You Just Can't Beat It: The Best of The Beat [Import]

The Beat | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 16, 2008)
• Original Release Date: January 1, 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Music Club Deluxe
• Copy Protected
• ASIN: B0010YO8K8
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,566 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > Alternative Rock > Ska > Ska General

Editorial Reviews

2008 two CD compilation from Birmingham's The Beat, also known as The English Beat in the U.S. The Beat first burst onto the music scene amid the late '70's Two Tone led Ska revival. Almost overnight they found themselves in the Top 10 of the UK charts and on something of a Pop rollercoaster ride. But socio-politically charged lyrics with a strong belief in love and unity informed much of their work and proved there was more than a little depth to this group. Musically their Soul, Reggae, Pop and Punk hybrid created a distinctive and often highly infectious sound. In the short time they were together they burnt bright and from the group's ashes General Public and Fine Young Cannibals would emerge. Features 36 highlights including the Top Five hits 'Mirror In The Bathroom' and `Can't Get Used To Losing You'. Music Club Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE!, December 29, 2008

By 

J. Bostic (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: You Just Can't Beat It: The Best of The Beat (Audio CD)

This is probably the best compilation of The (English) Beat available. Well worth the $19.99, it contains all of the songs from the 3 Beat releases minus two songs ("I Am Your Flag" and "Rotating Heads"). For the collector, "Tears Of A Clown" and "Ranking Full Stop" are the original 1979 2Tone single versions. The compilation was put together by Dave Wakeling and Rhoda Dakar. The remastering of this compilation is far superior to any of the earlier re-issues.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good collection, January 30, 2010

By 

Brandon Davidson (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: You Just Can't Beat It: The Best of The Beat (Audio CD)

I really like this collection and the sound quality is good. The only way to make this better would be to make it comprehensive i.e I wish they had included everything the Beat did.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All the way from Nashua, New Hampshire, USA, June 26, 2010

By 

melkents "arpeggios" (Mississippi, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: You Just Can't Beat It: The Best of The Beat (Audio CD)

Two Tone records,and it's sister labels Stiff Records [Elvis Costello],

and Go Feet!; spawned a whole garage full of "ska" bands.The Beat,or

English Beat in the USA, for legal purposes..were undoubtedly the best

due to a step up in musicianship; when compared to other ska acts.

From 1979-1984 Tone Tone were big business in England. Bands such as

Madness, The Selector, General Public, Bad Manners, and last but not

least The Specials -["Too much too young", and "Concretejungle"].They

were all touring and having tons of fun.If you are able, find the boxed

CD set of live recordings..called "Ska Wars", for the real deal.

The double CD.[being reviewed?]here has all their well known hits on

it.Fast and furious music. Danceable, if you are 100 percent fit!

Unfortunately they do not feature the great 'dubbed bass' as found on

the high priced collector's CD - "B.P.M. and M.B.P.M. rarities and dubs"

which has increased $20 in the last month. Instead the listener is treated

to the studio bass lines, that do not have the wonderful dubbed hollowness

with reverb : Also found on early UB40 work.

The English Beat, are still touring. Split into 2 touring combinations,

one for Europe, the other for the USA,[or America's]. After their fame

and fortune in the late 1970's - this great band from the West Midlands

of England [Birmingham], went forward to be the driving force behind

"The Fine Young Cannibals" with Roland Gift; and "General Public" with

a few members from "Dexy's Midnight Runners". Yes it was quite a time folks..

ska, pop, mod and all...Dancing was much easier 30 years ago!