The Specials OR Madness?

[Paxton Dazo]

Two of the GREATEST Ska bands EVER.

Who do you think are better?

 

[Wexford Gull]

Madness

 

[chez]

While it's clear that both are quality I'd have to go for Madness as the better of the two.

 

[Southwick_Seagull]

Madness

 

[Buzzer]

eh?

Madness were never proper ska. Specials have the songs, the pedigree, the personnel, the look, everything. It's an unfair comparison and the Specials piss all over Madness who are now nothing more than a sort of fun office party knees up act.


By the way - no one, not even the Skatalites beats Prince Buster for ska.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

specials

 

[Paxton Dazo]

eh?

Madness were never proper ska. Specials have the songs, the pedigree, the personnel, the look, everything. It's an unfair comparison and the Specials piss all over Madness who are now nothing more than a sort of fun office party knees up act.


By the way - no one, not even the Skatalites beats Prince Buster for ska.

Prince Buster is very good I must admit.

The Specials best song has to be Pressure Drop.

 

[Buzzer]

On the 1st album, I really liked the "Justice Ruffneck track or poor little rich girl. Off the second, Pearl's Diner or JB, Sock it to 'em.

My favourite ever line is from the Enjoy yourself track "Hi, my name's Terry and I'm going to enjoy myself first".

All time favourite if that is the right word Specials track was the AKA one they did with Rhoda Dakar called the Boiler. Powerful stuff delivered brilliantly, it's genuinely shocking still.

Rhoda Dakar is guest DJing at Da Doo Ron Ron next week at the Komedia and according to Ian at Immediate Clothing she is loveliness personified.

 

[bright1064]

Madness, madness...they call it madness!

 

[Paxton Dazo]

Madness, madness...they call it madness!

That was actually sung by Prince Buster, but i get you point .

 

[Jello]

eh?

Madness were never proper ska. Specials have the songs, the pedigree, the personnel, the look, everything. It's an unfair comparison and the Specials piss all over Madness who are now nothing more than a sort of fun office party knees up act.

I'm with Buzzer - Specials all the way and got them as my ringtone

 

[cannedheat]

Like them both, however my old man has some real 60s Jamaican Ska on vinly, Skatalites Prince Buster Toots and much more and I LOVE IT.

 

[seagull_special]

Like choosing between your children - love them both and a special mention for The Beat - what a band

 

[Man of Harveys]

Madness' back catalogue is one of the finest in ALL British music's fine history - something that John Lennon was quick to point out, he raved about them almost obsessively in one of his last interviews. The Specials were obviously brilliant too so I voted for both.

I'm listening to the hugely underrated Rise and Fall album right now btw and mighty fine it sounds too.

 

[aftershavedave]

specials for me. musical innovators, there first two lp's were fantastic.

madness on the other hand were a dodgy bunch of skinheads who morphed into a party band

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This is apples and pears, so I've gone for both. Both good/great bands but for very different reasons.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Specials.

"One TWO..."

 

[keaton]

I don't mind a bit of Madness but the Specials are much better. Nite Klub or Ghost Town are my favourites

 

[One True BHA]

Both quality, but Specials better.

Seeing them in May at Brixton, can't ruddy wait.

 

[Barnet Seagull]

Tough call. I was too young to appreciate either from anything other than a musical basis.

Certainly lyrically and to a certain extent musically they're miles apart, but I like them both for that very reason.