Specials

The Specials may not have been the first band to combine the lopsided danceability and dreamy warmth of Jamaican music with the raw aggression of punk, but they did just about single-handedly define the look, sound, and feel of the second wave ska scene. They nailed the aesthetic, sporting very mod clothing and very cool porkpie hats. They also founded the key label: 2 Tone Records, created by organist Jerry Dammers, is the quintessential English ska punk record company. More importantly than that, they sounded great. Their music was infectious, ferocious, and fun, full of raucous joy, violent intelligence, and social outrage. Released in 1979, the group's self-titled debut isn't just a ska punk classic; it's one of the very best rock albums ever made.

The track listing speaks for itself. A mixture of originals (composed by the aforementioned Jerry Dammers) and covers of classic Jamaican tunes, this record is a blistering good time. There's the visceral little slice of middle-class dissatisfaction that is "Nite Klub," as well as the visceral rush of "Do The Dog." "It's Up To You" is an uncompromising statement of purpose, and "Doesn't Make It Alright" is a timeless, and barbed, call for racial unity. "Stupid Marriage" is furious and hilarious, and "Too Much Too Young" is a scathing assault on teen pregnancy. "A Message To You Rudy" and "Monkey Man" are fantastic, instantly atmospheric covers, and "Too Hot" ain't too bad either. Get it and skank your life away.

There aren't many albums out there which are this good from beginning to end. Really. Listen to the samples. This is easily my favorite ska album out there (including all the original old school Jamaican ska).

One note for those of you who remember the original version of this album, the songs are slightly different here although I really only noticed it with Too Much Too Young, which has a slightly dubby/remixed feel to it - I actually really like it now that I've listened to it a few times.

The other big change is that the song Gangsters is not included at all. That's a bummer but you can still find it on other albums here on Amazon. I generally hate when the record labels reissue modified versions of old albums but these changes don't completely ruin this one.

this band is ska! plain and simple. this album is fun to listen to when you got some friends over and feel like getting a dance party or sing along going

A must if you like ska. Just get it and you wont regret it.

3 1/2

Infectiously catchy older ska band will forever have a place in British punk rock history, to this day echoing many traits found in some of their more popular young bands, as well as so many of the party aesthetics found throughout the American musical landscape in the past 20 years. Obviously a band with plenty of well deserved acclaim and influence, but still a band that fails to deliver stellar albums. As fun as so much of this important '79 debut is, complimenting the fast paced, aggressive dance-offs with crisp reggae-influenced interplay guided by the impressive bass work, anyone not directly involved in the ska movement may shrug of some of the familiar framing that paints many of these compositions in the same sneeringly upbeat light. Exceptions to these head-bobbing rules (Doesn't Make It Alright) go further and provide more then the majority of stuff to be found here, but anyone searching for that perfect piece of retro ska for their next party will feel right at home with this in collection.