The Specials - More Specials (Vinyl)

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True innovators of the punk era, the Specials began the British ska revival craze, combining the highly danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude, and taking on a more focused and informed political and social stance than their predecessors and peers. Their agenda of racial harmony and social inclusion was pursued through their music, and came to be described as the Two Tone movement. Identified also by their distinctive look, the band wore mod-style 1960s period "rude boy" outfits (pork pie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers) that were adopted by fans and musical followers alike. More Specials is the second album by ska band the Specials, released in October 1980. The album expanded the 2 tone sound of their self-titled debut to include lounge music and other influences. It featured collaborations with the Go-Go's members Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, and Jane Wiedlin; Rhoda Dakar from The Bodysnatchers; and Lee Thompson from Madness. The lyrics, like the previous album, were often intensely political.

 



Real ones know that this is the better of the two big (only real?) Specials albums. Weirder, arguably funnier, way more experimental- and I enjoy the rambling longer lounge jams more than most of the more famous straightforward ska on the first album. Still nothing on par with “Ghost Town”, although “Enjoy Yourself” and “Do Nothing” are close and “Stereotypes” likely Trojan horsed a love of dub into my subconscious, since I hadn’t heard anything like that before. The humor feels more incisive, the rhythms are just as catchy as before but in a different more relaxed way, I heard both at the same time (late in high school) and while I really enjoyed both this was the one I kept gravitating towards. Less immediately rewarding but ultimately more interesting.
Reviewed by: Patrique

A1 The Specials– Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
A2 The Specials– Man At C & A
A3 The Specials– Hey, Little Rich Girl
A4 The Specials– Do Nothing
A5 The Specials– Pearl's Cafe
A6 The Specials– Sock It To 'Em J.B.
B1a The Specials– Stereotypes
B1b The Specials– Stereotypes-Pt. 2
B2 The Specials– Holiday Fortnight
B3 The Specials– I Can't Stand It
B4 The Specials– International Jet Set
B5 The Specials– Enjoy Yourself (Reprise)



Chrysalis Records

CHRTTX5003