Search - The English Beat :: Beat This: The Best of the English Beat

A fine introduction to an underrated band

finulanu | Here, there, and everywhere | 01/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kinda funny what happened to the Beat (known as the "English Beat" here in America, though I find that name clunky): their debut, I Just Can't Stop It, was an excellent album with their biggest hit (Mirror in the Bathroom), and assorted other goodies, most of them found here (Best Friend; Hands Off She's Mine; Twist and Crawl; Click Click; Whine and Grind/Stand Down Margaret; Can't Get Used to Losing You; Tears of a Clown, though Two Swords is missed). Then they crashed: Record #2, Wha'ppen? had a few gems (Too Nice to Talk to; Doors of Your Heart; Drowning, featured here: Get a Job and Dreamhouse in NZ are both sadly MIA), but it was uneven and felt like a holding pattern. By album #3 (Special Beat Service), they had all but lost it, going from a premeire punk-ska act to an Adult Contemporary act with a slight Jamaican feel. They managed to wring three good songs out of that mess: I Confess; Sole Salvation and Save it for Later. Wisely, they put those songs here.

Find yourself a copy of this album. It's a great party CD, and I used to listen to it near-religiously. Great music. The Beat were a more authentic Police when it came to mixing reggae and punk, thanks to their brilliant saxman Saxa: that's saying something, since the Police were also an authentic reggae band. Every song on this one's a gem, unlike on some of their studio albums: if you're a casual fan, this is all the Beat you need."

Beat This: The Best of the English Beat

James A. Campbell | Milwaukee Wi | 01/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there were one UK band that was a true icon of the 80's, it would definitely be the English Beat. With the upbeat ska sounds that were heavily influenced by the Specials, this album is a must have. The album starts out with "Best Friend" which has a real catchy beat and funky horn section. "Save it for later" is another favorite which appears in the Woody Harrelson movie KingPin. "Mirror in the Bathroom" is on everybodys favorite 80's hits. The cover of "Tears of a Clown" is a masterful ska interpretation of The Smokie Robinson hit. My only gripe is that "Rotating Head" (heard in Ferris Bueller's Day Off when he is running through back yards towards the end) was not included. If you like The Specials, General Public and Fine Young Cannibals, you will love this album."

Great Music, Not a real CD

Ringo | Los Angeles, CA USA | 08/04/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This so-called Enhanced CD has software that automatically installs into your computer. Apparently, this is to prevent illicit copying of the music. However, this is a great way to introduce security holes in your OS. It's tough to be an informed consumer when you're not given all the relevant information before you buy. The company I work for prohibits using such CDs in the company computers. So, I had to buy a separate CD player in order to listen to the music at work. This software is the kind of rudeness that's the antithesis of The Beat's music."