Reviews (page 3 of 11)
The whole punky ska thing is cool and everything but it got old after about one song. I know it’s a seminal work in the genre but this is kind of an entire genre problem. I’ll do three stars for history.
Ce disque confirme que je DÉTESTE le ska.
i was excited for this one: For those who know, i love second generation ska music like the Specials, Madness, and The English Beat (3rd is also great with Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, and Dance Hall Crashers). this is another album i own. this is the album that was the forefront of the second-generation ska of England in the late 70's. "A Message to you Rudy", "Monkey Man", and "Doesn't Make it Alright" were the big ones on this album, but there are some other great ones like "Too Much Too Young" (although it gets a little long winded), "Do the Dog" and "Nite Club".
This wasn't anything like what I was expecting, and is definitely from a genre I am not familiar with. It was super interesting. For what the band lacked in technical and songwriting talent, they more than made up for in uniqueness. They were able to be catchy and exciting without requiring song/ album continuity or convention. I loved the odd instruments and time signatures. Very interesting album.
Mix of Elvis Costello and a little Men at Work. I like it. I like it better than most of my 3 star reviews but doesn't quite deserve a 4.
I really enjoyed this one… can’t give it a 4 but some songs were kind of catchy.
Message to Rudy is good, the rest sounds weak in comparison or too same-y 1/14 liked
très très fun 4.5-/5
I hate ska. I didn’t hate this. A sign that I should expand my world view and not judge? I suppose I did like all of those Bob Marley albums I’ve been served up in this project. 3/5
This is one of those albums that I absolutely believe deserves a spot on this list despite detesting it. The worst of punk fused with the worst of reggae (two genres I typically enjoy). I wish I liked ska but this era really doesn't work for me. The vocals grated as well. Extra star out of respect for its influence and technical musical quality.
As someone born in 1970 just up the M69 from Cov, this totally speaks to the world I grew up in. That grimy, fertile mixture of industrial decline and emerging multiculturalism is the grit that 2 Tone grew out of. Amazing that a brand of dance music is such a potent vehicle for anger. Yet it clearly is, and each successive wave of ska has brought it closer to punk. I don't think it ever got more pointed than this, though.
Some iconic Ska songs on this but I've never been really into ska. 2.5
Catchy at times, had a song stuck in my head for a few days. Won't make it onto a regular rotation though. 2.5.
Its crazy this album is from 1979. Sounds at least from mid 80s. Overall, its was ok. I hadnt heard a British ska reggae album before.
I thought this one started out alright, but I soured on it pretty quickly. If feels like there's really only one thing going on, and it goes on for far too long. And unfortunately, it is hard for me to separate ska from the people I've known who are into ska. Favorite track: "A Message to You Rudy"
I’m not really a ska hater, and I can understand how this was impactful in its time, but man I was not into this. Mostly sounded like cartoon music.
Iconic ska album. At no point did I want to turn it off. I appreciate the political aspects of this album. I’d listen to it in full again. Album 12, March 10, 2026
Some classics, but a bit too British shouty and repetitive for me to enjoy as much as other entries
Music I grew up with in late 70s/early 80s England. Couple of good songs on here, but they've done better stuff.
Ska is really not my thing, but goddamn it's such a fun genre. I could bob my head to this all day and feel like I'm having a great time, but there's just something about this kind of music that doesn't make it massively enjoyable to me. I like the slightly more punk leaning sound they have on a few tracks on this which does help, but at the end of the day it's still definitely a ska album at its core, so I will continue to admire it from a distance, without really listening to it myself all that much.
Like Madness but worse. It just dragged on for too long.
3.5
Wiederentdeckung für mich! Fand die bislang "nur" gut. Jetzt bin ich schwer begeistert. Starke 4 Sterne.
Great two tone ska album!
Short and sweet
goat album, goat band // absolute lightning in a bottle // back to back killer
Pretty solid ska record, definitely need to be in the right mood for it, but if that mood strikes this is a perfect record.
Shoot me I like some Sha sometimes
Hmmm, this was not as good as I was thinking it would be. Nothing against ska just seems overly rudimentary and uhm not especially good. If you had told me this was your friend's local ska band from the early 80s mentally that would have checked out for me. Maybe you had to be there. But based on the lyrics I'm glad I was not there. Rounding down, sorry blokes.
Fun stuff, ska is some white rude boy stuff. That being said, this one has too many tracks that sound the same. I thought this was Selector when I first turned it on and I got excited, but I never got Too Much Pressure or On My Radio, my favorite Ska songs. So, not their fault, but it’s a 4
I can't stand ska. I mean, I love The Police, mostly because they at some point moved away from that annoying kiddy sound. I can't stand what they influenced in Argentina, for example. At least I have some emotional connection with Los Pericos or Los fabulosos Cadillacs, but let's be honest, it is like you gathered a group of infants and gave them instruments to make noise. OMG I suffered throughout this record. There were fine moments of course, but overall it left me stressed and annoyed.
did not expect to hear ska today out of all kinds of music but this was pretty nice. though to me this album could be a 2 on one day and a 5 on another (pretty much like any other ska album tbh)
Loved this album. High-energy, fun, and enlightening. I bet these guys were so much fun live! Not a huge fan of Ska, but this is as good as it comes.
Recognize the impact of ska but can’t go above a 3 for this album. But I did like the emo style lyrical content - and have always liked Elvis Costello.
Not bad. And I realized one of their songs is the open of the justice league movie. Everybody knows.
I’m giving this a three simply because I’m glad to see something different on the list and ska is fun. But I am very glad it’s over
Correcto
album decente, me hizo acordar a the clash sobretodo la voz, se nota igual q la producción es un poco mas cruda el ska me gusta, y estos son pioneros, igual entre mas avanza el album mas baja el nivel, las mejores canciones son las primeras
The music isn't objectionable but the mix seems off and frankly I was a little bored by it.
1: Doesnt Make It Alright 2: A Message To Rudy 3: Blank Expression
I can take or leave ska but I love this. The energy, the horns, the social commentary, the general Britishness of it all. 5 out of 5. Favorites: Message to You Rudy, Nite Klub, Monkey Man Would I listen to it again: Yes
80/100. Fantastic and genuinely such a deep and fun record. Ska is not a genre I have spent loads of time with, but this was great. It balances upbeat rhythms with sharp social commentary. You are dancing one minute and then suddenly clocking how pointed the lyrics actually are.
I found the vocals a bit bad at times and then at some parts they were just fine. I think it was my only problem with the album, music itself was generally just nice to listen to and vibe along. Not bad/5
Had this back to back with a Bob Marley album and I think it has helped me realise why I like Ska and not Reggae, despite the overlaps and shared roots. Ska is just more interesting, there's more going on, the rhythms are more varied, overall less repetitive... It's just more my jam. I've never listened to The Specials before, though I did recognise a few of the tracks on this album at least. I enjoyed the punk-like sounds, the beats were fun and funky, there were some cool guitar and bass elements from time to time. Vocals weren't my favourite, but they weren't bad either. I'd probably have gone for a 3 here, but I want to differentiate between this and the Bob Marley album (which I also gave a 3). I also want to recognise the cultural significance of the integration of black and white people in the same band, and the overall anti-racism sentiment of the album. Just about scrapes a 4.
I've had 2 reggae albums in a row and I personally think this is way more interesting than Catch A Fire. It's still clearly Reggae but sometimes doesn't use the beat I associate with Reggae. I resonated with Too Much Too Young but it also feels like a Incely/"Why didn't you choose me?" song. Everything else felt forgettable Low 3 again
Just unbearable for me.
Sounded beachy and fun.
More special than I thought. Less than I want for a higher score.
On first listen, I can absolutely recognise how important a document this would have been for informing the ska-punk genre. The incisive, rebellious, matter of fact lyricism, which fully lends itself to punk attitudes, really does appeal to me. It's anger and a bubbling desire for systemic and social change delivered intelligently and insightfully, through a working class British lens. Precisely my preferred take on the genre. I'm not generally a fan of ska, particularly the American strain of it where it's far too in your face and overbearing, but I found it tastefully interwoven into this album, allowing the lyricism to take the primary precedence. It adds textural depth to the songs, making rebellion playful without veering into silliness. Good stuff, it's gone onto my wishlist.
The longer this album went on, the less I liked it
Honestly sure this was a different vibe and style but I didn’t hear much that was “special”
Going to try and look at these tracks objectively as I’m not a ska fan. Unless we’re talking about something like Sublime with their slightly ska inspired tracks. Probably not going to manage to break this one down on a song by song level. Stop Your Messing Around has a recognisable main melody, something I’ve heard many many times. Not certain if this is where it originated from or its derivative of something else. Simple repetitive lyrics cover a repetitive melody. Do The Dog immediately significantly more interesting than the opening track with a prominent drumbeat. Something almost reminiscent of UK punk rather than ska in this one. Like the use of chromatic movements in the bassline. Vocals are EXTREMELY UK punk. Hugely ignorant lyrics in this song, an attempt to be political probably not hugely well thought out. It’s Up To You starts off with a reggae inspired bassline that gives a nice reprieve from the harsh “punkiness” of the previous track. This one includes an extremely soulful guitar solo. Quite a fan of this one. Nite Klub after an ambient intro kicks into what I would associate with a typical ska beat. Maybe this is my issue with ska? It all feels a bit too typical? Same-y? There is some nice lead in this followed by a break and some funky bass which gives it almost a freestyle jazz feel. It Doesn't Make It Alright is a thoroughly uninteresting track. Nothing positive to say about it. Concrete Jungle has a fun use of discordant notes in the intro bassline. Also features an understated but good lead section. Definitely a much more interesting track than some of the previous. Really nice guitar solo in this one, just wish the bass over the top of it was toned down a little bit, it’s slightly too prominent and is a bit distracting. I hate Too Hot. That’s it. The only good part about this song is when it bumps up the tempo in the outro, making the song end sooner. I hate Monkey Man also, it’s faster atleast? Dawning Of a New Era is maybe the first track to get my attention? It starts with a somewhat interesting guitar riff and the melody of the chorus is actually somewhat different to the same old boring staccatoed up and down that every single other track has used. Discordant organ sounds in the background are interesting layering. It’s honestly as if they got halfway through this album then suddenly decided they ought to make some sort of effort to make decent music. Blank Expression is a lot better than some of the rest. It still has that grating typical ska beat but what more to expect from a ska album, but atleast this one has some fun lead and variation in the verse sections. The spoken intro in Stupid Marriage is fun I guess? The rest of this is shite to be honest. Somewhat decent guitar solo hidden behind noise. Too Much Too Young again just sounds same-y. It’s also far too long for what it is. Ironically, too much Too Much. The chorus guitar riff in Little Bitch is actually really really good, I like it. Unfortunately the rest of the song just isn’t good. Real shame. But then suddenly a great solo???? This is probably my favourite song on the album and even then I’m conflicted. You’re Wondering Now is a perfect outro to the album in the sense that it sounds like every single other song in the album. That’s not a good thing in my opinion. Glad to see the end of this album, definitely haven’t changed my mind about ska. Maybe I’m wrong in saying everything sounds the same or derivative, perhaps The Specials were pioneers in ska. I don’t know enough about the context. But I’m just not a fan regardless. 2/5.
This album was surprisingly groovy with a great message.
I liked this more in the 80s than I do today, although Monkey Man still does it.
Terry Hall was a all time great
I thought I had this one already. I really like this album. Really needed this album in my life this morning. I like the upbeat bright mood it's bringing me. 5 stars!!
Ska simple y chévere. A message to Rudy me gustó. Do the dog no tanto, no soy tan punkero. En nite klub me gusta la ambientación, y el ska más rapidito es chévere. Doesn’t make it all right me gusta también
This is a desert island disc for me.
I didn’t hate this album but at the same time it feels like cultural appropriation? But maybe I just didn’t expect that reggae-style sound from a 70s UK band which typically all sounds the same. I had a good time listening to the album but probably won’t listen again.
Sounds like everyone is playing with gut problems and is afraid to fully let go, but that danger of someone shitting their pants is what this album desperately needs. Now I know there is probably a sca band out there that I like, but it needs to be less reserved than this.
Ska revival you say? Next time you see ska lying face down in the ditch DO NOT RESUSCITATE
Ok grooves but the album in whole felt a little stale. Not bad, not good it just was.
I thought I'd hate it, but I didn't. At the same time, it's serious, but also lightweight and fun.
Didn’t really do it for me, but had some solid sounds.
A bit of ska here. I dig it every once in awhile. I see where Sublime got their style from, No Doubt. This is a fun album with nice grooves and good vibes. It puts you in a good mood. For being a band that helped create the two-tone genre, I'll give this a 4.
Review - what an album. Lot of hits and not many misses. Very of it's era. Great insight into what the UK was like back then. Terrible singing but works so well. So many bangers on here, covers and originals. Rating - 9/10 Need to listen? YES
Not really into this. Early Ska. I can handle ska if it leans pretty heavily into the punk side, but this is way more reggae toned. Rather slow and doesn't have the frenetic energy that can make ska fun. I don't know the history of the genre well enough to speak to the influence, must be significant or this kind of minor sounding album probably wouldn't be on the list. Would be decent in a small club setting, but I don't need it here. Very very British. Overall not exciting and I will not be revisiting.
There are some things that exist beyond rankings. But if I'm ranking....
A few decent tracks, the rest forgettable reggae/ska songs
I debated on this one for a while. There are two classic ska tracks on here (“a message to you Rudy” and “Too much too young “). The overall sound isn’t bad. But there’s just not quite enough to make me want to put the album on instead of just those tracks. Can’t quite break into 3 territory.
They were meh.
Ga opp etter 3 sanger - regner med det stort sett går i det samme resten av albumet. Ikke for meg. Kan ikke fordra den sjangeren.
Klarte å høyre gjennom heile, men med ein sunn ompa-distanse. Nokre artige augneblikk, men ikkje noko eg høyrer meir på.
Dette gir meg ikke stort å lytte til. Dreper ikke ørene dog.
I really can't handle this
I think this one is a 4 star. Way ahead of it's time.
didnt care for this at all
fine for ska, not my favorite revival
★★★½
music for those life support lobsters in grocery stores
I was thinking this sounded like Reggae Elvis Costello, and after finding out that he produced this album I feel vindicated in my earlier judgement. I am not an Elvis Costello fan at all, and this album isn't doing it for me.
Forgettable.
It's a vibe.
Never listened to ska before. I really rock with the messaging. Nite Club and Too Much Too Young were my favorites. A very interesting album. 5.8/10
When I saw it I thought “yay, more Specials but not More Specials.” Last time was More Specials. This is just Specials.
In a convoluted move, although I think this is a better album than More Specials, I am going to score it lower because I think they both should be 3.5 stars. 165 albums in and I have officially begun to tie myself in knots.
*1979. British ska, new wave. *Bizarre combination of very British, and occasional good bits of actual ska/reggae. They need to just kick the white guys out of the band. *Did not enjoy the British bits. Did enjoy the reggae bits. RATING - 5/10
Classic Ska feels weird to say, but still sounds great to skank to.
Oh crud! This whole time I’ve been doing the donkey!
This list should stop it’s messing around and give us more ska.
This was a pretty painful listen overall, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a little fun listening to a handful of these tracks. Highlights: Nite Klub, Concrete Jungle, Monkey Man, Stupid Marriage, Little B**ch
“Naked woman. Naked man. Where did you get that nice sun tan.” I hate songs like this. I put a lot of value in lyrics. And when they are facetious or silly, I don’t care for those songs. One reason why I don’t care for comedy records. They have their charm and place, sure. But when an album isn’t silly but then have those stupid nuances in them, I just lose interest in the product. This record has this reggae - punk rock feel to it. Two genres that I don’t care for. This record is not for me. I’m not the demographic target. I can’t even imagine someone wanting to throw this record on an actively listening to it and enjoying it. The grooves are light hearted - as reggae usually is - so as a background vibe, maybe. But I will hard pass this.
it has a cool vibe, not gonna lie. ´ˎ˗ for now, i'd give it a 3, but i'm not even sure that's right. i might change my mind and bump it up to a 4. we shouldn't vilipend this album.
Solid birth of ska music for me.
Great vibes, a little bit tiring. Remember to consume Ska in small doses.
3/5
That is certainly what ska sounds like.
I really wanted to like this one. There were a couple cool songs, but the album just wasn't that good.
This was an interesting clash of genres. I liked it. It's funny and groovy. I haven't listened to much ska before, but I've always liked what I've heard. Maybe I should listen to more.
Did not expect to like this so much
2tone kinda does to ska and reggae what chicago did to the blues...tightened up music defined by a rich sense of space, but not so much that u forget that richness is an integral part of the dna. what an absolutely ridiculous masterpiece man like FHJSHJFS esp given i am not the most well versed its very difficult to tell what exactly is So Near-Uniquely Spectacular about this...but man it just grabs ur attention and will not let go for a second. the performances go absolutely ridiculous, and the songs are so immediately distinguishable with both musical and lyrical ideas that even the most ardent This Stuff All Sounds The Same grouch could prob have an easy time navigating it. the mood is playfulness, goofy humor, youthful rebellion, and big bounces. impossible not to love.
The best. Important. Life changing. RIP Terry and Brad.
Was this The Specials or the Borings?
Fantastic album. Love ska quintessentially British music. A few songs that are a bit worse but gave it 5 bcoz it’s sick.
Torn between 3 and 4
Influential, but too raw and unpolished for my taste .... rather listen to Madness
Rock medio reggae por momentos, soft pero tiene algunos momentos mas hardcore. The beatles sound pero como más juguetones y bailables creo. Me hace acordar a La Vela Puerca. Tiene muy buenos vientos. Tienen un toque experimental. Likes A message to you Rudy - It doesn't make it alright - Dawning - Blank Expression
It wasn't revolutionary - a synthesis of known musical styles is never going go be - but it _felt_ new. The tunes were good and it's a lot of fun.
I've never sat down and listened to a Specials album start to finish. This is an excellent example of classic 2 tone. I quite enjoyed this. I might add this to my list of albums to revisit.
Not my vibe. Sound is tolerable, but not favorable. EDIT: I came back to this after months, and I can say that the album isn’t as bad as my first listen around. Still not my vibe tho. This has been upgraded to a 3
Easy 5. "Message to you Rudy" and "Monkey Man" have been in the rotation for a long time, but "Gangsters" "Do the Dog" "Nite Klub" "Concrete Jungle" and "Too Much Too Young" are all great as well!
Not my forte. Its music that exists.
Another "pioneer" of a subgenre of rock - ska rock - the Specials were the ska rock band. Third bunch of white dudes on this list to do black music so selfishly and use it to make themselves wealthy, but the second to admit it and these guys ultimately broke up to pursue political activism, so I'm going to give them a bit of a pass. Overall, ska is a bit one-note for me, but definitely a valid subgenre, and I absolutely took a few swing dance lessons in college and had buddies in ska bands. Influence 5. Hits 3. Quality 4. Intangibles 5. Like it, don't love it 3.
Ska isn't dead, it just smells funny.
Ska baby!
Ik houd van ska, lekker viben. Eerste nummer kende ik al en is een banger maar leuk om nu meer te leren kennen.
Ska rocks. This album just gets better as it goes.
Took no notes oops....enjoyed this....will prob give a 3 but know it's a high 3 !!!! im just not built for the 1-5 scale alas :(
this came out on my bday in 1979 so that’s (the) special(s) to me liked this, kinda a fun ska vibe, wld b curious for another listen
same damn groove every song bro
There are a few grating tracks but the hits are soooo good. On second listen, the filler was less filler-y and the highs were even higher. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The day I found The Specials many moons ago, I had never heard Ska music before. I was instantly connected to every single unique nuance of their sound. Thrilled to spend a day listening to a splendid band!
I liked this album wayyy more than I thought I would. Ska is such an underrated genre, I may look at some other albums/bands that do ska. 9/15 added to ear candy
I have loved The Specials since I discovered them a million years ago
es un no, la verdad. música para bros de 1979....
Has to be the precursor to ska. Has a ton of drum licks that a suspiciously similar to Sublime. Some of the lyrics are a bit outrageous, in a good way. 2.4/5.0
I think I would put this album on when I’m having a bad day because it is making me giggle for some reason.
It's ska.
It’s Ska
I assumed with a name like The Specials it would be old timey rock but was so pleasantly surprised!
Great maybe the best debut album by anyone
Pumping bass, infectious drums, perfect for skanking in a pub. However, it's a bit repetitive at times...even for ska.
some fun bops!
Trash honestly hated it.
Bought this record when it was new and have loved it ever since. Yeah this is a GREAT album. A great combination of ska and punk - the guitar, the horns, the vocals, the drums, all great stuff. The songs that were on the radio a lot here ("Message to you Rudy" and "Monkey Man") are the best, of course, but really the whole thing is fun. RIP Terry Hall. 5 stars
Really liked it.
Nice ska album, great hooks, some songs are a little boring tho, and some of the lyrics are really mean lmfao, but at least its a good vibe. 6/10
Very good record and love the flow it has, danceable and enjoyable all the way.
This is exactly the reason I wanted to do this project. Finding artist that I've heard about a million times and can hear their influence on bands that I love's music that I've never sat down and really listen to. I've heard tracks here and there but not a full album.
A great, energetic, album that passes the test of time.
It's good, it's memorable, it's unique, it was influential but yes it's ska, so you've got to be in the mood. Love Terry hall and some of his other work lands better with me, but this is good. Solid 4.
Sets the bar for how bad an album in this book can be. I didn't enjoy any of it, at all.
surprisingly enjoyable! i was really shocked to kim this album. i thought it was cute and fun, and certain songs (like “doesn’t make it alright”) even made me consider rating it a 4/5!
8/10… reggae / ska / *1979
This shit rocks, rudeboy
ska is timeless
just too many killer songs, this thing is so fun
I don't think ska is for me--and probably a larger problem I have with punk where the intensity or energy overshadows other qualities that I value in songcraft. That said, this is good fun and I see why it's a classic.
Quite listenable all the way through some high-mark chunes spread throughout. "It's up to You" basically describes the whole plot of Mother!
Two tracks in and i'm alr smiling SO wide. From "Monkey Man" on it's just relentless bangers. Really really great stuff. The standout track to me is "Too Much Too Young" but I'm also huge on "Nite Klub". Definitely will return to this one a bunch. Never really delved much into ska but found this irresistible. Chat am I cooked etc etc
While I do consider myself a ska fan, the best stuff here is what's closest to the sensibilities of 70s UK punk as a whole. (Dawning of A) New Era is a real highlight for me. But the whole album is great.
I am not super into ska so this all stated to sound kinda same-y to me. Fun tho. Song(s) added to my 10001 Bangers playlist: A Message to You Rudy
Really fun album, bridges the gap between old school ska and punk so well. You *Really* hear that Elvis Costello influence on some of these songs
This album was really good. Some awesome early British Jamaican influenced ska music, with a bit of that porto-punk sound as well. It really painted a picture of late 70s England in a way that was very raw and honest. The discussion of race and subculture in these songs was very interesting. Solid 8.5/10.
Didn’t fully grab me on first listen, but the rhythms are undeniable and the vibe is there. It’s tense, jumpy, and kind of hypnotic in a gray-city way. Maybe I’ll give it another try.
this was a lot of fun! felt a little too surface level, I probably wont go back to listen to this again. but I had fun with it for the time being. really enjoyed the instrumentals, some songs gave rocky horror picture show vibes.
I have a soft spot for this album because I owned it back in the day but please DYOR 🙃 However... UPDATE... just listened to it again, it's immense in every respect. And introduced us to Jerry Dammers and the wonderful Terry Hall as a bonus. Sorry kids but we had all the best music. That's just the way it is. Please feel free to devour it all. Right, I'm off out to protest in the streets (haven't decided what about yet).
Thank you!! This is what I come to the list for!
Nothing will make me enjoy Ska, I'm sorry
Uh-oh. The Specials, huh? I have heard of this band, and I think they’re a ska band…..Yep, they are. This might be a tricky one. Ska is a reggae-like music that annoys me most of the time. The most famous “ska” band that you’ve heard of is No Doubt, though I’d imagine most true ska fans would think No Doubt is not ska. Lots of trumpets, saxophones, and reggae licks from guitars. Ska is short for skank, which is the signature off-tempo beat played on the guitar or piano. For some reason, the United Kingdom really got into reggae and ska back in the late 60s and 70s. It’s kind of weird. I guess they were starved for music other than the crap they played on pop radio in the 1960s. The Specials were a UK ska band, and this album is seen as the height of the ska movement in London. A lot of punk bands were into ska and reggae. Elvis Costello produced this album, which seems weird to me. It seems the UK wasn’t a fun place for young people in the 1970s. I guess we had our own problems, so we didn’t spend too much time learning about the rest of the world in school. Hmmm, while I’m not ready to say this album is a must-hear, I must admit, as I’m arriving at track 5, I’m finding I’m relaxing a bit more and getting into the groove. Basically, because all the songs essentially have the same groove. Maybe it’s the cold, although it's 26 degrees, so compared to -2 last night, we’re having a heatwave here in Kentucky. In track 10, Blank Expression, we get the steel drums coming in, unless it’s just a dude playing a steel drum barrel. I just never got into this kind of music. It all sounds similar to me, which sounds dumb. I realize how all music in one genre sounds alike; otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to pigeonhole that music into that certain genre. The organs also sound like the band should be singing songs about baseball or some other sport, very ballpark organ-y sounding. In track 9, Stupid Marriage, the organ gets a solo, and I literally thought it was going to play Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Amazing. Ugh. Too Much Too Young is six minutes of the same verses over and over. It should’ve been 2 minutes. Listen, I’m never listening to this again. This album proved I still am not a big fan of ska or reggae. I can tolerate it in short bursts, though. Is this an all-timer that needs to be heard before you skank off this mortal coil? Not really. I think its inclusion is more for historical means than being a great album. But it's worth exploring if you know nothing about the genre. This might be something you've been looking for your whole life.
Not my cup of tea
Instrumental band, maybe some swing dancing. Sounds like they are supposed to be a protest band but I'm not seeing it. Maybe it wasn't this album. Some tropical songs too.
Nothing special about them
Got me through the work day
What a fantastic album, brought mainstream SKA, and Reggae into the house, some classic tunes on here, that I still play today - lucky enough to see The Specials “live” Terry Hall on vocals RIP🙏🏼
It's well done and mildly fun, but just not really my cup of tea.
I'm only into ska in small doses, but I get that this was an important album in its day.
Okay
Huge generational barrier to this one for me. Kinda funny how strange the lyrics are? Unfortunately I don’t get it
Sometimes a song would start, and id get a little excited. Like little bitch is really good for all of 10 seconds, then the ska happens.
https://cdn.vlipsy.com/clips/uhqmV8Ik/480p-watermark.mp4 it's hard for me to listen to ska without perceiving it as some sort of satirical joke. for me the sound of ska bands are the equivalent of a townie bar's open mic night featuring a jam band with the biggest local losers who were a little bit _too_ into marching band in high school and are now there to "have a good time". even the album cover exemplifies my feelings to typecast ska, because regardless of the band being suited up and having the benefit of a black and white cover to add some edge, knowing that this is a ska album makes them appear as a bunch of dorks who are just cosplaying to me. the music is annoyingly happy-go-lucky and upbeat - i'd rather have a lobotomy than listen to ska. ska is frequently referenced in portlandia and has it's influence on 100 gecs, but I find it extremely hard to engage with the genre as a whole regardless of it being this defined subculture, because I struggle to tolerate the music after just a couple seconds. But I can see why it's referenced in Portlandia and why Fred Armisen is attached to the genre based on the genre's relationship to punk. Do the Dog had those punk elements which were fun and engaging, and that was a reoccurring motif I tried to look to for some faint glimmer of hope throughout the album. I guess the punk influence is the calling card of 2 tone ska. I did like glass breaking sounds in concrete jungle too, which also has a punk edge to it, and the song featured some fun guitar after that. But the actual ska musical elements ruin both of those songs as a whole. Listening to this album was a teeth-grinding irritating chore. I would rather do manual labor than sit at my work from home job and listen to this again.
you know what, these guys sound like they're having a blast making music, so good for them. the only song I would go back to is "A Message to You Rudy", a cover of a reggae classic from a decade prior.
"Just because you're a black boy Just because you're a white It doesn't mean you've got to hate him It doesn't mean you've got to fight" What a beautiful sentiment. 1/5 stars
I can get on board with ska for a song or two. But man this gets old quick. Won't give it a 1 because it's just not my genre. I think it's good for whoever likes a lot of ska.
It took me a while to appreciate what they were trying to do on this album. Once I accepted that this wasn't an attempt to craft a serious album and that maybe ska is all just a joke, I decided I could tolerate most of it. Except for "Doesn't Make It Alright." Fuck that.
A ska band???? In this economy????????? This album was fun, because ska is fun, but unfortunately that's where things seemed to end for me. This was higher energy and more self-propellant than many of the albums that we encounter, and I laud that joyfulness.
C'était inhabituel, je ne connaissais pas du tout ce style. Un dirait du reggae, mais qui aurait été influencé par du punk. Je sais pas si c'est les guitares, la voix du chanteur ou le côté souvent énervé, mais en tout cas, c'était vraiment très cool.
Revisit
I don't particularly care for ska. This wasn't too my liking, but it wasn't bad. 3/5
2.5 i enjoyed this listen unsure if i would listen again
I tried. Made it through one song and the first 10 seconds of a few more. I am sure this is a great example of ska, but... its ska.
More like The Mehs (2.5)
I’m not a huge fan of ska. It’s the kind of music I feel I should like more but for whatever reason I don’t fully gel with it. What I do appreciate is the historical context of the album, it’s easy to listen to and the vocals have a certain energy to them that seems to say in equal measures “I don’t care what you think of me, but you should be listening to me”. So I appreciate it but it’s not something I’ll be minded to return to.
Takes me back to Uni and a certain stoner group of friends I had that loved Ska music. They were such a chilled group of people. In a way, it summarises this album. It's got a live sound vibe; It's also got its chilled roots in reggae and a bizarre slight anti-establishment thing going which in a way makes no sense. A polite punk or something. Like my stoner friends I had something in common but it wasn't a perfect harmony and this is no different. I just find the vocals annoying in time, and it makes it sound a little flat. I just want a little more bite with the funky groves. We don't have to smash about for everything but it's like a caricature of a posh brummie or something. It just doesn't lift the final delivery in my viewpoint.
What I love about this album is that it is a very specific fusion of culture, place, and time. There is a long and complex social history that has led to its creation and I think that's pretty cool. It is something that could only have existed when and where it did, so provides a particular insight into English society at that time. As for the music specifically, its got that fun ska groove and overtly politicised, soft-punk lyrics which you will either love or hate. It is a bit too soft in places and would benefit from some deeper musical complexity. I enjoyed all tracks individually but it became a bit one-dimensional when consumed as a whole album. The Specials have many tracks destined to be included forever more in compilation albums or documentary soundtracks. Every time I hear a track I will probably enjoy it, but rating it specifically as a whole album I can't imagine many more full listen-throughs.
I think the first half of the album is much stronger than the second, but this album is too much of a good time not to give it 5 stars.
Epic skaa
Yeah, OK.
Listening session: january 23th, while going for a morning walk Listened to before: no Thoughts: so today I found out that ska is quite fun to listen to while going for a walk and that Stupid Marriage is the perfect tempo to match my walking pace Favourite tracks: It’s Up To You & Little Bitch
Now what in the mickey mouse clubhouse is this. I don't know if I've ever listened to ska before. This is an interesting introduction. I mean it's not bad I'm just not that into it. It's very British. And their voices are oddly quiet. I mean it's nice just not my particular cup of tea. It's quite beachy to be honest. I can definitely hear the Jamaican influence. Yes not for me unfortunately but kudos to those who enjoy this I hope this album was good for you Favourite: Least favourite: Too Hot
It’s just so very boring and repetitive like most ska/reggae and inspired similar genres
It’s fine but not something I’d listen to again
if I had to listen to a ska album, it would probably be this one. I guess it’s probably the best example of the genre.. in my opinion I guess I’m no expert on this stuff.
Not my jam, perhaps one day Ska will work for me. But not so far
I really loved this album. A bit raw, the covers were really well done, lots of energy. Great ska all around
i can't say for certain but this might've been worse than being waterboarded. i mean it probably isn't, and i do have to appropriately credit the ska revival movement's counter-cultural influence on racial tensions given the (white) nationalist trends in thatcher-era britain, but also this was pure agony to get through. i don't know how much i weigh historical importance against my personal enjoyment, but i know that i'm leaning on it pretty hard here. elvis costello, a man who haunts me, is a terrible producer. the misogyny in the second half is again tiresome.
Despite not having my favorite specials song on here (ghost town), this was a largely very fun album that I enjoyed quite a bit despite covering some suprisingly dark subject matters. I enjoy Ska, and this was some overall pretty good Ska but nothing reaaally to write home about. The production is kinda awful imo, and does detract from some of the songs. So I guess I take back what I said about Costello sticking to production. I'm inbetween a 3 and a 4 overall, but I think it just loses out as I did feel like it wore thin by the end of the album.
Is this ska
Sounds like a soundtrack to a movie set in 1980s suburbia
A Message to You Rudy 3.7 Do The Dog 3.8 It's Up to You 3.8 Nite Klub 3.7 Doesn't Make It Alright 3.6 Concrete Jungle 4 Too Hot 3.7 Monkey Man 3.9 (Dawning of A) New Era 3.7 Blank Expression 3.7 Stupid Marriage 3.5 Too Much Too Young 4 Little Bitch 3.6 You're Wondering Now 3.4 Score: 3.721428571
Finally some ska
That was good. I have come to appreciate ska music more as I've got older. It was confusing at the time.
Is this that ska thing everyone hates? I can see why.
They switched up their sound every once in a while.
really not for me
Good album, can’t say it kept my attention but I enjoyed listening to this the first and second time.
3.5/5
The bass was doing some fun stuff but overall I didn't care for it.
British ska, how fun! Nothing exceptional but it makes you happy. A lot of the songs remind me of pub/drinking songs where everyone chimes in to sing. Love the reggae/Jamaican influence.
I love the Specials (who doesn't?) such a fun ride such a great sound
This album grew on me as I listened through it. Still, Ska is pretty one dimensional and died out for a reason. It tends to all sound the same after a while.
I imagine this album as a factory creating some kind of electronic, perhaps a car. The components are moving on belts around the huge space. People with a bit of swagger move between the spaces using high-tech robots to execute precise tasks with great skill. A constant movement. One solid beat, one heart.
The energy caught on tape for this debut is nothing short of miraculous. A time. A place. A scene. A vibe. It's all there. And so are the songs - covers and originals feel inseparable in their hands. If you don't feel better after a run through this album try again. You really can't do it any better.
Great album. Killer band. This had to have been a great time for music in the UK.
This is a great debut album. Not one I want to listen to a lot though.
BEST SONGS: - Too Much Too Young - Monkey Man - Doesn't Make It Alright
Feels like it captured a whole moment in time - and I could see how it would have a ripple-effect through ska and beyond. I'm a sucker for genre-blending, and the brass hits like catnip, especially when paired with a cocktail of cheeky mischief and righteous indignation. A few stretches get a bit "dink-and-dunky" for me and start to ruminate instead of drive, but overall its a sound and vibe I enjoy. Lots of swagger and a good party, but nothing that lights my brain up
Let's skank! Let's jump! Let's bop around! I'm really digging this! Quirky and groovy, classic ska. This reminds me of so many other artists that came after... B52s, No Doubt, Reel Big Fish, and another one that is on the tip of my tongue, but I can't quite put my finger on... Ashamed I hadn't explored this album before. Like many other Millennials, I had a ska loving period in the mid-90s and this album feels nostalgic even though I hadn't listened before. A couple of the tracks are annoyingly repetitive, but overall I enjoyed the album.
Dette digger jeg
I was excited to see this album - I've only really heard contemporary Ska music before. This album was fun.
Feel good album of the year, so far! Had me dancing in my car, during a rain storm. Epic!
Oh what a shocker, more Brit Shit. 1.0
Just like "More Specials" that I already reviewed a few weeks ago, "The Specials" is a nice-ish ska/two tone album. In comparison, this first album is more naive and more on the ska side of things. And just like the later album, it is not too special. Anyway, I do not think you must have heard both.
Cool and weird
Little bitch gaat hard. ONE TWO! Voor de rest een leuk album, niet meer dan dat. Ik hoop voor Jos dat we morgen weer een ska album krijgen
Prima gezellig maar was het wel zat na 20 min
Ska will never die
Nope
Even veel sterren als nummers die het kostte om het spuugzat te zijn, afgerond naar boven. Toch even doorgebeten voor de wetenschap. Nu herstellende.
Some of the tracks sound too dated to be from 1979. I don't like punk, and the addition of ska and reggae elements doesn't help.
Not my favorite reggae album or even my favorite reggae-punk album. But it’s fun, and what more do you need?
7.4/10 as ska music goes its up there with the best
Sometimes an album captures a place and a time perfectly, for better or worse. The Specials sums up the early 80s in Britain for me. The energy and excitement. The vuolence and casual misogyny. Interesting album, but not one i eill be returning to often.
fun, youthful, spirited, raw
I don’t listen to ska often, but when I do it’s this infectious band (or Operation Ivy, or Gville’s own The Usuals ;) ).
the best ska we will ever get. 3/5
Not my type of music, but still not bad Rate 6/10
#825. I've probably only heard like 10 to 15 ska songs before, and to me it was always just 90s skater punk with a trumpet for some reason. I never bothered to ask why or think about it, because why would you? I'm a 30 or 40 year old man, and not once in my life have never even begun to think about where Ska came from or why, I just accepted it as a weird little niche thing and moved on with my life. But had I for some reason began to think about it, there is absolutely no way in fuck that I would have guessed that it was originally a punk/reggae creole. Weird. Who knew? 3/5: acceptable
Not usually a fan of the Ska/brit punk but relatively enjoyed this
Fun listen. Extra credit for being unique. 4/5 Highlights: A Message to You Rudy Doesn't Make It Alright (Dawning of A) New Era Little Bitch
I like this era of rock music a lot. I like how the songs all sound a little different and there’s a lot of variety. It’s really fun to listen to!
Particularly enjoyed Monkey Man
7.5/10
Pretty good. It was fairly repetitive like a lot of Reggae and Ska but it had enough of a punk edge to keep it cool.
Such a fabulous sound. The whole two tone thing was so enjoyable and felt so very positive when it emerged. The energy and positivity remains listening to this again so many years later. Very enjoyable toe tapping stuff.
The opening track, “A Message To You Rudy”, is fantastic, but I don’t think the rest of the tracks here manage to live up to that level of quality. Still, I like The Specials. They've got great style, great intent, but sadly only a few truly great songs to go along with all that.
Oh is this ska? Is that why the band name sounds familiar? It is! Some songs got blah around the middle of the album.
Definitely not my vibe and would not play any of the songs again.
блять я не люблю все эти ска регги панк приколы, какой-то пиздец
One or two really good songs but otherwise fairly middling for me
There's such a bounding, urgent energy to this record, it's hard to believe anyone could possibly feel anything but total love for it. It's one of those era-defining records that lifelong friendships are formed over and it remains every bit as essential today as the day it was released which, given some of the subject matter, is a shame really. Five stars is not enough.
What an absolute joy of an album. It's angry, it's fun it has a fabulous blend of social commentary, pop tunes, acerbic lyrics and stick-in-the-head melodies. A bloody marvel.
2,5
Relaxed. Ska
fun ska album, nothing special
Mostly nostalgia but I do enjoy this album. That being said I feel like I remember it being better than this felt. I own More Specials on vinyl and I get the same feeling when I revisit that album. I’m still going to say 3.5 rounds to 4 stars, but I think The Specials were likely one of this bands that were better live for whatever reason.
It's fine - if you were new to ska/rocksteady, this would be a decent introduction. Just keep in mind the best songs on this album are covers and make it a point to find the originals - Monkey Man and Rudy A Message to You. No issue with the band, but keep in mind there's a lot of ska/rocksteady that's way better!
I like this album alot. It might be more for the nostalgia of when I first heard it, I probably wouldn't find it as enjoyable on a true first listen now as then. But, I do really like Concrete Jungle......
I really, really like this album. Crisp, entertaining - moving effortlessly between ska, reggae, dub and early punk. I will definitely return. A nice surprise. 7.5/10
Not my style of music
Fav tracks: nite klub, concrete jungle Not into ska too much these days. I can respect the creativity this album clearly possesses tho
Well that name ain't good at all cuz there's nothing special about this album or band. I wasn't a fan of the British before, but this list is making me loathe them with a passion. Not EVERY SINGLE thing a brit put out should be listened to before dying. This list is just the author's fave playlist at this point
Really enjoyed it. Something a bit different is always welcome.
What’s not to like
Specials sounds like a teenage band
Grew on me as the album went on
não é pra mim, definitivamente nao é. legal a primeira experiencia com o genero SKA, mas nao gostei nem um pouco, so nao é 0/10 porque podia ser pior. 2/10.
Ska is blah, imo. The vocals are nothing special either.
Too Much Too Young!
Mix of old school UK chill rock and reggae. Not too bad, but not my favorite. It was upbeat, but an also chill album at the same time.
me gustó, siento que no es nada memorable igual (por lo menos para mí). necesitaría escucharlo un par de veces más para engancharlo pero a la vez siento que sería un álbum que escucharía en momentos muy específicos tipo en verano en la pile de alguno de mis amigos. las melodías me gustaron y me hicieron acordar un poco a sumo (andá a saber)
long! it was good, i enjoyed most of this. some songs and the lyrics were a little bit ? but the album is almost 50 years old and i think it holds up quite well
what were they cooking. objectively good sound but i didn’t like it a lot
Not my thing really. :/
Nite Klub a new favourite - the sound of late 70s London clubbing and a really nice bassline with a little popping. Terry's voice was quite raw and unprocessed on this, which lends it an innocence. When you're young and broke and fed up of racism and injustice, do you moan about it or form a band and make some of the most danceable ska ever written? I can't give this a 5/5 but I would give it a 9/10 if the option was there. This is going on my rotation list and will buy the album.
I actually really liked it. It felt like that kind of music you listen to when dancing at home with a glass of wine
Fine but it doesn’t
I feel like if I knew more about music history, I could really appreciate this album. Mostly I found it kind of annoying.
Could be fun background music (depending on the setting) but nothing that really “stands out” as a whole, unfortunately.
overall 3, muito divertido mas ska com certeza nao eh pra mim
0/14
A familiar album but I hadn’t understood its significance till now. To think it was released as Thatcher came to power… will def listen again.
A couple songs on here that I really liked, but as a whole, the album started to blend together and I was ready for it to be done by the end. I do like the sound a lot, and love this ska vibe they really pioneered, but as a whole this wasn’t a standout for me.
Ps el ska no es lo mío, pero este realmente me sorprendió jeje Aunque me agrado, la vdd es que ya quería que acabará jsjs
quisiera darle tres y media estrellas pero detesto a este sitio web que no permite dar medias estrellas y sin duda es más un tres que un cuatro pero sin duda sin duda ES TRES Y MEDIA
Absolute class. Love a bit of ska
2,5
My first full length album experience with Ska and it was not too bad. I enjoyed a lot of the sounds on here and it made for good working music.
The Specials come at me from the TV set of the Trotters’ living room. In my mind’s eye a grain of static – a coursing jet of atoms that are the result of the big bang, I think I once heard – runs through them, through their sound as much as their image. I didn’t know the England that The Specials came up in directly. Still, echoes of the cultural context of the parsimonious late seventies and cruelly austere eighties – Only Fools…, The Young Ones, My Wonderful Laundrette, later The Full Monty – were strong enough to feel like a jolt from the beginning of time. Starting with the irrepressible “Gangsters” (as this version does, with apologies to purists) The Specials’ eponymous debut feels nothing short of a cultural museum. Sitting alongside a phenomenal run of all-time hits (“A Message…”, “Monkey Man”, “Too Much Too Young”) sit bona fide, mind transporting documentary pieces (“Nite Klub”, “Doesn’t Make it Alright”, “Little Bitch”) – with roughly as many of them adaptations from Jamaican ska tunes as penned originally by the group. The lyrical themes are a mixed up bricolage of social, racial and emotional politics; all of it delivered with the sort of perspective and authenticity that speaks as clearly today as it would have in ‘79. Mutuality, inclusion and the importance of having something good to dance to aren’t concepts restricted to one point in history, after all. For Charlie Brooker, the demons of ‘79 are yet to be exorcised. And fair play – if polls in England are to be believed, the next government could make Thatcher’s look like a gang of Quakers in comparison. With that in mind, the message carried by this group of musicians and these songs has arguably never been so important. Let’s hope England catches the echo.
Classic ska two tone
There were only 2 songs I genuinely liked (It’s Up to You & Little Bitch) and even then they weren’t all that great. This genre just isn’t my thing, 1/5
Not for me, but a worthy pitstop.
Upbeat fun 3.5/5
Fun
It has been a long time since I have heard any Ska music willingly that wasn't Operation Ivy, but I guess since I was assigned an album from The Specials I will be giving them a listen! As much as Ska can be a very fun genre full of youthful energy, it can also be a very laid back genre. To put it bluntly, Ska is a white man's Reggae, and if you can't accept that then I don't know what to tell you other than you are wrong. This project still isn't anything super special *pun intended* or extraordinary and you should really know what you are walking into when listening to this project. It isn't rocket science guys, it is just Ska music and not even that great of Ska music if you ask me. Just listen to Operation Ivy if you want some quality Ska not this shit, with the exception of A Message to You Rudy that song is a bop.
Thoughts before listening: I love this album and own it on vinyl. I was a big fan of the 90s ska/punk bands, and any deep dive into that scene always pointed back at the Specials as one of the main influences. Its a fun, upbeat take on reggae/ska music played through the perspective of the London working class. Complete classic. Review: Yeah, I pretty much nailed it. Just a great soulful ska record from the leaders of the genre's 2nd wave. 4-stars
I see why there are fans of ska, but I'm still not one of them. The songs are well written and are without a doubt fun, but over the runtime of the entire album the listening experience can only be labeled as grating.
It was special
Really cool
I knew this day would come, the day I would have to face Ska. I listened to this twice back-to-back and regret nothing. Ska won this day.