Signing Off [Import]

UB 40 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 8, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000000WJY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,506 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered and expanded deluxe three disc (two CDs + PAL/Region 0 DVD) edition of the Birmingham band's 1980 debut album. Includes the original album, all the Dub mixes and b-sides,, classic Radio 1 sessions and a DVD containing both promo and performance video from the period, including the rare Rock Goes To College set from 1981. Considered by many as one of the greatest Reggae albums ever released by a British band, Signing Off was well received amongst many music fans, including followers of Punk and the 2 Tone movement, and struck a chord amongst a large proportion of the UK's disaffected youth. Mixing reggae and dub, 'Signing Off' chronicled the times, and wider social and political issues, as well as the plight of communities throughout the country during the early Thatcher years. Since the release of Signing Off, UB40 have become one of the most successful Reggae groups of all time, with over forty UK Top 40 hit singles and sales of 80 million records across the world. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diggin a little Deeper, August 9, 2005

By 

J. Brady (PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Signing Off (Audio CD)

Before UB40 became the reggae equivelant of a lounge/karaoke act that only had hits with novelty covers and duets ( the list is endless and began with Neil Diamond's Red Red Wine ) they released several fine albums of original songs. This is the first and best of their albums. Many standout tracks here, including "Tyler" and the Margaret Thatcher bashing "Madame Medusa." They aren't taken too seriously by many folks simply because they have so many cover hits, but this album is a real keeper. The lyrics are mostly heavily political and the band themselves are in fact named after the form that unemployed people in the UK fill out in order to get welfare, which was rampant in the late 70's and early eighties. The name of this album is a term used by Brits who say they are "signing off on the dole." The sometimes dark lyrics are in stark contrast to the laid back reggae grooves in the songs, but it works quite well. If all you know of UB40 are songs like Red Red Wine and I Got You Babe ( a duet with Chrissy Hynde of the Pretenders, and again, another cover ) and you are a fan of reggae, you owe it to yourself to get this album. It's a real classic, and often overlooked.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent debut, August 12, 2001

By 

R. Toomey (Piscataway, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Signing Off (Audio CD)

This is one fantastic album from start to finish. The best UB40 music is definitely on this album. The original vinyl version included a mini single which is also included here. Check out"Madam Medusa","Strange Fruit","I Think It's Going To Rain Today","King","Tyler","Food For Thought" and "Little By Little" like their supposed to be heard, crystal clear. This is also jam packed with some great instrumental cuts which are fantastic. It would be great if they could make another great album like this. It gets better everytime I hear it. If you like anything UB40 did in the late 80's and 90's you have to get this. It's what they're all about. Full fledged reggae boys.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only UB40 CD worth owning..., July 24, 2004

By 

Nick D. "zero2hide" (Fort Collins, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Signing Off (Audio CD)

24 years old and still an underrated album that stands the test of time. I dig this out and play it at parties or on road trips and am amazed how people of all ages love it. I purposely don't mention that it's UB40 and friends are stunned to learn that UB40 are highly talented and are more than capable of just re-hashing other well-known reggae/pop songs.

I'm surprised that other bands have never covered, (or maybe someone has?), some of the songs on this pioneering album like 'Tyler' 'Burden of Shame' 'King' or 'Madam Medusa.'

If you like solid and original reggae that's not 'Marleyesque' you won't be disappointed with this CD.