More Specials

Idk what that was but it was interesting, definitely deserves a second listen. 3.5

This is definitely another band worth checking out. Loved some of the tracks on here and am looking forward to listening to other albums.

I quite enjoyed this despite it not being my cuppa tea. First 3/4 songs are the strongest for me, quite liked Stereotype too. Sometimes it does verge on the novelty, but overall its a nice, happy album.

The first specials was so unexpectedly great which got my hopes up, making this one unexpectedly disappointing. I can't imagine a worse direction to take your second album in than lounge muzak. You can still hear a great band in this being completely stifled by the songs they are playing. If I was the rest of the band I'd be pissed too. Every so often it kind of works, particularly when they take it out and back into key every now and then, but it doesn't make up for how bland it is. Saying all this it's still okay, a 2.5, but such a letdown.

Still funky and relaxing but nothing compared to The Specials album. I always forget they are like a thoughtful Chas n Dave, I think I confuse them with other, more sombre bands.

Definitely not as good as the eponymous album, but I still enjoyed it mostly. Lost their edge a bit. Does get a bit generic license free music sounding in parts. Thought it started much stronger than it ended. Overall not bad Highlights were enjoy yourself and hey little rich girl 3.5

As far as Ska albums go (of which I'm generally not a huge fan of), this one is perfectly alright, even quite solid for a few of the tracks. 3/5

This album has its moments, and I enjoyed it more than their first, but not for long.

I don’t know if their first album is in this list, but if there’s only one, it shouldn’t be this one. I really like the Specials and I get it, this was “artistic growth” and a departure from their ska roots. But come on, it’s no where near as fun. And maybe I’m missing something, maybe it requires a second listen, but it just wasn’t as cohesive of an album to me. It felt like they couldn’t decide what they wanted to do, so they did a little of all kinds of stuff. I liked it, but not as much as I wanted to. Also, disappointed that there’s not one song about Rudy.

Det är ska. Det har vissa begränsningar, kan aldrig bli asbra. Det är lite najs, men kommer nog sällan (aldrig?) nå över fyra. Det är mer plojig musik, som råkar vara ok är lyssna på. Passar som stämningsfull musik på typ Bruna dörren.

Tycker denna var snäppet sämre och mer ojämn än debutskivan. Generellt är mitt omdöme liknande, dvs det är bitvis rätt bra men bitvis också rätt jobbig lyssning. Gillade Stereotype mest.

The Specials had some truly great songs but this is not a great album. The first album absolutely deserves a place on this list but i'm not so sure this one does. The ska tracks (Enjoy Yourself, Do Nothing, Rat Race, Man at C&A, Rude Boy Outta Jail) are stellar but the rest is just a hodge-podge of styles that never really hit for me. The first album + 4 or 5 from this album + Ghost Town is really all the Specials anyone needs.

The British bias of the book continues. This was popular in the UK. Not much elsewhere. The music isn't bad, but I wouldn't give it about 3.5, and as is often the case, I don't believe it belongs with the typical 4 star album, so I'm rounding down.

Decent Album

Good music probably new in the 70s for England. Had only heard 2-3 song before and obviously ghost town. But mice rythm and even thou I dont love ska pr 2 step this is a solid album. A little too long 24 songs its a lot but the nature of slow tempo ska is long songs so good for their genere.

Definitely loyal to the ska genre, but given that it's an 80s album, I expected something new to be brought to the table. The Specials delivered a messy array of fun, proto-reggae-ish bops with dated production and decently catchy melodies. Pros: it's just such a joyful, fun time. Almost reminds me of the Beach Boys' "Party" album, or possibly a live album recorded at a Jamaican bar. If I encountered the band playing this in public, I'd jump on the dance floor and have a grand time. A festive kind of feel, especially with tracks like Enjoy Yourself, Hey Little Rich Girl, Pearl's Cafe, and Holiday Fortnight – some fairly complex arrangements and interweaving of instruments here. Also, when the band hits its groove, it really hits it... Cons: ...but when the band misses, it falls flat. The female harmony is not at all synchronous with the male vocal, and anytime they're singing together I'm hoping the song will end soon. The drumming is also generally not great. It's either so simplistic that it's overshadowed (International Jet Set, Sock It to 'Em J.B.), leans heavily on other percussion (Pearl's Cafe), or it's very washed out in the mix (most of the remaining tracks). 3/5 Key tracks: Enjoy Yourself, Hey Little Rich Girl, Do Nothing

Good album. Ska is cool. I liked the general concept and vibe. This is an easy album to listen to, but not earth shattering. I didn’t have a ton of time to listen properly, so I will reevaluate on the next The Specials album or another ska album. ***

I like the mix of things happening here. Some songs would make for a great bar band number, while others are more kitschy and then others are a bit trippy, in a fun-house kind of way. And of course, there’s ska in the mix. But it never feels jarring. Each song seems to lead to the next. I could do without the female vocalist, though. She’s out of tune and just singing in octaves vs harmonizing. 3.4

It's pretty good, upbeat, and a solid groover. More nuanced and layered than I might have expected, which I like. The B side is pretty eclectic, but the fun of the A side helps propel it forward and keeps it cohesive overall - on its own the B side might be too out there. Pretty out there all the same. 3.7 (I learned the Go-Go's were around earlier than I realized).

This was pretty fun. I had only heard Enjoy Yourself before.

Good album

Who doesn't dig the sound of old Yamaha keyboards? More seriously though, I dig what's being rolled here, a blend of fun ska and rock but with incredibly grim lyrics about a rocky, disjointed society - that said, it is pretty dated sounding, and I'd be hard pressed to add any of these songs to my regular rotation. However, this is leagues away from the "unlistenable trash" some have proclaimed it to be. Tracks: "Man at C&A", "Stereotype, Pt. 1"

A classic. As a nipper I grew up with the Specials, so always nice to revisit old friends. Much more diversity in the genre of music found here, with calypso vibes as well as the ska/reggae sounds they paved the way with. Lovely.

Time has been harsher to Ska than other genres but there are bops a plenty.

More Specials is a great mood with terrific songs. Stylistically its a little bit of a mixed bag but I liked taking the journey.

Worth listening to, if only to try to figure out if it is good music. For me, it had really good moments (like the second half of “Stereotypes”) and a lot of juvenile tracks (especially on the second side). Other bands did the sound better.

This album started off so great. Loved the first track and was hoping the rest would follow suit. I still enjoyed its energy and oddness, but nothing quite measured up to that first tune. Still good stuff, and especially love the horns.

Each song was basically a different genre, they were mostly fine in their own right but it didn't feel blended particularly well. It kind of felt like a weird mixtape

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had their debut album. Time has really flown. Anyway, this music is a novelty to me. I can't think of anything else that sounds like this, except maybe No Doubt. That said, I'm not a huge fan of ska music, although I don't mind it in small doses. I kinda wish I liked this more, because it's so interesting.

A ok album

Very fun take on reggae. Could imagine listening to this by a poolside or sun bathing. Don't know if I'd listen in any other context though. Top tracks: Hey Little Rich Girl, Do Nothing, Stereotype

A bit too scattered for me. I like several of the songs here, but it's all over the place stylistically which makes it not the best listen as an album. The ska elements are improved from their debut when they do appear.

The first Specials album is a true classic. The follow up is not.

Not for me.

The Kinda-normals

7/10

It's decent ska, but I've heard so much better. I love reggae and all its subgenres it's just that this album just didn't hit me like this genre often does. It meandered on without really taking it anywhere. Whenever it bent to another genre, it fell flat.

Ska sounds like kids on a spending spree in a 711

Like a reggae and blue type feel I could be so wrong

I want to like the specials but they just don't get there for me

Good fun and interesting but not sure how this is "cited as an influence on the trip hop genre". Enjoy Yourself sounds like the a good song to sing at the pub with your mates. I enjoyed the journey on Stereotype / Stereotype Pt 2.

It certainly doesn't have the punch of the debut and sometimes feels like its running out of ideas Ok.

Lots of 70s sounds mixed with ska and some proto-hip hop. A fun listen, but not sure I'll come back to it

Music like this can be fun, but a while album gets a bit tiring unless it the best of the best, which this album isn't

Some songs were good. Others not so much Standout songs: Sock it to em J.B. Enjoy Yourself

jsut ok

Ska makes me feel like the walls are closing in. Run while you still can, the goblin army is approaching from the west. All over the place - random mariachi, spaghetti western and post-punk influences that sound like they were pulling music genres out of a hat. It surprisingly works. Apparently influenced Massive Attack and I can sort of hear it. I was going into this with the preconceived notion that I would hate it, but it's actually pretty fun, all things considered. I genuinely think this might be the best Ska album I've heard so far.

Album has its ups and downs. Definititely interesting to listen to. Best tracks: "Sock It to 'em J.B"and "International Jet Set"

A whole week+ with no albums from before 1980 let’s go. This was alright. If you’re into ska I could see this going crazy. Some nice moments, some that blended all together. Another song about fearing the bomb in 1980’s, just a few days after another 80’s album with a fear of the bomb song on it

Not my style.

The first song is so nostalgic for me !!

give them points for trying

First song not great. Got better. Lots of funky sounds. Ska music that just didn't quite go there enough. Two songs I liked: International Jet Set and Do Nothing.

Hello, I'm Terry

This seems yet another example of the author overstuffing the box with a beloved band. I too am a fan of the Specials, but there is not that much that's, uh, Special about this one. Like many other bands, it's great to put their top or most influential release on the list, with the hope/ expectation that people will explore the catalog if they like it. More Specials had a couple of standout tunes (always have loved JB style!) but otherwise didn't really show us much we hadn't already seen in their debut. I fully expect that the list's author will present us with the entirety of Fun Boy Three and The Colour Field catalog just to be sure we didn't miss it the first time . . .

Not really my genre ska but it was quite enjoyable on the bus to work.

Stick a 12 bar blues in the middle of any album and I'm happy.

Good beats.

Sounds like a wilder, reggae-infused version of The Kinks. It's ultimately less catchy than The Kinks, but at least it's more fun than their self-titled debut.

Better on a second listen, but there's some road bumps for me.

A fun jumble

A lot of this album is mostly the same all the way through, but it's definitely still worth it for the small moments when it does feel very unique. Ska isn't a genre I am really that familiar with at all, so this was a nice gentle way in. Definitely nothing mind blowing, a lot of it is very safe. But a fun listen.

Eh it's ok kinda weird driving music. I liked the James Bond song and International Jet Set

first listen it's not very good imo

Fun but I don't know how often I'll revisit it. Hanging out for third wave representation on the list

The first Specials album lives up to the band's name. This, the second, doesn't look nearly as good in comparison, but it's still one of the strongest "sophomore slumps" you're gonna find.

Ok fine not all ska is bad. Interesting to hear the influence of American R&B on this album of Jamaican music made in England. "I Can't Stand It" sounds like a Stereolab song.

Didn’t care for it….stylistically all over the place and the musicianship was not very good…I’ll double back and give it another listen, but for today…

It was fine.

I was unaware that ska went back this far! Solid album.

More Specials indeed, good stuff!

Love the Specials

that first track was a hot mess but the rest was fun to listen to. probably won’t listen again tho. not bad!

I liked the hits, didn’t mind the fillers. But I can understand this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea

good fun

Album is fine. Not great, not bad. I don't mind ska and not sure why this one is considered so great.

Mostly liked the UK ska sound, theme seemed to be lacking

This was probably my first time listening to an entire ska album. It’s a bit much

2.75

It's fun and different, and I appreciate their uniqueness, though I wouldn't say I really enjoyed listening to this record. Also none of the songs are memorable in the sense that I would remember the tune or lyrics. It's a solid 3 I think.

This has a few good songs, I don't think it stands up to their first though (although it's been ages since I've listened to that one either, so I guess we'll find out when I get there). Solid 3.

This album is good. It sounds like they had a lot of fun recording.

This has some really cool sounds to it for a regular ol' two-tone album. You could definitely tell the band wanted to change up their sound to adapt to the changing sounds of music, without removing their personality from it. That doesn't necessarily mean the whole album is up my alley, as there are often moments where the vocals annoy me pretty badly, and usually this style of music can get old pretty quick, but this is still a solid release that I feel probably at least has one enjoyable song for everyone.

Roots of ska and dub madly evident. But someone in this band thought too much of himself and the rest of the band didn’t push back… or I guess they did, because they quit shortly after. But they are what makes this good.

Avant Pop - Enjoy Yourself. Está bien.

Solid

This was ok.

Next 5 songs played by my Spotify Algorithm: Squeeze - Up the Junction The Specials - A Message to You Rudy Fun Boy Three - The Tunnel of Love The Rezillos - I Like It Dexy's Midnight Runners - I Like It

Solid Ska album

You know something went wrong when the album cover is in color. The unique style kind of fell apart as it got taken over by rock influences.

I liked it. Never heard of this band but it tickled my fancy. gg

Very familiar with their single 'Ghost Town', a banger of a song, but nothing on here rivals that. It's good fun while it's on but it's pretty much in one ear and out the other. Ska was never the most complex or innovative genre though so can't really judge it too harshly.

Lots of energy, I liked the horns, and the Ska style. Enjoy yourself was a good track. Overall a pretty good album

Very pop and pretty kitsch. Not as enjoyable as their first album, but not awful (the singles are still pretty good) just not very Special!

I did enjoy the beginning. I liked the music - did I hear trumpets? But towards the end it got a little ehhh. Not really sure. If it had continued my rating would have decreased but for now i’ll say average.

I can't help but make the comparison to Madness and while there's some similar enjoyable elements I don't connect w the Specials quite as much as the more upbeat melodies of Madness. Maybe an over-reliance on the ska side grates after a time. The sound is fine in short doses but over a long haul ... eh it just gets to be too much. On the positive side, the biggest aspect of this style of music and this band in particular is the arrangement - nearly every song has a relatively simple chord progression but there are often so many distinct melodies and counter melodies running through the tunes on varied instruments. It's worth a repeated listen just to pay attention to these fine tuning aspects. I like it, I like them and maybe more-so appreciate the song construction. I just think 4 or 5 songs is my limit at a time. 6/10 3 stars.

Never listened to these guys before - very funky and fun, reminiscent of the B52s. I loved "Maggie's Farm", punky and poppy at the same time.

Less special than the specials from the specials got on the list some special weeks ago. Too much special styles in a special single album. They should be specialists in brit ska, but they tried special new rhythms and end with a not so special the specials album.

Avant Pop - Enjoy Yourself. Está bien.

I didn't think I would enjoy this at all, but it turned out to be half-decent. Only half-decent though, so only 3 stars.

Great start, gets Luke warm later on but most of it is still quality.

Despite the band's name, I did not find this album to be very special at all. As much as I can appreciate the instrument work that went into this album, I didn't really care for the sound. None of the songs really stuck out as being that great to me. The singing wasn't anything to write home about. I can appreciate some of the lyricization for some of the songs, with there being some good messages in there as well, but other songs just didn't really make sense to me. While I can appreciate what this album tried to do and I have respect for the band itself, I just don't think I am a fan of this type of music. low 3/5.

More jaunty and typically British tunes.

I didn't feel it was, well, special, but it was enjoyable.

I can’t lie, I had fun listening to this. Very hit-or-miss, though.

More Specials hints at absolute takeoff, never quite getting there. The blend of pop styles is a good choice, though, saccharine but never negatively. My own self-seriousness is on mind and in ear; Isn't quite foregrounded on this album but is a part of the mix. Pairing with an aural smile is a choice that makes this release notably stronger.

That was pretty fun

Torn between 2 and 3 but I really like International Jet Set and I can see the quality. Ska just doesn’t seem to be for me.

This is an interesting, musically diverse second album by the Specials. I appreciate how the band has pushed themselves to explore other musical ideas beyond the ska sound that comes to mind when I think of them. Socially conscious lyrics that are still on point, even 40+ years later. High 3, not quite a 4. Fave Songs: Do Nothing; Rat Race; Hey, Little Rich Girl; Holiday Fortnight; Enjoy Yourself; Stereotypes/Stereotypes Pt. 2

Good!

going to be honest, didn't move me. it was fine, but like i'm not sure, i just kind of assumed a ska album would be more fun? a lot of this is just sort of uninteresting Walter Wanderley-esque lounge music mixed with ska and, although undoubtedly something different, does not make for a particularly interesting album in my estimation. once again, it wasn't bad, it just kinda did nothing for me.

More varied than its predecessor, and/but overall less convincing.

3.5

I don't really know what to say about this album. Musically it's... fine. The lyrics besides being a bit moralistic are ... fine. In comparison to their first album this album is just fine.

Interesting album but I didn’t like it as much as the other specials one. There weren’t many memorable songs on this

C+ Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) 2 Man at C&A 2 Hey Little Rich Girl 4 Do Nothing 4 Pearl's Cafe 3 Sock It to 'em J.B. 4 Sterotype / Steroetype, Pt. 2 4 Holiday Fortnight 2 I Can't Stand It 3 International Jet Set 3 Enjoy Yourself (Reprise) 1 When I was in Budapest, the only TV channel me and my family could understand was the 80's music channel. It only played deep cuts for some reason, no hits. One day it played Ghost Town by The Specials. I was blown away. It was amazing. So, I reconsidered my Specials hate. Then, a couple days ago, we got this puppy. Well, the rest is history. Now, I'm a Specials fan, and I can humbly say, I think I am classier now than I was before.

Not a bad ska album, dragged in a bit

Po poslechu alba jsem zjistila, že existuje Deluxe verze, kde je moje velice oblíbená písnička - Ghost Town. To hodně pomohlo zlepšit mé mínění. The Specials mají opravdu speciální a rozpoznatelný styl, což je ale také trošku kamenem úrazu – vše zní vesměs stejně. Ale je to fajn formula, často satirický temnější text je dán do kontrastu s veselou prázdninovou havaj hudbou a je veselo. Texty jsou více či méně politické, ale je to takový docela standardní komentář, nic šíleného a revolučního. Většinou to písničku lehce povznáší, ale někdy je to hodně do očí bijící a poplatné své době (Why?). Celkově je to příjemný fajnový poslech, ale asi se budu vracet jen ke Ghost Town. Nejlepší písničky: Ghost Town (celkově naprostej bušič), Do Nothing (relatable text, super odreagovačka) Nejhorší písničky: Hey, Little Rich Girl; Pearl's Cafe (nicneříkající, nuda) Hodnocení:7/10

Favourites: • Man at C&A • Stereotypes / Stereotypes - Pt. 2 • International Jet Set

3+/5

Hard to get mad at a band with this many ideas and such a fun-loving, easy-going energy. I enjoyed this album more than the last Specials album we had on the list, mostly because this one is a little more musically restless. Still not my taste but I appreciate its playfulness.

One of those instances where I really judged the album by the album cover and was surprised when the music started. I was expecting some "Friends Theme Song" type music and not this British blues rock. Oh ok that's not their whole sound. Cool! The second song really pulls you into a different direction. I dig it. The album is pretty solid. I don't know if it's one that will stick with me too much but I like their overall sound. The reggae rhythms are fun and this was a joy to listen to.

Geinige muziek. Beetje vreemd maar wel lekker.

Ik had vooroordelen over dit genre, en ik heb ze nog steeds, maar dit was wel geinig. Zou nog steeds liever London Calling luisteren.

Sure! Fun. Not really my thing. Cool, repetitive, kinda ska, kinda reggae. Skeggae. Okay. Good times.

Fun! At first…then I lost concentration. Try again tomorrow! Edit: same as previous day, starts well but quickly loses my interest.

Was not expecting a James Bond song

I enjoyed this, especially the James Bond song. That was fun.

Je sais pas si c’est dût à la canicule ou la déshydratation, mais ça sonnait mieux que c’était supposé

It is the same style as the previous Specials album, can get a bit repetitive, but the songs are inventive, strong storytelling in a simple format, keeps you engaged. I quite like the opener Enjoy Yourself - good message. Not an every day album, but in the right setting I'll come back to it.

I can't say I was expecting another album by The Specials. Wasn't bad, I can dig it. Not as good as the first one, but had lots of catchy tunes. 3/5

This is decent ska - mostly fun.

LP (revendu)

забавные)

Cool

Those first two albums = 🔥

There’s a lot of unique and sometimes trippy stuff here, though unfortunately it goes too far into ska territory sometimes.

It’s like the Beatles went to the beach lol

Well that was interesting. I don't think it was very good but it was certainly different. 2.5/5

Certainly not as catchy as their debut, but interesting still

I don't think I'll ever dislike this sound. Strange, the buoyant, often playful music contrasts with a sensation of lassitude permeating the lyrical mood. I like the willingness to play with a broader soundscape too. Interesting record.

Hey I liked this one much more than the other one for whatever reasons! Actually, I think I do know: it was the James Bond song. If you can pull off something as hokey is that then you deserve at least another star from my star bag. Enjoyed "Hey Little Rich Girl" and a few others, too. Let's go skank that pickle! (That's something ska people say, right? I feel like I've read that somewhere.)

Seems like they had a real tough time deciding what kind of band they wanted to be on any given song.

Ho hum

Ok.

Not as good as their debut, but I can appreciate the desire to expand their sound.

Very fun album, clicked with me almost instantly. While not as captivating as their debut record, still a very enjoyable record. Favorite lyrics: - I walk along this same old lonely street. Still trying to find, find a reason. - She tried to keep her looks but lost her mind when she lost her youth and grace. Key tracks: - Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) - Man At C&A - Hey Little Rich Girl - Do Nothing - Stereotype / Stereotype, Pt. 2 - International Jet Set 7 out of 10

As a fan of punk, ska, and all of that, I'm a fan of the specials too, but boy is this tone a slog to get through in one sitting.

Genres: Ska, 2 Tone, post-punk, lounge, avant-pop, northern soul Formed: Coventry in 1977 Run time: 11 songs, 42 min 33 sec It’s an eclectic mix of tracks and styles, but you can tell it’s the Specials you are listening to. The social commentary that the Specials have become renowned for is present in songs such as “Hey Little Rich Girl”, Pearl’s Café” and Stereotype. I enjoyed the album, but I probably will not the play the album again. I will be listening to the best of… A great “2 Tone” album. Only half the tracks on this album have over 1M plays on Spotify. My Rating: ***

More special (as in worse than just special)

I was not excited to listen to more specials after listening to the specials by the specials earlier this year, and while there was still not much special about this album, It was significantly more digestible than the other.

I really liked the first 3/4’s of this then someone let the air out of the baloon. Worthy of a 3/5

Different from anything I've ever heard. Really interesting approach but it works. It all sounds like something that could be in an animated movie soundtrack, in a good way. Fave track(s): Man at C&A, I Can't Stand It

Groovey ska band

Pretty good ska sound. Ahead of its time

This album had mixed reviews, and I had never heard their music previously, but once I listened I thought it wasn't too bad.

Not a bad listen, I have been known to listen to some ska and the songs have an accessible soul sound. A bit blah at times, not as solid and consistent as their debut album, so overall nothing special here.

I forgot about how popular they were in the 80s and 90s. But listening to an entire album is work. I give them 3 stars because they belong in the pantheon of good music and influenced the ska movement.

Ja geinig! Deed mij een beetje denken aan Doe maar

Ben erg fan van ska omdat het altijd lekker luchtig en grappig is en er een beetje gekloot wordt. Vond deze dan wat minder maar dat komt ook omdat ik eigenlijk alleen heel veel naar madness heb geluisterd en dat mijn ska-referentiepunt geworden is blijkbaar. Hopelijk komt er later misschien wat beters

Had hier heel veel zin in en hoopte dat het ska album beetje meer zoals Madness zou klinken maar dat viel toch een beetje tegen. Vooralsnog prima album met sommige nummers die ik wel vaker zou willen luisteren!

A little bit of Ska goes a long way with me. I like the Specials, but more as a source of variety on a compilation playlist than at album length. No real fault on this it's just not my genre.

Was fine , 3 stars

Not really my thing but I did enjoy it

It’s really cool to see the band blend different genres into their music. Not only genres, at times it feels like they also incorporate music from different eras such as the 60’s. Really interesting. However, moments like the harmonies for “I Can’t Stand It” leave a bad feeling in the mouth for me.

Easy and enjoyable listen.

Good

Disappointing. In my memory was much better (-:

ah yeah. good stuff. Not as good as The Clash!

A good example of eclectic influences and differing goals of band members combining to make something unique. It would be a stretch to say I enjoyed it, however - I'm a little averse to ska.

I kinda like some Ska/Two Tone but this wasn't it. It's fine but nothing interesting to me.

Very fun ska album

Didn't hate it but its a one and done.

Fun 80s ska

This was interesting. Not unpleasant to listen to. A little bit of reggae, some funk, and some I don't know what. Had no idea this group even existed (unlike 38 Special, which I was all about in the late 80s!)

I liked it. I don't like ska generally, but this album was fun

Almost a 4 star. There is an island vibe to this band and I really enjoy it but not enough good songs.

So, a fan of The Specials but really all I know is the debut and the big songs. Therefore all I really know from this is the wonderfully raucous Enjoy Yourself. The Specials are never bad, but the second half here is... unexpected. Yelling James Bond films. Moving into some sort of Western that devolves into dub? Very different, an interesting listen, not sure I'd choose to put it on that often though.

T3B 1. Stereotype / Stereotype, Pt. 2 2. Man at C&A 3. Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think) Really enjoyed this listen. Surprising 3.

Not my style

C'est chelou mais c'est pas mal :)

I missed this group in the late 70s-early 80s. If their music made it to Canada, I was asleep. Love Hey, Little Rich Girl. No doubt, the band has influenced other groups.

favourite song: man at c&a least favourite song: pearl's cafe honourable mention to hey little rich girl. pretty good album but quite a few songs feel like filler

Interesting Album....I can't say that I loved it....but I had no idea that Reggae was introduced into rock before the Police perfected it....

Encore moins spécial que leur précédent album.

I appreciate what they did for ska, but most of this album is forgettable. Worth a listen for the impact it had, not necessarily its contents.

Das beste, was man aus sich machen kann, wenn man als Ska-Band gestartet ist. Ich muss, für mich überraschend, drei Sterne geben, wenn auch seeehr schlechte. Unglaublich.

Good without being great

Тухлая пляжная вечеринка

не смогла полностью послушать и не очень хочется уже возвращаться - что-то не мое (но трек про ядерную войну в итоге зашел)

Very whimsical and somewhat catchy. I listened to this early in the morning and I barely remember much about it by when I’m writing this at 11pm except that I liked the jet set song

Sometimes fun and sometimes weird in a way that doesn't make me want to hear more. They're at their best when they're imitating somebody else. Best track: Holiday Fortnight

This was a pretty fun listen. It was pretty flat all around when compared to later Ska music. Sounded like something you'd hear in a lobby or grocery store. Not something I'll come back to but enjoyable enough. 3 stars.

Can't put my finger on why I liked this... good beats, lyrical music, a little reggae and ska, perhaps that's what it's tapping into? When I started this 2 disc album, I resolved to only listen to 1, but ended up doing it all! (2nd disc brought it from 4 to 3).

Better than their first album? 5/10

A ska revival with a pinch of punk rock. Catchy lines. (6/10) FT: Enjoy Yourself, Stereotype / Stereotype Pt.2

It’s no self titled Specials but it’s fun

I am now convinced that pasty British people *can* make Ska music, but I am now yet convinced that they *should be allowed to*

This is a solid meh for me. Glad I listened for a track or two, but not in love with the whole album or anything. One of the biggest signs this was "meh" is that I listened to it and liked a couple of tracks earlier but had no memory of doing so. Fave track: Sock it to 'Em, JB kicked ass.

Hmm ihan jees, 3/5

This is the band that did ghost town right ( love that song)… The album starts with enjoy yourself ( it’s later than you think) a nice ska track with some interesting breaks in between that act as the songs verses yeah it’s decent. < I’am from the uk so I don’t need to bother with rat race> Man at c&a is a slower track showing the contrasts in their sound from the start it takes a good minute to get to the core of the song but the spoken bits are cool too to be honest. Then is hey little rich girl it’s an alright song but the songs main strength is in it’s chorus with the use of the “ jazzier” instruments. Do nothing is probably the song here that’s the best representation of the ska genre containing the slow, mellow pacing that is typically associated with Jamaica and the calmness I would associate with it. Pearl’s cafe is a bit more filler bringing in some energy that I kinda wanted with this album but it still just feels like a way to give the album a few extra minutes. But the backing vocals are funny. Ending side one is sock it to Em J.B. It’s fun enough but just feels similar to the second song. Starting side two is the 7 minute long Stereotype/ stereotype part 2 part 1 is a brilliant slow track, it does feel off in it’s positioning as it has very little energy but it’s still good. The second part of the song isn’t as good just a slower version of the last and second songs acting as an extended outro to the song. Holiday fortnight is just a happy little instrumental not good but not bad whatsoever. The drums on I can’t stand it feel too artificial for the specials But aside from that I love this songs chorus and the female backing singer is also a highlight to the track probably my favourite on this thing! Now the penultimate track international jet set it’s alright it’s really just a gloomier version of what we’ve herd before and ska as a whole. The album ends with a slower reprise of the first song it’s only short but really fitting for a closer. I mean I enjoyed it there were a few dull moments but none of it was unlistenable it’s a high 3.

3/5

Fun sound as is usual for ska, but it just lacks any greatness or mass appeal.

Pretty much like any other Ska album out there: entertaining and lightening the mood for 15-20 minutes, after that it becomes a bit too much

Good solid Ska fun, definitely not all a load of bollocks. Won’t change your life, but will make you smile, which, come to think of it, can change your life, I suppose. “International Jet Set” is well remembered old fave. 3.3 for 3.

3 1/2

"More Specials" is a cool 2 tone album, fusing ska with post-punk in a very unique way. Basically an expansion on their previous record, it exceeds their debut effort by including collaborations with names from other 2 tone bands like Bodysnatchers and Madness, and the new wave from The Go-Go's. With even more political lyrics, thi record has classics like "Enjoy Yourself", "Hey, Little Rich Girl" and "Do Nothing".

Pa definitivno su nešt specijalno, sam ne meni previše jbg.

6/10, an especially weak first half gives way to an experimental and really fun second half that completely saves the album. The conventional ska of the first half is rather milquetoast, and led me to rolling my eyes repeatedly, but the dynamism that Jerry Dammers brought from “Sock It to ‘em J.B.” And on shows the energy and experimentation saved for the later tracks

This is alright--not exactly my type of music, but I like it. Of course this is the Message to You Rudy band: exactly what I might have expected of them.

An interesting blend of many styles. Early ska, experimental, psych. Not exactly my thing, but an interesting album, nonetheless.

Pretty fun album. Dig the grooves. A little Monty Python-y at times. But generally good shit.

Honestly, not the strongest Specials album, but my love for the band in general got this a generous 3. Enjoy yourself! It's later than you think!

This was fun. It dropped off in the second half, but I enjoyed it.

Fun, thoughtful, funny, enjoyable. "Enjoy Yourself" stands out as the boppy track with frankly depressing existental lyrics. But still boppy.

Pretty fun listen - might have to go back again.

Such a fun and varied album. It loses a bit of steam in the last half but there's no real bad moments here.

It's an okay album, but I probably won't listen to it ever again.

Had some reggae vibes at times. Mostly pretty okay

Not bad, pretty catchy

Cool ska

It's a good album, by a great band, but I don't see how this is above or beyond their first album, which is already on the list. While I won't complain about listening to The Specials, I think this spot on the list would be better filled by something new. PS: Anyone else mistake 'International Jet Set' for a Gorillaz track?

This wasnt that special

could see it in a weird horror movie, but not my everyday listening vibe

This album was a lot of fun.

This would have been a disappointment to the fans who liked the punky ska sound of the first LP. While that LP would have been thrown on at parties, some of the songs here sound loungy, even eerie at times. I guess they were shifting toward the darker AKA sounds of Ghost Town or The Boiler. That said, the sound here is original, there are some solid tracks, I like the horn section and collaborations with the female vocalists of the day.

This was a big departure from their debut ska album which I really like. Their debut had some killas like Rudy, Ghost Town and Gangsters and it really put them on the map along with the other big Brit ska band Madness. This album has a few fun songs though, and I think I'd like Enjoy Yourself to be played at my funeral (with a marching brass band N'awlins style). But I'm getting ahead of myself. Unfortunately there are a few duds on this album also so it only gets a 2.5, but I'll round up since I've been pretty miserly lately.

Much more down beat than the first album, and not a patch, partly because of this.

It’s fun. Not their best though. The first song felt like a bunch of musicians in the same room but all playing different songs. It hit better by the end. But it’s not a very cohesive album overall.

Offbeat. In the proper frame of mind a 3.5 star gig

Ska is always a bit iffy for me. It gets real hard to break free from that style. Fishbone was able to break free from it in the 90s, but that seems to be an exception. This album reminded me a lot of that problem: the guitar playing on the offbeat, which I wind up focusing on WAY too much. A lot of political statements as well. So what do we have here? I mean, the music itself is pretty good, I tended to get into the music more as the album progressed. But near the end I just started to lose interest. I mean, it was okay and I liked the instrumentation. But I guess I was hoping for more than I got.

Ska meets punk? Skunk? It was alright but not my cup of tea. Some cheeky lyrics and actually some really good lyrics (Stereotypes) if you can get past how repetitive they sound in certain songs (Enjoy Yourself, Sock it to 'Em JB...goofy). Probably not going to listen again.

a good fun ska album. heard of them before, but either forgot or never knew they were ska.

Fínasta ska, skemmtilegt.

Belinda Carlisle on a Specials album. Huh.

Roots of ska and dub madly evident. But someone in this band thought too much of himself and the rest of the band didn’t push back… or I guess they did, because they quit shortly after. But they are what makes this good.

First song I thought was very meh, but the more I listened, the more enjoyable it became

Wat ska is altijd leuk. Maar net als bij hun debuut zijn hier ook een paar nummer die ik minder interessant vind

Disco que aparentaba ser un poco más divertido de escuchar, pero que le falta algo de punch. Canciones con movimiento y con un estilo un tanto ska/pop. Escuchable, solo eso

Wasn’t as fan of two-tone originally but this was very listenable 3*

twas special

Wasn't sure what to expect. It's a bit of a combination between British Rock like the Clash, and then Reggae. Leans really heavy into the Reggae on some songs. Really interesting, didn't love it but was decent.

16th September 2021 Listened through the day while working at home home before driving back to London. Enjoyed the energy, the positivity mixed with the darkness of some of the other songs. Surprised they're an 80s band I thought they were earlier

Jeszcze wiecej specialsow, akurat tej bandy nie spodziewalem sie zobaczyc kolejny raz na liscie, bo wedlug spotifaja wszystkie klasyczne numery mieli zawarte na debiutanckim the specials, a tu kolejna plyta, mozna powiedziec, ze za ciosem, bo zaledwie rok po wydaniu pierwszej, tym razem banda dala sie poznac z jeszcze ambitniejszej strony, to nie jest juz ska przeniesione na brytyjskie wyspy, gatunek ktorym teraz sama banda sie okreslala to two tone, bo tak zwie ta mieszanka ska punku rocka i nowej fali, ale material na tej plycie jest tak chaotyczny, ze nie ma sensu szukac odpowidniego epitetu gatunkowego dla calosci, kazdy trak by trzeba bylo rozbijac i analizowac osobno, tak jak na poprzednim albumie kontent liryczny jest mocno polityczny, a moze tez swiatopogladowy, stara sie byc swiadomy, a bycie swiadomym w angli lat 80 za czasow teczerowej, to to juz lepiej kupic jakies tanie wino i o tym wszystkim zapomniec, taka jest tez wlasnie pierwsza sugestia na otwierajacym enjoy yourself, ktory jest typowo specialowym numerem, chociaz z mocna sekcja deta, a takie niewinne enjoy yourself przechodzi na kolejnych trakach w fatalistyczne do nothing czy rat race, ktory natomiast jedzie po karierowiczach, wiec w angli lat 80 nie bylo nic, nie ma nic, nie bedzie nic lepszego, wiecej trakow jest autorskich, chociaz w bandzie nie bylo jednego lirycysty, to kazdy wrzucil swoje dwa grosze i pojedyncze kawalki od roznych czlonkow sie pojawiaja, tak samo na wokalu czesciej mozna uslyszec czarne glosy, a nie tylko samego pana Halla. plyta ma kilka dobrych trakow, ktore brzmia prawie jak z pierwszego albumu, ale jednak druga strona jest mocno zapychajaca przez swoja niespojnosc stylowa, jakies cool jazzy, latino klimaty, westernowe klimaty, czy lounge, czyli gatunek majacy na celu swym vibem przeniesc sluchacza w dane miejsce, ten gatunek jest tutaj najbardziej odczuwalny na ghost town, gdzie naprawde robi robote, ale jesli zaraz po tym leci parostatkiem w piekny rejs, to troche wybija to z rytmu odsluch, szybka kariera bandy, wiec szybka ewolucja, moze zbyt szybka, pierwszy material mial w sobie o wiele wiecej zywej energii, tutaj znowu intensywnie wykorzystywany jest overdub przez co brzmienie jest bardziej doszlifowane, ale jednak traci na swoim charakterze, na plejke dodam friday night, saturday morning, stereotajpa i wspominanego do nothing

It was fun, but seemed more like a novelty album than one i would expect here. I guess it had some influence that i am unaware of. I will jave "enjoy yourself" in my head all day though!

Some good tunes here, "Man at C&A", the "Enjoy Yourself" cover, and I can see how they wanted to get out of the typical ska format after their debut. But for me it resulted in a lot of hit-and-miss that made for an uneven listening experience across the album.

Decent old skool ska

Pretty interesting music with some ska flavor.

Nice album

Ska. Alegre. Divertido.

This is ska. Not a genre I normally listen to, but it works as background music.

Wasn't as special

Pretty boring aside from a couple tracks, the debut is infinitely superior

Pretty good

Good. Enjoyed the style

This is another ska album of The Specials with fine songs, but the quality and energy compared to their debut album makes it a bit disappointing.

Finally an album i know! Still a classic.

some good tunes on here, but the beginning couple songs seemed a bit muddy vocally. still enjoyed the project though.

Ich hab zwar wenig Ahnung von ska. Aber das hier sollen die Wurzeln davon sein.

Sounds very dated now. But still, an enjoyable listen

🤔

Greatest showman

Álbum ecléctico, donde predomina el ska primigenio, 2 tones y punk, precursor del trip hop. Entretenido.

Okay Ska-ish. They're 2nd wave (I think; this album 1980), so not quite as good as first-wave stuff, IMHO. Still, I like the sound generally, so 3/5.

Wide variety of music here. Some horns and reggae too. Which came first Specials or Aqua Bats?

No siempre lo ecléctico y extraño me parece bueno, por lo general sí me lo parece, pero en esta ocasión no. Creo que la que me gustó fue Man at C&A. Mood: LOL

In my opinion, far from its predecessor. A bunch of good songs, bu pretty average overall.

fun album, nothing getting me too excited though. I doubt I'd turn it off it came on the radio.

Some interesting sounds here and there, ska overall does turn me off though.

Second half made up for the first

definitely different ska than I'm used to but I dug it! A few standouts, and nothing that rubbed me wrong. Neat!

Pretty good! Enjoyed this.

Never heard of them before, although some of the song titles were familiar. Interesting reggae and The Clash feels.

Took me right back to my ska days in high school. Would have preferred their first self titled album from ‘79 more, but this one had a lot of the same feel.

Yessir

Pretty ok

Upbeat pop with enough of a wink and a nod to stop it becoming grating. The decision to consciously make muzak for the pop charts is quite a mad one, and you've gotta respect that. Still, not really my kind of thing.

Very odd and quirky album, catchy at times

I liked this record. The contrast of styles coming from the different band members; the variation between some instruments sounding live 'in-the-room', and the more polished close-miked sound of others; the dark themes set to upbeat music. A solid and enjoyable listen (3.3)

I don't think I've ever listened to Ska before

Approachable ska, soul-rock album. Not really something I personally enjoy, but the album was fine. Stand-outs: International Jet Set

I don't know about this one my dudes. It even says on Wikipedia they were inspired by Muzak so I guess they were successful at least?

I get that the Specials were very influential in the 2nd wave of Ska, but I just can't help but to think of the really weird kids I knew who were wayyyyy to into ska. Plus this album somehow feels happy and manic at the same time.

The angel on my shoulder is trying to focus on how neat the weird stuff is, but the devil on the other is laughing at how funny this record is.

I did not care for this. It seems that the group wanted to drastically change their sound after a quite successful and competent debut album. What we got in return was...much less ska and more elevator/lounge music. Not sure I agree with that change, as that creates a huge drop off in energy as the album goes on. But hey, I guess that change was good enough to land it on this list.

Mere sjælden end køn

I like the idea of the funky off beat sound. But I really just can’t bring myself to enjoy it here. It’s a shame I enjoy a couple of their other songs but this just ain’t it

Thought I would like it more than I did.

Not special

Not bad music, but it didn't resonate with me at all.

The first couple tracks caught my attention, but then that quickly faded.

It was fine. Reminded of a cross between the pogues and the bosstones. I get why they're on the list, but I could take it or leave it.

The album has some highs and lows. High energy but I'd give 2.4

Sometimes I can find myself enjoying a more experimental album as a band looks to expand their sound, but this album did not do it for me. Having had the first Specials album a few weeks ago I enjoyed the more streamlined ska sound compared to the choices they made for this album. It’s almost like a cabaret of taste and experiments most of which did not land with me.

Was it really necessary to be that horny?

I kind of thought this was a joke at times. Not a fan.

What did I just listen to? Bit of a wild ride-enjoyed music much more than vocals

eh

$10 Spicy margs and espresso martini’s Gnocchi with lamb ragu $15 burgers These specials from my local pub are a bit more appetising than what I just listened to. Bit of a shame actually, the Specials self titled is a great album

Not one single song did I recognise. Thats telling. I own their debut, its great and packed with some of their their best known songs, then after this record they released Ghost Rown as a standalone single. With this album, their second album sandwiched in between, and its different sound, and no noteworthy singles from it, its not surprising I haven't ever bothered with it. I don't think I'll be coming back any time soon.