Album of the Day

The lyrics on The English Beat’s second LP, WHA’PPEN?, reflected the social strife of Britain circa 1981 but its music was another thing. “Californians and surfers, people like that – that album was made for them,” said the group’s Ranking Roger of the collection’s more relaxed tempos, though its range of styles appeals far beyond the West Coast. While ska and reggae remain at the core of this set, broader worldbeat influences (West African sounds in particular) are strong on highlights including “Doors of Your Heart,” “Drowning” and “Dream Home in NZ.” WHA’PPEN? was a Top Ten hit in the U.K. (and made the year-end Top Ten lists of critic Robert Christgau and music weekly NME) and we’ll play it again to wish frontman Dave Wakeling a happy birthday.