Customer Reviews

Special Beat Service

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At the time they released Special Beat Service in 1982, the English Beat appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough. While their first album, I Just Can't Stop It, was a ska classic, and their second album, Wha'ppen?, was very deep into reggae, Special Beat Service toned down those genres in favor of British pop. Dave Wakeling's vocals were more compassionate than ever before and their songs were arguably their strongest overall. However, internal dissention would ultimately break up the English Beat and although several of the band members would later find success with General Public and The Fine Young Cannibals respectively, the excellent songs and performances on Special Beat Service make you wonder how far they could have gone if they were able to keep it together.

One listen to the soulful "I Confess" and the solemn ballad "End of the Party" show a newfound maturity that didn't exist on their previous releases. Songs like "Jeanette", "She's Going", and "Sugar & Stress" are very catchy while "Sorry" mixes their snappy horn lines with a dose of funk. "Soul Salvation", which combines their ska sound with an R&B edge, is also a great track. Other strong tracks include the new wave sounds of "Rotating Head" and the island like "Ackee 1 2 3." The reggae tracks, "Spar Wid Me", and "Pato and Roger a Go Talk" are also pretty decent. Finally, "Save It for Later" is one of the best British singles of the `80s, and is living proof that sometimes the best songs are the simplest. The strings near the end of the track also provide a nice touch. All told, Special Beat Service is a great album from one of the more enduring British bands. Highly recommended.

This c.d. is absolutley astounding ! From the first track to the last there is not a single flop or disappointment; Even the album cover conveys a sense of coolness and sophistication. I had only heard the name English Beat growing up but never ventured to listen to their music thinking it was another heavy-synth new romantic band by it's name alone. Now, I am glad I've heard them ! Their mixture of ska, reggae, pop, and a few other styles will surely capture any avid music collector's attention. Also, the vocals of the lead singer are very reminiscent of Colin Hay's from Men At Work (another '80s great group). Although the album originally was released in 1982 I can see or hear why it firmly stands up to the test of time !

This has to be my all time favorite album and I'm happy to see it back in print. I unfortunately sold the album some 4 years ago (I was the poor starving college student) and subsiquently spent 3 years searching for it in every used CD store in the Seattle area. Favorite tracks are Janette, Rotating Head and Ackee 1-2-3 (I only wish samples for them were available). If you're looking for a definately unique sound that never grows old and while forever remind me of the 80's check out the beat :)

Save it for Later is still one of the perfect songs of all time (though the extended versions from later are even better). There's some other great stuff off this album, like Ackee 1-2-3, and I Confess, but the whole album is solid. Actually, all of the Beat albums are solid; if you like any of their songs, I recommend the rest of their catalog to you. But Save it for Later is a special gem, so I recommend this album first.

No doubt, this is a great album. With beut tracks such as "I Confess", "Jeanette", and "Sole Salvation" this is a must have album. The album also contains the haunting "Save It For Later", which, in my humble opinion, is the best of all the great Beat tracks, and would make my top three (and possibly top one!) of all time.

Is this album as good as "I Just Can't Stop It"? Very hard to call, as the albums are about as similar as chalk and cheese. Still, if I was to be stuck on a dessert island, and could only take one Beat album with me, I think "I Just Can't Stop It" would win by a nose.

The best songs are the poppy ones that you know already ("Save it for later", "I Confess") but the other tracks are pretty solid. Not as great as "Whap'pen" or the first album (name escapes me), but good none the less. If you only buy one English Beat album, buy one of the first two or the greatest hits album. If you're a fan and already have the others, buy this one to complete your set.

I had a copy of this on vinyl and had worn it out. I few years ago I found it on CD after a long search as it was out of print at the time. Glad that I can share this great music with others again. My faves are "Sole Salvation", "Sorry, "I confess" and the radio hit "Save it for Later" Great driving music for those long trips!

I loved this CD since college, when it was just vinyl. I'm listening to it today in my office, and it just really stands the test of time. The lyrics are so clever and the beats interesting. Really, how many times have we all "done too much of both types of w(h)ining"

Highly recommended! A great 80s classic.

"Special Beat Service" is one of those rare recordings that never loses favor or fades with age. The English Beat are on top of their game here, singing and playing with madcap energy. The songs--a riot of riffs, driving percussion, high energy horns (particularly saxes), punctuating bass, shimmering guitar, spot-on keyboards--still sound brash and bold. And the vocals are a thing of wonder--soaring and confident.

Whether this recording was the band's best or worst is not a point I care to debate, but as it was the final release from The English Beat, I think it's certainly the one to start with. It certainly .

the wierd hicuppy throat sounds, the echoing sax, the pidgin english, the jazz and calypso influences and even a polka! Couldn't be anyone but the English Beat. It's a shame this band broke up when they did. The pieces, General Public and Fine Young Cannibals did some pretty good stuff and had some bigger hits, but they were never as good as the full Beat.