Review:

on 2008-05-07 Macavennie Said:

Discovered by Joe Strummer playing in Coventry in 1978 The Specials were invited to support The Clash on tour and went on to be the most influential band since.... well, The Clash!



Their fusion of Punk and Ska is still imitated to this day and their ability to deliver powerful and barbed social commentary messages is often held up as an example of how to make music that CAN change the world we live in.



"Too Much Too Young"'s warning about safe sex and teenage pregnancies (which was HIGHLY contraversial in 1978) and "Ghost Town"'s accusation that the government was guilty of neglecting the UK's youth ("Why must the youth fight against themselves? Government leaving the youth on the shelf") both made it to the top of the UK charts. Thats a lot of people listening to a political message!!



The Special AKA (formed from the ashes of the Specials split) released "Free Nelsom Mandella" which delivered the story of NM to a young audience that had scarcely heard of him. The movement exploded! Another example of delivering a potent message.


But the main reason they were influential was their ability to fuse gangs (mods, punks, skinheads) as well as musical styles in an age where you were supposed to be a fan of one genre only and fight with all the others. They went some way to unite the youth of the UK and as such immobilise a massive group and make their voice heard.



An aside, go listen to "Little Bitch" and then tell me... how on earth did the Dandy Warhol's not get sued for "bohemian like you". identical!!



Anyway, Politics aside, The Specials are indeed special and have been cited as major influence by the likes of Massive Attack, Damon Albarn and Radiohead no less. They made some of the best music of their era



Standouts:

"Ghost Town"

"Gangsters"

"Too Much Too Young"

"Rudy! A Message To You"

"Little Bitch"

"Blank Expression"
Rating: 9/10