UK 2002 remastered reissue of the British ska revivalist's 1980 album. Includes ECD section containing 2 promotional videos 'Ghost Town' & 'Rat Race'.
CD Reviews
Hosed Again
N. Ciasullo | Philadelphia, Pa | 06/18/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Why do these record companies put out remasters and then remove a song or two from them? One has to wonder where Rat Race disappeared to? It isn't on this cd anymore. Oh, nevermind. I found it on the Hits disc. How Lame. They did the same thing with the remaster of English Beat. Don't buy this crappy version of this cd unless you either can't find the original issue or you absolutely have to have the video of Ghost Town (a pretty good vid) and Rat Race (a pretty crappy vid)."
The Coolest Sound to Come Out of Ska
David A. Huntoon | Goshen, CT USA | 03/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Specials second album was a stylistic deviation from the same old ska stomp. It has a distinctively slick, sometimes campy, sometimes schmaltzy feel. The songs emphasize studio qualities and social messages over danceability, and they achieve a uniquely hip retro sound. It is a peculiar album, and I was hooked the first time I heard it. I like it better than their first album because it is so different. The people who thought this was a let down just don't get it - this album went somewhere no band ever went before and probably never will again. You have to be pretty cool to "get it"."
Unique blend of ska, soul and kitsch
lou | Southern California | 08/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"More Specials is definately not for every ska fan. In fact, this album is a mix match of so many different genres that I would not even call it a ska album. Whereas The Specials first album gets you up off your rear end and dancing this is a more contemplative album to really listen to. The album moves around from darker themes to the silly with an overriding feel of 60's kitsch. Another 2Tone classic."
Quirky, Unique, and Satisfying
Christopher A. Dowling | Freeport, ME | 12/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Odd collection of tunes, more polished and varied than their first disc. Memorable and unique songs that stick with you. I've been listening to this stuff for 20 years and it doesn't grow old."
Distracted, different, dying breed
77vqmous | Olympia WA | 11/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"More Specials is the type of album that I just can't say bad things about. Compared to the music being forced down our throats these days, music that doesn't know where it's going or is too wimpy to say anything, More Specials is a bright spot in a better past. Listen to it, not comparing it to the Specials first, but with an ear for quality. There's a lot there. "International Jet Set" has probably become my favorite track. I also prefer the LP version of "Do Nothing" to the singles version. At first I kind of thought a couple of the tracks were annoying, but listening to a song as a whole instead of in parts reveals it's true quality. An underrated album for sure."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1