Firstly, a quick mention of recording quality. While it may be sacrilegious to criticise the "character" of the bands' sound, I do wonder if a remastered version would be more enjoyable. By today's standards, the sound is very thin. On the bright side, the balance between instruments is good.
For me, Gangsters is simply a timeless classic. Quite a simple song, but enjoyable from start to finish. Rudy A Message To You evokes similar reactions. Objectively there isn't much exciting about it these days, but it's a classic two-tone anthem which I will always enjoy.
Time has not been so kind to Nite Klub. It might have been a unique new style of ska, these days I find it pales in comparison with The Toasters etc. Similarly, Judge Dredd and others have taken the skinhead ska sound of Too Much Too Young and refined it into a style of ska of its own. Similarly for Stereotype, the concept of which has been taken to far greater heights by Madness.
The melody of Guns of Navarone is fantastic, making this another timeless classic. However, towards the end it feels a bit drawn out, so it could have used some more musical ideas to complement it.
While I must respect the band for trying new sounds with International Jet Set, Why, War Crimes and (What I Like Most About You Is Your) Girlfriend, unfortunately the songs themselves leave me cold (perhaps this means I prefer formulaic ska?!) While I'm being harsh, Do Nothing sounds to me like awkwardly sped up reggae, and Nelson Mandella is a fundamentally bland song hiding behind overdone glitter.
On a positive note, Ghost Town is wonderfully moody, thanks to its Arabic influence, and the horn melody in Racist Friend is a highlight. Friday Night Saturday Morning is also one of my favourites. The strangely lonely and isolated feeling in a hedonistic social setting is captured brilliantly. And the organ part is also fantastic.
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