Reviews (page 6 of 11)
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
Fav tracks: nite klub, concrete jungle Not into ska too much these days. I can respect the creativity this album clearly possesses tho
Specials sounds like a teenage band
Grew on me as the album went on
me gustó, siento que no es nada memorable igual (por lo menos para mí). necesitaría escucharlo un par de veces más para engancharlo pero a la vez siento que sería un álbum que escucharía en momentos muy específicos tipo en verano en la pile de alguno de mis amigos. las melodías me gustaron y me hicieron acordar un poco a sumo (andá a saber)
long! it was good, i enjoyed most of this. some songs and the lyrics were a little bit ? but the album is almost 50 years old and i think it holds up quite well
Not my thing really. :/
I feel like if I knew more about music history, I could really appreciate this album. Mostly I found it kind of annoying.
overall 3, muito divertido mas ska com certeza nao eh pra mim
Ps el ska no es lo mío, pero este realmente me sorprendió jeje Aunque me agrado, la vdd es que ya quería que acabará jsjs
quisiera darle tres y media estrellas pero detesto a este sitio web que no permite dar medias estrellas y sin duda es más un tres que un cuatro pero sin duda sin duda ES TRES Y MEDIA
My first full length album experience with Ska and it was not too bad. I enjoyed a lot of the sounds on here and it made for good working music.
Not for me, but a worthy pitstop.
Upbeat fun 3.5/5
Fun
It has been a long time since I have heard any Ska music willingly that wasn't Operation Ivy, but I guess since I was assigned an album from The Specials I will be giving them a listen! As much as Ska can be a very fun genre full of youthful energy, it can also be a very laid back genre. To put it bluntly, Ska is a white man's Reggae, and if you can't accept that then I don't know what to tell you other than you are wrong. This project still isn't anything super special *pun intended* or extraordinary and you should really know what you are walking into when listening to this project. It isn't rocket science guys, it is just Ska music and not even that great of Ska music if you ask me. Just listen to Operation Ivy if you want some quality Ska not this shit, with the exception of A Message to You Rudy that song is a bop.
It was special
Enjoyed listening to this. Great energy in places and I’ve always liked Too Much Too Young and a Message to you Rudy.
I like the Specials, this album contains some great tracks, but also some weak ones. Nevertheless, the rhythm is great and you could dance to most! It's a 3.5 from me.
Ok
Some bangers
Thought I'd never heard of these guys, then realized of course I know "A Message To Rudy". I really like their style, it's like an offshoot of punk but mixed with an almost ska-like feel. Very cool!
Not my style, but I really enjoyed the first song and the rest of the album was better than expected.
I liked it more than I expected to. The musicians are very skilled and have great musical range. I feel like the quality of the individual songs is a bit hit or miss. I don’t think I could have guessed that this was made in the 70s, but according to Wikipedia, “ska revival” was popular in England around that time, so maybe I’m just uneducated. 3/5
Good vibes but gets old towards the end of the album
THE SPECIALS by THE SPECIALS (1979) If the album could be summarised into one it would be a fight between the style of the specials and that of elvis Presley's catalogue of early 70's. For me the album poses as a letdown with monotonous beats and peculiar style of reverberation. Although one things that is done extremely well is storytelling throught in songs like LITTLE BITCH , A MESSAGE TO YOU RUDY , and especially STUPID MARRIAGE. The album doens't surprise me when it ends and doesn't deliever a favourite with the only standout songs being YOU'RE WONDERING NOW , LITTLE BITCH , MONKEY MAN , NEW ERA and STUPID MARRIAGE
the specials are a great band and this album was also a good listen.
Some classics, but I found the experience of listening to the whole thing sorta grating. The Clash really outdo them overall IMO.
The good songs on this album really are great. Gangsters, Too Much Too Young etc etc. But that’s kinda it for me, I think Ska is a genre that had a place in my younger heart, feels a bit lost on me now. That being said Terry Hall is a real MVP. 3.6/5.0 Best Song: Gangsters
Very fun album. It's definitely Reggae, but it also surprised me every step of the way. I pretty comfortably enjoyed this even more than Bob Marley, which surprised me. I was under the incorrect assumption that every Reggae song kind of had to sound the same, exactly like Bob Marley, but this album proved me wrong. It's very catchy, and there are enough differences between the songs to keep it fresh. Some of the songs have little stretches of Rock which are quite enjoyable, a continuing trend with these Reggae albums that have been pleasant little surprises and further keep the albums interesting. That being said, I would not always want to listen to this, and there's definitely a lot of filler as well. Right out of the gate you've got a catchy banger with the classic "A Message to You Rudy", and the album is interspersed with some really good, catchy songs, my favorite for personal reasons being "Monkey Man". For being a very unique and catchy, but far from perfect album, this one is going to get a high 3. Probably around a 3.75/5. I actually recognized a lot of these songs, which is something that genuinely surprised me as well, so that was pretty neat and unexpected as well. What a super fun band. Would return to these guys for sure.
Not my genre at all but i can see the appeal. a fun album
I like these songs in isolation but find that as an album it lacks a bit of variety and because of this it disappears int the back ground a little bit.
My disclaimer is that ska isn’t generally my thing. The specials seem to be one of the better in their genre but I think the ceiling of it is quite low. ‘A Message to you Rudy’ does seem to stand out head and shoulders over the rest, and, other than ‘monkey man’ (itself I think is a cover of the original by toots and the maytals) most of this I found forgettable. By the end I was practically begging for anything other than a syncopated staccato guitar, which I know is a hallmark of the genre but gets tired quickly. Some of the guitar work reminded me of ‘television’ and so the solos weren’t bad, nor was the brass section but not quite enough to pull this score upwards.
Bumping from a 2 to a 3 just bc of A Message To You Rudy
Rudy, too hot, up to you, and monkey man are all absolute bops, super enjoyable ska album overall, kind of a standard in my mind. 3.5 rounded down bc I feel like ska requires a pretty specific state of mind.
"A Message to You Rudy" is such a great song, found out about it from a Sublime recording years ago. Funny to find that they re-wrote it for the same album and called it "Too Hot", that must have been intentional? The album itself is pretty cool, a nice blend of different styles and sort of ska/punk thing that never feels forced. You can hear some of the Elvis Costello influence in the production for sure, especially on "It's Up To You" (which coincidentally sounds a lot like "Watching the Detectives"). Some songs are better than others, its a tad long, but I like it. 3.5 with a round down
This was all new to me though I think I was familiar with a track or two. Got me amped while completing a 1,000 piece Star Wars puzzle. Fun listen.
Perfectly decent, reliable, standard-bearer ska. It’s not my genre but these guys do it well and with a ton of attitude, but definitely not overcooked. It’s kind of a miracle that in 70’s England you could get a sound this well put together and this political without it being completely buried. But the horn section probably helps. Not one I have to hear all the time but fun nonetheless.
The blueprint for the coming Spa revolution.
I've never been into ska but this album took me by surprise. I can also hear where Blur took a lot of their early inspiration.
Fun album
En lille 3'er. Mest reggaerytmisk.
Main, I love some ska, but The Specials couldn't hold my attention the whole thing true. The opening track was phenomenal, but quickly thereafter the quality was lost.
Fun album. Just not a lot of variety.
feels experimental but a bit dated
Not my normal tunes, but a couple of blasts from the past
3.5/5
I understand this band's importance in ska and influence on later 90s bands that I really do like (Reel Big Fish, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, etc etc) but man I really could not stand the vocals.
I have always felt Some Type of Way about Ska music and its place in the punk sphere. I get why it's popular, and I definitely think it's fun and has a good groove to it. but like. Jello didn't write any songs about breaking up with a girl or genuinely wanting to get laid... the only songs he wrote about a guy getting it up were from a mocking perspective. he was too busy yelling about Reagan and throwing bricks at cops, ya know?
Loads of this was fun, with important things to say. The bass was great. But a fair bit was a bit disjointed. I've never quite loved the Specials' music as much as other ska bands (and I don't love ska that much anyway) but they're a important band and it's a good album. I'd probably like it more on repeated listens. But I'm probably not going to do that. High 3.
Ka ska man si? Gubbeska, en fin variasjon fra gubberock.
Peaked at the start with englands greatest anthem. Not bad just had its time this
Some bangers. Some preaching. Death is not the end
Pretty good but not that special, *knee slap*
Well, it was kinda fun to learn that ska existed in the 70's. It was less fun to make it all the way through this album. I didn't dislike it...but I was definitely ready for it to end. 2.7
fascinating album given its timeframe. i feel like you could draw a direct line from this to sublime, seems like it’s very influential
Spannender Sound. Ist mir manchmal ein bisschen eintönig aber hat trotzdem Spaß gemacht.
1979 England isn’t usually what I think of with ska so interesting in that sense
Nothing special here lol but it was an ok album
The Specials is an album bursting with energy, attitude, and sharp social awareness, all wrapped in that unmistakable ska bounce. It has a raw, live-wire feel that makes the whole thing crackle from track to track, and the band’s mix of punk urgency with ska rhythms still sounds refreshing. The horns punch through the mix, the guitars chop along with precision, and Terry Hall’s vocals add just the right amount of deadpan bite. Tracks like “A Message to You, Rudy” and “Too Much Too Young” are obvious highlights, capturing the album’s blend of catchy hooks and pointed commentary. There is a real sense of place to the record, a snapshot of late 70s Britain that feels lively and tense at the same time. Even the more chaotic moments feel intentional, like a band fully aware of what they want to say and how they want to move people. That said, the consistency can waver. Some tracks slip into filler territory or blur together, and the stylistic repetition means the back half doesn’t hit quite as hard as the front. But even when it dips, the attitude and charisma carry it. The Specials remains a solid, culturally important debut with plenty of charm, even if it does not land every punch.
Fed punk-agtig energi på en overhovedet-ikke-punk plade.
Such a vibe. Definitely will re listen.
According to the YouTube comments for "Gangsters" (the first track on this Deluxe version here on YouTube), this album and band is strictly Ska, which I generally have little knowledge of, but not enough previous experience to name another grou[. From the outset, it seemingly blends Jazz with Reggae. "A message to Rudy" is a classic track, heard many times of my life. It has a real comfortable and pure vibe, with the lyrics delivering a positive message to younger generations. "Do the Dog" has a punk feel to it, in it's playfully aggressive delivery and overall political tone. Speaking on this note, a strong political vein running through The Specials' music was the only real thing I knew about them before listening to this album. "Concrete Jungle" was the first track on this whole musical journey on the website that didn't hit my ear right on the first play, though the Chorus is a lot of fun. Still, the song's social commentary doesn't come off heavy-handed. "Too Hot" has a more relaxed, almost UB40, sort of vibe to it which is a big change against the rest of the tracks. Interesting to learn that "Monkey Man" is a cover track from Toots & The Maytals, who are themselves a Ska band from the '60s. "Too much too young" is one of those songs that burned itself upon the zeitgeist of 70s/80s and is recognised by everyone and for good reason. Overall, this album feels like a bit more of an acquired taste, but that may be because it feels distinctly as a product of it's time; I was a child of the 90s, but my Dad identified as a Mod growing up, so this album is not entirely misunderstood by me.
Didn't hate. Didn't love.
Some good moments but overall not my favorite
It was alright I guess
I guess it’s an important release in the revival of ska in its time but didn’t float my boat then and still doesn’t really. Curiously, it actually feels much slower than I remember it being at the time.
Eerste nummer leuk, daarna beetje zenuwachtig
80's boyband with a mix of New Order, The Cure, New Kids On The Block, and Beastie Boys. This, combined with a spin of reggae, new wave, and funk rap.
Didn’t hit me
Nice sound, but lyrics weren't great
The first song i.e. the big hit was pretty fun and different, overall as the rest of the album went on there was a certain cleanliness to it, a sort of aftertaste making me wish for more grit. It has that sound that makes it *feel* like it's a more forgettable album, but it was fun and varied enough to make a counterargument for that
7 / 10
6/10 Favourite: Nite Klub Least Favourite: Stupid Marriage
I liked the second album more...
fun little intro to the Brit-Ska scene.
This ended up winning me over since I wasn’t initially receptive to the reggae/ska vibe. Still not something I expect I’ll seek out but good for what it’s worth
I enjoyed the political messaging, but I find ska incredibly irritating. 3 stars bc I’m feeling generous
This is #day466 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I've always liked this record cover. For some reason, I'd never actually listened to it before, even though I've always been aware of it. As much as I want to like this music, it's just not happening. I get that it's influential and all that jazz, but... I don't know. What I did like is the way it's recorded: every instrument is so prominent and crisp, and is genuinely fun to listen to. Also, I've always liked the record cover. Let it be a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day467.
fun old school ska album.
Much more my speed
Great album from the godfathers of Two Tone - a couple of iconic tracks, Message to you Rudy and Too Much to Young. Ghost Town, later that year was their very best though.
Yeah, I liked this!
Pickituppickituppickitup
BIG BIG MONKEY MAN
Gear: 64 Audio Duo Artwork: ▀▄▀▄▀▄ Production (2015 Remaster): 🎧👂🧈 Music: 🎺🤝🕶️ Ratinng: 🏁🏁🏁/5
I find that I like ska in small doses. I was definitely ready for this one to end about 2/3 of the way through. Shout out to A message to you Rudy (Sublime sampled), Do the Dog, and Concrete Jungle.
Kinda interesting.
combines this rock and this jazzy feel which i like. didnt realise the amy winehouse song is not actually by her but from the specials. cool but nothing very special
Funky! British… reggae? I liked it
nice sound enjoyed
Great a bit repetitive, beachy and fun
This album is nice. However, even though it's good, some songs are a bit bland and repetitive, and it's nothing impressive, to be honest. So, I liked it, but I can't say much more than that about this album, except that it's pretty enjoyable.
Chelsea
Really fun album, but one listen through was enough. You need to be in the right mindset for ska. 3.25/5
British ska, new wave, and reggae inspired all rolled into one. "Ghost Town", which does not appear on this album is maybe th le most well known, thanks in part to one my favorite movies, Shaun of The Dead. This album is okay, glad to know it. Probably won't listen to it again.
3 1/2 stars. A very fun upbeat album.
I liked a lot of this. Makes me want a hot day and a cold beer. But some was pretty slow. And theres a lot of covers and reworked stuff on here. Can appreciate its place in history. Also you can feel Costellos touch all over it.
Was ok, nothing stood out particularly
Somewhat special
Not as much a fan of this as More Specials, which we got a while ago - this one's a lot more rooted in more straightforward rocksteady/reggae stuff, and doesn't do much interesting with it. It's still an enjoyable listen though!
later
+⭐ for preemptive Death in Paradise cover 🌊 🌊 🌞 🌊 🌊 ⛵🏝️ 🌊 ⛵ 🌊 🌊 🌊
(65/100)
Ehh. I've never listened to much ska and albums like this are making me realize it's probably just not my thing. Good vibes in the music and it's certainly not bad but I don't think I'll be regularly returning to this one. 3.5 stars.
I hope there’s more ska on this list. I like ska but this album is not one of my favorites. For one, I’ve never been a fan of chanted group vocals which this album has on most songs. And the main singers voice wasn’t great to me. Musically I enjoyed it but the vocals turned me off.
this was fun, not my fav but it did rock. bonus points for the fedoras
Not all that into reggae and adjacent genres though it had its moments, I really liked the Concrete Jungle track
27/10/2025 Nothing too special about The Specials. Spotify listeners: 2.2 million
Enjoyed it much more than I expected. Going back to the source of all of the Ska tropes in this album, but it feels fresh and authentic. Might listen again.
Entretenido. Pura cultura musical y ejemplo de Ska de libro. A message to you, Rudy y Concrete jungle, las dejo guardadas.
Fun album. A lot of the songs sounded the same, so can't say what stood out. Maybe Monkey Man and Little Bitch. Easy album to get through. 3.5/5
Some of these songs are pretty good, but I just can't listen to this much Ska at once.
2.7 1x interesting to see early ska
Huh, I guess I like Ska. Interesting lyrics, and typical horn rhythem
Kinda fun, but I won’t listen again. I don’t think I listen to ska… ever? So it’s interesting to hear some of that. Sounded like boardwalk carnival music. Why, I don’t know. But that’s a fun vibe, and for that I didn’t hate it.
not bad
Good fun although not something I would listen to normally
Loving third wave ska for a long time it was very over due for me to hear. Love being able to pinpoint where bands I love got thier sound started.
5.43
2.78
I'm not sure what was going on with the UK and its sudden and brief appropriation of ska in the late 70s and early 80s - but this is probably the poster child album from that period. It's fun and you can certainly imagine this would be an incredibly engaging live act. That said, I prefer my ska as icing to the cake (as in Madness or The Police) rather than as the cake itself.
Yeah idk this stuff is weird but they have talent
This is just fine. I would prefer Bob Marley or even The Mighty Mighty Bosstones...but this is just fine!
Ska Revival - this is my first ska revival album and it was interesting. I definitely wasn't sure if it was ska or just reggae at first. I like how the songs were catchy but also tackled interesting subject matter.
Zwei Songs haben es in die Playlist geschafft
'Produced by Elvis Costello' - goddamnit, this man will not go away on this list... To be fair, this is some of the best ska music I've heard; the reggae influences are unmistakable. That said, I've never loved ska, no matter how technically 'good' it is, so I don't see myself revisiting this album in its entirety anytime soon
SKA! Why have I never heard of this band before??? Fun album.
Реггей, ска, панк. Как-то довольно гладко показалось и особенно не зацепило.
I did buy this one on vinyl back in its day. Had not heard it in many years. Entertaining still, yes. Yet, only a few songs actually stand out as classics. Can’t say that I would listen to it very often.
Enjoyable listen with fun lyrics and some catchy songs, though vocals don't always do the songs justice.
Concrete jungle and Little Bitch (minus the misogyny) are my shit. Great vibes, love the ska rhythms, and for the life of me I can't remember a single melody or lyric having just listened to the entire album. Actually that's not entirely true, as the little bitch riff was lifted straight from brown sugar.
easy und catchy - wie konnte das komplett an mir vorbei gehen?
3/5. I can definitely appreciate the punk and ska flavors mixed with the rock and reggae energy. It's also not surprising to know Costello is involved here, just replace the singer with Elvis and it would come from one of his records. The better songs though are the ones that have the whole group singing together, creates an energy usually only found in live recordings, similar to how Louis Prima was able to create a certain energy in the studio. This album is actually pretty good but I just don't think it is for me overall. Like the Clash, I will need to be in a specific mood and the mood is "rite innit bruv" vocals. Best Song: Too Much Too Young (the live version), Do the Dog, Concrete Jungle
Odd blend of genres but found it fun if very weird. Probably a 3 star
Ok, I can get behind a little early ska. It’s fun and somewhat original.
High school me would have loved this (and in fact did love their song “Ghost Town” which isn’t on this album) but now feels dated
Scooby doo haunted house ass music
it was fine
I don't think I would have guessed there would be a ska album on this list, so this was a fun surprise. I like ska, and it's fun for a little while, but I definitely can't imagine this being a staple of my music diet. Fun, but probably not adding this into my regular rotation. Still, I'll enjoy it every time it comes on ⭐⭐⭐
it's okay
Correct mais quand même un peu pénible.
I like this one, even if I got ska'd out in the late 90s. It's fun to hear I've of the early groups in the genre, with a little punk mixed around in there. Good tracks, fun vocals, enjoyable.
I like to pick it up, pick it up, pick it up as much as the next guy, but I'm very selective when it comes to ska. My favorite parts of the album were the more punk focused songs. For this reason, Night Klub and Concrete Jungle were some highlights for me. The more reggae focused songs didn't really resonate with me. Stupid Marriage plays out a bizarre and chaotic court scene, like something out of an Adult Swim cartoon. It's the type of storytelling that would stick around in the genre with bands like Sublime. Overall, a fun listen. I might not come back to it in full, but there are some songs I'd put in my regular rotation. Side note: I once went to a music festival with The Specials on the lineup. They used A Message To You Rudy in pretty much all of their marketing material. For like a month I heard that song way too many times and it drove me crazy. So hearing it again gave blme PTSD flashbacks. 3.5 stars
This is a very Clash/Squeeze-esque turn of the 1970s album. It's got a lot of hooks, bass beats, and high register singing. Songs kinda run together for me but this is a solid album. Top tracks: "A Message to You Rudy," "Little Bitch," "Concrete Jungle"
This was a super fun listen. Great run thru some early and origin story ska. Many are saying. Solid ass 3.
--Gangsters...I'm grooving to it --A Message to You Rudy...nice --Do the Dog...but not the donkey! --It's Up to You...like that bass --Nite Klub...oh, this fux --Doesn't Make It Alright...meh --Concrete Jungle...great bass, great guitar, great beat --Too Hot...not for me --Monkey Man...fun --(Dawning of a) New Era...more good bass --Blank Expression...meh --Stupid Marriage...stop yelling at me --Too Much Too Young...it's fine. album feels long at this point --Little Bitch...okay this one kicks. woke me up --You're Wondering Now...I guess this is the end
The kind of album I had never listened in full, but had already heard half the tracks somewhere without knowing the band’s name. It was nice to finally listen to the original opus. I’m not big on ska and reggae (mainly due to the inherently repetitive nature of the genre), but this album is indeed full of classic anthems. Loved the youthful energy and the 60s retro vibe, which creates a weird mix of nostalgia and teenage rebellion. A solid 3* for effort and originality.
The specials have a special music, a nice cocktail of reggae, rock, folk… which was a good mix. I’ve heard bad mix but that one was quite good but I’m not sure to listen again that album. I will stick to 3 stars for that reason
7,2/10
I didn’t realize how far ska went back. It was fun.
man that was repetitive
First or second wave ska? Where’s Ghost Town?
Love the obvious ones. As an album it gets a bit tired
Not my typical style of music, but fun enough. One listen through and don’t really need any more.
Not exciting, but lively and enjoyable.
2015 remaster sounds muddy
Probably not the genre for me. I dont think its controversial to say that ska can be fairly monotonous . There are certainly good tracks on the album but they are interspersed with too much of the same stuff to keep me properly interested, just constant off beat guitar chops and brass stabs. The bass does a lot of heavy lifting. I enjoy the dichotomy between the dark, heavy, socially conscious lyrics and the upbeat, bouncy music. But a full album is just too much of it for me. Everything in moderation i suppose. I feel like if they just dropped the 2 tone for a few choruses it would be a total game changer. Favourite track - A Message to You Rudy. 7/10
Wow. Track 1 and it is going towards a five. That’s great stuff. What an amazing discovery. Goes down to a 4, the flow is a bit off. Don’t know how else to put it. Too good for a 3, not good enough for a 5. Has great potential, but it doesn’t seem coherent. Falls to a 3 towards the end
I like ska. This album is an important part of the genre’s history. There are some really good songs, including a couple 2nd wave greats. The album does lose steam here and there. Overall it’s pretty good, just not great. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
This was much better than I expected, however as with all Reggae, you do get many tunes that feel very similar to each other.
ba ba-ba ba-ba baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
It's Ska ya slag
1 banger = A message to you Rudy
Meh, SKA … & “light SKA”at that.
I've heard of this band before but don't think I've ever listened to them. it's fine reggae and clearly on influence on modern ska music and Subline. It didn't change my life though and I won't be revisiting this album.
Sure, why not?
Favourite song: "A Message to You Rudy"
5/10 some nice songs I guess
Late 70s SKA!
Un gruppo di amici che si divertono. Ci sta. Allegro simpatico funny ma i brani sono tutti un po’ troppo simili, un po’ too mich
mi è piaciuto dai, ho vibato
allora si solito lo ska non mi piace ma questo album mi ha gasato abbastanza 3 ma che tende al 3.5, lo riascolterei canzone preferita I can’t stand it
I think I listened to this one before. This is pretty fun ska.