Arguably the most significant one-band release of the 2 Tone era, the Specials’ self-titled debut was like a master class in ska revivalism. Stylistically it ranged from punk-tinged raveups like “Night Club” and “Too Much Too Young” to darker and more introspective reggae fare like “Blank Expression” and the wryly fatalistic ”You’re Wondering Now” — everything delivered with the mix of quiet anger and sardonic wit that would become the Specials’ lyrical hallmark.

– Rick Anderson