Specials - S/T LP

Specials - S/T - LP

Label: Chrysalis Records; Year: 1979; Format: Vinyl LP

Google this album and you will come up with a million and one hits in regard to the Specials and the 2-Tone label and movement. I will spare you a lengthy review here, but having given this album a spin not too long ago I conclude that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Specials were maybe the 'punkiest' out of all the 2-Tone bands, and one of their members, Terry Hall, was even a member of Coventry punk outfit Squad. I shall review their 'Red Alert' single at another point for sure. The songs on this 14-song long-player range from upbeat to slow and never let you down in the sense that they combine danceable ska and rocksteady to perfection. "Too much too young" even reached No. 1 in the UK, and at one point the band shared the same management with the Clash as they were supporting them on tour. No matter whether you're into punk, ska, rocksteady, or whatever, I think we can all agree that this is a classic album and should be found in everybody's record collection.

12-21-24: Unfortunately back in 2022 Terry Hall has passed away, here a fitting obituary.