Brit ska and so much more.....
A wonderful followup to their first album, this one covers much wider range of styles. It can seem a disappointment when compared to their classic first album, but if you take it out of that context, it stands as a terrific album on its own. Each song has a totally different style to it. But why did they change the album art? The original lp art from 1981 was so much more charming. The US pressing also includes "Too Nice to Talk To", a terrific single which was not on the original vinyl lp.

The English Beat: Wha'ppen? Go Feet!
I never got around to purchasing this in the 80's and now I wonder why! I saw them in the 80's (also General Public), but it was only until after seeing The Engish Beat recently at the Key Club, did I remember many of THESE songs... And I finally got the CD!

The good thing about the long wait is really enjoying my "new" album!

"Too Nice To Talk To" and "Doors Of Your Heart" got significant airplay, but there are a number of very catchy , mid-tempo Ska tunes here that will have you moving around, for sure! "Monkey Murders" has some very nice saxaphone work by Saxa (of course!) and "I Am Your Flag" (also a popular tune from this collection) had many people dancing. The next group of five songs are really well suited to follow each other in tempo, style, and melody. "Cheated" is one of my favorites and "Get A Job" will make you get up, or at least tap your feet! It is not the same song as the 50'/60's hit. The last song, "The Limits We Set" is a great example of Saxa's unique style, which is like taking a walk up and down the instrument, without blatant flash, but a melodic meandering style. This is prevalent throughout the album, but really noticeable on this final track as it fades out the set. His playing style is unique and he has a real knack for filling in spaces and using them to make brief, well placed musical additions.

If you are a fan of other Beat albums, you will also enjoy this one!

Exellent
my fav. english beat CD (and im a fairlly avid fan)
if you like this Cd you have to try and find "which side of the bed" which is the beats best song unfortunatlly it was never released on to a cd but if you can find it its worth the time

It's not "extra track-S"
Let's be clear. "Too Nice to Talk To" is the extra track (singular).

Their reggae album
After the wild hyperactive ska of their debut I Just Can't Stop It, The English Beat slowed down the tempo big time on the Wha'Ppen? album. Not that the band did a complete u-turn here musically, but it's a definitely a more subdued affair. While there aren't any tracks here as strong as "Mirror In The Bathroom", "Hands Off...She's Mine", or "Save It For Later", Wha'Ppen? is a more diverse affair and most of the songs here are very good.

The first single "Doors Of Your Heart" is pure reggae and several tracks here are in the same vein with the best being "Dream Home In New Zealand", "Cheated", and "The Limits We Set." While other strong tracks such as "All Out To Get You", "Get A Job", and "Over And Over" recall the ska of their debut, the tracks here are slightly more laid back but still danceable. "Monkey Murders" and "I Am Your Flag" are catchy pop songs that point to the direction they'd pursue on their next album Special Beat Service. While these tracks are all very good, the best track here is the opening "Too Nice To Talk To" which combines their sound with a funk beat. Other decent tracks include the very laid back "Drowning" and "French Toast (Soliel Trop Chaud)." While this may be their weakest album, it's still very good and has stood the test of time better than the work of the more successful bands they'd later form, General Public and Fine Young Cannibals. Definitely worth checking out.