All the Rage

General Public

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1984
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B000001I0R
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,687 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave
  #28 in	Music > Alternative Rock > Ska
  #46 in	Music > Indie Music > Pop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
General Public's debut is arguably the ska supergroup's best work. Fresh out of the English Beat, Dave Wakeling recruited vocal partner Ranking Roger, as well as bassist Horace Panter (the Specials), keyboardist Mickey Billingham (Dexy's Midnight Runners), and veteran sax man Saxa for this set of shiny pop that is virtually all as infectious as the album's Top 40 hit, "Tenderness." Sure, the English Beat's best grooves found their way into the Fine Young Cannibals, but Wakeling and Roger's breathless vocals and undeniable hooks still shine on this undervalued album. --Bill Forman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the 80's to now, these guys are......all the rage., July 31, 1999

By A Customer

Risen from the ashes of the Beat, most eclectic and possibly most musically competent of all the 2 Tone posses, Dave and Roger skrunched their way back into rock music with this gem. As the saying goes, "If they hadn't existed, someone would have had to invent them". General Public demonstrate clearly what pop music COULD be, if it makes the effort.Challenging, insightful and NEVER an insult to your intelligence. "All the Rage "showcases their creative musicianship to the full, weaving subtle rhythms and melodies with irrepressible dance beats (just check out Anxious and Never You Done That). The lyrical content is superb - acute and incisive political and social commentary,(Where's The Line, As A Matter of Fact) aeons away from the intellectually barren pop of recent years. Dave and Roger have two of the sharpest lenses for social commentary you'll find anywhere in rock music. Combine this with their ear for a brilliant tune, and you have the consummate band. If you buy one album this year, make it this one.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still sounds completely fresh in the year 2000, March 3, 2000

By	Mig P. "just some dude" (Sunnycupertoga, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Both this album and GP's later "Hand To Mouth" are simply a delight, light years above not just the schlock from the 80's, but above even the good stuff as well. Dave's voice is a slice of heaven and his lyrics are razor-sharp, filled with clever metaphors and double-meanings. (Example: "your friends get laid on stony ground"). Roger's harmonies play off him very well too. Musically, the songs are surprisingly intricate. For instance, "Never You Done That" has a structure much more complex than a standard pop song-- yet manages to be incredibly stick-in-your-brain catchy at the same time. And "Anxious" can't decide whether it is a pop song or a reggae song-- which is what makes it so great, because it is both at the same time. And who could forget the all-time classic "Tenderness", alone worth the price of the album. This album is essential if you're into 80's, and nevertheless a complete treat if you're not. DON'T MISS IT!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars too damn good not to have, December 27, 1998

By	Kelly Christopher ([e-mail]) (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

I came of age in the eighties, and this is one of the albums I cut my teeth on. This is smart power pop on par with Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, with ska inflections that will make your leg twitch. In fact, the toughest thing about listening to this album is figuring out whether to groove to the music or soak up the lyrics. I would give it five stars, but there are a few weaker tracks. But 'Never you done that','Tenderness', and 'Where's the line' make up for those. If you like ska, eighties music, or good, smart lyrics, I STRONGLY recommend "All The Rage".