Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
1980
Album Summary
Searching for the Young Soul Rebels is the debut studio album by English pop group Dexys Midnight Runners, released on 11 July 1980, through Parlophone and EMI Records. Led by Kevin Rowland, the group formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England, and formed a strong live reputation before recording their first material. Recorded during April 1980, the album combines the aggressiveness of punk rock with soul music, particularly influenced by the Northern soul movement. The album was preceded by and contains the hit-single "Geno", which topped the UK Singles Chart. It also contains two other charting singles: "Dance Stance" (re-recorded as "Burn It Down") and "There, There, My Dear" (which included the lyrics "I've been searching for the young soul rebels" that inspired the album's title). The album reached number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and is certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry. It has been widely acclaimed by music critics since its release and is included in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
WikipediaOne I've not listened to before. Always heard praise for them but just thought of them as one hit wonders with "Come on Eileen" and kind of dismissed them. Love the way it starts with dialing through the radio. I'd bet this was a real fun live show to catch back around when this record came out. Ambitious punks trying to get soulful. Walking a fine line between earnestness and irony but it sure sounds like they are having a good time doing it. I think my favorite thing on the record is the verses on "thankfully not living in yorkshire..." (But not necessarily the choruses). Probably my favorite whole track is "tell me when my light turns green." I'd bet if I was really fucking drunk I'd love this.
Love the little nudge to the specials at the start. Definitely a very good album with a nice touch with all the horns. Love the ska vibes it gives off
“Searching for the Young Soul Rebels” by Dexys Midnight Runners (1980) “Dexys” is a term that apparently refers to kids in northern England who were recreational users of dextroamphetamine in the late 70s and early 80s. They wanted to stay awake all night to dance energetically, I suppose. I recently read somewhere that during the WWII Battle of Britain (July-October 1940) the British RAF aircrews used dextroamphetamine (Benzedrine), while German Luftwaffe aircrews used methamphetamine (Pervitin). Everybody stayed high during the flights and the fights. But since dextroamphetamine leaves the system faster than methamphetamine, RAF crews could sleep the next day, but Luftwaffe crews could not. The result was long term German fatigue. If it had been the other way around, the title of this album might have been “Auf der Suche nach den jungen Seelenrebellen”. The photo on the cover art depicts an Irish Roman Catholic boy being forced from his Belfast home in 1971. These bits of background have significant explanatory power for one seeking to understand the creative impetus behind “Searching for the Young Soul Rebels”. You don’t have to search very far for the rebels. They’re the ones making the music, along with all serious listeners. And the music is a call for the hesitant fence-sitting warrior to get his ass back in the fight for the long term. The best poetry in these Kevin Rowland lyrics comes to the listener in the imperative mood—anger on uppers. In “Keep It”, he scolds: “You give credit for might, inspiration and sight But you miss the point You won't join the fight . . . You hear the sounds, miss all the hooks Your best is what you least understand You hate the graft, won't join the race You're scared to scar your pretty face Safe now cause your head is in the sand”. Okay, Kevin, you’ve got my attention. Now what? Your best is what I least understand. Help me, here, dude. Well, on “There There My Dear”, we get “You're always so happy, how the hell? You're like a dumb dumb patriot . . . You're supposed to be so angry, why not fight?” Alright, then give me a weapon and point me in the right direction. Crickets. I personally wish he had been more explicit and less obscurely referential about what the hell we’re supposed to be fighting for, or even who the enemy is. But he apparently wasn’t writing for boomers raised in the Midwest U.S. (like me). This does not, however, diminish the art. It appeals to rebellious old guys with young souls. I can attest. Spoken poetry on “Love Part One” is angrily potent, demanding a second listen. And a third . . . It’s good. The sound throughout most of this album is refreshingly dominated by trombone of all things, ably performed by “Big” Jim Patterson (with significant use of dubbing, to good effect) and saxophones by Jeff Blythe and Babyface Spooner (Love that handle!). Added to this are the very musical bass lines by Pete Williams, resulting in a very attractive mix. Vocals are uniformly bad. Don’t even get me started. This album isn’t for everyone, which is fine by me. But it’s very good. I am so pissed, and I don’t even know why. And finally, don’t do drugs, kids (unless you’re hurtling through home skies at 350 mph in a single engine Spitfire defending western civilization from the horrors of fascism—then we might make an exception). 4/5
L'album est bon mais une fois de plus la voix dégueulasse de Kevin Rowland à mi-chemin entre une poule en panique et un Jeff Buckley constipé vient gâcher la fête.
I'm on record as being morally opposed to any "rock" band with a horn section. That comes into play here as every damn song is horn driven. I'm so sick of saxophones. Also, blue-eyed soul is just the worst. The. Worst. In short, this album was a trial to listen to and I didn't enjoy my time.
God awful vocal style shits all over a clearly talented band. Why you'd throw a microphone at a guy having a stroke rather than ring 999 is beyond me.
There is something simply uplifting and joyous about Dexys - the exuberance, the horns, a bit of ska, a bit of northern soul, a bit of blues, a bit of chanting, a bit of foot stomping - and a charming sincerity from Rowlands. Imaging them in their pomp, 14 band members prowling the stage, smashing out the tunes, playing soul covers… I bet their gigs were legendary. Geno is an absolute monster (and as a side note, I listened to Geno Washington for the first time and boy let me tell you that cleared out the cobwebs!). Fast, furious, infectious.
Totally melodramatic but sort of leaning into it, I like it??? The crooning vocals are so hamfisted but it sounds fun. I love the punk element. It's like punk D'Sievers. Like, this live would be a fun time with friends. I didn't know these guys were the ones who did "Come on Eileen" which is a banger. I agree with Jon that "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green" might be my fav, along with Geno. I'd prob give it a 3.5 but I'll round up to 4.
This was a grower. I guess you have to be in the right mood, as Kevin Rowland can be quite annoying. But it's very catchy, soulful, lots of horns.
Que pieza tan maravillosa de la música, bonito rock steady, bonito ska, bonito blue eyes Sin duda un gran aporte al New wave
I really dug this album with its punk sound meets some classical/jazz instrumental ensemble. It gave me some pep in my step and swing in my jive Top Tracks: Tell Me Why My Light Turns Green, Geno, Burn it Down, There There My Dear
The first side of this is just astonishing - six, even seven stars. A fully formed sound from nowhere. If the second half can't quite sustain the extra-ordinary first five tracks (of which Geno is perhaps the weakest. Think about that.) then its just by comparison. An album so in love with a form of music it seems entirely natural to have a cover from that genre that fits perfectly. ps fun fact Burn It Down was called Dance Stance on original release, as I have the 45.
I was not expecting long songs for this punkish album, but it's not bad. I must say that I love it much more than I tough and I'll surely listen to it many more times in the future. A great point to this list. I like it very much when I discover new things around here!
the more I listen to this bands stuff, the more amazing it all sounds no complaints - easily a 10/10
I can't pin point what it is, but there's just something special in this album. The ska and Talking Heads vibes, the talent of these young musicians, the general "mood". I don't know why, but this whole album filled me up with overwhelming joy.
De Dexys Midnight Runners solo conocía Come On Eileen, que no está en este disco. Me gustó especialmente notar como estos sonidos son enrome influencia a todo el rock latinoamericano que vino unos años después. De pronto la voz se pasa de chillona, pero me gustaron mucho Geno y Seven Days Too Long (que leí que está basada en otra rola)
Another band where I'm familiar with the name and one song. But I thought it was very good, if a little outside my genre tastes.
This one surprised me a little. I wasn’t really sure I would like it, but it’s pleasant with some surprising instrumental pieces that I enjoyed.
This was quite an enjoyable album from an important time and music scene. I found it to be a fusion of punk and ska. The vocals are a punk growl that is Johnny Rotten like while the horns remind me of The Skatalites.
This is a fantastic debut album. Fun music, kind of a punk-ish ska-ish pop, great trumpets or trombones or whatever, and a pretty cool voice. This band had a fine personality from the start, and I'll sure be coming back to them some other time
All 3 Dexy's LPs are justifiably highly rated and on the 1001 list. Great driving soul, youthful modern lyricism and attitude. Great bass and brass. Those unmoved by Geno and There there my Dear must have ice in their veins!
Had tried to get into Dexys before with no success but I really enjoyed this. Tell Me When My Light Turns Green my favourite track.
Excellent album. Extremely fun instrumentation with unique vocals. The opener really catches your attention instantly.
A fun, high-energy record. Feel like if the Clash brought in a horn section. Theatrical, though not in a crazy, unbearable way. Favorite tracks: "Seven Days Too Long", "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green"
So everyone knows 1 Dexy's song (I know 3!) - and this features Geno one of the greatest get up and dance songs ever. So happy to listen to an entire album, might feel 'samey', but an absolute joy.
Okay. I know Geno, and that this is a band which had a very loyal following. A strong couple of openers to start. I'm not sure I love the strained singing voice, but it does make Dexys sound unique beyond their brass led music. Bold to then have a four minute instrumental, The Teams That Meet In Caffs. It had to be good not to lose me, and thankfully it is. The run from Geno (an all timer) to Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire..." (an odd falsetto Northern Soul stomper) is bloody good! Even a poem being read out doesn't offend me. Have I mellowed in my old age, or is this band just dead charming?!
Even in remaster, the timbre of the instruments is often a bit harsh. Nonetheless, I dig the brass and its contrast with the vocal affect. It's not what I expected, but I think the combination takes the band a long way. The jazzier tunes and instrumental sections are also points in favor.
It turns out there's a lot more to Dexys than that one song. I'd heard their other hit single "Geno" before but the rest of the album was new to me. It's a lively collection, with a surprising (for the early 80s) amount of hard swearing.
I didn't think I'd like this, but I do. Poppy, but not over much. Far more than "Come On Eileen"
This is a much more interesting band than I would have given them credit for based on Come On Eileen. I watched a YouTube video about their history, and it was pretty cool what they were trying to do. I liked the album after Too-Rye-Ay, so it's cool to get to hear the album before it Overall it's a neat album. I didn't have a lot of time to make notes while I was listening, but the variety of instrumentation was great 4/5
Although not the first time listening to this, I only discovered this recently. For me it is and still remains a very surprising and original album. The 80s update on classic soul which doesn't even sound like R&B, and his voice, also so typically 80s; alright, I might be alone in this but the way he sings reminds me of Robert Smith. It is not supposed to work but it does!
I'll dance my ass off to Come on Eileen every goddamn time that song comes on and love every minute of it. I'll never get sick of it! But I always thought this band was a one hit wonder. Was pleasantly surprised by this album. Contrary to everyone else who hates the sloppy vocals and horns I love those things! I like uniqueness and going against the grain. This is the kind of band I'd love to have seen live at a small dingy shithole bar before they got their 15 minutes of fame. Ooo-ooo ah ah indeed!
I actually really enjoyed the sound on this one. I suppose it was the brass. Consequently it scores above average and is a 4*
A splendid album with quality songs and excellent arrangements. The singing works but is a grating on the odd occasion. And really it's just fun and who would not jump in and sing along with their mates.
I had only ever heard come on Eileen from this band, and assumed they were a one hit wonder, but wow this was a great album!
extremely british and extremely good pop music! this album just makes keeps you in a constant state of happiness for 50 minutes. simply great
Listened to on 5/17/22 4/5 Favorite song: Geno, I couldn’t help it if I tried I had no expectations for this album but it was SO fun to listen to, very British, upbeat and just wildly entertaining - Eileen would be proud
I listened to this two or three times, it really grew on me. A bit more ramshackle than the other Dexys album a few months ago, but a really happy vibe.
Seems like I underestimated Dexys because of the Monster smash they had after this album, I had them pegged as a novelty pop act. I’m really glad I listened to this debut to actually put the band into real context. They were a legit soul/punk project with vision and purpose. Northern Soul Rebels, but they also had the ability to pen a massive pop crossover which overshadowed their authentic* beginnings.
I have to commend the band backing the singer. They’re doing amazing with this jazzy rock sound. The singer, however, is fully ruining all the songs with his crying voice. He sounds like the cowardly lion on every song. I can see why the band has a high turnover rate because they are way too good for him. I would give 5 stars if the singing was better because I really like the music besides that.
I'm a little torn on this one. I really liked it, but is it a 4? I want to say its like a 3.8, but at that point might as well round up. 4/5
I prefer their sophomore album a bit more. This didn't have the same oomph/wow factor for me personally. I think I just don't like brass too much haha.
Robert Smith (The Cure) auf Valium. Komm ich nicht drüber weg. Das jammern ist sehr ähnlich und die Musik passt nicht dazu. Dabei ist die Musik gut, zumindest gefiel sie mir ab und an, wenn ich durch Pausen das Jammern vergessen habe.
This album features great horn pieces with that distinct sound of the band. This band is best known for come on Eileen.
Good album, great use of horns though nothing special or revolutionary about it. Would give it another go.
An enjoyable mix of 80s rock and jazz trumpet create a fun album. Favourite song was burn it down.
I like the way these guys sound with some brass. Certainly different from their 'come on Eileen ' style.
Wow, I totally underestimated this band. It's exactly what it is, and it's not like much else. Like a sophiti-pop album made by a folker with an unorthodox croon.
Muy agradable sonido con el sax. A veces la voz me saturó, muy rockabilly, pero lo escuché 3 o 4 veces de corrido sin problema. Sin llegar a tocar ska, me recordó a Madness o LFC en algunos momentos. Tracks: The team that meets in caffs, Seven days is too long.
Very likeable album heard a lot of stuff I liked. Some sax that felt like a precursor to ska, the vocals were a bit hit or miss but when they hit at the same time as the music they were pretty great.
Friegos de saxofones y nada de ska me agradó bastante. Musicalmente es bueno, creo que no esperaba mucho del disco pero es un postpunk muy distinto a todo lo que se hizo en su momento, con muchos pedazos tal cual de música soul casi plagiados de los 60s pero que cuadran muy decente. Aunque no es una cosa espectacular en música lo eleva un poco más que las letras están bien escritas y no son nada idiotas (como a veces el ritmo podría hacer pensar si no pone uno atención). De hecho la canción que más me gustó fue la más distinta del resto (I'm Just Looking). 3.5
La voz afectada y el saxofón a tope. Entretiene, pero está claro que es el grupo de "Come On Eileen" y el resto está eclipsado por ese mega éxito. Aquí está Geno y Tell me when my light turns green. Ha sido interesante buscar información de la portada y saber que pertenece a un mal momento de "The Troubles" en que se expulsó a ciudadanos de Irlanda del Norte de sus viviendas.
Creo que escucharlo lineal tiene un bache, lo volví a escuchar en random y mucho mejor. La música me parece digerible siempre, no así la voz. Rola: 7 days too long Festivo
Fun! Much more enjoyable than I expected, more talented than their famous single would have you believe. Fun, mod rock new wave 80s weirdness album. 3.5
Highlights: Seven Days Too Long Unmistakably British, raucous, and distinctively DMR is fun and bouncy. I enjoy most of this album.
Cool new soul record from early 80s, with a handful of minor classics. Especially Burn It Down, but also Geno, Keep It, Tell Me..., 7 Days Too Long
I give them 3/3 after the first three songs. I like the soul influence and I can feel even a bit of ska with the horns. Speaking of the horns, they are a nice addition and define the sound, but the trombone is a bit dominant and they could use more higher end. Kevin Rowland's vocal range is limited, but that doesn't stop him from singing way outside of his wheelhouse, like the falsetto in Thankfully...
Ehh it was pretty good, but I stand by my opinion that they were one-hit wonders with Come on Eileen.
I didn’t expect this album to be so horny! I like the ska sound. I didn’t like not being able to understand the lyrics through his accent. There was some good stuff here - almost a 4 except then there was a poem..
Good, was expecting something a little bit more similar to "Come on Eileen", but it wasn't bad at all.
The first half of this Albums wasn't really clicking for me, but after Geno they really hit their stride and it turns into a pretty excellent second half. The lead vocalist wavers on annoying, but with the right song it hits. Favorite song: Seven Days Too Long
I like the combination of soul, punk, and ska, but I've never really liked Kevin Rowland's voice and vocal style.
This takes a while to get going but then it's a good stomp and some very good tracks. "Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply" is as mad as the title implies.
Good album with great playing, love the horn section. Dexy’s would have been class to see live around this time
Was not half bad. Good instrumentals. Vocals fine but had a difficult time with the lyrics....
Is this the cure ?! I like the album, not anything spectacular and compositionally I find it a bit bland with the same sort of riffs and instruments on each song. But its enjoyable.
Love the instrumentation. Lead singer's voice doesn't quite do it for me on most tracks. Fun, high energy pop. 2.5 rounded up.
I like this album. Burn it Down is uch a GREAT song. Kevin's voice used to perfection. The follow-up Tell Me When my Light Turns Green is just as strong. For me this album is soooo much better than Too Rye Aye. 3.5 stars
Un album décevant après le très surprenant album comportant Come on Eileen écouté il y a de cela quelques mois, mais l'essentiel n'etait pas là: en effet, les Midnight Runners on réalisé une performance epoustouflante, réussissant à enregistrer les voix malgré un microphone disposé à plus de 15m du chanteur, égalant ainsi la distance record de cette discipline.
This album started well, but then apart from Geno, it wasnt that good. Glad I listened to it though.
There ain't no Come On Eileen here. TIL there are THREE Dexy's albums on this list. Seems high. Granted, that's due to the fact that I'm in the United States where Dexy's Midnight Runners are considered a one hit wonder. The aforementioned "Come On Eileen" was their only hit to chart here. Granted, it was number 1 with a bullet during a very competitive time, but yeah. Surprised not only to see the band here (let alone, with two more albums). They sure like the horns on this one. Maybe a little too much. It could be that when it comes to Dexy's, I prefer the fiddle. Both "Geno" and "Seven Days Too Long" are bangers, and this album could have used a few more of those. As always, fewer horns/more fiddle!
Tykkäsin kovasti torvista, joita olikin tuuttailtu koko levyn läpi. Joissain kohdin oli myös mukavaa pianotykittelyä. Laulajan melankolisesta mölinästä en kuitenkaan pitänyt, se laskee arvosanan kolmoseen.
Reading their Wikipedia page, it makes a lot of sense why they started off as a cover band. Some of their tracks feel like Soul/Jazz band covers of someone else's better song. Apart from Geno, that's ace!
I was expecting big things from this album but I just couldn’t get into it and didn’t make it to the end. Love Geno though!
I’m happy that Dexys Midnight Runners exists outside of Come On Eileen, and that this album is actually pretty cool too. Love that northern soul influence mixed with a less aggressive punk stying. It works overall and I understand the album, but none of the songs really kept with me too much. There there my dear, Geno, and the album opener probably stuck with me the most. That being said, some of the soul songs kinda dragged too. And for some reason, and it might just be my headphones, the production sounded a bit too “tinny” to me. Still overall, a pretty cool album I didn’t know existed.
Krisch direkt Chumbawamba-Vibes von. Juchzgesang, Bläser, Ballonhüte und Latzhosen - ihr macht es mir nicht leicht, Leute. Puh, und der nächste Song (Turning for ...) wird ja noch juchziger/bläsriger. Puh puh puh. Ok, angekommen in No. 3, The Teams That Meet ... - da mag ich die Bläser schon lieber. Bisschen Specials-Style vielleicht? Haha, ok danke - gerade läuft Geno, just to prove me right. Seven Days Too Long auch ganz gut, hätte ich damals auf den Klassenfeten jedenfalls lieber gehört als zum hunderttausendstenmal Come On Eileen. Ach, überhaupt wird die zum Ende hin deutlich besser, Yorkshire und Love, Pt. 1: gut zu hören, tatsächlich. Auch die immer wieder hörbaren Specials-Sound: I like. Versöhnt und bekommt 2,7 insgesamt.
Liked it but didn't love it. Nice to hear the sound of what previously was a 1-hit wonder to me. Learned a little bit about the band and definitely appreciate them more.
Short album that is technically even shorter since it's filled with interludes. Decent 80s pop, although a rather annoying singing voice
Similar to their other album. Nothing I would consider must hear in any way, but a decent album for those who like the ska and street jam style of the band.
Well, today is the day I learned that these are the people behind Come On Eileen and I'm not sure I could have guessed that. But overall this has a very jazzy feel which I enjoyed. More horns please!
My previous knowledge of this band was limited to Come on Eileen. This was a decent (but not amazing) album of ska-influenced 1980s British pop.
Started strong but the pitchy, squeaky lead singing wore thin. A good album - certainly better than I expected since I dislike "Come on, Eileen". Glad I listened to it, but didn't add.
Fake gypsy wannabe dabble with blue-eyed soul. Makes me hate dungarees and polka dot handkerchiefs to an irrational degree. Best Tracks: Geno; Seven Days Is Too Long; Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply
Britse popmuziek. Leuk dat er een blazerssectie bij zit, maar de zang is soms wel wat rommelig. Verder lekker melodieus en heel toegankelijk. ***
For a few years now, I've been a big fan of Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Too Rye Ay" album (looking forward to that coming up on this list later), where they cemented their unique blend of "celtic soul" and punk. Here, it all feels a bit embryonic by comparison, but there are signs of great things to come. While there isn't much range to what the horn section do, and their arrangements are quite basic, they still take these songs a long way, and really help to set Dexy's apart from many other punk bands of the early 1980s. The album's best known track, "Geno", is my favourite- a distinctive horn riff, drunken singalong and rowdy atmosphere pervades the whole song to the point where even the most cynical of listeners would have to at least nod along. Coming hot on its heels is "Seven Days Too Long", an energetic Northern soul cover where the band play with vigour and excitement, and Kevin Rowland's yelping, shout-along vocals feel most at home. It's the most powerful 1-2 hit of the album, and arguably the peak of Dexy's early career. Sadly, the rest of the album doesn't quite live up to these two highlights. Dexy's are much more suited to the energetic up-tempo material here ("There There My Dear" and "Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire..." are two other strong selections), while their ballads flounder in mediocrity. The instrumental "Teams That Meet in Caffs" feels distinctly like filler, with little to reward repeat listens. "Just Looking" is a bit of a dirge that even sharp hits of brass and swirling organ can't save, and "I Couldn't Help It If I Tried" limps the album into its second half, badly damaging the pace. On the whole, Dexys Midnight Runners certainly forge a unique sound here and there are enough tracks to make it a fun, engaging listen- just disappointing that it doesn't reach the heights of what they would go on to.
Parhaimmillaan oikein toimivaa settiä eikä lievä epätasaisuus pahemmin paina. Jämäkkä kolmonen.
5th December 2021 Listened during the day on my phone before going to see back to the future the musical with lev. They're not just come on Eileen, they're punky, ska-infused northern soul and I was very pleasantly surprised. 3.5 if I could.
Quite a fun album. I love the rich instrumentals and the lyrics are actually quite beautiful at times too. Only complaint is that there wasn’t much variation in the overall sound from each song. 6/10
Love the angry horn parts: a little sloppy, but SO enthusiastic. Their cover of The Horse from the b-sides disc is great! As usual, the voice gets on my nerves. This 1001 albums process is making me realize I mainly dislike bands because of vocal styling. This sounds like Bryan Ferry gone wrong.
Wasn't expecting a Dexy's album without Come On Eileen, but I get how they work for some people. The instrumentation was surprising, I wasn't expecting the horns to be present throughout the whole thing. Dectn but not my jam
One Dexys Midnight Runners album is enough (the one with Come On Eileen), but this one is pretty good too. Lots of personality, energy, horns. God, there's so much brass.
'Come on Eileen' is one of my favorite songs, so I was excited to see more from Dexys Midnight Runners on here, because I really wasn't familiar with them other than the album with that one song. Some really enjoyable songs, but also some unenjoyable ones, unfortunately. Love 'Geno' and really disliked 'I'm Just Looking.' Kind of a hit or miss album for me.
It was alright I guess. The voice can be a bit much at times. Biggest disappointment is Come On Eileen isn’t on this album.
Kind of reminded me of a lighter, more ska version of The Clash. I liked a couple of songs but probably wouldn’t listen to it again.
I liked all the parts where there was no singing. I couldn't stand the guys voice but really enjoyed the instrumentals.
This is different Midnight Runners. I wasn't expecting horns and bleated vocals. I enjoyed the last one much more.
i like this more than the other dexys album. at least I gave the other a 2 and this feels higher than that for me. this has more of a rocksteady / soul vibe… i think I thought the other album was just forgettable 80s new wave outside of Come On Eileen. According to Wikipedia they came out of the Northern Soul scene in England... the spotify "The Sound of Northern Soul" is really good motown. 3/5 (good)
Does working class New Wave exist? If so, this might be the album that defines the genre. A temporary stop on the evolutionary timeline between The Specials and Fun Boy Three. The production isn't great. I find the lyrics hard to make out and Rowland's vocal delivery doesn't help. The record has its moments with a few good tunes that are held back by the rough sound and a dodgy singer.
It's fine, though not entirely my taste. Also the vocals get a little grating after a while