The Specials

Ska Revival? - yes please! We need another one soon.

Alright, so this was a very interesting listen. There's a very interesting mix of genres on this album. Definitely considerable whether it would work or not, but it does. I just found out that Elvis Costello produced this album - no wonder it sounds pretty good. 4/5 stars.

Some good songs but not much variety within the album

I wasn't sure if I had heard of the Specials before or not. I am familiar with the first track, "A Message to You, Rudy", which i rated as the track I like the most from the album. "You're Wondering Now" was in second place. The album is good, but I'm not sure I'd listen to the whole thing again.

Inače Ska kao žanr ne shvaćam nešta previše ozbiljno, to mi je žanr razbibrige nekada, ali rijetko kada si uopće puštam nešta od toga. Ovaj album kao i ostali su došli random i vrijeme je da se posluša. / / Prva stvar sa albuma je čak i poznata, imam u glavi kao da sam ju već čuo, sasvim dobra stvar. Općenito album nije zadovoljio moje kriterije, previše ide na reggae, a manje ritmičnije u drugom dijelu albuma. Pjesme poput A Massage to you Rudy, Concrete Jungle i Little Bitch, da ih je više, možda bih album bio i bolje ocijenjen. Ako bi se mene pitalo, drugi dio albuma mi ni ne treba.

Shaka Zulu origin story

A friend introduced me to this band in my college years. I enjoyed it, but I haven't really listened to them since then. Still nice to listen to, and I notice the skill of the musicians more now than I did then. Looking back with the benefit of over 30 years' hindsight, I can hear how they (or at least them and similar bands of that time) influenced later bands.

Can't do ska

Mye forskjellige moods på det albumet her. Hopper mye mellom 60-talls radiorock, rå punk-rock og 2000-talls radioska / -reggae. Digga visse sanger som Do The Dog, Message To You Rudy og Little Bitch, men de mer trege reggae-sangene gjorde det litt tråkig til tider. Albumet var litt for langt, og følte det var noen litt rare, unødvendige digresjoner her og der. Tror jeg likevel kunne nytt dette albumet på en god sommerdag, tror det kunne passa vibbene bra.

Yupp, det var ganske digg album. Likte de fleste sangene, gøy med noen som var litt forskjellige, spesielt den derre rettsak tingen, lite avbrekk fra det vanlige, men ikke for mye heller. Den Too Much Too Young ble i motsettning alt for repeterende.

Gutta koser seg, og tekstene er vittige, tørre og politiske på en henslengt måte. Albumet er på sitt beste når de drar opp tempoet i de mer ska-aktige låtene, særlig Nite Klub, Concrete Jungle og Little Bitch syns jeg var kule. Men mye av resten av plata er treg reggae jeg ikke har så veldig sansen for.

Теперь я знаю, кто это

Already had this, and listened to it a few times. Some classic tracks here. But to be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to revisiting. I like first-wave and third-wave ska, but I always felt second-wave (2 Tone) ska was overrated, esp. by UK folks who were alive at the time and see the whole era nostalgically. Giving it a proper listen... I'm pleasantly surprised. More punk elements than I remembered. But most of it is insanely catchy and danceable at the same time. Really laid the blueprint for third-wave ska, more than I'd appreciated before. But it also stays closer to the Jamaican original. I love the unity ballad, "Doesn't Make It Alright" - Operation Ivy should have covered this. (Or did they??) There are a couple of throwaway tracks, and some puerile lyrics occasionally… but 4/5.

It's a shame that the main issues raised on the album (racism and violence) are still prevalent today. In 42 years no one has got close to managing a change to the cultural narrative around what it is to be British - a depressing thought for the day. Solid album but the thumping tempo is let down by slower numbers.

Classic. My last year in school. Timeless.

Nope. Nope nope nope. During the first two songs I thought it's OK-ish. Maybe a 2. But songs three and four were sooo bad that I had to stop. I also hated the really weird mix. It somehow sounds like the singing and the instrumentation were recorded simultaneously but pretty far away from each other. Really weird mixing.

Like orginal ska punk. Reggae beats. Really decent, can tell it influenced a lot of stuff that followed it. Couple of famous tracks in there too, like Too Much Too Young. Prob wouldbt go out of my way to listen to it again, but can appreciate its significance. 3/5

Great album. I think I'd have been a superfan if It was my time.

some cracking songs, lively, social commentary

1) A Message To You Rudy 4* 2) Do The Dog 4* 3) It's Up To You 3* 4) Nite Klub 4* 5) Doesn't Make It Alright 3* 6) Concrete Jungle 4* 7) Too Hot 3* 8) Monkey Man 5* 9) (Dawning Of A) New Era 4* 10) Blank Expression 3* 11) Stupid Marriage 3* 12) Too Much Too Young 3* 13) Little Bitch 4* 14) You're Wondering Now 3*

Conocía la primera canción pero no lo tenía identificado - me ha gustado

Not a fan

Sounded like a garage band. Not great.

once again i just simply do not know

didnt save any songs but it was p decent

If you love spending time after work down at your local drinking lagers with the lads, or chanting club songs in a group on your way to the weekend football match...then this albums for you. I don’t particularly see the enjoyment in either of those activities, hence I didn’t get much out of listening to this music. It’s dated yobbo English reggae and it’s ugly. The whole album reminded me of the tv show Minder and the song from the same era ‘Ullo John! Got New Motor?’ by (I think) Alexei Sayle...both of which should never be allowed out of the late 70s/early 80’s and definitely be kept there under lock and key. I found listening to these tracks utterly annoying and would describe them as sloppy, crass & an insult to my senses. 1 Star

Made it a few tracks in before having to stop... I dont know what mood I'd have to be in to enjoy this

Not that long ago, I panned The Specials second album here because it was sloppy, unfocused, and had a drunken pub singalong vibe. I'm happy to report that the Specials debut is drastically better. The band is tight and energetic. Everything they try works, including interjections of rock 'n roll and even disco bass! Their covers (Monkey Man, Do The Dog, A Message To Rudy), while they won't erase anyone's memories of the originals, function as Brit fanboy versions, and they work just fine. Where The Specials really shine is their own compositions. They wear their ska and reggae influences like a second skin and fuse it with the anger and energy of punk. It's exhilarating stuff, just as I remembered from their performance on Saturday Night Live all those years ago. The lyrics are even intelligent, incisively taking on the vapid bar scene, racism, and teen pregnancy. This, plus the single \"Gangsters\" is all the Specials you will ever need.

The music is very enjoyable, but I think a full album of ska is a bit much for me. 2.5 and I'll round up to a 3 Saved: A Message to You Rudy

Saved Prior: A Message To You Rudy Saved Off Rip: None Cutting Edge: a couple man idk which ones Overall Notes: not terrible, not amazing, I'll probably end up saving a couple. Similar to marvin gaye i'd say

Wat standaard ska, maar ik vind het wel leuk om luisteren

De bakermat van de Britse Ska. Hier en daar wel een minder nummertje.

I like ska, but this album wasn't that great to be honest

Ska heeft zeker zijn plek in de geschiedenis. Of die plek 2021 is weet ik niet.

Solid!

Enjoyed listening to this on Friday. Good album.

Iconic album that offered more than the superb tracks it contains. Part of a force that was challenging endemic racism, acceptance of unemployment and community disintegration all done with musicality and energy that would blow your porkpie hat off!

Ska is meh. Never enjoy it much. Quality of the album seems OK though

The Specials are the best of the trumpet tooting wanky ska bands and this album was more enjoyable than I was expecting

Like this album. 3 or 4 good songs. Style is good but couldn't listen to it all the time.

Joe Jackson meets reggae = ska? Not bad.

This was a reasonably enjoyable album. I wouldn't listen to it on my own again, but if it was in the background I'd tap my foot.

Genial, renovaron el ska haciendo que suene un poco más eléctrico pero sin que se pierdan esas ganas de bailar.

Wasn’t my thing first time around but I quite enjoyed hearing it this time.

Top Ska

Loved the song “A Message to you Rudy” and “Concrete Jungle”. Very up beat and jazzy sound. I imagine hearing this at a soccer match or bar hopping across the pond. Or even farther across the pond in Nairobi Africa! Pretty cool lyrics in “Why” This album was saved. The Blum cover looks like a friend said “hey lemme take your photo for fun” which at first I thought was lame but as I look back, it fits the music perfectly- “Let’s play this Specials album for fun.”

Funky. Kind of reggae-ish vibes with an arch british twist.

Great singles, let down by the rest of the songs, swings between a 2 and a 5, more of a 3.5 score

Excellent. Maybe could've been 5 stars but just missed out.

Trafilo akurat na jedyny wyspiarski band ska jaki znam, czyli specialsow ktory zapoczatkowali reaktywacje tego wlasnie gatunku na wyspach swoim debiutanckim materialem, na ktorym mniej wiecej rowno jest klasycznych jamajskich piosenek hymnow z autorskimi kompozycjami bandy, pomino tego ze dziwnie troche brzmi polaczenie jamajskiego grania i krispi brytyjskich wokali, bo o ile backujace glosy sa po czesci czarne, to jednak glos lidera Terrego Halla jest brytyjsko brytyjski protsto z birmingham, a jednak nie brzmi to tragicznie, bo nie tylko czuc zgranie bandowane instrumentalnie czy chorkowo, ale motywy czarno bialej koperacji pojawiaja sie takze w liryce, wiec sa oni samo swiadomi tego jak taki mix moze brzmiec z boku, jako ze zbyt reggowym skowym headem nie jestem, to nie moge za bardzo rownac orginalow hymnow tutaj interpretowanych, bo sa one dla mnie "pierwszym" odsluchem danego tytulu, co mnie urzeklo w autorskich kompozycjach jest motyw troche punkerskiego buntu przez miastem i jego kultura, jak na traku concrete jungle, ciekawe sa tez wstawki bakujacych wokali tworzace mini skity, na poczatku czy koncu niektorych trakow, no i zabawa slowem, no bo przeciez przeplataja sie dwie kultury wiec wychodzi misz masz nie tylko stylow muzycznych, ale i gramatycznych, wiec sypia sie mony, night som nitami i tak dalej, plyta zdecydowanie broni sie swoim ukikalnym brzmieniem, na plejce juz mialem klasycznego message to you rudy, ale dodam jeszcze spomniany junglowy kawalek i too much too young

Nice relaxing album. Kinda weird. lol

The hits hit. The album tracks are naffin mind blowing like

There's a great movie/documentary "Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records" which tells of the arrival of Ska (and songs like A Message To You Rudy) in the UK.

Freue mich schon, wenn der Garten wieder startet und das da läuft. Ach und: ist der Sänger eigentlich mit Johnny Rotten verwandt?

Der coolste Style einer Subkultur, eine politisch/ethisch saubere Haltung, Stilmix als Ausdruck einer postmodernen Zeit, das alles könnte mir so gut gefallen und doch gehört das Genre Ska nebst Reggae und vor allem Funk (ugh!) zu all dem, was mir nicht viel sagt. Irgendwie wirkt alles so flach und eingängig/eintönig, dass ich bei „Too Hot“ zunächst dachte, die Platte wäre auf „Rudy“ zurück gesprungen. Extra Punkte für den Anti-Rassismus, ansonsten schau ich mir das slicke Cover an, ohne Ton. 1.7

Nach der Mid-90er Skapunkwelle war das Thema bei mir erstmal durch. Ist auch nach wie vor nicht meine Szene, aber die Specials würde ich da mal anders einordnen. Richtig und wichtig als Impuls und als Zeichen, sehr fresh damals und bis heute eigentlich, und gute Laune machts ja auch. Immer noch nicht meine Lieblingsmusik, aber hier mal echte 4 Punkte für alles andere.

N2

Highlight - Little Bitch I just don't like Ska or Reggae.

Te faz sentir dentro de um pub mesmo não sendo a música padrão nessas áreas.

I was not expecting this. When I saw the album cover my eyes rolled so far into the back of my head that I thought I was in the UK. In all serious, I’ve just been burnt out with these 70’s and 80’s UK bands and their mediocrity, especially this week. But this album is…Special. I can almost sense the beginnings of Ska in their music and wonder if bands like Reel Big Fish were inspired by these blokes. Now this doesn’t mean I love the album, I certainly enjoyed it but a lot of it fell into the background. I will say that Monkey Man was a stand out because monkee. The reggae tones as well really sets this album apart from a lot of the other rubbish that has been put on our list this week. I still stand by my opinion of the album cover, looks like something that would be on a menu at a diner. Actually, I am just now getting that it is a menu of specials.

love the energy

Se parecen a Toreros Muertos, pero en inglés. Más british, aunque no sé de dónde son.

Nothing here is bad but it's dated. I'd listen to it again but it's on the same category as sublime. I'm sure in 1979 this inspired scores of ska and pink kids. Today it's just ok.

Enjoyed this

Nice hearing the originals,

Ska AF

1979, Ska, reggae, 2 Tone, punk rock, geht

da monKE MAAAN

Jay-Eff A message to you, Jay-Eff Pa pa ra pa ra paaaa

This album is awesome.

Couldn't get on board with this one. It's like a messy mix of ska and punk and it sounds incredibly dated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4KCB3-UZqM Favorite tracks: A Message to You Rudy, Blank Expression, Stupid Marriage. Album art: Really dig this layout, with the track list and everything framing the band photo. 3/5

its alright not a big folk/psychedelic guy

Nja. Inte så kul. Första låten är rätt bra.

Love 'A message to you Rudy', nearly fell of my chair on 'Monkey Man' - I know that song from a Wiggles video with Kylie Minogue! I like ska, so enjoyed this but dont think it will be everyones cup of tea

Absolutely love this. One of my favourites as a teenager, I loved this flavour of ska-punk, reminds me of skanking wildly to the local ska punk bands at gigs in dingy basements. Disillusion and hopelessness mixed with funky bass lines and upbeat horns. Deluxe version also has a live disc which is fun, wouldn't normally like live albums but you can feel their live energy. Favourites: A message to you rudy too much too young Monkey Man

Just totes amazeballs, sets the feeling for the rest of the day. The gloom of the setting, offset by the bounce in the feet - noice.

ska meininki ei ole mun juttu..

Bon album de ska classique, moins mon vibe mais discours très amusants.

Great early ska sound

Pretty groovy, catchy, great vocals, instruments overall very upbeat 4.3

i felt like i was in lazytown, but if lazytown was in britain in the 70s. high 3

This is pretty good. I'm sure they are/were a great live bad, just not sure how well that translates to their recorded music. 2.5 stars, rounding up to 3.

Very fun album. Reggae inspired songs, so not quite what I'm interested in but there are a few really good songs in here.

Ska came before reggae

Ska is too repetitive for me

I have tried to get into ska in the past to no avail, and this album is not changing my mind. I find it kind of exhausting. I did find myself a little bit charmed by a couple of the songs, but those moments were rare.

At first sound, I was excited and wanted to give it a five. Then I heard some racial lyrics so I read a blurb that said it was politically reactive to Thatcher and got excited again. Then I paid attention to the lyrics as the songs went on and I gotta say when I do that the mysogyny always lets me down

Pretty dope

Nope

This was so great! I loved the vibe and the message.

At least it's not *all* white guys making reggae. The album cover still reminds me of Snatch for some reason. This band is very much a Clash lookalike. I just wish Ghost Town was on this album

is this ska

Favourite so far. Enjoy ska and knew several songs.

Really great stuff

It was just okay

Pretty early origins of ska

Pretty good. I know all the songs.

It's Ska. It's upbeat and happy, but not in a good way. Not my favorite, but I can see why people listen to it.

Interesting combination of raggae and garage rock

Ska again not a big factor in my musical lexicon but it's a fine album and some standout songs I've long appreciated.

Great debut album!

I was going to do a my one track mind episode with a woman originally from england about this album. Wish I had gotten to that one before I threw in the towel. I would have loved to hear her more firsthand account of this album's significance. Having an interest in punk music inevitably leads you to it's intertwining with reggae/ska/rocksteady. Jamaican music was sort of the equivalent of HipHop to a certain segment of British youth at the time. I'd also say reggae/dub is the most significant precursor to hiphop in many ways but that's a whole nother conversation. Anyway, The Specials are pretty much THE archetypal British ska/two tone band that set the pattern for so many others to follow in their wake. It might sound formulaic now, but at that time they were creating that formula. Anyway, I like this album but don't love it. I find it very enjoyable and it would probably have been a great live show back in the day. It's fun and has the right amount of punk attitude in flashes so as to not spoil the party.

I think I have heard of this band, part of the first wave of ska revival I think? Never heard any of their songs though. Oh, I guess I have "Little Bitch", It had to look it up, but it was in DDR haha! Might have been a cover though. Also heard "Ghost Town" from another of their albums. I do like ska though, I think it's fun. Not something I necessarily go out of my way to listen to, but if it comes on through the radio or online, I usually enjoy it. Some really dumb songs in here though, like "Too Hot" and "Stupid Marriage". But, I guess it's all in fun. Apparently they even have a song called "Rat Race" haha. Overall, the album is good but doesn't really blow me away, so 3.5 rounded down to 3.

Like sublime on cocaine

Lots of fond high school memories with this tape. I think I was listening to this concurrently with Camper Van Beethoven, which was the bulk of my ska knowledge at the time.

I like it

I loved this album but I also couldn't wait for it to end.

Das 6. Album meines Projektes und ich bin kurz davor, aufzuhören. Nach dem Erstling von The Clash nun also diese beinahe ebenso unerträgliche Ska-Platte. Schon der 1. Song verheißt NICHTS gutes...('Message to Rudy', enthält keinerlei Message). Nur weil ich es instrumentell und kompositorisch besser als The Clash finde (und im Gegensatz dazu sogar durchhören konnte), kann ich trotzdem nur einen Stern vergeben. Nie wieder.

Cool intro to ska, fun album

Ska - all ska - lots of ska, great ska!

Cool album lots of good variety and some catchy tracks

I was listening to The Specials a day or so ago, they make me happy. I'm listening now with a giant grin on my face. As soon as I saw that chequered album cover appear on the page my grin began, and hasn't left since. I'm a kid again, with all the music that goes with that. I love it, these guys can really do no wrong in my eyes. Lovely stuff!

One of their great album. Not sure it's my favorite, but definitely really good. Also, if anyone can see them live, totally worth it (whenever we'll have live shows again, and hopefully they're not dead by then)

It was okay... for a ska album

There is exactly 0 song I don't like on this album, and a lot I really like.

Not my favorite, this was a bit raw, their later music was a lot more polished.

Ska is a part of me, and I will never turn my back on Ska!

Perfect ska day

Nope...must have been quite a thing around that time...just not my style.

The forefront of the new wave of pop punk that hoisted up The Ramones, The Clash, etc. fun ska

Great album!

Very similar to mighty mighty bosstones

Not a Ska fan but it did lead to good conversation about what the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are up to now.

Anyone that’s able to spearhead a genre revival like this is ok in my book

3.5! good background music! i liked it a lot!

SKA (old school)

Ska

holy shit this was a struggle to listen to, like a mix of reggae and early-ish punk. dated, ridiculously cliche lyrics, nothing I ever want to hear again. 1/5.

Seminal two tone pioneers.... I really like this album