More Specials

Standouts were “International Jet Set” , “Stereotype” , “Hey Little Rich Girl” . The others were just not up to the level of these.

A SKA band that is BRITISH??? Literally I would rather you just stab me. I can't believe this band has (at least) two records on this list when I could think of five records from the past 6 months that deserve it more. The first track is 3:41 in length and I was checking how much time is left before it was half over.

👎🏻

Okay! Fun AF.

Borrowed island sounds Mix neatly in pop rock blend Making friendly jams

Meh.

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!

This started off great and then it’s like the drugs kicked in and they forgot what they were doing. This turned into High Bowie and Syd Barrett territory . I had high hopes for this one but 7 songs in and I’m taking a hard I turn. Choice cut: Enjoy Yourself

Colonizer reggae but pioneering in a sense. I can't say that I don't like it.

Reggae/Ska band. Not bad music.

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.

The more albums on this list I listen to, the more I realise I must be a rockist or at least someone who doesn't really like too many other genres. This didn't really appeal to me.

My thoughts on this are pretty similar to the first album - to me this mostly sounds like the kind of music you hear in a Sainsbury's advert. I think I do slightly prefer it though, it has a bit more variety and does a few things that they didn't on that one (that I can't remember, anyway) and that saves it for me I quite liked the more smooth and lowkey reggae parts, like Man at C&A. That has a sleazy, kind of sinister vibe from the creepy guitars and the Halloween-esque organs. International Jet Set is a bit weird too, the strangeness of that was appealing to me. Rat Race and Sock It to 'Em J.B. are decent too Other than my Sainsbury's complaint, I like the style and presentation of Steretype/Stereotype Part 2 but it felt like it was going on forever, but it's only 7 minutes long. I don't know why I felt the length with that one when I quite liked it I think I would give this a 3.5, better than the debut Highlights: Man at C&A, International Jet Set

I’ll probably never *love* the Specials, but this grew on me a little. On the first listen, a couple of songs stood out in a good-for-a-summer-playlist way, but then it started to sound like more of an album to me, and I appreciated it more.

Nothing memorable

I thought it was a stretch to have one Specials album in the Top 1001, but two? Nah. And I like them, but I don't think they inspired a new sound, they had no hits and they stole their sound from Jamaican artists vs carving out their own. It all sounds a bit similar, as does any ska album. This is enjoyable but NOT Top 1001 worthy.

Ska will never die

It's fairly inoffensive as ska goes, but that just means it's boring.

The music was fine, but the singer was absolute trash. Ruined anything enjoyable about the album. By song 3 I was done hearing him and hit stop. No fucking way should this be listened to before you die.

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.

Does having More Specials make The Specials less special? The Specials’ The Specials is one of my favorite records of the era and yet I never felt like I needed More Specials. Whenever I had the impulse to listen to The Specials, I’d just put on The Specials. That album was truly special, whereas this one is just good…Hey, Little Rich Girl, Do Nothing, and others still shine, but the critiques and anger have softened, the music more composed and developed. It’s more mature, sure, but in becoming more refined, they’ve ceded some of their bite.

Not memorable in the slightest

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.

You either love it or…

not my cup of tea

I would have preferred Less Specials

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.

Not my favorite Specials album, but I love 2 Tone. I love this sound. I'd rather listen to this then most of the albums on this list.

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.

Classic Second Wave Ska rocking out. What's not to love?

Hadent heard of the Specials before. An eclectic mix of ska- I could see this album being influential on the genre but it didnt really capture me. Overall- 2.5/5

Ska is not really my scene, but, interesting to see the purported links to triphop and britpop for that matter. Not a bad album, mid 2s.

I just can't do it. It feels like a novelty act

No, no. "One" Specials was enough thanks. Nobody asked for more.

Prefer the first album

Generic Ska, nothing special

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not great, but some of these ratings a bit too harsh. I’ve heard worse in this project.

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.

Yes, I did indeed enjoyed myself, thank you.

2.4 2x not bad just not something i will listen to again

Musiquilla divertida que no tiene mucho más. No creo que vuelva a ella. Canción destacada: Enjoy Yourself

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

No. I had to work real hard not to skip each track. Not into Ska at all. Definitely not for me.

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

Oo the specials. Just s nice listen. I used to be big into ska, 3rd wave, but I think wayyyy back Pandora used to throw on some specials too. I've never listened to this one. Was more into the 1st album tbh. More is a good time though. Not saving a bunch of songs but I'll throw the whole album on again for sure. Some little dub electronics beeping and boopin like clu clu land or some shit. I enjoy

I know they earned their place. But this was a tough one to listen to, not least because it's an album that shows how hitting all the notes you're trying to sing isn't always that easy.

Meh specials

Ok

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.

you know, i had a ska phase in my school days just like any awkward dork, but i could never really get into the specials or most of the second wave stuff, and now i see this is one ska related area that i can agree with my teen self on

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.

You know what to expect from the specials

3/5

Fun music, sardonic, dark lyrics. I liked this better than the first.

tried to be open minded but turned it off on the 2nd song

Usually this doesn't matter but I really feel like I should have listened to the first Specials album before listening to this. I don't think this is bad. There are a lot of good moments on this album but equally as many annoying moments unfortunately. Maybe I'll revisit it after listening to their first album but I doubt I'll really change my opinion on it. Favorite track: Hey Little Rich Girl 2.5/5

A weaker outing from The Specials. Not bad, just weaker.

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

Why did they change their sound so much? The debut was a perfect record. I really don’t need more of this. It had one or two good songs and that’s it.

++: Do Nothing, Sock It to 'em J.B., Holiday Fortnight, I Can't Stand It, International Jet Set, Enjoy Yourself (Little Reprise) +: Enjoy Yourself, Pearl's Cafe, Stereotypes/Stereotypes Pt. 2 +-: Man at C&A, Hey, Little Rich Girl 7,0/10

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.

Ska

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

Having only heard The Specials' debut, I was actually more impressed with this one. It's very much leaving behind the 'pure' ska punk sound, and it loses some of its bite and punk attititude as a result. Not that the band's defining checkered ska aesthetic is gone entirely, and their politics of radical working class solidarity between whites and blacks is still there and as on-point to this day as it was under Thatcher. I think they integrate ska instrumentation into the other genres explored extremely well. There's all sorts of stuff infused with ska - lounge, Mexican music, northern soul, sounding great and comedic at the same time. I yearn for some more VICIOUS ska but I appreciate this softer style and can get the former from Rancid and The arrogant sons of bitches.

Se non vi piace questo non vi piacerà mai il 2tone ska

Non l’ho ascoltato, vado sulla fiducia

Decent album, reggae vibes, love the concept of the band 3/5

It's ok for a ska album, or pre-third wave. Not something I would have sought out

Perfectly ok.

This one is pretty much less good than the one that was better than madness

Solid

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

Like a warm bath for your brain.

I enjoyed myself

It's good to be wise when you're young cause you can only be young but the once Enjoy yourself and have lots of fun So glad and live life longer than you've ever done Enjoy yourself it's later than you think Enjoy yourself while you're still in the pink The years go by as quickly as you wink Enjoy yourself enjoy yourself it's later than you think Fun story, I discovered this album at the height of covid when I was out walking in a cemetery to get out of my house and get some exercise without being around anyone else. It profoundly affected me. 5/5

Not my genre

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.

3.0/5

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

This was not good. Ska but 60s. Bleh!

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

more is less

Hey little rich girl a standout, just not a ska person I suppose

Can’t say that I massively enjoyed myself

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

Fun album

It was ok. Not the best ska

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.

Some ok ska songs. But nothing great

Pretty good but not as good as their debut

Definitely weird style

For this review, I'm not bothering with the second disc of the 2015 deluxe version. I've heard a song or two from the Specials, a very influential ska revival band. Given their legacy, I'm not surprised they had an album on the list, though I was not expecting to see their second album here. From what I gather, More Specials was more influential to later trip-hop acts like Massive Attack and Portishead, given the range of styles implemented. That got me curious, and after a full listen, I've come to appreciate the experimentation, even if it didn't work half the time. For sure, there are still fun ska tracks in between like "Enjoy Yourself", "Hey, Rich Little Girl", and "Sock It to 'Em J.B." that maintain a fast-paced energy with the guitar and horn complements and Terry Hall's powerful vibrato vocals. Even some of the wilder experiments near the beginning were cool to listen to like the apocalyptic reggae of "Man at C&A" and the laidback vibes of "Do Nothing" with its lyrics warning about obliviousness. But then side two gets weirder, and not necessarily for the better. They took more inspiration on side two from lounge music and exotica, with more dour sentimentality mixed in. As a result, I hate to say it but side two sounds more of a slog, except for the calypso-themed "Holiday Fortnight". Keyboardist and founding member Jerry Dammers was pushing the band in this lounge direction at the time, and I consider it a detriment. I can see why other members fought back to include more rockabilly and soul vibes because they needed the energy. More Specials is an interesting curiosity for this list, one I didn't mind checking out despite its glaring issues. Cherry-pick your favorites and go from there.

Fun Ska swanky. 3/5

I'm happy this was recorded in 1980. Otherwise, the abominable "Sock it to 'Em J.B." would have had to canvass many more James Bond movies. Ugh.

Even less special than their first album, definitely did not enjoy myself

What are y’all doing to me here?

Very special Ska with Mariachi and other styles.

Kinda cool to hear like the early influences of what seems like ska, did get a little repetitive

Not their best album but a ground breaking sound nonetheless

i vibed

Fuck ska

Can't say that the Specials broadening the scope beyond ska a little for their second album yields to an unpleasant listen. Apart from the easy-on-the-ear opening (and closing) cut "Enjoy Yourself", *More Specials* has its share of moody hidden gems, like "Man At C&A", and even more crucially, the frankly incredible "International Jet Set". Call to hedonism are here a nice, snarling way to underline the topics such as mortality, the nuclear threat or, more pointedly, the roasting of the Tory agenda at the start of the eighties. The thing is, there is still something a little too disjointed in this LP lacking in clear stakes l. Which is a little maddening when you know the terrific non-album singles from that particular era of the band's career ("Ghost Town", "Gangsters"...). Call that a missed opportunity to release a truly 'essential' album. 3/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums 8/10 for more general purposes (5 + 3). Number of albums left to review: the 80-ish extra LPs listed on this app, included because different past editions of the book have mentioned albums that have since been dropped in subsequent editions. Number of albums I'll keep in my own list: half, approximately Number of albums I *might* keep: a small quarter, approximately (including this one) Number of albums I won't keep: a large quarter

‘I can’t stand it!’ She warbles. Yes, agreed. Special - not.

Fair to middling

I sort of appreciate this being weird but it is weird.

I saw it was Ska and groaned. I listened and heard Muzak and double groaned. Like shopping in a super market owned by Pee Wee's fun house.

Love this album

This album just didn’t stand out. I do like the specials but is just wasn’t jiving today

More?! Fuck me. If any band didn't need more than one album on this list (the first one is deservedly on here). 16 year break after this one says it all... Can't wait to find out there are no Fun Boy Three records on here.

Do nothing to Do Nothing 👌🏾

Overall an OK album. I liked some songs, but I did not like the funk in International Jet Set.

Much like most ska music, it’s proper shit

Actually alright, something about Coventry etc etc

Did not like. Cheap cider in a park at the age of 15 type music

God I love it. I was lucky enough to see The Specials and Terry Hall is one of my heroes. I Can’t Stand It really encapsulates the fact that the band were all pulling in different musical directions at this point, which caused tension and led to them splitting up a year later. But I’m fond of the busy yet lazy, reggae, lounge, punk, soul, mongrel product we end up with. Enjoy Yourself and Hey, Little Rich Girl are great fun, and more aligned with the sound of their debut album. International Jet Set, Man at C&A are class. Demented and eerie, scathing towards capitalist rat race types, unique arrangements going on. And best of all, Do Nothing is one of my favourite songs of all time. It paints a picture of a malaise across working class British youth in 1980, bored with Thatcherism, police brutality, racism, “living a life without meaning”. I prefer this album version to the much heralded remix with a more prominent string synthesiser. Being white and male, I’ve faced little persecution, but two police officers did once make me buy some Toilet Duck and mop up my own piss outside Subway City in Birmingham in front of queuing clubbers (let it be known, this was in a discreet side alley, I'm no an animal). It was quite the violation, and this song was looping in my head the whole time, and then the bouncers told them to fuck off, and Paul the cloak room bloke checked my jacket and my Toilet Duck into the cloak room and sold me some dodgy pills. It’s a 5 every time from this pop picker! It would be an enormously bloated 5 if Ghost Town and Friday Night, Saturday Morning could have somehow been on this. “Wish I had lipstick on my shirt, instead of piss stains on my shoes” will forever be my mantra.

Previously rated: The Specials (3/5) ********************* More from these guys. I didn't remember the first one very well. This was British reggae/ska-ish stuff. A couple catchy tracks (Enjoy Yourself). A couple of annoying ones (Stereotype/Stereotype, Pt. 2). I'm not sure we needed a second one on this list. Not my thing.

A bit too campy and cheesy in songs like Enjoy Yourself, Hey, Little Rich Girl, Pearl's Cafe Prefer the 'cooler' & subtler approach in songs like Man at C&A, Do Nothing.

ekki nærri jafn gott og sú fyrri. en sprettir inn á milli. 3,5.

I like ska. I like The Specials. Or at least I liked The Specials first album. It seems those lads peaked with their debut release then quickly dropped off. Still a cool vibe but I don’t think we need More Specials on the list.

Nicht schlecht! Macht Spaß!

Sock it to 'em J.B. is pretty dumb, yet a fun song, specially if you are into ska and James Bond. The rest of the album is mid at best. But I like Ska! I don't know, I guess it runs it course quickly

Un album honnêtement très ordinaire. Beaucoup moins aimé que leur précédent. C'était beaucoup plus éparpillé, voir inconsistant. Pas terriblement mauvais, mais à aucun moment je n'ai été captivé ou impressionné. On dirait que c'est un album qui est venu d'une session de jam, plus qu'un album bien construit qui a été retravaillé. Semblerait que l'effet soit volontaire car c'était fait avec la vision que l'écouteur ne sache pas s'il a aimé ou non. Dans mon cas je n'ai pas tellement aimé. 4/10

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.

Not bad, more varied musically than I expected.

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.

Dislike

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.

I just really don't like Ska. I also really don't like whatever else this is.

One good song, but sub-par for the rest.

For the first half of this, I wasn’t really enjoying it. It sounded like a weird novelty act. It was momentarily saved by Sock It To ‘Em J.B. which I thought was pretty good then I sort of lost interest again. Holiday Fortnight was catchy though. A weird mixed bag. 2.5 stars but call it 3

Very good but I just didn’t ’love’ it as I find with The Specials

This was all over the place.. my first listen was probably around a 2.5 but subsequent listens grew on me and I enjoyed it more. 3.25/5

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.

Fuck this album

Funky

not as good as the first album, but not bad.

Mixed bag - some pretty fun tracks and some that just would not end. Ska and reggae are not a typical listen for me. It was alright, just don't see myself revisiting this one.

Meh

More Specials doesn't need to be on this list, some of it is fun, a lot of it is rubbish, it's too muddled and confused and they should really stick to stuff like Hey Little Rich Girl and Pearl's Cafe imo. Back half of the album is close to unlistenable and seems like they ran out of ideas (I Can't Stand It is an aptly-named song because it's SO bad :D ), scrapes a 2 because the first half is fine.

We did not need more specials. It's got some decent ska at the beginning, then degenerates into a big old mess towards the back half of the album and it's really not good. 2/5, rescued from a one by the first few tracks.

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.

#413. I would personally like to request less Specials, actually. 2/5: not it. Song added to playlist: Hey Little Rich Girl I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

Distinctive sounding but not nearly as good as previous angry ska - more melodic and hints of jazz

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

Definitely not the best specials album. Nothing really all that impressive from a band that I rather like. 2/5

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.

Positiv overraskelse! Ikke lige sådan noget jeg sætter på men jeg havde det meget sjovt. Amy Winehouse lavede et godt cover af Hey Little Rich Girl som var på Back to Black deluxe edition, kan anbefales

Synes virkelig det starter fedt, var helt klar til at kalde den et mesterværk for a-siden, men den taber en del energi hen mod slutningen

This is how western ska is done! I wish that Ghost Town was on the album instead of the extras.

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

I live the Ramones. 7/10 That said I NEVER put a Ramones album on.

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

A really odd mix of sound and genres but overall, it was a good listen

Never liked Ska

An ironic name for a not very good album. Kind of ska/reggae but pretty forgettable and I like the genre well enough.

Not a fan of this. Just a personal thing.

skanky

Strano, simpatico

How quickly some bands evolved successfully at the time

I like the eerie undertones - Man at C&A, Pearl's Cafe, Stereotype, International Jet Set are the standout tracks.

Maso

Blends a lot of stuff: Reggae, rock and jazz at least. Sounds kind of weird.

For the most part, I enjoyed myself! 3.5

Eclectic but ultra kitschy, often grating 2.4

No

No, not necessary to listen to.

The Specials show their talent as a band that tuned down the ska for the occasional slower tune. There are many other interesting albums of the reggae/rocksteady/ska world I'd rather seen on this list.

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.

I was in a bad mood all day and was hoping for a good album to help fix it. I heard the first second of the first song and it immediately made it 100x worse. I didn't get any better as it went on. I did not enjoy myself. I wish I could give it a 0.

Nope

maailman hirvein aksentti maailman host horryfying sound of all time. mikä tahansa muu ääni suusta ulos niin albumi toimii, mik vittu tahansa paitsi tuommoinen sairas PASKA. hate in human heart. even good people (me) get corruptioned.. (kuolkaa pois vittu).. heh hyvä että rska, tämä on niin mahtavaa ska (aivan vitun paskaa, ) HYIIIIIII HYIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHYIIIIIII HYIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU. Wild time. Album was all over the place and just a lot of fun. wild crazeeeeeeeeeee. craziness!! sooooo cray-crayyyyyyyyyyyyy-------------------- man at ca

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

I don’t really know what to take from this. It was…fine. Mostly not my thing. The recording quality was bad. Might’ve been intentional I suppose but it didn’t help either way. I really wanted to like it but it was just a little too quirky British in places for my liking. Some fun grooves but nothing good enough to push it past two stars. Though the James Bond references on “Sock It to ‘Em J.B.” were fun. Standout Tracks: Hey Little Rich Girl, Sock it to ‘Em J.B., Holiday Fortnight

Ngl I just thought this was kinda bad

Not really sure why they bothered putting this one on here. Their debut album without question up there but this was very half-arsed

Great fun. Favourite track: Pearl's Cafe.

Remember Julia Stiles character in “10 Things I Hate About You?” She used guitar to start a band. It was terrible.

Some enjoyable ska but not the best on the list

I remember seeing the Specials on the Warped Tour in 1998. For several of my friends, it was one of the most important things that could ever happen - apparently they didn’t tour much then or something. They didn’t really grab me at that show, but I wasn’t much of a ska fan then. I’m still not, if I’m being honest. This is a pretty good album, but it’s unlikely I’ll revisit it.

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

Smash

Really good stuff

Let's call this one "eclectic." All over the place, ok highs and very bad lows.

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.

Instrumentals were okay. Singing was not

The music is fine the vocals weren’t great. I was thinking “when will I rate something 2 stars?” And this takes the cake. It’s not unlistenable but it’s not quite average, a perfect ⭐️⭐️.

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

Ska uit 1980, maar wel van het meligste soort. Flauwigheid regeert, maar het wil nergens aanstekelijk worden. Leuk genre, vergeetbare plaat.

Hé. Dé specials weer. Eerder kregen we het album The Specials van deze lui. De mij bekende nummers waren leuk, maar de rest viel tegen door de zang. Maar van dit album ken ik niets. En gelet op de titel zal het iets later zijn gemaakt. Wellicht wat ontwikkeling? Kom maar op! Dat enthousiasme wordt gelijk de kop ingedrukt. Het eerste nummer klinkt ontzettend vrolijk, en daar word ik niet vrolijk van. Het is een beetje gemaakte vrolijkheid, zoals ik ook de zang tijdens een kerkdienst beleef. Het zal ook wel expres zijn, maar ik kan er slecht tegen. Daarna krijgen we een nummer met gelukkig wat minder zang. Het heeft een serieuze boodschap. Dat zal de rest later ook wel hebben dan. Maar eerlijk, daarna luister ik niet meer naar de tekst. Het album heef een duidelijke ska-handtekening. Het heeft iets van Madness. En daar gaat het mis. Nu ga ik vergelijken. En dan is dit toch heel veel slechter. Nummers als Stereotype klinken toch voor geen meter. Ik moet toch constateren dat er van ontwikkeling weinig sprake is. Het heeft dezelfde matigheid als het eerdere album, maar zonder de uitschieters.

Volgens muziekcriticus Jon Harrington inspireerde (met name deel 2 van) dit album oa de triphop van Portishead en Massive Attack. Dat zijn nogal grote woorden, maar het zorgt ervoor dat ik wel met extra interesse dit album ga beluisteren. Deel 1 begint in ieder geval wel gewoon met vrolijke ska reggae wat ik zou verwachten bij dit album. Voor zover niks nieuws onder de zon, al gaan de composities best iets verder dan het standaard repertoire van de gemiddelde ska of reggae band volgens mij. Deel 2 is meer slechte filmmuziek, of gekke liftmuziek. Luie Hond had er ook wel van die stukken in zitten, dus ongetwijfeld dat zij er door geinspireerd zijn. En de enjoy yourself reprise is zelfs ongelooflijk suf. Is dit een parodie ergens op, die ik niet begrijp ofzo? De associatie met triphop voel ik niet helemaal. Hoeft natuurlijk ook niet zo te zijn dat het op elkaar moet lijken, maar ik vind het altijd raar om te zeggen dat een band geinspireerd is door muziekstijl A en vervolgens muziekstijl B gaat maken. Je verwacht toch min of meer iets gelijkaardigs, of dat op zijn minst dat er overlap in zit. Niet dat ik hoge verwachtingen had van dit album, maar het valt me toch een beetje tegen. En dat hadden de fans en de bandleden zelf ook denk ik, want hierna zijn ze er ook gelijk maar mee gekapt. Daarom doet me dit album ook een beetje overbodig aan. Dat eerste album heb ik me prima mee vermaakt, maar we luisteren hier (een jaar later slechts) naar het overmijdelijke einde, de dag die je wist dat zou komen. En daar deel ik geen bonuspunten voor uit, eerder minpunten.

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

not my thing

Pretty good, but I prefer other stuff by The Specials.

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.

the specials aren't so special

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

**In-Depth Review of *More Specials* by The Specials** Released in 1980, *More Specials* marked a significant departure for The Specials from their energetic and socially charged debut. Known as one of the flagship bands of the British ska revival, their self-titled debut was a high-octane blend of punk energy and Jamaican ska rhythms, laden with biting social commentary. By contrast, *More Specials* offered a far more eclectic sound, blending a variety of genres while diving into more melancholic and surreal territory. This album stood as a reflection of the turmoil within the band and the socio-political landscape of Britain at the time. In this review, we’ll examine the lyrics, music, production, themes, and overall influence of the album, assessing its strengths and shortcomings. ### Music Musically, *More Specials* takes significant risks, pushing far beyond the upbeat ska and punk fusion of their debut. The album blends ska with elements of easy listening, lounge, muzak, and dub reggae. At the time, this shift was jarring for many fans who expected the same frenetic energy the band had previously delivered. However, it showcased The Specials' willingness to evolve and challenge their listeners. The album opens with "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)," a cover of a 1949 song by Guy Lombardo. It sets a strange tone right from the start, with its upbeat, almost carnival-esque rhythm juxtaposed against the bittersweet, cynical lyrical message. The band uses cheery, easy-listening instrumentation to convey a darker, existential sentiment — a key contrast that pervades the record. Tracks like "Man at C&A" and "International Jet Set" highlight the dub reggae influences that shape much of the album’s atmosphere. "Man at C&A," in particular, is eerie and apocalyptic, its slow, hypnotic beat creating a feeling of dread that complements its Cold War themes. Jerry Dammers’ use of organ and synthesizers on these tracks provides a surreal, detached vibe that, while distinctive, can sometimes feel alienating to listeners expecting something more conventional. Another standout is "Stereotype," where a lilting ska rhythm eventually morphs into a more chaotic, jazz-infused breakdown. The song's structure is unusual but works in its favor, blending melody and discord in a way that reflects the song's theme of societal decay and personal self-destruction. Songs like "Do Nothing" feature more traditional ska elements, with infectious brass lines and upbeat rhythms, though the melancholic lyrics still cut through the veneer of musical brightness. The instrumentation throughout *More Specials* is highly inventive, but at times, the mixture of genres can feel disjointed. The juxtaposition of cheery muzak and heavy thematic content is creative, but the lack of cohesion between tracks can make the album feel scattered and less focused. **Pros:** - Diverse musical experimentation, showcasing the band's range and versatility. - Unique blending of easy listening, muzak, and ska creates a surreal, disorienting atmosphere that mirrors the album’s themes. - Tracks like "Stereotype" and "Man at C&A" are innovative and deeply immersive. **Cons:** - Some listeners may find the eclectic mix of genres disorienting and lacking cohesion. - The laid-back sound might be underwhelming to fans of the band's more energetic, punk-infused style. ### Lyrics Lyrically, *More Specials* delves into dark, complex topics, often dressed in deceptively cheery melodies. Themes of societal collapse, urban decay, and existential angst dominate the album. Whereas their debut album tackled themes like racism and unemployment head-on, *More Specials* feels more personal, cynical, and inward-looking. "Stereotype" is a biting commentary on British lad culture, focusing on a man whose life is ruled by alcohol and promiscuity. It paints a bleak picture of a person trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, his fate sealed by societal expectations. The lyrics, "He's just a stereotype / He drinks his age in pints," offer a mix of wit and tragedy that typifies The Specials' lyrical approach. "Man at C&A" is perhaps one of the most overtly political tracks, with lyrics that depict Cold War paranoia and the looming threat of nuclear annihilation. The line "Warning came like a bolt from the blue / Now for a second time the world was at the edge," taps into the fear and anxiety of the era. The minimalist lyrical structure here enhances the sense of dread, as if the band feels powerless in the face of larger global forces. "Do Nothing," another standout, explores the frustration and nihilism of working-class life in urban Britain. The lyrics, "Every day I get angry / And I will say / That the day is in my sight / When I'll take a gun and shoot the lot," echo a sense of helplessness and rage in the face of systemic inequality. It's a haunting reflection of the time, capturing the disillusionment many felt under Thatcher's Britain. Though the lyrics across the album are consistently sharp and insightful, they often feel like they’re working against the easy-listening music rather than with it. This tension can be seen as a positive, creating a sense of unease that mirrors the band’s discontent. However, for some listeners, it can be jarring, leaving the album feeling emotionally impenetrable. **Pros:** - Sharp, incisive lyrics that tackle serious themes such as urban decay, societal collapse, and personal disillusionment. - Clever juxtaposition of dark themes with bright, often ironic musical backdrops. - Songs like "Stereotype" and "Do Nothing" stand out as poignant, relatable commentaries on British life. **Cons:** - The darker, more introspective lyrics might feel overly cynical or nihilistic to some listeners. - The lyrical themes can feel overwhelming when paired with the seemingly cheerful musical arrangements. ### Production Jerry Dammers, the band’s keyboardist and primary songwriter, handled much of the production on *More Specials*, and his fingerprints are all over the album's sound. The production style is bold, with Dammers' affinity for vintage lounge music and dub reggae evident throughout. The album is laced with haunting effects, reverb-drenched vocals, and a muted, detached feeling that amplifies the sense of unease. The use of muzak-style production on songs like "International Jet Set" plays into the album's themes of disillusionment and boredom, yet it also strips the songs of some emotional immediacy. The production often makes it feel like the listener is floating in a surreal, dystopian environment. This works to the album’s benefit on tracks like "Man at C&A," where the spacey, dub-influenced production heightens the song's apocalyptic mood. At times, however, the heavy use of effects and the subdued atmosphere can make the album feel cold and distant. Some tracks suffer from overproduction, with too much focus on creating a surreal soundscape at the expense of emotional engagement. This can lead to a sense of detachment, where the listener may appreciate the creativity but feel less connected to the music on a visceral level. **Pros:** - Innovative production techniques, blending lounge music, dub, and easy listening to create a unique soundscape. - The surreal production enhances the album’s themes of disillusionment and existential dread. - Jerry Dammers’ use of reverb, echo, and spacey effects contributes to the eerie, detached mood. **Cons:** - The cold, detached production can make the album feel emotionally distant at times. - Some tracks feel overproduced, losing emotional immediacy in the process. ### Themes The central theme of *More Specials* is disillusionment — both personal and societal. The album captures a Britain on the brink of collapse, struggling under the weight of Thatcherism, unemployment, and Cold War tensions. While their debut album was a more direct attack on societal issues, *More Specials* is more of a slow, cynical reflection on the futility of change. The band no longer sounds angry — they sound defeated, trapped in a world that’s slowly crumbling. Tracks like "Do Nothing" and "Stereotype" address personal disillusionment, exploring themes of hopelessness, self-destruction, and the numbing effects of routine. The characters in these songs are trapped in a cycle they can’t escape, their lives defined by boredom, excess, and a lack of purpose. On a broader level, the album also tackles themes of political and social decline. "Man at C&A" reflects the anxieties of the Cold War, while songs like "International Jet Set" critique the superficiality and emptiness of modern consumer culture. Even the seemingly cheerful "Enjoy Yourself" carries a darker message beneath its bright exterior, reminding the listener that time is fleeting and life is ultimately meaningless. **Pros:** - Thought-provoking exploration of themes like disillusionment, urban decay, and existential angst. - The album effectively captures the mood of Britain in the early 1980s, offering a bleak but insightful commentary on society. - The juxtaposition of dark themes with cheery music creates a powerful sense of irony. **Cons:** - The overwhelmingly dark themes may be off-putting to listeners looking for something more hopeful or uplifting. - The album's themes of disillusionment can feel repetitive and emotionally draining over time. ### Influence While *More Specials* didn’t achieve the same level of commercial success as The Specials' debut, its influence on the music world is undeniable. The album's fusion of genres and innovative production techniques laid the groundwork for future bands to experiment with genre-blending and atmospherics in popular music. In particular, the album's use of dub and lounge influences can be seen as a precursor to the trip-hop movement of the 1990s, with bands like Massive Attack and Portishead drawing on similar sonic palettes to create dark, moody soundscapes. The album also helped solid ify The Specials as one of the most forward-thinking bands of their time, willing to take risks and push boundaries even at the cost of alienating some of their fanbase. **Pros:** - The album’s innovative use of genre fusion and production techniques helped pave the way for future musical experimentation. - Its influence can be seen in later genres like trip-hop and in the work of bands exploring darker, moodier soundscapes. **Cons:** - The album’s initial lack of commercial success limited its immediate impact on mainstream music at the time. ### Conclusion *More Specials* is an ambitious, complex album that showcases The Specials' willingness to evolve and experiment. Its eclectic blend of ska, dub, lounge, and easy listening creates a unique, surreal atmosphere that mirrors the album’s dark lyrical themes of disillusionment and societal decay. While its eclecticism and cold production may alienate some listeners, the album’s innovative approach to genre-blending and its sharp, thought-provoking lyrics have ensured its place as an influential work in the band’s discography and beyond. **Overall Pros:** - Diverse and inventive musical experimentation. - Sharp, insightful lyrics that tackle complex, timely themes. - Innovative production techniques that enhance the album’s mood and themes. **Overall Cons:** - The disjointed mix of genres may feel jarring to some listeners. - The cold, detached production can make the album feel emotionally distant. - The overwhelmingly dark themes can feel repetitive and draining. Despite its imperfections, *More Specials* stands as a bold artistic statement from a band unafraid to challenge expectations and push musical boundaries.

4.0

Squeaked out a 3 in the final songs for me. A few good ones but nothing “special”. “…it’s later than you think”

You sound like you’re from London

Great sampling. Need to listen again properly as was somewhat of a background listen. Solid solid album.

Ah man really this album? Just imagining some confused Americans listening to this.

This album has a LOT going on musically and historically.

It was okay

This had the playful wobbliness of great dub, frequently surprising toylike sounds, and the sort of inventiveness that comes off as utterly free while born of hard experimentation. There’s a sour, sometimes nasty tang to the lyrics, which is era-appropriate, as is the Latin American burst on Holiday Fortnight.

A deceptively casual title and cover photo frames this hugely inventive collection of songs. A joyful mix of ska, music hall, lounge and witty social commentary with a dash of dub and Goldfinger. As usual, I'll marvel how diverse, interesting and skillful "pop" bands used to be when I was young. So accomplished, they hadn't even written "Ghost Town" yet! I'll also take the opportunity to crown Terry Hall the King Of Fey (unless "Virgins and Philistines" awaits us?) - an all-time-great vocalist/songwriter dispensing absolute bangers in various styles consistently his whole life, from "Stereotype" here through many other '80s greats (look 'em up), Vegas (a secret fey classic), the best (non-football) Lightning Seeds song and a bouncy Arabic-y collaboration with Mushtaq. What a talent, sadly missed.

Yesss

Baffled by some people giving this one star. I don't normally worry about opinions that differ from mine, but... eh? Anyway. I love The Specials. No, the singers don't sound like they could audition for X Factor. Thank goodness! Can people not hear the tight band, the wonderful cross rhythms in the bass and that punchy brass? All fronted by a laconic, grumpy Midlander and his mates, having fun but despairing at what's happening aroung them in Thatcher's Britain (and oh gawd, it got far worse), and/or making wry observations; I chortled more than once. My family are from Coventry, and I was 12 when this came out, so I'm biased. But surely, it's great isn't it? Did I mention I love The Specials? Their debut was maybe better, but this is ace.

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.

Brilliant. So proud to be from Coventry and to have grown up in this era

An excellent and new to me early album by the Specials. Quite a blend of sounds and a fascinating mix.

More Specials sounds like a Wal-Mart commercial.

Less Specials would be fine, thanks. I dug their self-titled album, but this one was too much.

I enjoyed the debut album but I don't need MORE Specials.

I just don’t like this.

Rock and roll plutôt classique qui puise dans plusieurs traditions (hispanique, caribéenne, funk, presque ska parfois). Dénote une joie candide, sans partage, même quand se fait sarcastique.

Enjoyed this, but was hoping for more from it.

This album was just fun. I loved it.

No dude

So that's what "real" ska actually sounds like! I can get down with this.

Woof. It's possible that I'm just not in the right headspace to appreciate this today...but it's more likely that I'd still hate it if I tried it again tomorrow. Luckily we'll never know.

It was fine

Not special. Forgettable british music with a touch of ska. Stand-out: Do Nothing

Not for me

Underligt album med några helt sköna låtar

This sounds like circus music from hell. No one really likes this, do they?

Meh. A song or two were memorable

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.

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.

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

It sucks.

That voice does sound pretty special. How dare they tell me to enjoy myself right before showing me the most obnoxious near hour of my life. Maybe if we tell them to like it they'll like it? "It's all a load of bullocks," Yeah I'd be inclined to agree. Who let the most stereotypical British chaps into a kindergarten music room anyways? They sound like they're trying to mock a British accent yet be even more disappointing. The tunes are fairy-tale like, but not the fun ones. Not the ones with cute dogs and rainbows. The ones where the child gets horrifically eaten because they didn't eat their vegetables but with the veneer of troubled kid's play music. A fate better than listening to this album. You do have to get give them props for being so daring to stray away from what makes music good though. It's a solid 1/5 and if I could give it lower I would. Giving themselves a 2 in the corner is pretty generous I think. Less Specials please.

2.5

First listen Saved 2/11 Top track: Man At C&A

Very special

Depsite first song being a nice beginning for a day and a pleasant mix of World music overall, it falls a bit in the second half of the album.

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.

It starts off ok with some fun ska-type stuff, but about half way it seems to loose the plot and becomes utter nonsense. It's a weird one but I don't fully hate it.

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.

Very odd album. Couldn't even say what genre this is and what a ending. Sounded like a childrens cartoon song. 2 stars

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.

Pretty interesting Ska with some really crazy sound effects thrown in at parts. The random salsa song with Holiday Fortnight was an unexpected song that's for sure. Definitely liked this more than the last Specials album.

What in the British Jamaican fusion hell is this?? This album was all over the place. Really weird but definitely worked sometimes.

Eccentric ska that is more of a mix of genres and styles and less rowdy than typical ska. Standouts are "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think" and "International Jet Set".

wasn't in the mood for it. felt up beat. Ska type album but it wasn't for me.

Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.

I just don't like this kind of music at all.

Yikes, who actually listens to this? Are all the stupid stereotypes of soul patched fedora-wearing nerds skankin' on the dance floor true? Shit's unlistenable. Musically, there's nothing special about the Specials. They sound like countless high school bands around the world.

Enjoy Yourself // Hey Little Rich Girl // Stereotype // 2.5/5

Rat Race Do Nothing Stereotypes

Had it’s moments. But I don’t think Id ever come back. Rounding down.

Enjoyed a few songs here and there, but it's nothing special (heh).

Fun, bouncy and a touch spicy – just fine Ska. First record better by some distance.

I hadn’t heard of these before, and with good reason, because none of them are great

Ahh not that special. Simpsons: No

Reckon I'd enjoy this kind of music after quite a few pints of cider. Can imagine it being played live in a pub on carnival day or at a food festival. But really, it's not that good. I did enjoy the dub elements though, like Stereotype / Stereotype, Pt. 2.

It wasn't the best. But they sounded like they were enjoying themselves and it did lift my mood so they get extra points there

The specials are like a bit shit, but in a good way? Like they’re just having a good time and vibing it. If I thought for one moment they took themselves seriously this would be a 1 star album.

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!

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 like some of the specials songs; ghost town and message to Rudy. And I wish I could unhear this album. Loungy and cheesy to the point of self parody. Bummer.

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

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

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

This is a tall glass of slightly too warm water. I’m not going to complain about it but I’ll never think about it again.

Same thing as the previous "The Specials" album on here - the album is well made, but it just isn't my style at all

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.

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

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

British Ska. Rockin reggae some funny lyrics not really something I’d listen to again

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.

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.

I didn’t enjoy the first Specials album I got and I didn’t enjoy this one either. Not for me.

Lounge ska. Another genre new to me that I do not care for. 2 stars for creativity.

A horrible take on ska and humor that absolutely nobody other than the band itself think is funny. Luckily the production is always boring. It’s no wonder most of the band decided to quit after releasing this.

I found this album incredibly boring. Lyrically and instrumentally it felt very repetitive. I felt like I listened to this album for 3 hours even though it was only 40 mins and was only interested by it at the song switches

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.

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.