Specials, The [ECD] [Remastered] - Specials (The)

Advantages: Not bad....
Disadvantages: Not that good either...

...This is Madness' third album on their first run on the music scene. It marks a slight change to the music of the previous two. The songs that you will have heard of on this album are slightly moodier ones such as Cardiac Arrest, and Shut Up. The album isn't crammed with classic Madness hits but then not everything they make can be fantastic. If you are a Madness fan then it's worth buying this one, if you're a casual kind of fan then stay clear, you might regret spending your money on it. It is however part of the special box set called The Lot which include the original 6 albums from Madness from 1979 to 1985.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: The Spandau's best album
Disadvantages: None!

..."True" represents everything that pop music should be. Great to listen to, well-produced, well-crafted songs. By the time they recorded this album, Spandau had come through and left behind their "New Romantic" phase, fortunately dropping many of the pretensions that came with it. This is just top quality music. No more no less. This album represents the pinnacle of their musical career, for while their following album "Parade" has some quality material, it just doesn't have that special spark which marks out a great album. "Gold", "Communication", "Lifeline" and of course "True" are all on here. The album has a "mellow, chilled-out summer" kind of feel to it- best listened-to sipping chilled drinks by the pool. With no mediocre filler tracks to drag it down; to my mind, this is one of THE albums of the 80's.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: A fantastic album
Disadvantages: Let down by 2 tracks

...at 4 minutes. Not the most well known but in my opionion a wonderful song written by Bruce and based on his love for fencing. The Duellists and Back in the Vilage are the next two tracks and i personally feel they let the album down a bit. The Duellists is the catchiest of the two but both feel like they're lacking that special Maiden touch that the rest of the album carry's. Back in the Village is a very dull and boring song in comparison to other songs they have done. Powerslave, the albums title track, has a very dark catchy riff and Bruce's almost mysterious and slighly eerie sounding lyrics add to the entensity of the track. It's the second longest track at just over 7 minutes. The album comes to it's conclusion with Rime of the Ancient Mariner, a song which can only be described as an Epic. At 13 minutes and 34 seconds long its... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful