Reviews (page 5 of 10)
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
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
fun
This is a good time. I prefer it when it's more ska and upbeat, with tracks like Nite Klub, Concrete Jungle and Little Bitch (Hello, looks like the Dandy Warhols ripped this right off). 3.5 rounded down.
Nicht so Spezial
Good but didn't amaze me
I wouldn’t say I was a fan of ska, but this is well produced and solid.
Συνδιαστική raggae με ροκ κατάσταση, όχι για εμένα αλλά ωραίο άκουσμα. (Dawning of a) New Era
Oke
i wish i was having as much fun as the people recording this, still had some fun tho
Decent, but not really a fan of this style of music.
Interesting ska feel
Seminal two tone album, I enjoyed it at the time, good fun to revisit today.
I didn't have a bad time. Plus love most songs and versions about Rudy.
Well ... Here's a thing.
I try this album once every ten years. Thus far, the results are the same: I like it well enough, but I don't love anything besides A Message to You Rudy.
3/5 - This is my ceiling on ska. Belongs on the list.
Fun or silly? You decide, but ska will always have a place in my heart, even if I will never really understand what a mod is
Musically, I didn’t connect with this album, but I’m giving it an extra star because the band members were actively anti-fascist and anti-racist.
fun ska, a rollickin good time, but probably not something I'll listen to again.
Enjoyed hearing a bit more of the specials range but patchy
I wish i could give a half star
Good music. Reggae, pop beat. Good songs.
I find ska music to be a little jarring and annoying at times. This album definitely did initially trigger those feelings in me but it did grow on me. I think I would listen to some of these songs again, but not the entire album.
This is all good music, but ska isn't my scene
Early ska reggae
Kind of a fun listen. Maybe the style wore thin after a while. Lots of good playing here overall but the vocals aren’t good at times. Definitely a very British thing going on here hence the inclusion on this list. Not sure if I would call this essential but it is a unique sound, although second generation. I’ll need more listens to get into this more but the style does deter me a bit.
Pretty fun ska revival album. I knew that the Specials played a big role in this revival and that "A Message to You Rudy" was a banger, didn't know much else going in however. It all sounds light-hearted and fun, but is pretty socially conscious, so there is some punk crossover in that sense. Perhaps a bit of its time as a result, but I don't think that got too in the way in terms of my overall listening experience.
I’m from Coventry don’t is the law that I like The Specials. And, whilst I hate reggae, ska is not reggae even if it has the same bouncy-back-beat rhythms, and there is some authenticity to this bunch of West Midlands boys doing West Indian influenced music that raises it above the likes of The Police. I don’t think it’s amazing, but it’s pretty good, and you can see why The Soecials left the indelible mark on the British music scene that they did.
Not bad. Reminded me of dexys midnight riders.
This is a huge influence on one of my fave bands, Sublime. This didnt have the same magic for me but cool to see the genesis
This album has such energy- throwing, punk and ska into the mix. It’s gobby and snotty, and some of it hasn’t aged well but the stuff about tolerance and respect is as vital now as it was 45 years ago. It makes you move and makes you think
Very good album. A 3,8
I didn’t mind this. There were a couple of tracks that got my foot tapping. Ska from this era is much more interesting than punk. I’d listen to more.
Most ska is usual heinous shite, but this is actually pretty decent 3.5*
ну вери гуд, хоть и не до конца мое, но Do the dog я слушаю уже года четыре и очень понравилась Gangsters пока самое классное, что тут попадалось
Ska ist witzig, wird aber auch sehr schnell langweilig. Nach etwa drei Liedern.
Speziell
Someone was deeply obsessed by someone that rejected them lol.
I liked this at the start, but started to dislike it more and more. Ska is fine for a song or two, and after that I'm really done with it.
Best Track - "A Message To You Rudy"
This debut album was a big hit at school in '79 and listening back I didn't realise some of the edge to it, but that was Thatcher's Britain, perhaps. I can't say I cared for the record at the time, being tribal about my music genre but this is certainly worth a listen and has some of the better ska/new wave mash ups from that era.
Highlights: A Message to You Rudy, Nite Klub, Concrete Jungle, (Dawning of A) New Era, Stupid Marriage, Too Much Too Young Heard a bit of their stuff before and liked it. Came into it expecting a solid ska record, but not something that would blow my mind. Turned out I was right. Completely random Stones sample btw. What gives? Overall I liked it but I don't feel like the Specials are up to their name - I don't feel like revisiting the record any time soon. Gonna stick to Rudy and not much else.
Favorite Track: A Message to You Rudy
It's funny to see genres in their infancy because they aren't quite the same as they are now. Modern Ska is much more upbeat & somewhat faster. The reggae aspects are much more prevalent in the early days of Ska. Reggae is still there now but much more subdued. I like the early Ska. I like the political aspects in the lyrics. I loved Doesn't Make It Right. It had a good message. 3.
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.
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.
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
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.
3.5
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)
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.
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 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
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
Sounded beachy and fun.
More special than I thought. Less than I want for a higher score.
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.
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.
I thought I'd hate it, but I didn't. At the same time, it's serious, but also lightweight and fun.
They were meh.
★★★½
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
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.
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.
Great vibes, a little bit tiring. Remember to consume Ska in small doses.
3/5
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.
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
Ska baby!
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
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
Pumping bass, infectious drums, perfect for skanking in a pub. However, it's a bit repetitive at times...even for ska.
some fun bops!
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
Got me through the work day
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
I don't particularly care for ska. This wasn't too my liking, but it wasn't bad. 3/5
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.
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
It’s just so very boring and repetitive like most ska/reggae and inspired similar genres
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.
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
Finally some ska
Good album, can’t say it kept my attention but I enjoyed listening to this the first and second time.
3.5/5
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.
This is a great debut album. Not one I want to listen to a lot though.
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
I was excited to see this album - I've only really heard contemporary Ska music before. This album was fun.
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
Ska will never die
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.
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
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.
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
2,5
fun ska album, nothing special