Review Summary: One of two tone's first big records, "I Just Can't Stop It" deals with its inability to stop the creative flow and catchy tunes that it has.
Back when all England had to offer to the music scene were decent punk bands and the
Sex Pistols, a new movement came forth and spread throughout the country. This new innovation combined the style of punk with the long forgotten sound of Jamaican born Ska. Indeed it had been twenty to thirty good years since the genre had been founded, but in the late seventies it was subject to a rebirth, a second wave combining the current punk style with it. Many big bands came from this period, but one in particular is The English Beat; featuring two singers that play to their talents to get different styles of music from just one band. The English Beat had everything: intelligent and expressive lyrics with the lifestyles to prove what they said was real, catchy songs, some mainstream exposure, and former Desmond Dekker (RIP) saxophonist, Saxa, anchoring the rhythm section and offering his talents to bridges and melodies. After firing off some successful singles, the band were ready to record their debut disc, and with their authenticity, talent, and skill,
I Just Can't Stop It makes use of all of these to be a great debut.
What makes the band so full of substance and flexible? Having two vocalists helps this as each one has their distinctive style and adds their specialty when needed. Maybe you like Dave Wakeling's more traditional and relaxed delivery. Indeed he is the more featured and worked singer in the band equation, but he does in no way overshadow the rougher quicker vocals of Ranking Roger. Indeed Rogers quick vocal stabs, toasts (think Jamaican rapping), and free styling over bridge sections of songs perfectly compliments Wakeling's sticking with the song structure. The versatility of the voice behind the band is only one of the bands dynamics though, another one being the guitar play between guitarists Dave Wakeling and Andy Cox. Highlights of said guitar playoffs can be found in the tracks
Click Click and
Noise in This World. Of course there would be no room for different singers, sax solos and accompaniment, or guitars playing at the same time if not for a solid rhythm section. This is achieved with drummer Everett Moreton and bassist Dave Steel (not to be confused with kazoo virtuoso Dave de Sylvia). The drum and bass section play introduction to many of the tunes, including
Twist and Crawl and
Big Shot.
Without knowing it, you may have heard this band through a radio station playing old songs that not many people know the titles to. If you recall it having a "reggae/slow" feel with a sax playing in the back and a chorus consisting of the line "hands off shes mine", then you are thinking of the right song. Back before the release of this CD,
Hands Off Shes Mine was released as a single the year after the opening track
Mirror in the Bathroom also received single treatment. With previous releases intact and chart reaching in England, its not like this band came out of nowhere, but to people listening for this new noise of two tone (second wave, ska) they were a very refreshing bunch.
I Just Can't Stop It enjoys remaining very consistent in the short (but not
Angry Samoans short) time it lasts though. Songs featuring content about many issues, personal and political are featured on here, and they are both of quality.
One thing this release generated popularity toward and what became a well know band element is the seriousness it took on social and political issues. Why it got known for this is explained here, with the songs "
Two Swords" and "
Whine and Grine/Stand Down Margaret". The former of the two,
Two Swords, deals with the forming of, result, and advice for prevention of violence. Choosing not to just pick a problem and describe how it forms or what results of it; The English Beat's lyrical content goes in depth with the issue, and this approach issued in this song. " I've never been one for the punch-ups/But look I really hate them Nazis/A certain something starts to wind me up/How could I hate them of so violently" show the roots of the problem, hate is clearly the motivation for this and though hes "never been on for punch-ups", he sees opportunity and a valid reason to. So the fight goes on, but near the end as "Two swords slashing at each other/Only sharpen one another/And in the long run even he's your brudda'", realization comes in and any reasons for starting it are washed away. Of course it was bound to come to this, I mean when "Sometimes it's hard to see the left from the right/Are we angry, are we looking for peace?" there stands a chance for violence and swords to break out.
Human nature and its evil natural ways are not the only thing on the table The English Beat are willing to discuss however, they also dive into the world of politics of the time. With the then much debated Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in office; she gives the boys something to write and protest about, and indeed they do. While many bands include politics and the government in the themes of their songs, they are utilized in
Whine and Grine/Stand Down Margaret without the band getting preachy, and without Thatcher becoming the main focus of the record. It all begins with reactions from the bands point of view, its how "I said I see no joy/I see only sorry/I see no chance of your bright new tomorrow" is expressed but without mentioning specific events, leaving the words to be able to describe many times. The tune calls for Margret to "stand down/stand down Margret" which was a line understood by the people who listened to it but not by Margret herself as she did not resign until 10 years later. Even though the action of the political sphere takes 10 years to happen, the words are remain well written and a staple.
Interesting musicianship, a much enjoyable sound, and sax solos make
I Just Can't Stop It one of the great first second-wave ska records. It does such a great job of laying down the blueprint and allowing other bands to use what was recorded here into making their records and sound. Needless to say, this is a good starting point for anyone interested in ska (in any form) or for those who want a hip and alive record.
