The Specials
This is a round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs. All releases due out this Friday unless noted.
The Specials
RELEASE: Encore
BACKSTORY:The legendary 2 Tone ska act this week releases its first collection of original material in two decades and its first recordings with original lead singer Terry Hall since the 1981 single “Ghost Town.”
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
The Beat featuring Ranking Roger
RELEASE: Public Confidential
BACKSTORY: The version of The Beat fronted by Ranking Roger — who recently revealed he’s fighting cancer — releases its first new album in three years. Features Roger’s daughter Saffren and son Ranking Junior.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Ian Brown
RELEASE: Ripples
BACKSTORY: The once-again-former lead singer of The Stone Roses this week releases his first new solo album in a decade. The 10-song collection features lead-off single, and lead-off track, “First World Problems.”
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- New releases: This Mortal Coil, Kate Bush, Morrissey, Howard Jones, David Bowie, Xymox
- This week’s new releases: Kate Bush, The Police, The Good The Bad & the Queen, Chris Cornell
- This week’s new releases: Midnight Oil’s live reunion album, J Mascis, Gary Numan, Big Country
Public Confidential captures the original feel of The Beat’s music. Lyrics are full of double meanings and keep you thinking. Quality album. Hoping Roger makes a full recovery so we can have him tour the U.S..