The Greatest Music
Specials
by The Specials
The 363rd greatest album of all time
The Specials is the 1979 debut album by The Specials that melds Jamaican ska and reggae rhythms with the energy of punk and new wave within the 2 Tone aesthetic. Musically it pairs propulsive offbeat guitar and punchy horn lines with spare, direct production, and lyrics that address social concerns such as racial tension and youth culture while retaining a strong danceable feel. The album is considered a defining release of the British 2 Tone ska revival and helped bring that sound to a broader audience.
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