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Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!

by The Specials

Released: March 24, 1998

Ska

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Lineup Change.

The Album

Despite comparisons to the classic 1979-1981 lineup, Guilty 'til Proved Innocent! "Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!" is a 1998 album by The Specials, marking the band's first studio release of new songs since 1984. Drummer Charley Harrington Bembridge, who had been absent from the previous album Today's Specials, also played on this release.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The track "Running Away" is based on Toots…

The track "Running Away" is based on Toots & the Maytals' song "Monkey Man," which The Specials had covered on their 1979 debut album.

The single "It's You" was promoted on Modern…

The single "It's You" was promoted on Modern Rock radio stations at the time of the album's release.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

The Specials - Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!

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Then

Reception

The album features contributions from both original and new band members, including Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Lynval Golding, and Horace Panter, along with new members Mark Adams, Adam Birch, and Jon Read. received more favorable reviews than the covers album Today's Specials and was generally seen as a return to form for the band. Received more favorable reviews than the covers album Today's Specials and was generally seen as a return to form for the band.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!" is a 1998 album by The Specials, marking the band's first studio release of new songs since 1984. The album features contributions from both original and new band members, including Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Lynval Golding, and Horace Panter, along with new members Mark Adams, Adam Birch, and Jon Read. Drummer Charley Harrington Bembridge, who had been absent from the previous album Today's Specials, also played on this release.

Despite comparisons to the classic 1979-1981 lineup, Guilty 'til Proved Innocent! received more favorable reviews than the covers album Today's Specials and was generally seen as a return to form for the band.

The single "It's You" was promoted on Modern Rock radio stations at the time of the album's release. The track "Running Away" is based on Toots & the Maytals' song "Monkey Man," which The Specials had covered on their 1979 debut album.