video game. 8.6 de 10 Stereotype is kinda mexicanish, reminds me faroeste, mas meio lamp genie. Mas a segunda parte da música é quase um funk, mas a letra inverte a posição do narrador. 8.7 de 10 It took me some time to reconize the holiday jingle on this song. Nice and freezeria on winter vibes. 8.5 de 10 BRAIN SPLIT I CANT STAND!!!!!!!! Super nice, reminds of Jesus and i like it. Não me sinto em um avião, mas é interessante.Parece assombrada. 7.5 de 10 O final é mais lento, mais anos 50. Um álbum bom e inovador para época. Exploram bem o mesmo genre. Very good

It's like everything you expect from The Specials, plus a whole bunch more super weird stuff layered on top. On a couple songs it felt like it worked, a couple songs felt like a bit much. I still likes this album, it was definitely a super fun listen, but it's not as good as their debut album in my opinion.

I said in my review of their debut album that it reminds me of partying with the punk kids in high school. I’ve never done DMT, but I’m pretty sure this album is what doing DMT with the punk kids in high school would have been like. Seriously, this feels like such a weird follow up to their debut album. While I haven’t returned to their debut since it was generated a while ago, I remember it being a fun and upbeat ska record. This album on the other hand immediately goes off the rails into some pretty strange territory and almost feels like a nightmare version of their debut. It’s still ska, but with a lot of other influences thrown in and the themes seem much darker.

Fun ska music

Love this! Amazing beach vibe coming from 1980s London. Great ska!

Very enjoyable, Upbeat, silly, and a lot of fun.

Beautiful cacophony of sound Bit of a soft spot for ska. Enjoyed it.

Just a really fun album. I’m a fan of ska and it makes me want to dance. There were some more extended songs I guess you’d call them, which allowed me to settle into the groove, something I liked. All in all, a really solid album.

International Jet Set is one of the best finds in my experience with this project. The whole album has such different sounds from track to track. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

That was special hahaha

Fun Ska

*Great 2 tone record *A little too alt for me to give a 5

This is really interesting. It's basically 2-tone ska plus a little bit of everything behind the bar. Just off the top of my head, there's some rock & roll, Latin Music, lounge music, chiptunes and more. Sometimes the mix ends up sounding weirdly similar to the quirkier nooks of late '90s alt rock. I really like Enjoy Yourself and Man At C&A, then I think there's sort of a lull in the tracklist. But fortunately, from Sock It To 'em J.B. to the end, The Specials have their best songs. Sock It To 'em J.B. is a blast. Stereotype has a really cool atmosphere, it's like psychedelic reggae, and it's got an incredibly catchy core. I can't Stand It is a really inspired arrangement, and a great chorus. And International Jet Set is a slightly spooky song about the absurdity of air travel, and ut's really good. These songs all sound really ahead of their time, fun, catchy, and kind of weird. And they contain the core of what's so special about The Specials. I was kind of surprised by this album. This is lots of fun, and it has a lot more depth and experimentation than you may think. I'd say it's worth a front to back listen.

Album #1070 (1091 challenge): "More Specials" by the Specials (1980) "More Specials" is the second album by English ska band the Specials. Ska, two tone, post-punk, lounge and avant-garde are the Wiki-listed genres. After the success of their debut, the band expanded their ska revival music incorporating other genres including lounge music, easy listening, Nothern soul and rockabilly. Relationships soured within the band while writing and recording with most of the band leaving in 1981. Core bandmembers included Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (vocals, guitar), Neville Staple (vocals, percussion), Jerry Dammers (organ, piano, keyboards, production), Roddy Byers (guitar), Horace Painter (bass) and John Bradbury (drums). Additional horn musicians and vocalists also contributed. Commercially, the album reached #5 in the UK and #98 in the US and was critically well received especially for its influence on 1990's trip hop. "Enjoy Yourself" opens the album. Upbeat ska with a rolling piano and multiple vocalists. A pumping organ and wild, chaotic horns. Live life now! This song had a late 50's/early 60's vibe. "Rat Race" continues the ska beat. Various percussion beats. A mysterious keyboard sound. A rock guitar edge. Hall singing about the pointless pursuit of success. Lynval Golding wrote "Do Nothing." A reggae beat and guitar. Keyboards with a roller rink feel. Prominent horns in a pretty chill song. The side side opener "Stereotypes/Stereotypes Pt. 2" brings the cinematic. Background horns and keys. Soft vocals, a Spanish guitar and a Carribean lounge ticking beat. The eight-minute long song carries on and goes a bit psychedelic with echoing vocals. Rhoda Dakar joins Terry Hall on lead vocals in "I Can't Stand It." More of that 70's lounge sound. The organ is featured with a solo even. Very 70's. Very prog. I finally hear the easy listening style aforementioned. An album with a tale of two sides. The first side is what you think when you mention the Specials: upbeat, ska, reggae, rock, Northern soul, horns, the organ and driving music. This really got me in a better mood as the songs went by. On the second side, the music goes cinematic and lounge with a largely creepy-sounding organ. The songs are longer. There are elements of prog, Carribbean and psychedelic. I rather enjoyed both sides. This is a solid album with some extra points for trying some avant-garde lounge music; That's a first for me. Overall, there's something here for everyone to enjoy to some extent.

This album was given a poor reception by hardcore fans and I can understand why. Often it veers a bit into cockney/pub rock from the youthful punk-ska of the eponymous predecessor. There were several times it reminded me of Blur's more novelty stuff, which indicates the end of pier feel to some of it; but even then there's a creeping delight to it, such as the undeniably catchy 'International Jet Set'. After taking some time to get on board with all of this - the kitsch, the very British nostalgia for the semi-naff, the character portraits of damaged people - the likes of 'I Can't Stand It' seem a notch of irony too far, and ultimately fail to reach the quality hurdle. 'Pearl's Cafe' feels rather tame when held against 'Too Much Too Young' for instance, and is at best an Ian Dury tribute. Nevertheless, don't fall into the trap of holding it up to their visceral first album and there is a heck of a lot here to love.

Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would.

Their first album, which I've listened to a lot more since getting it in the first week of this generator, has since become one of my favorite Ska albums to listen to. This one has it's influence pulled from more sources, but that doesn't necessarily make it a better album. It lacks the focus of the first one and some of the later songs on here sound a bit boring. That said, it's still a good album. The upbeat energy is there and some of the pulls from Lounge music and Reggae work well with their existing sound. The J.B. song is a great example of a song aided by the extra blend of styles.

Never heard of them. This was so fun!

That was a fun album - I enjoyed it!

I mostly bounce off ska but this is a good album. I think the background of this album explains it, as they were trying to push out of the 2-tone direction. 3.5/5

4/5. This is a surprising listen. Personally I'm not a fan of ska, mainly for how formulaic it can be, and although for "More Specials" Ska acts as the skeleton for most songs, but the different influences affect every single song to the point that the album feels fresh the whole way through. You get early techno, calypso, infusions of vocal choruses, and so much more as you listen. It's great. The underlying compositions can be good too. Some melodies stuck with me after listening to this. Lyrics, despite being called out in the Wikipedia article, are nothing impressive. "Do Nothing" and "Stereotype" are my favorites.

New to me. This was a fun album, an enjoyable listen!

it was pretty fun. liked the song about the nuclear war

hey its ska that I can actually tolerate! Man they had this dialed in way back in 1980, its too bad the genre nosedived so hard later. Man this was pretty fun, not much else to say.

Did we need another album by The Specials? No. Was it a delightful ska album? YEAH

Enjoyed British ska more than I thought I would. Favourite track: Friday Night, Saturday Morning

I enjoyed this one, I don’t know enough Ska albums

Ska punch with a British finesse that makes this memorable

Very good listening from The Specials. Can’t beat that intro and outro. Beautiful

I always thought their debut was better. And while it’s definitely more iconic, I think this is a step up. I can hear the influences on Blur and love the Muzak on the second half. It makes me feel asleep and awake at the same time, not in a bored way. Rating: 4.1

Album felt like an action comedy movie in a beach/summer setting... I know.. weirdly specific.. overall very fun to listen to! I like stereotype sm

I regret to inform you that this kinda slaps, actually. Ska's good sometimes, especially on a Friday.

As a ska kid I know I'm supposed to love this. But the specials just never rang fully true to me. It kinda feels like an incomplete thought. Like they thought of a premise they couldn't fully execute. I'd never actually bothered listening to this album just their debut. I think this album might actually be more consistent and Enjoy Yourself and Do Nothing and a few others are as good as any song on their debut. But message to you rudy and you're wondering now and the whole first album are just so iconic

Didn't hear it entirely, but what I heard was very nice

Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

I've only ever had the first Specials record and a couple Fun Boy Threes, so I'm happy to have the opportunity to check this one out too. And ah yes, I recognize a couple tracks, e.g., "Enjoy Yourself." This feels a little mellower than the first record - it's the usual ska with interesting lyrics, but a couple of tracks had some unexpected dancehall-y/soundtrack-y bits, which was fun. Only disappointment was that I'd hoped "Ghost Town" would be on this one, but I'm now reminded that that song didn't come out until 1981, so it looks like that must have been a single that came out after this album. I loved that song when it was on the radio but never tried to find a copy. But still, enjoyed it - 4/5

A 4 only because it doesn't stand up to their first album. It's not as good, for sure, and the stylistic growth can be creaky at time, but the volume of low scores I see are honestly surprising. I really love this album, to each their own ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

I was expecting this to be much more straight ska, like their first, but was pleasantly surprised by how weird and goofy it is. It incorporates lounge, easy listening, and a kind of muzak vibe. And I can't get the song "Enjoy Yourself" out of my head. There are some lyrics to live by. I hardly recognized members of the Go-Gos backing vocals but they did (sounding very British)

This was a lot of fun. Didnt expect it to be as sonically diverse as it is at all. And while it's infused with that Jamaican goodness, its also super British - alot of the songs here, especially lyrically, feel kind of Kinksesque.

had way too much fun listening to this, made me want to put on my fedora and checkered vans and pay my respects to aaron barrett

Listens: 3 or 4 Standout Tracks: Sock It To 'Em J.B., International Jet Set I am waffling on whether I like The Specials or not. One the one hand, there haven't been too many ska/rocksteady bands with a punk-ish attitude on the List so far, and so in that regard it was pretty refreshing. It almost dips into Reggae too, and it sort of reminds me of Thievery Corporation, who I love. On the other hand, they are not playing any music that is revolutionary or mind-blowingly awesome. There are a couple of good tracks, some boring ones. There's so decent singing and some not-so-decent singing. I mostly dig the beats. I think if I were in the mood, I would listen to these guys more, and I am inclined to add the album to my ever-growing library of albums I've picked up from the List, so I think they get a 4 from me. I also really get a kick out of the James Bond Song. I have a buddy who's initials are JB and we call him JB, and I think, glossing over the "100% confirmed James Bond" references, this might just be his theme song.

Indeed a special album. My higher rating than this crowd may be because The Specials are a bit new to me.. and new music generally is more intresting.

This is really high level. First half is cracking, momentum does dip a little, but still good Enjoy the album, its better than you think Do Nothing is outstanding

I weighting the rating based on the half of the album I love. The more they ditch ska and embrace experimentation, the better they get. I don’t think Gorillaz, and other trippy, eclectic bands, would exist without this album.

Good times, some fun tunes. Do nothing current fav

Love the specials

Never really listened to the Specials and I don’t know why this was great! I listen to the deluxe reissue. Great blending of different genres of music.

Much better than expected. This clearly isn't the Specials' album you'd reach for and I can understand the disappointment from the time but it had me grooving despite the excesses

Cuesta salir de ese túnel en ese plymouth

Great

A little minor but so many great moments, great vocal inflections, fun instrumental flourishes - love these folks

Fantastic album. Fantastic band.

HAHAHA JAAA SKAAAAAAA enjoy yourself bringt mega d stimmig übere wos glaub au ide lyrics wennd überebringe. nöd crazy mis ding aber na cool man at c&a isch skurril, na lustig aber meh dancehall (?) als ska für mich? stereotype isch au eifach konisch aber ich fühls na? AU I CAN'T STAND IR WISO FÜHLIS NO? es isch fast scho obnoxious mitem BARABARABARABARA im hindergrund hmm musses nomal lose. momentan zwüsche 3 und 4 (zwüsche chli nervig, wenig wo eim würkliii catched und sie und ich hend megaa spass und es isch dumm) ER SEIT BOOMSHAKALAKA

This is the perfect example of what I love about this project. The Specials are a band I’ve heard of and can recognize a couple of songs, but did not know much about. Listening to this album not only gave me an appreciation for their work but also set me off on a Wikipedia rabbit hole where I learned all sorts of interesting things about their formation and history.

“Enjoy Yourself” and “Sock It To ‘Em J. B.” are excellent songs. It was fun to hear The Go-Go’s before they were stars in “Pearl’s Cafe” and the reprise of “Enjoy Yourself”. The lyrics were too cynical in some songs but, that’s what happens sometimes when a band gets overwhelmed and overworked.

Ska is too narrow a label for the range of musical sounds and arrangements here. Sometimes I heard New Orleans jazz, sometimes mariachi. Overall quirky and brilliant.

I honestly don’t know why everyone gets so down on ska. It’s a little corny but this album in particular is such a cool genre bender and offers some really unique sounds that I still haven’t heard to this day. Very cool album even if it isn’t necessarily “cool”

I’m enlisting in the Two tone army

This one was just fun, feels like a random Guy Fieri-looking jam band playing at a seafood restaurant.

Segundo disco, son el encanto del primero pero casi tanto o más reconocimiento, sobre todo con el tiempo pues en su momento fue bastante crititcado, no sin fundamento para quienes esperaban más de lo mismo, que no era poco. Música más abierta de miras, colaboraciones ilustres desde Belinda Carlisle en esa dicharachera Enjoy yourself o Lee Thompson, de los Madness, en la más insulsa Hey little rich girl. Influencias de bandas sonoras, easy listening (que en los 80 era muy arriesgado por no decir fuera de onda), trompetas latinas (esa alocada Holiday Fortnight), spaguetti western, ambient, psicodelia (Man at C&A, un tema sobre las preocupaciones de la polémica nuclear)... todo ello hace que el disco tenga una unidad que lo enriquece y lo hace más perdurable. Ahora bien, las mejores son para mi los sencillos: Do nothing (su catuación en Top of the pops suena celestial) un reggae clásico pero excelente y Stereotype pt2 una odisea dub con un fraseo de enorme calidad y sobre todo la trepidante Sock It to 'Em J.B. En Pearl's Cafe suenan a Costello y salen airosos. A mi I Can't Stand It no me dice gran cosa, creo que baja el nivel de la segunda cara. International Jet Set sí que es otra cosa, extraña pero hermosa sobre todo el final como la lúgubre y en cierto modo cabaretera reprise del Enjoy yourself. Podría decirse que fue el paso del blanco y negro al color, como contrastan las portadas del primer y de este segundo álbum. El peaje fue grande, provocó que la banda de deshiciera, eso sí después de publicar su Good vibrations particular: Ghost Town. Grandes? enormes... y este es el disco que inició el Post-ska.

I didn't like this quite as much as the debut album, though oddly it was the tracks most like the first album's tracks that maybe worked least for me. I liked the stuff that showed the direction headed towards Ghost Town, like Man at C&A.

A great album.

Don't understand all the hate this album is receiving, was a fun collection of songs that made my day more specials Can not hear the possible trip hop influence though

I’ve always been a Specials fan. This one is great.

Love enjoy yourself song

Riktigt bra vibes!

Spännande! Det här vill jag lyssna mer på.

Not as good as their self titled, but still a great album from a great group.

Never been a ska guy, but this album won me over with its restless genre-hopping through lounge, dub, music hall, and even a James Bond tribute that felt more adventurous than gimmicky.

SKA IS NOT DEAD

I had never listened to The Specials from beginning to end on any album and I really enjoyed this. Had the British Jamaican music combo going and it worked and was a enjoyable to listen to.

This album got me Skanking

Gutes Album, eingängige Melodien, witzige Texte. Stereotype hat am besten gefallen.

"Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)" is a great fun song. I really like the phrase as well. "Pearl's Cafe" is a hilarious song, and also a jam. "Stereotype" was pretty depressing. "Holiday Fortnight" has me doing some moving in my chair. I feel like I'm on a funky tropical island in Mario Sunshine (or somewhere on a real tropical island, I just haven't been to those). The horns on this entire record were exquisite. 8/10, very fun album.

I guess I didn’t listen to this back when I loved Ska so much because I couldn’t afford it. Say what you want about Spotify, it sure beats working three hours to buy one album.

Got lots of classic The Specials on here. Enjoy Yourself is a great, full of that very specific The Specials twang.

How could you not like the Specials?

In this house we respect every wave of ska

a little 2 Tone, can’t go far wrong. That very British sound of mixing everything up musically and humour wise, even when addressing some social and serious subject matter. 4 Star

My first exposure to two-tone! Punk/ska/reggae fusion. Immensely jam-able album. Favorites: Man at C&A, Pearl's Cafe, Sock It to 'Em J.B., International Jet Set, Rat Race. (Actually hadn't put together that I'd heard Rat Race before.) Great start to this project!

I mean it’s ska, but I can appreciate the work and depth of the music here I guess. Love that some songs sound like they were recorded at an indoor pool.

'Hello, I'm Terry, and I'm / Going to enjoy myself first'; 'Hey little rich girl / where did you go wrong?'; 'New pair of shoes are on my feet / Cos' fashion is my only culture.' More Specials is an improvement on the first record in terms of production quality and songwriting variety, but wanting is the raft of rawness Elvis Costello secured for their debut. The band plays around w/ ska, obviously, but also American soul and funk on 'Sock It to 'Em J.B.' (James Brown, no?), the basis of the northern soul sound. I welcome the inclusion of assorted genres, and tho the record wilts a bit on 'Pearl's Cafe' and the seven-minute 'Stereotype / Stereotype, Pt. 2,' More Specials is mostly more of the same, not unrefined, but still rejuvenating, special even.

really really good. don't miss the james bond song

such a fun and influential album

Ska, Reggae. Klingt ein wenig amateurhaft. Aber ganz nett.

Mange gode låter, og litt ymse

not too bad, easy on the ears

When your band has, along with your friends, revived ska music and brought it to a whole new generation, what do you do next? What do you do when you've helped invent a whole new subgenre of music that would go on to influence underground music for nearly the next five decades? Why, you get weird and you make this record. Standouts are "Enjoy Yourself", "Rat Race", "Do Nothing", "Sock It To 'Em, J.B.", "Stereotypes/Stereotypes Pt. 2", and "I Can't Stand It".

quite boppy and upbeat

Unpredictably wacky and unexpectedly insane, colorful and, I guess, very maximalist for a ska band, they were gracing 1980 with a brand new experience and I appreciate it. The party does not sleep Maybe won't stick to me that much musically, and some parts lull a bit, but listening through it was pretty wild Holiday Fortnight Battle Royale

Remember the weird time in the 90's when Ska showed up some of us were confused and others tried to swing dance? This has more reggae tones and weirdness than that time. It's musically upbeat and danceable as Ska tends to be, but the weirdness over it all adds to it. Interesting album. OK I'm not a ska guy, I wasn't in the 90's I was one of the, "Where did this come from?!" people. So this album growing on my is not what I expected. It's getting added to my library and I can see me putting this on at times I need to move as it just makes you want to bop around the house.

Really really fun album. I'm maybe predisposed for this genre due to my later likes, but I definitely enjoyed myself here!

Super fun listen! These guys were the OG 2 tone band, mixing ska with new wave, and they show their chops on here with some delightful proto-reggae romps, saxophone and trumpet workouts, and generally quirky and energetic songs.

Fun experimental b-side, great vocals and horns!

A fun, energetic, eclectic album. Enjoyed every track.

Ghost Town is just hovering in the wings here. Between a 3 and 4, memorable enough to round up.

Biisimateriaali on lajinsa vahvinta suunnilleen B-puolen alkuun saakka. Tämän jälkeen bändin jäsenet kokevat olevansa oikeutettuja heittäytymään jammailun ja hitaiden tempojen vietäviksi. Ei edes haittaa, koska LP:n uudelleenkuunteluarvo on pelkästään A-puolen vuoksi harvinaisen kovalla tasolla. Entä mitä mieltä tulisi olla bändin nautintoon tähtäävästä imperatiivista? No, kyseessä on tietenkin koukku.

Surprisingly good for some reason

This album is quite eclectic, but I liked it! It seemed like they were having fun exploring all the different genres that they do in the album. Favorite Track: Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think)

Never knew ska could be that varied, really liked it

4/5

Good stuff, very upbeat.

Strange, inventive pop. Interesting enough to stay engaging throughout.

I enjoyed myself

An almost entirely new genre to me! Ska?! But a remarkable number of familiar melodies that I enjoyed jamming out to. Consider my mind opened.

A very nice album. Like it

Reggae, Ska ou ambos?

Love this album! Bought it new, sang along to every track. ‘Twas a mystery considering my punk leanings. My friends thought me a bit odd for my musical choices…. But fuck em…they came around! Fucking fun as hell live shows back in the day, and we kids bopped!

I’ve always loved The Specials, and More Specials, their second album, showcases a bold evolution in their sound. Moving away from the raw energy of their debut, they embrace a more jazzy, easy-listening style with touches of Northern Soul. The result? An eclectic, refreshing, and undeniably cool album that still feels innovative today. The tracklist is packed with variety, from the big hits like Rat Race, Enjoy Yourself, and Do Nothing to hidden gems like Hey Little Rich Girl, Man at C&A, and Holiday Fortnight. Every song brings something unique, yet they all belong on this album. Favourite tracks: Enjoy Yourself, Do Nothing, and Rat Race—huge songs from my youth and still absolute classics. Least favourite track: Honestly, there isn’t a bad one. Every song is worth a listen. Album artwork: A legendary 2 Tone cover that perfectly matches the band's iconic style. More Specials is a fantastic listen from start to finish—an album that proves The Specials weren’t just a ska band, but true musical innovators.

A deviation from the norm is bound to startle most. For The Specials, one member's urge to do such a thing downright frightened the rest to the point where the band disintegrated. More Specials is the document of the changes undergoing the band and the 2 Tone sound and the results of that wound up reverberating through British music for the next decade and beyond. It is unfortunate that The Specials, in its initial configuration, broke down afterwards for a continued trajectory down this road could have paid dividends overtime. They should have enjoyed themselves; it's later than they thought. Favorites: Enjoy Yourself, Rat Race, Man at C&A, Do Nothing, Stereotypes, I Can't Stand It, International Jet Set.

Enjoyable album. Lot of great songs, great playing, singing and loads of humor. Love it.

The Specials are a band who inspire me and inspired countless others, but I actually don't like both their album as much as I want to. 3 killer tracks here, and 2 other great ones, but the rest was just not the same quality. But "Man at C&A" "Stereotype" and "International Jet Set" are so good they just barely bump this from a 3 to a 4. I wanted to give Specials 5s both times but it just didn't click with me. Maybe I need to take stronger hits

A little all over the map but in a way I enjoyed.

Very good

Bold, original, and fun. This is a fantastic album. It’s a journey.

It's good just not outstanding.

Not quite as strong as The Specials first record but still really good. It’s a shame they didn’t last longer as the original group but on the other hand they brought us further waves of ska/punk to which we owe them our appreciation forever.

I love the first Specials album. This one has moments of greatness but it's not as good overall. I actually like some of the off-the-wall directions it goes, but it's uneven. Still, I'll gladly listen to it again, but it's not quite the highs of the debut. It's probably a 4.5, but I'll round down just so that the first album gets the full 5.

4.5

Nice one. Some good Ska.

Excellent variety of sounds and song tones, with a coherent through-line and consistent attitude. Nice big band sound with horns and organ adding layers to the classic rock instruments.

Cool album, showed much more in terms of versatility than their debut, which is much more of a ska record. The Specials had such a distinctive sound though that I find this quite a natural expansion of their style Shame that Ghost Town came after this album as that is a classic that would've lifted it. Still good though

How can anyone not like Ska, the music is so happy! But I guess it's not for everyone.

James Bond films not mentioned: For Your Eyes Only Octopussy A View To A Kill The Living Daylights Licence To Kill Goldeneye Tomorrow Never Dies The World Is Not Enough Die Another Day Quantum Of Solace Skyfall Spectre No Time To Die On Her Majesty's Secret Service (this one understandable because George Lazenby) Deduct one star.

Good early Ska

Their first 2 albums are on the list. This is their 2nd album. The first album was probably more influential, but this one is so much better. Favorite song: man at C&A

The Specials have kind of always been an important band to me. They're the pioneers of 2nd Wave Ska, and kind of wrote the source code for the genre. I love the mix of genres: ska, rockabilly, dancehall, reggae all under the umbrella of punk music. Its fun, its political, its silly, its serious. Its kind of everything you want from a songwriting and storytelling perspective. I love the keys, brass and really fun bass lines. The keys are especially interesting. Every now and again, I throw on The Specials and just groove. Its such good music.

Plot twist... it's turns out I like Ska.

Look. Do I hold a special place in my heart for ska music? Was I a member of one of the top three or four teenage ska bands to grace the stages of Cleveland, Ohio’s mid-range club circuit in the late 90s? Perhaps. Does that make this any less enjoyable of an album? It does not. Nor does it make this album quite as good as the band’s debut. A pretty good and frankly under appreciated follow up. But still very solid.

Fantastic, dark and moody in parts and quite eclectic. Favourite tracks: Man at C&A & Stereotype Will definitely revisit. 4/5

This album is fun as hell! International Jet Set is my favorite off it. I dig the groovy funk vibe throughout the whole thing.

When I saw this come up I was surprised that there was another Specials album here. After listening, this is the better one, just remove the other one from the list I reckon.

Groovy, bouncy, and off the wall. Just fun music.

More Specials is special, but less special than The Specials, which is more special than More Specials.

more is less

Not really my type, but I enjoyed it. For moments it remindme of the The Sims 1 Vacation OST.

This was pretty cool, I liked some tracks and some were kinda grating but I think this album would grow on me with more listens. It has a weird alternate reality/ Alice in wonderland kinda vibe that I like.

i vibed

Love this album

I think this is worth the 3.5/4 I'm going to give it, but I was really shocked that they didn't choose the first album. And also by how week Side B of this album was (compared to other Specials at least)

Oh yes! I bought this on vinyl years ago, before I owned a record player. I’m a big fan of this album, listening to the remastered version on Spotify is a little weird, since my ears are trained to expect the original version but it’s a quality album, either way.

I really like The Specials, this isn’t even the best album from the Specials that I have listened to today! Their first album is 5 stars for me. This one a 4.

I was hoping I'd like it more

This was a really fun album to listen to. I’ve known about The Specials for a long time from their bigger hits, but this was my first time playing a full album—and I really enjoyed it. I’ve always thought of them as reggae and ska, but now I’ve learned they’re considered 2-Tone Ska, which is a new term for me. The album is uplifting with a subtle quirky and experimental edge. Normally, this isn’t a style I’m drawn to, but The Specials definitely do it in a way that clicks with me.

Special album "More Special" by The Specials. Funky sound, groovy beats, nothing that stands out, but everything that makes the evening better. Easily above average record.

Funky

I may just have American-Singer-Songwriter fatigue but what a breath of fresh air this is. Ska, reggae, trip-hoppy unusual nonsense. I loved the first album, and despite what I read about the making of this one it /feels/ like a group of people enjoying music because they love it. The art really shines through. I also adore the line "Spend and spend and spend and spend. Will the muzak never end?" (International Jet Set)

this is surprisingly transgressive and rebellious muzak, must say. pure youthful passionate resentment of the status quo

I reviewed the first Specials album a few weeks ago, and I thought it was really good and gave it four stars. I have a pretty good idea of what to expect on this album, and I’m looking forward to reviewing this. I thought this album was a little bit better than the first Specials album, but I think this is also a four-star effort. The biggest difference to me between this album and their first album, is that I think the band does a better job of striking a balance between fun songs and songs with a more serious tone. This album felt like it was easier to groove to, and I think it did a great job of blending ska and reggae in a way that was pretty accessible. The arrangements on this album were really good, but I do think the first Specials album had better songwriting. As far as downsides go, the longer songs on this album felt a little tedious, and the album as a whole didn’t really fill its runtime with enough substance. “Sock It to ‘Em J.B.” and “I Can’t Stand It” were the only two songs that really stood out to me. This album worked really well as a whole, but some of the parts don’t really stand on their own very well. Overall, this was still a good album, and I would have probably never sought out The Specials if it weren’t for doing this project.

Thoughts before listening: I really like the Specials although I am pretty sure I have only ever heard their greatest hits. Looking at the track list for this one, I only recognize a few of these titles which is a bit surprising. I guess that most of the songs I know are from their first album. Anyway, I am sure this will be a nostalgic, fun listen. Review: Oh man...I do know a lot of these songs and I love them. I was really into ska for a while in high school, mostly of the ska-punk variety, and the Specials were celebrated as early innovators in that scene. I find them to be very difficult to dislike...catchy melodies mixed with the upbeat positive ska sounds. Its hard to hate on music with horns. 4-stars

How quickly some bands evolved successfully at the time

More Specials is the second album by the Specials, originally released in 1980. This band is one of my favorite discoveries from this list. I got their debut (I think) earlier in the list and loved it. This one was really good too. I feel like their debut was more rocksteady-influenced while this one is heavily dub influenced. It's just such a natural sound progression for them IMO. This record is overall lighthearted and fun which I enjoy. Their concerts back in the day were probably great.

fun and relaxing music, stuff my dad listened to so brings me back to my childhood

Great fun. Favourite track: Pearl's Cafe.

This is the first time I've delved any deeper into The Specials aside from the first album and the ubiquitous double greatest hits CD. What a fantastic record. Very interesting mix of the original ska 2 tone with drum machines and kitschy synths dotted around. Always a sense of detachment and paranoia in the delivery yet the lyrics are completely direct in their disillusionment. You can almost feel Ghost Town forming throughout the album.. Will definitely revisit again

I lowkey like it. There wasnt a particular song, but overall i felt the music was good.

This was a great time. There are a lot of styles on this album beyond straight ska and that gives it a rollicking, varied sound that makes it stay very fresh.

7/10. :) It's a decent and funky ska album. Ska is fun. :)

4.0

Early post punk and spa that is a delight from start to finish. It brought a smile to my face launching at 5am on a Monday morning.

Pick it up! Pick it up! So much fun! So much skanking

Very special

This was pretty fun, even though the production isn't super high. Felt like a bunch of friends jamming. Some of the songs aren't particularly good though. I Can't Stand It - yeah accurate song title. Somehow I listened to the Deluxe version which is far too long.

Fun, chill album with some cool reggae/ska vibes. Fans of The Clash, Sublime and early No Doubt would probably dig this.

I actually really enjoyed a good bit of the first album from The Specials on this list. Really digging Man at C&A. Lovely dub cadence backed by burbling bass and plenty of off-kilter accordion and other wobbling sounds cluttering the background. Whole run through Do Nothing is great TBH. Sock It to 'Em J.B. is a fun one that feels at times like The Doors (organ will do that) and others more George Clinton. I Can't Stand It is great and a significant departure from the Ska vibes on the first half. International Jet Set is also really cool and actually gives me slight Outkast vibes with the funky bass line and intercom vocal bits.. This album was a little all over the place, but really quite enjoyable. This is a soft 4 for me.

Pearl's Cafe having the line "When I saw you I thought you were a wet dream come true" is absolutely unhinged. I can't wait to use it myself. Talk about a variety hour! Holiday Fortnight sounded like a pina colada tastes. International Jet Set was just oozing cool. Not the highest of 4's, but in no way could I hit the 3 button on this one. Loved the variety and laid back nature of it.

I remember it when it came out. Manic reggae dance beat. I like it better now as background low- beat happy time music.

Every time I hear Ska, I think to myself: "Huh! I must listen to more Ska." Impossible not to bob and bounce regardless of how dark the lyrics are!

Era mejor y más rompedor el primer disco. No obstante está muy bien

Coventry's own Specials, what can be better and uplifting, political and important social commentary. 2 Tone ska at its best. Stand out tracks: - Enjoy yourself (its later than you think) - Hey little rich girl - Do nothing - Pearl's cafe - Stereotype

This album is something of a development from The Specials' first album, and that itself is something to be praised. Retaining the overall ska sound of Two Tone, you can discern a variety of styles in the mix. The Wikipedia article refers to the adoption of 'muzak' styles as picked up in their tour of the USA. Dammers is said to have seen this as a slightly off-kilter and subversive approach as the band continued with their social commentary in the lyrics. Whether this approach is completely successful is open to question, but I certainly enjoyed playing this album. Unfortunately, Dammers' approach seems to have generated disquiet in the band.

Of course it’s fun - classic two tone ska from the specials - side A is perfect - side B falters a bit but it’s a good album nonetheless.

Hey Little Rich Girl is a solid 2 Tone sound. What a landmark ska album. Sock It To 'Em JB is another stellar track. Holiday Fortnite is great!

I think England should probably settle down in general. Regardless, several decent bops off this one, has a good run from tracks 2 to 7.

Really enjoyed this album

I had a 3rd wave ska phase in high school, so kinda cool to listen to some ska revival stuff. Plus I always love a good horn section.

Varied, fun sound. If you’re a ska fan, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

I like ska!

Clasicazo bueno

8.5/10

Really good, experimental two tone. Sometimes catchy and fun music hides the bleak dark lyrics. I preferred side one, although enjoyable side two strays more towards the experimental lounge music side. Highlights are Man at C&A, Hey Little Rich Girl, Pearls Cafe, Sock it to Em J.B and International Jet Set

Not bad. A fun album.

A great continuation of the sound and vibe from their debut. I have a soft spot for 80's British ska/reggae, and this hits the mark.

Decent but I won't be listening again I don't think.

The first half of this album is really strong. I enjoy Man at C&A and Do Nothing a lot. The overall two-tone vibe is unique and fun and other than the horribly monotonous I Can't Stand It, the album is solid to strong. Given the happy vibe overall, i edge it up a bit on my list.

Love the Specials!!

That was fun.

I do enjoy the ska.

4.4 - This sounds like the Blur album they wish they had made, and it’s a banger. Whoever described this genre as “kitchen-sink-ska” got it right. Every song contains gems. I especially love the slightly out-of-tune duet on “I Can’t Stand It” with the drum machine and muted organs — strangely hypnotic.

As an album this felt all over the place...but kind of in a good way. One minute it was ska and punk and the next was reggae and island. But reading their background it was about mixing cultures and finding new sounds so they met their goal. Good interesting listen

Fantastic and fun album! Judging by the date these folks must be early Ska/ska-punk. Great vibes all around and the saxophone reaches my soul.

had no idea what this was going in but but im honestly just having so much fun

4.5

I've always thought of ska as the music that (to quote a popular meme) 'plays in a 12-year-old's head when they get extra mozzarella sticks'. I'd heard of The Specials and figured they were more of the same. The first thing that struck me was how true they sounded to the reality of the genre, truly a mix of reggae and punk, in the '2 tone' sense. Then the album continues and just unravels in a bizarre sprawl of different genres, including... elevator music? It is pretty endearing though. A successful band, burnt out, exhausted and unsure how to approach their follow up album. Everyone has different ideas so let's just try it all! The result is an album that according to the band, people 'won't even know if they like it or not', least the first time around. Spot on description. It grows on you though. It can't be described as a typical ska record.

Really nice

What a fun album & band. Over time, I've grown to appreciate this genre of punk & I bet they put on one hell of a live show. Definitely adding The Specials in the mix from now on.

Been a fan of The Specials for decades now. Not their best stuff, but even that's pretty good.

This was actually pretty good fun - more so than their debut I reckon. There are some truly batshit moments on this album (shouting Bond film titles being chief among them - because why not eh?) The ‘Muzak’ inspired tunes sound terrible on paper but are generally much more dark and weird and catchy in practice. Along with the despondent lyrics they conjure up a nightmarish ‘trapped in the funhouse’ kind of world. Also, hearing this album makes me realise how much of an influence The Specials were on Blur. 3.5

Super fun! Raucous, all over the place, chaotic and joyous. Definitely a preferable listen to just straight ahead ska. "Ghost Town" not being on here (or their other album on the list) threw me off a bit - I reckon most of their prestige comes from that one track! Fave tracks - "Man at C&A" is brooding - love it. "Stereotypes/Stereotypes Pt. 2" leading into "Holiday Fortnight" felt rather tropical. Honorable mention to the "Enjoy Yourself" bookends, too...

The more eclectic follow-up to the most famous 2-tone band, The Specials. This one diversifies, borrowing from all sorts of genres beyond ska and punk, including lounge, rockabilly ("Hey Little Rich Girl"), children ("Pearl's Cafe"), northern soul ("Sock It to Em"), western ("Stereotype"), Mexican calypso ("Holiday Fortnight"), psychedelia ("International Jet Set"), and Broadway musical ("Enjoy Yourself Reprise"). I do prefer the tracks on their self-titled more, which are more memorable, coherent, energetic, and catchier, but this one is more accessible and engaging, with every track standing out with creative ideas that work fairly well. I wouldn't cut a single track. The two bonus tracks are pretty good too.

love these guys!! 4 stars!!

The very best

Ska er stórskemmtilegt og þetta var bara mjög hressandi að hafa í bakgrunninum. Ég get alveg vel hugsað mér að hlusta á þetta aftur og ég mun líklegast muna eftir þeim. Svo bara áfram gakk.

A really fun album with a lot of variety to mood and tone. I’m not usually asks guy but this album was a nice listen

Very enjoyable. Loved international jet set.

Did not expect reggae rock but here we are. This was a good listen, the few of the album was very unique and had a good sound to it.

Really good second album taking me back to my youth

Really interesting album.

This is fun. Like a more chilled and serious version of the Weird Al I grew up with. It's clear these guys were enjoying themselves.

Oh Christ, did I just enjoy a ska record? What have I become? To be fair, the palette on this record is a lot more spread out that simple ska... There's some lounge-y-ness to it that I enjoy, with some solid dub reggae and a huge helping of soul thrown in. Seriously, loved the soul bits of this record. Favorite tracks: "Stereotype/Stereotype Pt. 2", Hey Little Rich Girl", "Do Nothing"

Banger - great to sand wood to.

I'll put it like this: this album reminded me of how much I like ska so much that I spent five hours at my work shift that night listening to ska. Wish I had more words or deeper thoughts, but that's really all I gotta say: I like ska.

Goddamn, this is a good album. I'd only listened to Ghost Town and A Message To You, Rudy before this, and I gotta say I've really been sleeping on this group.

I came into this album expecting ska, and to some degree, I did get it, but I kinda wish I came in with different expectations. This is a highly diverse, really experimental album for 1980 that I think hits more often than not. As far as the production goes, even after a pretty slow start marked by pretty traditional instrumentation, once it starts to get into the experimental, a lot of what’s on this record feels pretty ahead of its era – the sort of soundscapes that diversify themselves throughout this album certainly became more mainstream by the late 90s and early 2000s, and in that sense, this album is way more of a trendsetter than I was expecting going in. For 1980, I’m sure this was a little polarizing, but for 2024, everything in here feels pretty typical, but it still feels kinda fresh and nice, and I’m super impressed by that. It’s not a perfect album; there are some mixing things here and there, and a few tracks kinda just made me bored, but I think I’ve got to give this thing a 4 out of respect for being able to switch between so many genres and for usually just being really catchy.

Ska music that was bearable. Nice

3.5 good vibes all around

More expansive sounding than expected. Enjoyed it.

I love the Specials. Fun, energy and just a moment where music of all sorts took over the British charts. Patchy, yes but still a good album. I suspect one that the Americans really don't get. It's so culturally British and of a time.

Creators of 2 Tone Records??? Clearly an important influence in the second wave of ska, but also some of the originators of its' political subject matter and variance in styles. It's everything from raw jazz band to almost electric sounding triphop. Lots of diversity amongst the quarreling band members caused this album to really stand out, showing that chances sometimes really do pay off

Jättekiva o höra på

Lots of Bay-tulles with a nice reggae surprise

Surprisingly ominous and dark. I think I like it? YMMV if you can stomach the incessant upbeat.

Liked this despite never hearing of them before

Special Needs

I love this album; it's mix of styles showed both the development of The Specials and the seeds of their split. Okay, so there's a couple of filler tracks which, if cut out, would have made for a tighter album, but even the filler is pretty good!

Ska. Me ha gustado. Un 4.

Reggae/Ska!