The Specials' 1979 self-titled debut album is considered one of the high points of British ska music. Produced by Elvis Costello and combining the rhythms and mindset of Jamaican reggae with a heavy guitar influence and some of the sensibilities of punk rock, the album is wild, rollicking fun from beginning to end.

The songs on "The Specials" vary from fast-paced reggae to vaguely political ballads, with a few joking set pieces thrown in. The first song, "A Message to Rudy," is an instant classic. It has a strong, danceable baseline underneath a bouncy guitar part, as the singer demands that Rudy stop his messing around. "Doesn't Make it Alright" is a sincere cry to better race relations. The CD flies into "Too Hot," "Monkey Man" and "Dawning of a New Era," all of which are classics.

This CD impressively manages to take reggae and make it danceable. The CD has the same rhythms of the older work of Bob Marley but speeds it up and adds much heavier bass lines.

The Specials balance out the CD with a distinct sense of fun. The song "Stupid Marriage" is a courtroom drama involving a man who smashed his ex-girlfriend's window. The CD ends on "Little Bitch" and "You're Wondering Now" which, while mildly serious, carry the general tone of the album.
Although the CD is fairly long, it never drags. It is almost impossible to stop listening after the first song, as nearly every song afterward is amazing.

The Specials, along with bands like War, are the perfect music for summer. Listening to this CD makes me want to get in my car and drive to the beach with the roof and windows open. With the weather heating up and summer fast approaching, there is no better time to check out this underrated classic.