In theory, I’m all over this album. Reality is another story. It’s not that I dislike the music; it’s that the concept is more compelling than the creation. Take Lily Allen, for example. The petite potty-mouth created something new and exciting out of her love for Blondie and the Specials—to say nothing of X-Ray Spex and Wreckless Eric.
The third full-length from these fellow Londoners features a cover of Blondie’s “Rapture”, vocals from Terry Hall of the Specials, and a more up-to-the-minute approach than its predecessors (thanks to the hip-hop and techno touches). Good grooves aside, this post-big beat venture lacks the attitude and personality of Blondie’s Autoamerican, the Specials’ self-titled debut… or Allen’s irresistible Alright, Still.
The Pistols also take on “Gangsters” (the Specials), “Peaches” (the Stranglers), and “You’ll Never Find” (Lou Rawls). Hall, incidentally, sounds just as dreamy on “Rapture” as on the Fun Boy Three version of “Our Lips Are Sealed” (on which his trio were joined by Bananarama).
The parade of non-originals gives the impression that Speakers and Tweeters is an ’80s tribute album or a greatest hits collection. As such, it’s pretty good—despite the scarcity of dub promised by their name (at least until “Stronger” rolls around). Maybe I just have impossibly high standards when it comes to certain genres, like ska and two tone. But this disc would serve as a swell party record, and to quote Heart, I bet these guys kick it out live.