"Too Much Pressure" is the first album by British ska band The Selecter, which was released in February 1980 on the 2 Tone label. The album was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart and achieving Gold sales status. The band, fronted by Pauline Black, was one of the key outfits in the British ska movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The album features hit singles such as "On My Radio", "Three Minute Hero", and "Missing Words", which are considered significant contributions to the 2 Tone and ska genres. The title track, "Too Much Pressure", reflects the social and political climate of the period. The album was recorded at Horizon Studios, Coventry, and was produced by Errol Ross and The Selecter themselves. The music blends the band's Caribbean roots with punk energy, driven by their desire to challenge and subvert listeners' expectations.
The cover of the album carries a significant cultural message of the time as well - depicting the band members positioned against a backdrop that has the word 'Dance' crossed out and replaced by 'Fight'. This encapsulates the raw edge and socio-political commentary that characterized The Selecter and their music.
Musically, "Too Much Pressure" represents a marked departure from mainstream trends at the time of its release. It offered a refreshing fusion of ska rhythms with punk rock's raw energy. Thematically, the album carries a strong political message, reflecting on issues of class, race, and sex that were prevalent during that period.
