The Specials (2-CD)

Q: Included in Q Magazine's "100 Greatest Albums Ever"

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CD Details

Released: February 16, 2018
Originally Released: 2018
Label: Chrysalis Records

Entertainment Reviews:

Spin - 6/02, p.107

"...A top-to-bottom classic..."

Entertainment Weekly - 5/24/02, p.95

"...They took a curatorial approach, lacing their ska workouts with punkish vitriol...Those pining for skinny ties can view videos too..." - Rating: B

Q - 1/03, p.64

Included in Q Magazine's "100 Greatest Albums Ever"

Q - 6/00, p.74

Ranked #38 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" - "...Fused the energy, aggression and politics of punk with an electrified speed-addled version of ska...on a frantic musical merry-go-round..."

CMJ - 1/5/04, p.6

Ranked #6 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1980".

Vibe - 12/99, p.164

Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century - "...the greatest record of Britain's ska rage....they break into a creative dimension that eluded all their imitators."

Tracks on Disc 1:

1.Gangsters
2.A Message to You Rudy
3.Do the Dog
4.It's Up to You
5.Nite Klub
6.Doesn't Make It Alright
7.Concrete Jungle
8.Too Hot
9.Monkey Man
10.(Dawning of A) New Era
11.Blank Expression
12.Stupid Marriage
13.Too Much Too Young
14.Little Bitch
15.You're Wondering Now

Tracks on Disc 2:

1.Too Much Too Young [Live]
2.Guns of Navarone [Live]
3.Skinhead Symphony [Live]
4.(Dawning of A) New Era [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre]
5.Do the Dog [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
6.Rat Race [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
7.Blank Expression [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
8.Rude Buoys Outa Jail [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
9.Concrete Jungle [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
10.Too Much Too Young [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
11.Guns of Navarone [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
12.Nite Klub [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
13.Gangsters [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
14.Long Shot Kick de Bucket [BBC in Concert at the Paris Theatre 15/12/79]
15.Friday Night, Saturday Morning
16.Ghost Town [Full Version]
17.Sea Cruise [John Peel BBC Radio 1 Session]
18.You're Wondering Now [John Peel BBC Radio 1 Session]

Product Description:

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

The Specials: Terry Hall, Neville Staples (vocals); Lynval Golding, Roddy Radiation (guitar); Jerry Dammers (organ); Horace Gentleman (bass); John "Brad" Bradbury (drums).

Additional personnel: Rico Rodriguez, Dick Cuthell (horns).

Producers: Elvis Costello, The Specials.

Reissue producers: Nigel Reeve, Rob Owen.

Includes liner notes by Adrian Thrill.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Produced by Elvis Costello, this self-titled 1979 debut quickly became gospel to the wave of ska then sweeping England. Infusing the catchy, jumpy music developed by artists like the Skatalites and Prince Buster a generation before them with punk's youthful disenfranchisement, bands like the Specials, the Selecter and Madness gave birth to a movement, one which strove for such noble goals as racial unity (then a particularly sore issue in Britain) and non-violence. THE SPECIALS states these ideals magnificently, wrapping them in tunes bursting with energy--tight, sincere and masterful.

Ska's musical style is an easy one to discern--syncopated rhythm guitar, infectious rhythms, horn sections a-go-go; vocals often reach the level of a rant, and the lyrics are usually of utmost import. The album's opener and by far its most recognized tune "A Message To You Rudy" spoke frankly and directly to those youngsters tempted towards the gangster life. "Do the Dog" is more outright social statement--an earnest appeal not to fall into life's easy, safe categories, be they military or social. Societal issues of every stripe are attacked--from "Stupid Marriage" to "Concrete Jungle."