Selecter - Too Much Pressure

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Free Music Notes for Too Much Pressure

Free Music Review: A lost classic - one of the best albums I own!
Hit: 5 Stars

Fans of the short-lived U.K. ska revival are probably familiar with The Selecter, but unfortunately most don't own "Too Much Pressure". It was out of print until 2002, and then only released on a small indie label in the U.K.

The album was originally released in 1980, following a few key singles, on the then fledgling 2-Tone label. Those early singles - "The Selecter", "On My Radio" and "Too Much Pressure" - are included as bonus tracks on this reissue.

Like other 2-Tone bands, The Selecter is indebted to early Jamaican ska, specifically Duke Reid and Prince Buster productions, as well as late seventies U.K. punk. The Selecter is rooted in rock steady and reggae rhythms as well, which aligns them more closely with The English Beat than The Specials or Madness (all label-mates.)

What makes The Selecter completely unique is lead vocalist Pauline Black. Black was born to belt out infectious, punk-inspired ska tunes. Without her, The Selecter would sound too much like The English Beat - not a bad thing, just that Black really makes the band something special. She can back a social statement like "Danger" with fierce intensity and then bounce along playfully to some of the most infectious songs in existence. (Is "On My Radio" pure bliss or what?)

This is truly one of the best albums that I own, and I highly recommend it to fans of this type of music. Even if you already own a Selecter compilation, you shouldn't hesitate to pick this up. Seriously, no slapdash compilation can ever replace the original album, especially when every track is a killer.

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