Specials, The - Specials (The) > Reviews > So Special.

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it rate alongside the competition	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	It's the Specials !
Disadvantages:	One or two tracks not so good .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Specials - The Specials

It's 1979 I am 16 going on 17, left school and am a scooter skin, which basically meant I rode a scooter (Lambretta SX 200) and had a skinhead.

I was into Ska in a big way, but old style skinhead Ska, The Pioneers, The Upsetters etc. Then something happened, we got British Ska, The Beat, Selector, Madness (early on) and the best of all, The Specials. I have two vinyl LP's left in my house, this one (very scratched) and one by a band called Back To The Planet. This LP rocked, it got played over and over from '79 to '81 (when The Jam took over for me).

~~~~~The Band~~~~~
The band themselves seemed to consist of hundreds of people, though in fact there were:
Jerry Dammers - Keyboards
Terry Hall - Vocals
Neville Staple - Vocals and percussion
Roddy radiation - Guitar
(Sir) Horace Gentleman - Bass Guitar
Johnny Bradbury - Drums
Lynval Golding - Vocals

Truth is they all had some vocal input and they also pulled in various trumpet and saxophone players from time to time. This was their debut album.

They all dressed smart in suits, like the original Jamaican rude boys, so mods could like them and skinheads could like them too, though there was the odd tussle between these groups. Enough Background, the songs:

~~~~~The Songs~~~~~
A side (remember 'sides' on records?)

1. A Message To You Rudy
For many folk this song epitomizes the specials, old style reggae Ska, bouncy bass line, trumpets, simple guitar riff and constant, steady drumming. The ultimate get up and move tune, everyone mouthing the words and understanding them, what a great track, still brings back great memories. My 13 year old son who is into thrash metal even likes this. 9/10.

2. Do The Dog
Much more percussion and synthesizer, modern Ska, more energetic, more of a dance tune. 7/10.

3. It's Up To You
Here is where we start to hear Terry Hall make his mark vocally on the band, lots of electric guitar too. Personally I think Mr. Hall 'whines' a bit in a Midlands way on this track. 6/10.

4. Nite Klub
Love the trumpet use in this track and the almost urgent use of drums, Terry Hall vocals again, yet this time much more suited to the song which, you guessed it, is about a Night Club. Quite like this, though a little away from what I would consider Ska. 7/10.

5. Doesn't Make It Alright
I remember this having a real impact on me, sung from the heart, bit of a social conscience song, not unlike Madness' 'Embarrassment'. Much more of a contemporary (at that time) reggae beat with a strong vocal. Nice. 8/10.

6. Concrete Jungle
Love this, busy, energetic, socially aware, drums, guitar, bongos, an almost punk feel to it. Great track never gets the credit it deserves. 8/10.

7. Too Hot
Very 'early dancehall' style thumping baseline and drums, a decent vocal outing for the black members of the band too. 8/10.

B side
1. Monkey Man
One of my favourites. Just pure, energetic, all band, dancing Ska, gets faster as it progresses and when this used to get played at parties the kids went mad for it. Strangely, it reminds me a little of the traditional Jewish tune Hava Nagilah (don't ask me why!!). Recently recorded by Amy Whinehouse who actually did a good job of it. Top track. 9/10.

2. (Dawning Of A) New Era
Shame on me, I cannot remember this and as I don't have a record player anymore to play the vinyl, I went and had a sneak peak on iTunes......ah....now I know why I don't remember it, it's rubbish. 3/10.

3. Blank Expression
This I do remember. Great lyrics, strange use of guitar almost 70's rock, quite a good tune though, I'll give it a 7/10.

4. Stupid Marriage
Not their best, in fact it does not 'fit'. What I mean by that is, if the lyrics were put to say a Jam tune it would seem okay, but the reggae beat does not work with these working class brummy lyrics, sorry, weak link. 2/10.

5. Too Much Too Young
Class, pure class, one of the best songs they ever made. Every one gets a go, sublime lyrics, musically very competent and in terms of sentiment, unlike the last track, it does fit. The album version is the best version by a long shot, I love the way it slows in the middle giving it real gravitas. 9/10.

6. Little Bitch
Quite an interesting track. real Ska beat and backing, yet an almost punk like fast vocal over the top. Basically a social commentary on young women at the time (from a male perspective). 6/10.

7. You're Wondering now.
Old style ska reggae, nice n slow. Love this track, heavily political and anti racist. 8/10.

For me it was a crying shame that 'Gangsters' was not included which was their storming first single, apart from that, bit of a classic album for me.

For £7.99 you can download this from iTunes, absolute bargain. Even though I have this on vinyl I have just spent another £7.99 as I doubt I will ever play the vinyl again. I suggest you do it now and bask in the memories of the golden Two Tone British Ska era. I would love to give this 5 stars but there are one or two tracks that just aint worth it, shame.

The cover of the album is in my view, iconic and just sums up an era.

Also posted on Dooyoo, same member name.