Specials

More Specials
$11.94
With the release of their second album, the Specials proved definitively that they were more than a flash in the pan. This is an excelent follow-up, one continuing in the ska idiom with brilliant pop thrown in for good measure. The most rewarding aspect of this remastered edition, however, is the remarkable sound that shines through on every track, revealing every nuance of a densely layered collection of songs. My only critique of this remaster would address the baffling exclusion of 'Rat Race,' a track fans will feel cheated out of once they get this cd home. Why in the name of all that is holy was it excluded?

The Specials
$9.98
This movie had the potential to be great, but it fell short of its mark. Obviously, there were some budgetary issues. But to assemble such a super cast of actors, and then confine them to a superhero-comedy that is 80% dialogue, 20% everything else combined, well, it fell short of its mark. So if you are hoping for a dvd close to the Mystery Men, this one is in that vein, but not without the funny action sequences. Just take it for what it is - a group of Unsuper Super Heros who are talking about their problems for an hour and a half or so. But don't expect any real goofy battle scenes or visual comedy at all. Also, it's not for kids!

Specials (The Uglies)
$9.99
In a futuristic world built on the ruins of our own where extreme cosmetic surgery makes everyone beautiful, some people stand out for other reasons.

Tally Youngblood has always been special. She uncovered, betrayed, and ultimately aligned herself with a resistance group known as The Smoke while she was an Ugly. Her Pretty clique, The Crims, changed life in New Pretty Town forever and sparked the beginnings of revolution.

But Tally doesn't care about any of that anymore. Because she's a Special, part of the elite group of enforcers known as Special Circumstances. Enhanced to be a deadly predator, Tally doesn't want to hurt you. But she will if she has to in Specials (2006) by Scott Westerfeld.

Tally didn't plan on becoming Special, let alone joining Special Circumstances after being exploited by the group for so long (two whole books!). But when her best friend, Shay, and the Cutters become Specials, Tally once again finds herself at the mercy of other people's plans.

When one of Tally and Shay's botched schemes leads to the first all out war since ancient times, Tally and the Cutters will have to race against the clock to prevent the inevitable. As Tally struggles to save her world from the ravages of war, will she be able to save herself?

I really love all of Scott Westerfeld's books. Because he's awesome. That said, the Uglies trilogy (not including its companion book Extras) lost momentum for me as the series progressed with this one being the slowest, and in a lot of ways the most disappointing, of the three.

On her blog Westerfeld's wife and fellow YA author Justine Larbalestier recently mentioned reviews suggesting that Specials starts off slow despite its being filled with insane action sequences which she thinks is a silly thing to suggest. Which is true. Specials is jam packed with new technology, epic battles, and action-packed chases. Unfortunately that doesn't leave a lot of room for character development or "real" (by which I mean not involving a chase or battle) plot development.

While the conclusion of Specials shakes Tally's world to its very core, the plot is strikingly (and annoyingly) similar to the premise of Pretties once you change some of the slang and substitute settings. In summary, I was excited to see how the trilogy ended, of course, but without the first two books Specials is nothing special.

Specials
$11.94
This album is one of the best I've ever heard. Even if you're not a ska fan, you can't help but appreciate how great the songs are. Every one is a winner and it doesn't stop. It truly is a classic. It's cynical and upbeat at the same time and you can't say that about too many albums. Another really great album from this era is At the Chelsea Night Club by the Members, an often overlooked band. Regardless, The Specials is great and if you haven't heard it, then you should make the effort. It is well worth it.