Before UB40 became the reggae equivelant of a lounge/karaoke act that only had hits with novelty covers and duets ( the list is endless and began with Neil Diamond's Red Red Wine ) they released several fine albums of original songs. This is the first and best of their albums. Many standout tracks here, including "Tyler" and the Margaret Thatcher bashing "Madame Medusa." They aren't taken too seriously by many folks simply because they have so many cover hits, but this album is a real keeper. The lyrics are mostly heavily political and the band themselves are in fact named after the form that unemployed people in the UK fill out in order to get welfare, which was rampant in the late 70's and early eighties. The name of this album is a term used by Brits who say they are "signing off on the dole." The sometimes dark lyrics are in stark contrast to the laid back reggae grooves in the songs, but it works quite well. If all you know of UB40 are songs like Red Red Wine and I Got You Babe ( a duet with Chrissy Hynde of the Pretenders, and again, another cover ) and you are a fan of reggae, you owe it to yourself to get this album. It's a real classic, and often overlooked.

This is one fantastic album from start to finish. The best UB40 music is definitely on this album. The original vinyl version included a mini single which is also included here. Check out"Madam Medusa","Strange Fruit","I Think It's Going To Rain Today","King","Tyler","Food For Thought" and "Little By Little" like their supposed to be heard, crystal clear. This is also jam packed with some great instrumental cuts which are fantastic. It would be great if they could make another great album like this. It gets better everytime I hear it. If you like anything UB40 did in the late 80's and 90's you have to get this. It's what they're all about. Full fledged reggae boys.

24 years old and still an underrated album that stands the test of time. I dig this out and play it at parties or on road trips and am amazed how people of all ages love it. I purposely don't mention that it's UB40 and friends are stunned to learn that UB40 are highly talented and are more than capable of just re-hashing other well-known reggae/pop songs.

I'm surprised that other bands have never covered, (or maybe someone has?), some of the songs on this pioneering album like 'Tyler' 'Burden of Shame' 'King' or 'Madam Medusa.'

If you like solid and original reggae that's not 'Marleyesque' you won't be disappointed with this CD.

Hard to believe that this disc is made by the same guys who made all those banal covers...I was blown away when I heard this cd! Buy Signing Off and Present Arms if you want to hear the essence of UB40.

all I can tell you is this:I been listening reggae for the last 40 years(yes,I said 40)and this its the best ub40 ,...bob marley its really happy in the heaven!!!