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Today's Specials

by The Specials

Released: April 15, 1996

Ska, pop, reggae

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

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

The Album

Neville Staple later expressed regret for including several of the recordings, which he described as produced demos. "Today's Specials" is a cover album by the Specials, released in 1996. The album was released exclusively on CD in the US, UK, and Canada, and on both CD and cassette tape in the Netherlands.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The tracks "Pressure Drop" and "Hypocrite" were released…

The tracks "Pressure Drop" and "Hypocrite" were released as singles in the UK.

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The Specials - Today's Specials

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Then

Reception

This was the group's first studio album since 1984, featuring original members Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Lynval Golding, and Horace Panter, along with new members Mark Adams and Adam Birch, and several session musicians. Lead vocals were primarily handled by Staple and Golding, with Neville's daughter Sheena Staples contributing backing vocals. It did not receive favorable reviews from critics or fans, who particularly criticized the heavy use of synthesizers and pre-programmed drum beats.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Today's Specials" is a cover album by the Specials, released in 1996. This was the group's first studio album since 1984, featuring original members Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Lynval Golding, and Horace Panter, along with new members Mark Adams and Adam Birch, and several session musicians. Lead vocals were primarily handled by Staple and Golding, with Neville's daughter Sheena Staples contributing backing vocals.

The album was released exclusively on CD in the US, UK, and Canada, and on both CD and cassette tape in the Netherlands. It did not receive favorable reviews from critics or fans, who particularly criticized the heavy use of synthesizers and pre-programmed drum beats. Neville Staple later expressed regret for including several of the recordings, which he described as produced demos.

The tracks "Pressure Drop" and "Hypocrite" were released as singles in the UK.