I will end this piece with an ultimate Specials playlist that collates all their best songs together but, before then, I return to my point about a great return. One would like to think the nation has strengthened and cleaned itself up in the ensuing thirty-seven years but, alas, we are in a right old state! It is great to have the old masters back and, maybe, they can help make sense of things. The Specials, back in 1981, were keen to document the troubles happening around them and what a state the country was in.
Documenting violence and rage in London it seems like there is even more truth and relevance to be found now – given the capital’s spate of knife-related murders and gang troubles. I cannot get over the chills and scariness from the song the catchiness of the chorus and the message being conveyed. Everyone has their own favourite song from The Specials but, to me, Ghost Town will always be the one. The years away have not dented their magic and unity and you can just tell the approaching album, already, will be one of 2019’s very best. Having listened to an interview Horace Panter (bass) gave to BBC Radio 6 Music’s Georgie Rogers it seems like everyone is facing in the same direction – his words… – and there is a lot more harmony in the ranks. It seems like every album from them documents the times in which we all live and speaks much more truthfully and loudly than any politician. There is an album, Encore, due for 1st February and, if Vote for Me is anything to go by, it is clear the same Specials are present and correct – they have not dropped a step since their last album, Conquering Ruler (2001). I feel a blend of pertinent and observational lyrics, coupled with rousing and colourful sounds, brings the messages to life and makes the music more accessible. The political music we have received this year have been from the likes of IDLES and artists with snarl and a distinct sound. It is great they are back together because, as much as anything, there are very few in the mainstream who sound like them. Although a lot of the recording sessions were fraught with tension and division, the band would be the first to admit that the results, in spite of that, are pretty awesome. The 2 Tone/Ska band, since their debut album ( The Specials) in 1979. I notice little nods to their most-famous song, Ghost Town, in bits of the compositions. President it carried weight and can be applied directly to so many world leaders. The Specials are expected to announce new tour dates this week.īelow, check out the tracklisting for the new album.Anytime soon but, as a Christmas treat, they have brought us a right old gem! Vote for Me is out there and, as the title implies, it a song that reflects on modern politics and whether we should trust and believe or leaders.
In addition to Larsen, the album features drummer Kenrick Rowe and Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Craddock, who has been touring with the band since 2014.įollowing the release of 1979’s The Specials and 1980’s More Specials, and the recording of “Ghost Town,” Hall left the band - which continued for one more album, In the Studio, under the Special AKA moniker. Between 19, reunited versions of the group - sans Hall - released three covers albums ( Today’s Specials, Skinhead Girl and Conquering Ruler), plus 1998’s Guilty ’til Proved Innocent!, which featured new songs by original and new members of the band. The new record is produced by Hall, Panter, Golding and Nikolaj Torp Larsen, a keyboardist who joined The Specials as a touring member in 2008.
In addition to Hall, the album features original Specials members Horace Panter (bass) and Lynval Golding (guitar), but not Jerry Dammers, who never participated in the reunion, or Roddy Radiation and Neville Staple, who both left the reunited group in recent years. 1, and physical formats will include a vinyl pressing and a 2CD release that will include a second disc entitled The Best of The Specials Live. The 2 Tone ska legends will release the 10-song album on Feb. Ten years into their current reunion, The Specials have announced they’ll release a new album titled Encore next year, the band’s first collection of original material in two decades and its first recordings with original lead singer Terry Hall since the 1981 single “Ghost Town.”