U.K. ska legends the Specials are returning with their first album of new material in two decades. Titled Encore, the full-length will arrive next year on February 1.
The album marks the first since the Specials' 2001 effort Conquering Ruler cover album, with 1998's Guilty 'til Proved Innocent! marking the group's last record of original songs.
The lineup for Encore includes founding members Lynval Golding and Horace Panter, as well as vocalist Terry Hall. The band is then rounded out by drummer Kenrick Rowe and guitarist Steve Cradock. Yes, this means that the Specials' old songwriter Jerry Dammers has not returned (and likely never will).
The new album is made up of 10 tracks, with eight being new originals and two being covers. The covers are of the Equals' "Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys" and the Valentines' "Blam Blam Fever." You can check out the tracklist below, while the cover art is above.
While Encore will arrive on vinyl, the CD edition of the album also includes a bonus live collection called The Best of the Specials Live.
Encore:
1. Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys
2. B.L.M.
3. Vote For Me
4. The Lunatics
5. Breaking Point
6. Blam Blam Fever
7. 10 Commandments
8. Embarrassed By You
9. The Life And Times (Of A Man Called Depression)
10. We Sell Hope
The album marks the first since the Specials' 2001 effort Conquering Ruler cover album, with 1998's Guilty 'til Proved Innocent! marking the group's last record of original songs.
The lineup for Encore includes founding members Lynval Golding and Horace Panter, as well as vocalist Terry Hall. The band is then rounded out by drummer Kenrick Rowe and guitarist Steve Cradock. Yes, this means that the Specials' old songwriter Jerry Dammers has not returned (and likely never will).
The new album is made up of 10 tracks, with eight being new originals and two being covers. The covers are of the Equals' "Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys" and the Valentines' "Blam Blam Fever." You can check out the tracklist below, while the cover art is above.
While Encore will arrive on vinyl, the CD edition of the album also includes a bonus live collection called The Best of the Specials Live.
Encore:
1. Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys
2. B.L.M.
3. Vote For Me
4. The Lunatics
5. Breaking Point
6. Blam Blam Fever
7. 10 Commandments
8. Embarrassed By You
9. The Life And Times (Of A Man Called Depression)
10. We Sell Hope
