"Since their self-titled 1979 debut album, tracks tackling racism, war, unemployment and national decay helped make them one of the most vital and socially progressive bands of their age ... What there isn't much of is ska. Here, The Specials take a far more open-minded approach, as if allowing each song to pick its own style ... This is an album of thoughtful and considered dissent rather than the righteous rage of old. The Specials, perhaps, have realised sooner than most that all this shouting is getting us nowhere".