Reviews (page 5 of 11)
Upbeat and fun. I've convinced myself I don't like ska but The Specials have other plans.
I’m not the biggest fan of Ska, but this album was well entertaining! It kept my interest, some of the later songs were actually among my favorites, and I enjoyed this.
Pleasantly surprised by this album. An intriguing mix of British rock and reggae that I never thought I would see together. It's certainly very original in this aspect and it seems like it takes the best out of both worlds. Not too British. 🇬🇧☕ Not too Jamaican. 🇯🇲 🍃(Though, unlike British, I doubt there is something as too Jamaican) The whole vibe of the album was also accompanied by this adequate amount of goofiness. I like. 7.5/10
"The Specials" by The Specials, released in 1979, is a seminal album in the ska and 2 Tone genre. It's a punchy, socially charged collection of tracks that encapsulates the band's energetic and politically charged sound. From the infectious beats of "A Message to You, Rudy" to the anthemic "Ghost Town," the album is a snapshot of a specific time and place. With its lively ska rhythms and socially conscious lyrics, "The Specials" is a standout in the ska revival movement. It receives a concise yet powerful 4/5 for its lasting impact on ska and its ability to seamlessly blend political commentary with infectious dance beats.
I first heard The Specials’ version of “A Message to You, Rudy” blaring from speakers and spilling across the sticky floors at one of my favourite clubs at university. I leaped around to it with fresh-faced friends, rosy with youth: it was already a 35-year-old song, but it felt vivid and vital as it held us all in grasp. Fast forward several years and I’ve still only heard the full album once, and remained convinced “Rudy” was the only real highlight. But on closer inspection, I was way off the mark: “The Specials” is stacked front to back with joyful tracks as two-tone, ska, punk and reggae come together. The cocktail may seem like a queasy mixture at first, but sink a few down and all you’ll want to do is dance your own feet off. “Monkey Man” is a knees-up, pulsing triumph. “Concrete Jungle” is frantic and urgent, “Nite Klub” is a driven by a stellar rubbery bassline, and the gradually accelerating ending of “Stupid Marriage” is tremendous raucous fun. It’s one of the best parties committed to record, but if there’s a fault to be had it’s that the social messaging is quite a way off the likes of The Clash or Costello. Ten songs celebrating equality and condemning prejudice (see “Doesn’t Make It Alright”) are quickly undone by lines like “all the girls are slags”, “ain’t you heard of contraception”, or the whole of “Little Bitch” with its accusation that the subject would (and should) take her own life for attention. Great guitar riff though. On the whole, the ska influences combine very well with the restless energy of UK 70’s punk and new-wave. Helping to connect “The Specials” with the first wave of 1960’s Jamaican ska, and add some welcome authenticity, is the presence of trombonist Rico Rodriguez. Meanwhile, placing it squarely in the late ‘70’s new wave boom is the production by Elvis Costello, making this a (superior) prelude to his “Get Happy!!” period. Solid all round… and of course, “A Message To You, Rudy” will forever be colossal.
This was quite the revelation. There is not OG Ska worth listening to.
I’m conflicted about this album. I LOVE Ska; I didn’t think this list would have a Ska album on it. The sound and instruments are great, I’m not so pleased with the lyrics or the lead vocalist on most of the songs.
My new go to for punk Ska, ahead of its time.
Classic
Interesting. Can hear their influence in many places.
Classic ska! The beats Can’t be beat. Pick it up pick it up go!
I love it, with the beats and everything although some songs are misses in my opinion I still loved a few especially that first one it was such a nice hook I kinda started dancing to it while I was showering!👍 nice atmosphere to the music
On my first listend I really dug A Message to You Rudy but the rest of the album seemed to pale in comparison. Second listen I started to get more into it and it's a good fun album. Aside from the opener I also enjoyed Concrete Jungle, Blank Expression, and Too Much Too Young
So I actually enjoy listening to Ska and I feel like this band created it. So, I’m my book it’s an 8/10
Lots of fun! 4/5
Holy mackerel. The opening song is the song they use for resurrection sunday. I never realized this. It's a really good mix of raggae and pop.
I'm giving SKA an extra bump as I really enjoy the vibe and the sound. Though there are some weaker tracks, there's enough meat here (Rudy, Concrete Jungle, Nite Klub, Too Hot) that its a really fun journey. Good times!
Really good. I never understood how the ska era succeeded the punk era. But this was very good.
I can’t fathom this as an album in 1979. Ahead of its time? First song is obviously the best but a fun album overall.
Surprisingly great.
I feel like this album fits the good/bad mem with hank from breaking bad - cheery, upbeat music being used as an outlet for grim underlying themes. Case and point, blank expression is a worthy contender for my "sad songs that sound happy" playlist.
it's just fun you know
so fucking good, why haven’t I heard this before? such fun lyrics. every point I thought “oh this song isn’t for me” the most insane 20 seconds in music history would immediately come up. high 4. fave songs: concrete jungle, little bitch
i liked it
I love an album with bitchy lyrics and bouncy beats what can I say!! Favorites are some I already knew like Gangsters (not sure if this is actually on the album?), A Message to You Rudy, Too Much Too Young, and Monkey Man (SOOOO fun) plus new favorites like Do the Dog, Stupid Marriage, and Dawning of a New Era. But every other song was still so good- great lyrics all around, plus that Rolling Stones sample on Little Bitch? Fun! It’s an album that’s full of covers and also most songs sound like they would be more fun to hear live, but a super strong debut imo! Also why was Elvis Costello the producer. Just curious.
Hear the big band influences, island jam band influences, etc. It's a fun listen.
Ska! A message to you Rudy! There’s more to the specials
Mér hefur alltaf fundist lúmskt gaman að ska og þetta er bara mjög skemmtilegt en verður smá endurtekið. Það má dilla sér við þetta.
Surprisingly very groovy. Glad this got recommended!
Classic ska reggae.
4.25
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proto punk? not sure what they call this , but it was the start of a big thing in bringing the raggae/ska beats to mainstream pop. love this raw and true sound
Godfathers of the best genre ever. Do the dog, I’m the dog. It’s Up to you has crisp drums but still holds on to the groove of the first 2 tracks. Nite Klub has real lyrics and is a lot more jazzy. Concrete jungle has a crazy bassline, booming drums. Blank expression was a nice slower piece. Overall the album has a simultaneous excited fast vibe and laidback chiller vibe. A constant drive and groove throughout. Good listening experience Fav tracks: concrete jungle, nite klub, blank expression Least fav: monkey man Overall : 89/100
Really interesting sound combining punk drive and messages with playful ska music and great use of the different voices and vibes in the band. Really set a feeling of being in the English street in the late 70s.
Fav songs: (Dawning of A ) New ERA IT’S UP TO YOU A Message to rudy Nite club
Special.
A ridiculously good debut that is just a lot of fun to listen to
Great album and a favourite of mine.
The definition of easy-going music is now established for me. I'll sure look for more "Specials" albums later.
One of the original Ska bands to bring the genre to fruition. They weren't quite punk and weren't quite Reggae. You can definitely see "newer" bands were influenced by these guys. Guys like Catch 22, Reel Big Fish, Aquabats really took inspiration from The Specials. You don't need any herbal influence to enjoy these guys, but it helps.
- love the bounce - feels effortless for these guys - borderline cheesy
Well I didn't really think I liked ska, but this was a bop. Whether that was familiarity bias because of the songs i knew, or if I'm just more familiar with this style from drum n bass. Dandy Warhols used as a sample?
4.5/5
4+/5
Some good stuff but I never really could get into this band the way that other ska fans seem to. They're good and highly influential which invery much respect. A 4 I suppose.
nice
Aaahh, the Death in Paradise theme! Lol. RIP Terry Hall. Legend
A fun pop-reggae album, would recommend for that British pub feel two with the bellowing on certain songs Stand out songs: - It's up to You - Little Bitch
What a superb album. This might be the best British Ska has to offer. And it's got something to say to boot!
I could hear the influence the Specials have had on some “newer” punk/ska bands. Some classic songs.
As much a breath of fresh air now as it was then.
Feestje voor de oren, lekkere nummers, en legendarische band. Wel veel van hetzelfde.
7/10
Brilliant ska album and definitely vital to pioneering the scene.
O jee, een obscuur Engels bandje anno 1979. Dat kan maar één ding betekenen: gejengel. Maar nee! Het is blije reggae en ska, en het is zowaar wél aan te horen. Het kan dus wel. Meerdere keren luisteren, vrolijk van worden.
Het is ergens altijd wel grappig om ska te horen, want het is wel soort van blij. De gitaren bij the Specials vertonen gelukkig wat meer afwisseling dan de standaard reggae en ska gitaren. De getrouwe holle resonerende drum is wel gewoon van de partij (ik weet even niet goed welke voor dat typerende geluid zorgt), net als het tikken met de drumstokken op de rand van de drum. Het zit allemaal goed in elkaar. Blijkbaar is er toch nog iets waar Elvis Costello bij betrokken is, wat ik wel kan waarderen.
Awesome vibe I love this kind of music. Lots of great songs on here that I didn’t realize were from the specials
I don’t know why but I always thought The Specials would be to ska what UB40 are to reggae. That was a very silly assumption to make! This is a lot better than I anticipated, and a lot more punk than I was expecting. A good chunk of bands I listened to as a teen and beyond clearly owe a lot to the Specials. There is a few filler tracks on here but that doesn’t detract too much from it being a great record. Concrete Jungle, Monkey Man, Too Much Too Young probably my highlights. Tres good tres good
I have to agree with the group. Susprisingly good. My favourites were Dawning of a New Era, Little Bitch, and Stupid Marriage. Quite funky and relaxing.
Really enjoyed this album, had heard of a couple of tracks but this was some top class Ska. Can't believe this was released in 1979, feels well ahead of it's time. Will definitely listen again. Highlights: A Message to You Rudy Too Much Too Young Monkey Man Little Bitch
Great cross cultural moment. It has the raw feel of a live show.
I’m not a huge ska-head but this album is a really good. I was familiar with “Rudy” but I honestly thought this album was from the 90s. Ska is timeless I suppose! Maybe with another listen I’d see more variety in the songs, but on first pass it feels a little repetitive.
some solid early ska! not my favorite genre but there are some really cool ideas here
Yeah good
A debut album which still holds it own.
The Ska was fun! The rhythms had a lot to get into. Some tracks kinda dragged, but overall, this was nice. The best track is Dawning of a New Era.
Never heard this album before and loved every track! Great 70’s ska, loved Nite Klub. Solid 4!
Enjoyed this, it feels like summer! Not my usual thing at all, but I'll definitely listen again.
- Heard this album many times before in my dad's car - Actually very good - Pinnacle of British ska in the 70s/80s - Fav songs: Too Much Too Young, Monkey Man, A Message to You Rudy
Mai saputo si chiamasse "A Message to you Rudy" <3 Molto simpatico in generale
A classic
Good album.
I love albums like this on the list because I end up learning things I didn’t even know I was missing out on. I like ska but knowing this came out in 1979 totally changed my mental timeline on when ska happened. Very cool track to start the album and fun moments throughout. The quote from the stones was a cool spot.
Reggae, but snarky. 4/5
Big fan of there work
Not the donkey
Top 3 Songs: 1) It Doesn’t Make it Alright 2) A Message to You Rudy 3) Monkey Man Bottom 3 Songs: 1) Concrete Jungle 2) Nite Klub 3) Do the Dog
Fun times
Hup!
A nice ska and reggae album that transfers the music of Jamaica into a proper British context. Is it as good as the stuff from the island? No. But it is so more unique than many other 'white reggae' stuff that came later.
7th April 2023 Listened during the day on Saturday / Sunday having been in London on Friday with sav and sally. Tom and Anna etc round at mum and dads on Sunday and Jen back from Aus Sunday night. Vibrancy, beat, energy, the Specials haunting party vibes make you sound like you’re on a night out with your mates.
Ok, this is way better than I expected. This is the beginning of Ska music. These guys are instantly recognizable in their sound and instrumentation. The band's energetic blend of ska, reggae, punk, and pop is infectious and irresistible. The album features the band's signature hit "A Message to You Rudy." It's a timeless album that still sounds fresh and exciting more than four decades after its release.
I'm not generally a big ska fan but this is a solid album. If I was going to choose to listen to ska, which again I probably wouldn't do this, I can't think of another album I'd choose. The rating reflects the mix between it being such a strong album but I'm knocking a star off because if I'm being honest I probably won't come back to this one too often, just because I don't know the next time I'll want to listen to ska. Standout Tracks: A Message to You Rudy, It's Up To You, Nite Klub, Monkey Man, (Dawning of A) New Era, Blank Expression, Too Much Too Young, Little Bitch, You're Wondering Now
Cool, ramones-esque rock
That was a fun album! I had never heard of them before this, and I really enjoyed listening to this album.
A cool and fun early 2 tone ska album blending reggae and rock. Not really my favourite genre in the world, and this album was a little bit hit-and-miss for me, but it was still just fun and pleasant throughout. Favourite: A Message to You, Rudy
Thought I'd never heard of these guys but I recognized Too Hot from the SLC Punk soundtrack which has been stuck in my head since high school. Any time it's hot outside, or when you order pizza and its... too hot. Anyways, really liked the album. Faves: A Message to You Rude, Nite Klub, Concrete Jungle, Too Hot, Monkey Man, Stupid Marriage, Too Hot Too Young. 4/5
Can't help tapping along, no matter how hard you try!
Does the ska revival happen without The Specials? Maybe, maybe not. That is enough in my book for inclusion here. The fact that the music was so political only ups the ante. Strong tracks throughout, although Monkey Man, Nite Klub and A Message for You Rudy are stellar.
Very good. Nightclub a standout unknown
Ska is not everybody's bag, and I get that. There are some duds on the album, but overall it captures the sound and the vibe of the late 70s alternative scene perfectly. Elvis Costello's production is top notch and the band's influence on his late 70s/early 80s output is evident. It's a fun listen if you can appreciate ska.
Love it. A formative album for me.
Still sounds fresh.
Great album, survived much better than the 2nd one, More Specials, that was also in 1001 earlier. Rudy, Too Much too Young, You're Wondering Now (great cover, also soundtrack to Death in Paradise), Blank Expression (with lyrics used later by Daddy G/Massive Attack), love it all.
For a long time I hated anything remotely connected to reggae but this album completed changed that. Sometimes it just takes the right artist to switch you on to something, and for me The Specials (and Madness) opened up a whole new road. A classic. Fuck the Tories ✌🏻
I strangely liked it, almost like punk vibes. There were a few songs that I'd heard just around the traps. I think too hot is used as part of memes?
Reggae Ska type music, good stuff
This album seemingly owes a lot to the Clash...err, the artists that influenced the Clash. But hey, it's fun! It sounds like a pizza party. Very skankable for sure.
reggae é muito animado, muito bom. e esse album tem uma certa psicodelia que combina ate e funciona muito bem
so special💘
Super leuke Britse ska. Ik kende het nog niet, maar het is net als Madness, alleen dan misschien wel beter nog, iets gelikter, iets verfijnder, minder alle kanten op. Zelfs een gitaarsolootje her en der. Verder gewoon super blij.
Good ol Ska. Nice mix of hype tracks and slower ones. Fun record.
yeah man ska revival with a new wave twist. very cool. heard "a message to you rudy" a million times but have never really taken the dive to listen to this album as a whole. glad i did
This is a good raw sound. It puts more edge on the Jamaican ska sound of the Skatalites and others. It is "under-produced" which works well. It wouldn’t have worked so well otherwise.
Inspired most of the ska punk bands I love, classic
Lots of great song - band had a big effect and it still has lots of powerful and funny songs
More attitude than most punk
A classic ska album, this has the quintessential hits like A Message to You Rudy and Much Too Young. Good listen.
Good work motivation music
Some excellent bass lines on this album. 4/5
it’s good and I can understand it’s importance
It’s alright just not my kinda thing ska can be a bit boring and samey to me but I appreciate it enough to give it a 4/5.
Love the bass on here. Fun shit. 4 nicely tanned nudists out of 5
Quite nice
This album really laid a strong foundation for the Ska and Skuffle genres while embracing the changing environment around them. This seminal record has solid wear for not only the singles, but the deeper tracks as well, and is infused with the energy that would make The Specials a lasting pioneer group.
This was truly special. I'd say it was a nice blend of reggae and ska. There were 2-3 songs on here that I really enjoyed (married couple was probably my favorite), but they were all solid tracks. Pleasant surprise on a Wednesday.
Fantastic album. A real social critique delivered to a high energy in your face mix of dancehall and punk. Great fun.
too much fun
Ska, Two Tone, Energetic, Punk, Political, Moody
A dynamic and bold debut album. A good combination of original compositions (gangsters, too much too young, blank expression) and astute covers (monkey man, message to you rudi). The lyrics are a cut above and have a real flavour of alienated and bitter youths. One or two tracks are not much more than fillers but you can see the direction the Specials were heading in
I waffle on the Specials, because sometimes they come off as just a cover band for the "real" ska sound that came out of Kingston over half a century ago. But at the same time, they have some solid originals like "Too much too young" and did add a new dimension to the covers they do play. Also they have a fantastic message around combating racism and their origin story was based on including both black and white people.
This was so much fun to listen to. It definitely wasn’t my usual genre or style but I had a blast listening to it. Stupid Marriage was my favorite track, but I will definitely be revisiting this album.
The Specials have a great talent for combining bouncy rhythms with sarcastic, politically-tinged lyrics. Perhaps the best 2 Tone group.
Solid album, with some really good singles.
Some of the best Ska I've ever heard, not that that means much. A thouroughly enjoyable experience and one I may come back to in the future. A message to you Rudy is a huge highlight.
Nice
stupid marriage är ej jäkla fin bit alltså.
I generally enjoy ska. But this one isn't quite to my taste although it did grow on me as the album wore on so relentlessly. Faves: A message to you Rudy, Too Much Too Young.
Nice ska & reggae music band.
Excellent debut that resonates with the shit going on today.
Great OG Ska album. Long before 90s Ska / Punk bands would change the sound of ska, this album has all of the elements that were at the beginning of ska - Raggae, post-punk, etc. 4/5.
Makes me want to grab a skateboard and grind on Nelson's column
Great album. Alternates between ska and reggae. Enjoyed the faster tracks more than the slower. Standouts are "A Message to You Rudy", "Concrete Jungle", "Little Bitch,
Wow, this album absolutely slaps
I saw the Specials about 12 years ago for their 30th anniversary tour, man they were amazing. This album is patchy at times but anything that contains a stone-cold classic such as Rudy needs at least a 4 out of 5.
Man I totally loved this and big up the Cov! Represent. This just puts me in a great mood, I love Monkey Man and You're Wondering Now most I think. And too much too young... ah they're all pretty much classics.
Surprisingly fun listen
Gotta love Monkey Man!
I really enjoyed many of the songs on this album. It would be great to see The Specials live someday!
I’ve never heard this one in full before. It’s just what I was expecting, influential, nicely produced and cool AF. Loved it
Leading the Two-Tone Mod revival - fantastic stuff!
Enjoyable album, but not all songs are sufficiently gripping for full marks.
Happy Sunday morning beat as I listen to this. Perfect for the three hour drive
much better than expected. Not huge into Ska, but this rules and paved the way for all the good (and the many bad) ska revival bands to come. 4 Musically, 4.5+ influentially.
STOP YOUR MESSIN' AROUND! The drums sound like they were recorded in an alley for Do The Dog. Nite Klub has that party ska sound that just took over the world. Much of this album is like a single speed bike. This is not an album for range but its very fun for a pleasure cruise. Stupid Marriage is good. Too Much Too Young. I didn't know Little Bitch was a Specials song!
p446, 1979. 4 stars Ska meets disillusioned angry young men at the start of Thatcher's Britain. I don't usually like ska or reggae, but this is good - a rare example of the soundtrack to a moment in time that still sounds fresh today. Having said that... I like it, but don't love it. Just my taste in music.
I love ska! A few classics, some extra bops I had never heard before, and a few meh songs. Overall a great listen!
4.3 - Having suffered through the ska/swing resurgence of the late-90s, I had a PTSD-like reaction when I saw this early ska album pop up. Bands like "Cherry Poppin Daddies" and "Reel Big Fish" did a serious disservice to the Specials' legacy. Or, perhaps the Specials did themselves a disservice in later albums? In any case, I love this debut album! It's a blend of ska and reggae, with punk sensibilities that keep the arrangements lean and loose. The songs' messages vary from political to complaining about nightlife. "Doesn't Make It Alright" rails against race-based violence, while "Monkey Man" ridicules nightclub bouncers.
Awesome
Still fresh as fuck today (and relevant).
Brilliant album.
Great 2tone ska album...probably the best.
Squams fr
Wow.. denna äger...
I saw this band when they had just reunited in 2009 when I was in Scotland. This was at T in the Park (which I’m has now been reworked into a different festival apparently). First time I had seen someone skanking.
Great album!!!
Great album, fun songs, just always found the production a bit thin :/
Bardzo the clash, ale tylko reggae
Haven't heard this album in forever. I forgot how much I liked it.
Great British Ska Album
Not my genre of music but better than I expected.
Fun, upbeat music. Memories of the 80's.
Bouncy but angry. A polaroid of disaffected you in 1970s/80s urban Britain? It tails off a bit on side 2, but is still a ska classic. 3.5/5.
Ska. Come on rude boy - get skankin'. The sounds of fighting in dance halls and looking down the barrel of Thatcher's Britain. The depressing thing is that like many of these albums, the politicians have changed but the general culture hasn't. Best Tracks: Message To Rudy; Too Much Too Young; Little Bitch
Had no idea about this one going in. It was awesome.
A unit of an album. It really takes you on a journey and paints pictures on the way. It’s a really tight album. Not usually a fan of ska, but the it really takes you on a journey and was thoroughly enjoyable. It was cool to hear about the social commentary on race relations of the time, the club scene and even getting married and having kids too young. Its all poignant throughout but not too heavy handed. 4/5 - I like it, but I don’t love it
Loved it. Couldnt listen to Ska non stop but it was a great change of pace.
If you don't like modern Ska, this album is kind of birthing that whole sound in a way, and personally, I think a lot of the best things about Ska are on display. Great playing, fun writing and performance, and a dash of rage & anti-establishmentarianism.
Monkey man, message to you Rudy, note klub, stupid marriage. Great album
Dig it, but I’d rather just listen to the clash
Rough production and the songs are not anything spectacular, but its overall a fun vibe.
This is my first introduction to this music genre - ska. This album is a hybrid of reggae and rock'n'roll. It's pretty groovy and has great vocals and deep lyrics; a lot of tracks on here are very catchy. Favorite tracks: A Message to You Rudy, It's Up to You, Doesn't Make It Alright, Monkey Man, Too Much Too Young.
Muy bueno, muy agradable
Good ole ska, definitely an interesting blend of Jamaican Ska and British Punk, can really absorb the vibe of 1970s UK and what it was like. You can also pick up what would become staples of ska. Great album, definitely going in my collection. Personal favourites: A Message To You Rudy Nite Klub Concrete Jungle Doesn't Make It Alright (Dawning of a) New Era You're Wondering Now
Never heard the album but knew quite a few songs. I thought it was great, even the album tracks were good
goofy ska and ridiculous ironic lyrics, but once you get the hang of it it's a nice time. talking heads energy. 3.5/5
A lot more varied and punky than I remember, good
listening to two tone always very aggressively makes me feel 16 but in a good way. do the dog and monkey man are forever fave feelgood tunes!
solid ska album, rock that chop
I dig this. Feels like it’d be a perfect album for a summer cookout or something.
Definitely The Specials
This is a lot of fun, an enjoyable listen. Maybe ignorant to say but I'm not sure how much substance there is to it, sounds like party music.
Still amazing. Definitely their best album.
Fun album. I really enjoyed it at the beginning but it did run a bit long. It definitely has me interested in ska and the history of that music.
love me some specials, always upbeat
UB40 type vibes, laid back reggae sounds
Really enjoyed this one
A cool find of some old school ska/ funk. Enjoyed listening to it, but it did get a bit repetitive.
I run a bit hot and cold on ska music. Horns make a lot of things better, but like most things, too much of a good thing... well, you know. In the 90s I loved No Doubt, but didn't really dig the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. I didn't dig much deeper than that, so I needed a little ska education for context on The Specials. Third wave ska, largely ska punk from the US, is what I had the most familiarity with. The Specials are the forebears of the second wave, in the UK in the late 70s and early 80s, and build on the roots of Jamaican ska. So knowing that, what about "The Specials?" This is the hotter side of ska for me. Lots of great horns, but the guitar playing also stood out. Less punk influence, but I can hear hints of connection to rockabilly and surf rock in places. (Which got me thinking about the evolution of rock subgenres, much as The Chemical Brothers did yesterday for electronic music. Definitely one of the most interesting things for me about hearing all these albums.) "Concrete Jungle" was my favorite track - the only one written by and with lead vocals from lead guitarist Roddy Radiation (born Roddy Byers, but how great is "Roddy Radiation?"). This track connected the most to what seems to be the genesis of The Specials and second wave/two-tone ska - capturing "the disaffection and anger felt by the youth of the UK's 'concrete jungle'—a phrase borrowed from Bob Marley's 1973 album Catch a Fire—used to describe the grim, violent inner cities of 1970s Britain." There was a clear difference between the original Specials tracks and the covers of Jamaican ska classics, but I enjoyed both. I might have to check out more ska...
Not fan of ska music, but this guys defintly influenced to The Clash
“Rudy” reminds me of my college years. We often danced to it in the new wave clubs of the era. This wave of ska was so much stronger and more authentic than later waves — it expanded on early Jamaican ska without copying it. There were a lot of other neo-ska bands in the late ‘70s and early 80s, but the Specials were the best of the lot. Later neo-ska movements (Sublime, No Doubt, and many rock en español bands) were not as successful. Highlights: “Rudy” — very authentic ska and good commentary about UK rude boys. “Do the Dog” — ska with an early rock ‘n roll sensibility and a touch of Clash-like punk vocals. "Concrete Jungle" — super-percussive; another nice blend of Clash-like punk with a ska shuffle. "You're Wondering Now" — beautiful downtempo cover of the mid-60s Andy and Joey ballad.
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.
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.
Great album. I think I'd have been a superfan if It was my time.
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 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.
Solid!
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.
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.”
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
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?
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.
Te faz sentir dentro de um pub mesmo não sendo a música padrão nessas áreas.
its alright not a big folk/psychedelic guy
Great early ska sound
Pretty groovy, catchy, great vocals, instruments overall very upbeat 4.3
Really great stuff
Pretty early origins of ska
Interesting combination of raggae and garage rock
Great debut album!
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
Cool intro to ska, fun album
Ska - all ska - lots of ska, great ska!
Cool album lots of good variety and some catchy tracks
The forefront of the new wave of pop punk that hoisted up The Ramones, The Clash, etc. fun ska
Great album!
Seminal two tone pioneers.... I really like this album
Okay
Svängigt, men inte min grej
It's ska, so wasn't going to be a 5 by any means. Not horrible though, some good moments. 3/5
A blast from the past. A few good songs but it does sound a bit amateurish.
It was a cool genre that I never heard before, but the songs got a bit boring after a while.
Wasn't expecting ska/reggae, I'm sure this was influential but I think the genre has produced much better than this. Pretty enjoyable but kind of repetitive and a little too British
Exactly how I expected a Specials album to sound. 3.5
3.8/5
2.6/5 Favorite Songs: A Message To You Rudy It's Up To You Concrete Jungle (Dawning of) A New Era
Bomboclaat
Liked it a decent amount, probably won’t be revisiting. Almost reminds me of Violent Femmes.
British “people” thinking they deserve to live 😭😭😭
Beyond feeling like I was having a stroke listening to "Too Much Too Young", I thought this was pretty alright. Probably some of the best ska I've heard, though unfortunately not enough to make me a ska convert. Good political messaging and coherent sound, but this just kinda went on for too long, and I ended up feeling a bit bored by the end. Favorite tracks: A Message to You Rudy, It's up to You, Night Klub
this was very fun and funky. enjoyed thoroughly
There are clearly so many bands that I’ve listened to the singles of and never bought the albums. The Specials are another one of these. I had my fears during the first half of this that this would be singles plus filler but things notably picked up for me, not least with Concrete Jungle and Monkey Man. The Specials define an era as well as any other band and there wouldn’t really be much Ska without them. For that, it is a solid 3/5.
Oh so ska would've been fine without UB40. Drawing a line around ska as a genre is honestly ridiculous. What other genre is defined by playing a specific instrument with a specific rhythm? It's anti-creative. If I was the guitarist for a ska band you'd find me out back with Joe Satriani playing on repeat. Anyway the album was cool and punk, but maybe we should've stopped there?
Rating: 6/10 It's a well done important ska punk record (fun fact produced by Elvis Costello, I'll probably like his production credits more than his releases), even though it's ultimately not the kind of album I would prefer to sit through in its entirety. And it is on the longer side, even though the energetic upbeat songs don't exactly get boring. Seems like a notable cultural touchstone, specifically a counter-cultural one, the punk energy combined with the funky ska rhythms clearly had a cool moment here in time. Don't really want to see ska music that was made after this record here
We’ll take it. Rivalling Madness for most iconic Ska band.
Yeah, I'll listen to this again, I'm sure. But, it won't be because I put it on myself. Specials are good at what they do, but it gets a bit monotonous after a while. Great bass player.
Having already heard the follow-up, I would put 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘴 on roughly the same level. If I had to choose just one of the two, though, I would probably keep this one. What wins me over is the sheer sense of fun in the playing. The rhythms are lively, the band sounds completely locked in, and there is an infectious energy running through the whole record. Even when the songs themselves do not always stick with me, the performance never feels flat. I may not love the album, but I really like the way it moves.
it was fine, kind of a cool one
Ska, reggae, British? It was a fun listen, but a little repetitive. Rating: 6/10 Favorite Song: Little B****
Well, now I know Ska was a thing before the ‘00s. Not my thing, but much more enjoyable than what came later
Rudy!
Fun but gets quite repetitive by the end
Who knew ska was this old
Very ska
This was good, enjoyed it but didn't outright love it. I think they're an important band in British music history but it's just not a sound I reach for really.
Wel geinig, redelijk upbeat nog voor die tijd. Wel wat rare instrumenten
Kind of fun. They had some funny lyrics and sounds
Didn’t love this to begin with but it began to grow on me. Some interesting stuff but not enough to push it up.
This was definitely part of my high school soundtrack. Liked it a lot then. Listening through it now still gives a lot to like, but it runs too long. Shave off around four of the songs and it probably notches it up. Still giving it some solid ground here for influence on many bands that came later in the 80s and 90s.
Never heard of this but not to bad.
The Specials was a collective noun used for Len Houmous’ 11th and 12th wife. 3.2 5/15 Nite Klub
A couple of good evocative songs in here (A Message To You Rudy, Too Much Too Young) but the rest of the album felt rather repetitive.
It was alright - I think this has been the second album by them on the list. Better than their other, but some tracks are rather repetitive and would lose interest.
Old school ska. Some good, some meh.
I first heard these guys’ song “Ghost Town” on a WMBR program that picks a different popular song every week and plays the original version, plus two hours’ worth of covers. As much as any single song has done on the first listen since my high school days, it blew me away. Having only known them from the goofy, ska-influenced “A Message To You Rudy” and the cheekily understated “Friday Night, Saturday Morning” I couldn’t believe the same band was capable of producing something so moody and haunting. Maybe there was more to them than meets the eye? If there is, you wouldn’t really get it from their debut studio album here. It’s perfectly good ska (proto-ska?), a genre whose hate I’ve never really gotten but which I’ve never really cared to explore either. They certainly seem more adept at it, more in tune with the principles that kind of make it work, than the successors that I’ve heard do. It’s a US-only track, disrespectfully placed first on the Apple Music release (it occupied a few different places on the album depending on the CD, but never first), “Gangsters”, that’s the standout track, though I could see “Doesn’t Make It Alright” being a second-rate Morrissey solo track for some reason.
I totally get why this is a massive deal for the 2 Tone scene. With Elvis Costello (urgh, he just won't disappear, will he?) behind the boards, that mix of punk grit and ska energy is infectious, and the lyrics do a great job of capturing the vibe of Thatcher’s Britain. It’s got such a cool, upbeat sound that makes it hard not to dance along to tracks like "A Message To You Rudy" and (finally) "Too Much Too Young". I can see how it might get a bit repetitive if you aren't really into ska, and some of the writing is definitely a product of its time, but overall, it’s a high-energy classic. Despite recognizing its massive influence and the undeniable fun factor of their classic hits, I just couldn't fully connect with the whole package. Plus, it's just another Specials album on here that didn't contain "Ghost Town", so... meh, I guess.
A Message to You Rudy - 3.5/5 Do the Dog - 3.5/5 It's Up to You - 3/5 Nite Klub - 3.5/5 Doesn't Make It Alright - 3/5 Concrete Jungle - 4/5 Too Hot - 3/5 Monkey Man - 4/5 (Dawning of A) New Era - 3.5/5 Blank Expression - 3/5 Stupid Marriage - 3/5 Too Much Too Young - 3/5 Little Bitch - 3.5/5 You're Wondering Now - 3/5 The only ska I was familiar with was the apparent resurgence of popularity it got in the 90s, so it's interesting to a youngin' like me to see that ska got its roots way before then. Probably my bias but I much prefer ska to have that punk edge to it, and way too many of these songs lean into the reggae aspect of ska. Only two or three have that ska-punk flavor to them that I like, so this is more of a middle-of-the-road type of album than I would have wanted. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: Concrete Jungle, Monkey Man
Reggae sounds plus ska trumpets. Interesting and very different from other music of its era but not really my thing.
I don't have anything against ska, but it's a genre that can get tedious after a while, in my opinion. Specials never goes that far, but it definitely has its fair share of weak spots. Overall, decent fun and I wouldn't mind listening to it again soon. Favourite track: A Message to You Rudy
A fine accompaniment but nothing special (i suspect as the last person to review this im not the first to make that joke)
I was blown away by how many of these songs I knew?? This album was a good hang!
Just a bit bored sorry
3.0
DO NOT DO THE DOG
This got tiring quickly. Not a big fan of ska - or the British version of reggae pop - so I wasn't expecting to like this much. People were very, well, purposeful about it liking this genre back in the day
Not really my genre but it wasn't bad.
Loved the first track but the rest of the album was only so so for me.
Typical English Music
1002 - "Here's your juice box and orange slice. Thanks for coming."
Ska revival, mostly covers A message to you rudy Do the dog
Worth adding to my rotation. Thoroughly enjoyable.
A decent collection of songs. Not really a bad one in the bunch but not as mant stand outs as I expected either.
I'm not sure if I can properly rate this as this is my first ska album and I've never really listened to anything like it but it's pretty interesting and there are some songs I like.
I think I prefer Madness. (This and One Step Beyond came out on the same day in 1979)
très agréable, ce renouveau ska UK :)
It's ska, so it's upbeat and lighthearted. None of the songs really grab me.
Not an unpleasant listen, but also not the kind of thing to suddenly make me a fan of ska.
eh, kinda like an ok imitation of 60s rock
Uno de ska. El primero? Creo que sí. Banda clásica. Hay cosas de ska más old school con algo más nuevo. Entretenido. No me mató igual. Respetable por el valor histórico. 6/10
Ska is so close to reggae, and yet it is slightly more interesting, which is nice. This was a strange album to me, though - I actually started to like it the longer it went on! Maybe the songs on the back half were just more interesting to me, but I found myself really bopping along to "Stupid Marriage," "Too Much Too Young," and "Little Bitch." I enjoyed this. A good record to throw on during a 90s throwback party. THREE STARS
Tää oli ihan hyvä ja letkeää kuunneltavaa.
I really liked A Message To You Rudy. That’s about it.
Having this on the list after listening to More Specials, an uneven effort, makes me realize that the Specials are just kind of uneven. There's a ton of youth energy here, and some big hits, but a lot of the songs just aren't good and it leaves the album a little worse for it. When that energy drops, it doesn't really find its footing. Also, while of course they're tackling serious topics head on (a bit on the nose at that, too) the Specials feel a little too self-serious. Even Crass had a sense of humor. I think they (ok, Jerry Dammers) were correct to try new things on their second album, even if they didn't stick because there's not a lot of variety going on here. 2 Tone, indeed. It's a bit flat, and it gets its texture from the roughness and hard-edge of the sound and Hall's vocals. Its roughness is to its favor, and I bet they were wild in concert, but there's not quite enough here that captures it, and even some of it that feels like it's self-consciously tamped down. Album that's less than the sum of its parts, somehow.
I could appreciate the originality and influence of The Specials’ two-tone ska sound. While I never fully connected with ska, I found it hard to dislike. Do the Dog was my favorite track for its punkish energy. Little Bitch was another standout, reminding me of later alternative rock despite being firmly rooted in ska and punk.
Fun listen, that's about as much as I can say about the album.
This is actually more fun than I thought it would be, the band is great and the songs are catchy with the right mix of reggae and proto ska things happening. Can def hear the influence they had on contemporaries and bands to come later.
I enjoyed this a lot more than _More Specials_and it contains a few songs I already knew and a sound that was much more familiar to me. This was basically the album I was expecting from The Specials. _Too Much Too Young_ sounded a little different from the version I know, perhaps been remixed as a single at some point. There was also a bit of a weird distant production thing going on for _Do the Dog_ that I can only assume was intentional as none of the rest of the album sounds like that. And clearly they've ripped off the **Dandy Warhols** on _Little Bitch_! 😜
chato pra caraio mas relaxante idk um pouco a frente do tempo até
interesante, bastante variado en cuanto a energia, sonido
This was great! Not expecting the hit of earnestness, but I will take it. 3.5
yknow, i enjoyed this way more than i anticipated. there's lots of parts of songs that i think are genuinely really good and catchy, but this is never what i'd do with it