Madness | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Along with the Specials, Madness were one of the leading bands of the ska revival of the late 70s and early 80s. As their career progressed, Madness branched away from their trademark "nutty sound" and incorporated large elements of Motown, soul, and British pop. Although the band managed one crossover American hit in 1983, they remained a British phenomenon, influencing several successive generations of musicians and becoming one of the most beloved groups the country produced during the 80s. The origins of Madness lie in a ska group known as the Invaders, which was formed by Mike Barson, Chris Foreman, and Lee Thompson in 1976. By 1978, the band had changed their name to Morris and the Minors and had added Graham "Suggs" McPherson, Mark Bedford, Chas Smash, and Dan Woodgate to the group. Later in 1978, they changed their name to Madness, in homage to one of their favorite Prince Buster songs. The following year, Madness released their debut single, a tribute to Prince Buster entitled "The Prince," on Two-Tone. The song was a surprise success, reaching the British Top 20. Following its success, the band signed a record contract with Stiff Records and released another Prince Buster song, "One Step Beyond," which climbed to number seven. Madness quickly recorded their debut album, also titled One Step Beyond, with producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. Released toward the end of the year, the album peaked at number two in Britain and it stayed on the charts for well over a year. At the beginning of 1980, the bands third single, "My Girl," peaked at number three. For the next three years, the group had a virtually uninterrupted run of 13 Top Ten singles, during which time they were one of the most popular bands in Britain, rivaled only by the Jam in terms of widespread popularity. Where the Jam appealed to teenagers and young adults, Madness had a broad fan base, reaching from children to the elderly. Which didnt mean their music was diluted -- they continued to expand their sound, both musically and lyrically. In the spring of 1980, Madness released the Work Rest and Play EP, which reached number six on the strength of the EPs lead song, "Night Boat to Cairo." Also during the spring, One Step Beyond was released in the United States, where it peaked at 128. Madness second album, Absolutely, was released in the fall of 1980. The record peaked at number two on the British charts, but it stalled at number 146, in the U.S. Sire dropped the band after the commercial disappointment of Absolutely, leaving Madness without an American record contract for several years. Back in England, Madness continued to gain momentum, as the group began playing matinee shows on their tours so children under 16 years old could attend the concert. In the fall of 1981, the band released their third album, Seven, which peaked at number five. In January of 1982, Madness hit number four with a cover of Labi Siffres "It Must Be Love." In March, their streak of Top Ten hits was interrupted when "Cardiac Arrest" stalled at number 14 on the charts, due to radios reluctance to play the tune. The band bounced back a few months later with "House of Fun," their first number one single. That same month, the hits compilation, Complete Madness, reached number one. Madness returned in the late summer of 1982 with The Rise and Fall, their full-fledged shift to pop. Like their previous albums, it was a British hit, reaching the Top Ten, but it also contained the seeds of their brief American success with the Top Five British single "Our House." The single was released in America on the groups new label, Geffen, and it received heavy airplay from MTV. The music-video television network had previously played the videos for "House of Fun," "It Must Be Love," and "Cardiac Arrest" when the bands albums were unreleased in the United States, thereby setting the stage for "Our House" to become a massive hit. With "Our House," Madness had MTV exposure coincide with a record release for the first time, which sent the single into the American Top Ten in the summer of 1983. The success of the single brought the U.S. compilation album, Madness, to number 41. Madness managed one more American Top 40 hit that fall, when "It Must Be Love" peaked at number 33. At the end of 1983, Mike Barson -- the bands key songwriter -- left the group to settle down with his wife. Although Madness was able to stay near the top of the charts with their first post-Barson release, "Michael Caine," the bands fortunes began to decline over the course of 1984. Upon its release in the spring, Keep Moving hit number six on the British charts; in America, the record reached number 109. In June, the group released its final single for Stiff Records, "One Better Day," which peaked at number 17. In the fall, Madness formed their own record label, Zarjazz. They released "Yesterdays Men," their first recording on Zarjazz, in September of 1985, nearly a year after the labels formation. The record peaked at number 18 and its parent album, Mad Not Mad, reached number 16 upon its October release. Their chart decline continued early in 1986, when their cover of Scritti Polittis "Sweetest Girl" peaked at number 35. For most of 1986, the group was quiet. In September, Madness announced they were disbanding. Two months later, their farewell single, "Waiting for the Ghost Train," was released, charting at number 18. After staying dormant for a year-and-a-half, the group reunited at the beginning of 1988 as a quartet called the Madness, releasing its comeback single, "I Pronounce You," in March. The Madness featured Chris Foreman, Lee Thompson, Chas Smash, and Suggs, and was augmented by the Specials keyboardists Jerry Dammers and Steve Nieve, and Bruce Thomas (bass) of the Attractions. "I Pronounce You" reached number 44 on the U.K. charts and its accompanying album stiffed upon its spring release. The group disbanded for a second time that fall. In the summer of 1992, the original lineup of Madness reunited to perform two outdoor concerts at Londons Finsbury Park. The group dubbed the event Madstock and released a recording of the shows on Go! Records. Madstock became an annual event for the next four years -- every summer the band would reunite and headline an outdoor festival at Finsbury Park. Suggs launched a solo career in 1995 with The Lone Ranger, which performed respectably in the U.K. charts. In 1996, Madness played the final Madstock and announced they planned not to reunite for future concerts, but by 1998 they were back on the road, with a Los Angeles date recorded for release as Universal Madness the following year. The group also reunited with original producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley to record their first new material in over a decade. The resulting Dangermen Sessions, Vol 1 was released in 2005, followed in 2009 by The Liberty of Norton Folgate, the groups tenth studio album. In 2011, Madness launched the annual "House of Fun Weeknder," a three-day festival curated by the band in which they performed alongside a wealth of like-minded artists. During 2012, the band took part in high-profile performances that celebrated the best of British culture. They played from the top of Buckingham Palace at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee party and also appeared in the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games. As 2012 drew to a close, Madness released a new album called Oui, Oui, Si, Si, Ja, Ja, Da, Da. The group returned in 2016 with their 12th studio effort, Cant Touch Us Now. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 33 Title: One Step Beyond… Released: 1979 Tracks: 15 Duration: 39:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 One Step Beyond (02:19) 2 My Girl (02:45) 3 Night Boat to Cairo (03:31) 4 Believe Me (02:28) 5 Land of Hope & Glory (02:57) 6 The Prince (03:18) 7 Tarzan’s Nuts (02:24) 8 In the Middle of the Night (03:01) 9 Bed and Breakfast Man (02:33) 10 Razor Blade Alley (02:42) 11 Swan Lake (02:36) 12 Rockin’ in A♭ (02:29) 13 Mummy’s Boy (02:23) 14 Madness (02:38) 15 Chipmunks Are Go! (00:51) |
| One Step Beyond… : Allmusic album Review : Its the sheer exuberance of it all that first smacks listeners straight across the head, that and the pure mayhem that careens wildly from the opening shout to the closing note. A musical roller coaster, a tear through a musical house of mirrors, along the way Madness grab streamers of ska and rocksteady and stuff them gleefully into their baggy trousers. Actually the trousers were yet to come, but One Step Beyond dragged listeners kicking and screaming into a wacky world of their own creation, where Prince Buster slams into swan-clad ballerinas and boats on the Nile, where "Chipmunks are Go!" and the sun never set on the "Land of Hope and Glory." The Nutty Boys was an apt alternate moniker for the band, as they rocket madly through this set, all wicked grins and giggles, smug with their own cleverness and winking slyly at their own goofy musical jokes. Who could be so po-faced as to not join in? The set has lost none of its freshness, appeal or ability to surprise over the years. It still sounds like nothing else on the planet, even though its influences were waved pennant like from the bands hands -- Buster, of course, and the sheer freneticism of early Jamaican ska and punks raging fire. And, just as evident, English music hall, Augustus Pablos Far Eastern sound, Brit Beat pop, the slinkier side of swing and the funnier side of classical ballet, military marches and Dads Army, funfairs and keyboard riffs on an Oktoberfest tour of the German beerhalls, all this and more were poured straight into the mix and decanted into the Madness brew. Theres nary a pause for breath, the wilding never stops, even when they slow the tempos and darken the moods. Amidst this kaleidoscope everyone has their personal faves, be it the trio of Buster tributes of "One Step Beyond," "The Prince" and "Madness," the poppier Sixties Brit flavored hat trick of "In the Middle of the Night," "Bed and Breakfast" and "Mummys Boy," the heavy on the atmospheres of "My Girl," "Nightboat to Cairo" and "Razorblade Alley" or the wacky batch of "Tarzans Nuts," "Swan Lake" and "Chipmunks." No matter what your cup of tea, Madness were playing mother and more than happy to pour it out with lashings of cream and sugar. One Step Beyond? More like a giant leap into a brave new world. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 33 Title: Absolutely Released: 1980 Tracks: 14 Duration: 39:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Baggy Trousers (02:46) 2 Embarrassment (03:10) 3 E.R.N.I.E. (02:09) 4 Close Escape (03:32) 5 Not Home Today (02:43) 6 On the Beat Pete (03:04) 7 Solid Gone (02:19) 8 Take It or Leave It (03:28) 9 Shadow of Fear (01:59) 10 Disappear (02:58) 11 Overdone (03:45) 12 In the Rain (02:43) 13 You Said (02:34) 14 Return of the Los Palmas 7 (02:04) |
| Absolutely : Allmusic album Review : A classic example of a second album delivering more of the same, at least on the surface, Absolutely does benefit from the kinetic energy of being recorded quickly in the aftermath of Madness’ immediate success with One Step Beyond. Absolutely does motor ahead on breakneck ska rhythms, but it never quite feels as raw as its predecessor, and that hint of gloss serves the three big hit singles very well: the schoolyard nostalgia of “Baggy Trousers” has a bit of a sepia-toned lilt with this extra dose or production, the terrific “Embarrassment” slides by so smoothly it’s possible to not realize what an expertly crafted piece of pop it is, and “The Return of the Los Palmas 7” has a nice element of swinging ‘60s lounge cinema. As it happens, these hits are the moments that are a tangible progression from the nutty sound of One Step Beyond, with the rest of the record riding that rollicking beat -- sometimes dipping into silly straight-ahead boogie (“Solid Gone”), sometimes slowing down (“Close Escape”) -- but usually delivering more of the same in a highly appealing fashion. Madness perform with such high energy and such a big grin, it’s hard not to get swept up in the good times even if, after the party dies down, the memory of Absolutely just winds up seeming a shade familiar. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 33 Title: 7 Released: 1981-10 Tracks: 13 Duration: 38:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cardiac Arrest (02:52) 2 Shut Up (04:06) 3 Sign of the Times (02:43) 4 Missing You (02:32) 5 Mrs Hutchinson (02:17) 6 Tomorrow’s Dream (03:54) 7 Grey Day (03:39) 8 Pac‐a‐mac (02:37) 9 Promises Promises (02:52) 10 Benny Bullfrog (01:51) 11 When Dawn Arrives (02:43) 12 The Opium Eaters (03:03) 13 Day on the Town (03:24) |
| 7 : Allmusic album Review : The third album is often where a band makes a great leap forward, and so it is with Madness’ Seven. Although they’re still clearly the same nutty band that tore it up with One Step Beyond, Seven finds the group expanding its horizons considerably, ratcheting up the melodious pop quotient in their songwriting, as well as the distinctly English character sketches. Much of the album comes across as a blend of the Kinks and Ian Dury backed by a propulsive ska beat, and the production is a appropriately just as imaginative, colored by the odd sitar, finding new carnivalesque flourishes for the horns, and expanding the rhythmic palette considerably. Sometimes, the group still gets ridiculously silly -- “Benny Bullfrog” is a novelty by any other name -- but the genius of Madness is that they would toss off these frivolous numbers as easily as they would throw out something as elegiac as “Grey Day,” while finding the sweet spot between those two extremes on singles like “Cardiac Arrest.” Not every band possesses such a light touch, and while they certainly got more refined just an album later with The Rise & Fall, Seven is where they revealed the full potential of their talents. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 33 Title: The Rise & Fall Released: 1982 Tracks: 13 Duration: 43:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rise and Fall (03:16) 2 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 3 Blue Skinned Beast (03:22) 4 Primrose Hill (03:36) 5 Mr Speaker (Gets the Word) (03:00) 6 Sunday Morning (04:03) 7 Our House (03:22) 8 Tiptoes (03:30) 9 New Delhi (03:41) 10 That Face (03:40) 11 Calling Cards (02:19) 12 Are You Coming (With Me) (03:17) 13 Madness (Is All in the Mind) (02:52) |
| The Rise & Fall : Allmusic album Review : There’s a certain grandness to the title of Madness Presents the Rise & Fall, the group’s fourth album and undeniable pop masterpiece: it’s clear that the band has ambitions, to go several steps beyond ska, to craft nothing less than a Village Green Preservation Society for the ‘80s. The Kinks figure heavily in Madness’ design for The Rise & Fall, both in individual tunes and the overall arc of the concept album, but so does Ian Dury’s celebration of the riffraff of London, the latter giving Madness an earthiness that Ray Davies’ crew lacked during their time on the Village Green. While Madness’ forefathers are evident, The Rise & Fall is recognizably Madness in sound and sensibility; faint echoes of their breakneck nutty beginnings can be heard on “Blue Skinned Beast” and “Mr. Speaker Gets the Word,” the melodies are outgrowths of such early masterpieces as “My Girl,” there’s a charming, open-hearted humor and carnivalesque swirl that ties everything together. All this comes to a head on “Our House,” as divine a pop single as there ever was -- so undeniable that this very British anthem actually crossed over into the American Top Ten in 1983 -- but that’s merely the splashiest evidence of Madness’ popcraft on The Rise & Fall. The rest of the record contains the same wit, effervescence, and joy, capturing what British pop life was all about in 1982, just as Village Green Preservation Society did in 1968 or Blur’s Parklife would do in 1994. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 33 Title: Complete Madness Released: 1982-04-23 Tracks: 16 Duration: 47:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Embarrassment (03:10) 2 Shut Up (02:53) 3 My Girl (02:45) 4 Baggy Trousers (02:46) 5 It Must Be Love (03:19) 6 The Prince (02:29) 7 Bed and Breakfast Man (02:33) 8 Night Boat to Cairo (03:31) 9 House of Fun (02:49) 10 One Step Beyond (02:19) 11 Cardiac Arrest (02:59) 12 Grey Day (03:39) 13 Take It or Leave It (03:28) 14 In the City (03:01) 15 Madness (02:38) 16 The Return of the Los Palmas 7 (02:35) |
| Complete Madness : Allmusic album Review : The 16-track collection The Complete Madness compiles all of the groups early singles -- from "The Prince" to "House of Fun" -- and adds a handful of classic album tracks and concert favorites like "In the City," "Bed and Breakfast Man," and "Madness." Its thorough and thoroughly entertaining, encapsulating exactly why Madness were significant and, more importantly, how much fun their "nutty sound" was. Furthermore, The Complete Madness isnt just an introduction -- since it contains a wealth of non-LP singles like "Cardiac Arrest" and "House of Fun," its essential for any Madness collectors, and definitive proof that Madness were one of the great singles acts of their era. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 33 Title: Madness Released: 1983 Tracks: 12 Duration: 39:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Our House (03:22) 2 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 3 It Must Be Love (03:24) 4 Primrose Hill (03:36) 5 Shut Up (03:26) 6 House of Fun (03:00) 7 Night Boat to Cairo (03:16) 8 Rise and Fall (03:16) 9 Blue Skinned Beast (03:22) 10 Cardiac Arrest (02:59) 11 Grey Day (03:39) 12 Madness (Is All in the Mind) (02:52) |
 | Album: 7 of 33 Title: Tomorrow’s Just Another Day Released: 1983 Tracks: 4 Duration: 12:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (Warped 12″ version) (03:41) 2 Blue Beast (Warp mix) (03:07) 3 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (re‐recorded version) (02:47) 4 Madness (Is All in the Mind) (02:47) |
 | Album: 8 of 33 Title: Keep Moving Released: 1984 Tracks: 12 Duration: 43:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Keep Moving (03:31) 2 Michael Caine (03:38) 3 Turning Blue (03:06) 4 One Better Day (04:06) 5 March of the Gherkins (03:29) 6 Waltz Into Mischief (03:36) 7 Brand New Beat (03:16) 8 Victoria Gardens (04:31) 9 Samantha (03:13) 10 Time for Tea (03:07) 11 Prospects (04:14) 12 Give Me a Reason (03:27) |
| Keep Moving : Allmusic album Review : By 1986, the Clive Langer/Alan Winstanley production team had become synonymous with an all-too-slick approach. And despite their previous, well-tempered work with the band, Keep Moving falls into the same formulaic pitfalls of the period, incorporating the overused Afrodiziak and TKO horns, as well as a full gospel choir and even a cameo from Michael Caine. Overbearing production aside, this is well-crafted Brit-pop that explores a brighter, though decidedly less memorable side than the previous album. [The American issue replaces the lesser "Waltz Into Mischief" with the stray singles "Wings of a Dove" and "The Sun and the Rain," along with "Prospects" and "Samantha," making it the preferable version of the album.] | ||
 | Album: 9 of 33 Title: Mad Not Mad Released: 1985 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I’ll Compete (03:21) 2 Yesterday’s Men (04:37) 3 Uncle Sam (04:16) 4 White Heat (03:47) 5 Mad Not Mad (04:10) 6 Sweetest Girl (05:47) 7 Burning the Boats (04:31) 8 Tears You Can’t Hide (03:08) 9 Time (04:18) 10 Coldest Day (04:23) |
| Mad Not Mad : Allmusic album Review : This ironically peppy set of 80s pop would prove to be Madness final studio album, and the band was clearly not in the best of moods while they recorded it. Their previous album had suffered the weakest chart showing of the bands career, and they had recently lost their founding father figure (keyboardist Mike Barson). They had left their record company, setting up their own "Zarjazz" label. Like the Beatles Let It Be, this record has "One Last Stab" written all over it. The album opens with a bitingly overt declaration of the bands determination to hang on in the cynically mercurial music business ("Ill Compete") and concludes with one of many images of an inevitably approaching ending ("shivering to a halt...no one wants to speak too soon, although we all knew"). Several songs dwell on themes of transience and aging ("Time," "Yesterdays Men, "), and the title track openly broods over the sting of Barsons departure. The album almost seems to fortell its own lack of success. Its ultimate failure to reignite the groups popularity might be blamed on the slickly synthetic over-production. Clive Langer and Alan Wistanley occasionally strike an inspired balance between soulful pop and subtle reggae rythyms, but more often they replace the warmth of Barsons pianos with a cold emphasis on drum machines and synthesizers. Some of the songwriting, however, is on par with the bands most mature work, and the lively melodies lend a perfect irony to the bands wry social commentary and personal brooding. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 33 Title: Utter Madness Released: 1986-11-24 Tracks: 14 Duration: 57:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Our House (03:26) 2 Driving in My Car (03:17) 3 Michael Caine (03:41) 4 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 5 Yesterday’s Men (04:08) 6 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 7 Ill Compete (03:24) 8 (Waiting for the) Ghost Train (03:45) 9 Uncle Sam (03:06) 10 The Sun and the Rain (03:30) 11 Sweetest Girl (05:47) 12 One Better Day (04:08) 13 Victoria Gardens (04:31) 14 Seven Year Scratch (08:38) |
| Utter Madness : Allmusic album Review : Picking up where Complete Madness left off, this collection includes all of the key singles from 1982 to 1986. A good collection, though listeners will probably be better served by simply sticking to Rise and Fall for a representation of this period. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 33 Title: It’s… Madness: 16 Classic Tracks Released: 1990 Tracks: 16 Duration: 47:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 House of Fun (02:49) 2 Don’t Look Back (03:31) 3 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 4 The Young and the Old (02:07) 5 My Girl (02:45) 6 Stepping Into Line (02:16) 7 Baggy Trousers (02:35) 8 The Business (03:26) 9 Embarrassment (03:01) 10 Ones Second Thoughtlessness (03:24) 11 Grey Day (03:39) 12 Memories (02:24) 13 It Must Be Love (03:24) 14 Deceives the Eye (02:02) 15 Driving in My Car (03:18) 16 Animal Farm (04:02) |
 | Album: 12 of 33 Title: It’s… Madness Too: Another 16 Classic Tracks Released: 1991 Tracks: 16 Duration: 48:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 The Prince (02:29) 2 Madness (02:38) 3 One Step Beyond (02:19) 4 Mistakes (02:55) 5 The Return of the Los Palmas Seven (02:33) 6 Night Boat to Cairo (03:16) 7 Shut Up (02:49) 8 A Town With No Name (02:52) 9 Cardiac Arrest (02:52) 10 In the City (02:58) 11 Our House (03:12) 12 Walking With Mr. Wheeze (03:33) 13 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 14 Victoria Gardens (03:51) 15 The Sun and the Rain (03:27) 16 Michael Caine (03:33) |
 | Album: 13 of 33 Title: Madstock Released: 1992 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:02:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 One Step Beyond (03:32) 2 The Prince (02:32) 3 Embarrassment (03:17) 4 My Girl (02:57) 5 The Sun and the Rain (03:26) 6 Grey Day (05:15) 7 It Must Be Love (03:38) 8 Shut Up (03:36) 9 Driving in My Car (03:39) 10 Bed and Breakfast Man (02:28) 11 Close Escape (02:54) 12 Wings of a Dove (03:26) 13 Our House (03:31) 14 Night Boat to Cairo (03:43) 15 Madness (03:08) 16 House of Fun (02:54) 17 Baggy Trousers (02:38) 18 The Harder They Come (05:47) |
| Madstock : Allmusic album Review : The summer of 1992 marked the first public appearance by all seven "nutty boys" since pianist Mike Barson left the band in 1984. It was a jubilant reunion, drawing 72,000 rabid fans for two jammed concerts in Finsbury Park and creating enough noise to register a 4.5 on the Richter scale. The primary objective of longtime Madness producers Clive Langer and Alan Wistanley in producing Madstock! seems to have been to capture the atmosphere of the massive summer party by turning the crowd into the eighth member of the band. On that level, the album is a smashing success, painting a vivid portrait of the event that transports the listener into the boisterously sweaty masses. The enormous audience is a constant presence on the disc, singing along cheerfully, chanting "Madness," and generally venting eight years of pent-up enthusiasm for the band. As for the bands performance, it benefits from the sheer adrenaline rush of playing their first concert in eight years in front of 36,000 adoring fans. These guys were juiced, and it shows. In the case of lead singer Graham "Suggs" McPherson, it shows perhaps a bit too much, despite his attempts to sound blasé about the whole thing in his glib comments between songs. Suggs sounds hoarse and out of breath for much of the show, and struggles to get through the bands sole American hit "Our House." But Suggs decision to sacrifice vocal quality for exuberance is more excusable than the unimaginative arrangements of the songs, which vary little from the original studio recordings. Moreover, the singles-heavy song selection ("Close Escape," "Madness," and the Jimmy Cliff cover "The Harder They Come" are the only non-singles on the record) is a little boring for serious fans. Casual fans will probably want to skip Madstock! altogether and opt instead for the studio recordings. But for diehards who missed the event, the album is worth buying just for the crowd noise. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 33 Title: Divine Madness Released: 1992-02 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:17:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Prince (02:29) 2 One Step Beyond (02:19) 3 My Girl (02:45) 4 Night Boat to Cairo (03:31) 5 Baggy Trousers (02:46) 6 Embarrassment (03:10) 7 The Return of the Los Palmas 7 (02:35) 8 Grey Day (03:39) 9 Shut Up (02:53) 10 It Must Be Love (03:19) 11 Cardiac Arrest (02:59) 12 House of Fun (02:49) 13 Driving in My Car (03:17) 14 Our House (03:22) 15 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 16 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 17 The Sun and the Rain (03:30) 18 Michael Caine (03:38) 19 One Better Day (04:06) 20 Yesterdays Men (04:10) 21 Uncle Sam (03:06) 22 (Waiting for the) Ghost Train (03:45) 23 Lovestruck (03:50) 24 Johnny the Horse (03:25) |
| Divine Madness : Allmusic album Review : This U.K.-only collection attempts to condense the bands career onto a single disc -- from the early singles to 1985s Mad Not Mad. Though the two distinct periods lead to a somewhat disjointed listen, the chronological sequencing works as an adequate career survey, and the offering of the non-LP tracks "Driving in My Car" and "(Waiting) For the Ghost Train" are a nice touch. Complete Madness is still the best collection, but this one isnt bad either, despite a few omissions. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 33 Title: The Business: The Definitive Singles Collection Released: 1993-11-22 Tracks: 70 Duration: 3:50:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 [intro to "The Prince, Rick Rodgers, Specials Manager] (00:44) 2 The Prince (02:29) 3 Madness / [Rick Rodgers speaks again] (02:45) 4 One Step Beyond / [John Eichler, Publican, Hope & Anchor, London] (02:44) 5 Mistakes (02:39) 6 Nutty Theme / ["Wandsworth Harry", longtime fan] (02:48) 7 My Girl / [John Hasler, ex-drummer, singer, manager] (02:57) 8 Stepping Into Line (02:16) 9 In the Rain / [Dave Robinson, ex-manager of Stiff Records] (03:06) 10 Night Boat to Cairo / [John Hasler speaks again] (03:42) 11 Deceives the Eye (01:58) 12 The Young and the Old / [Rick Rodgers yet again] (02:43) 13 Dont Quote Me on That (04:31) 14 Baggy Trousers / [Kellogs, Madness manager 1980-81] (03:19) 15 The Business / [Kellogs speaks again] (06:19) 16 Embarrassment / [Chalky friend/roadie, talks about Woody] (03:02) 17 Crying Shame / [Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley] (02:38) 18 The Return of the Los Palmas 7 / [Langer & Winstanley speak again] (02:50) 19 Thats the Way to Do It (aka Odd Job Man) (02:51) 20 My Girl (demo) (02:27) 21 Swan Lake (live) / [Chalky & Toks, friends of the band] (03:48) 22 Grey Day / [Chalky & Toks on the future of the band] (04:35) 23 Memories / [Kellogs on Chalky & Toks] (03:19) 24 Shut Up (04:06) 25 A Town With No Name (02:52) 1 Never Ask Twice (aka Airplane) / [Elvis Costello & Clive Langer on "fame"] (03:52) 2 It Must Be Love (03:19) 3 Shadow on the House / [Sonny from Stiff Promotions] (04:50) 4 Cardiac Arrest (02:52) 5 In the City / [Paul Conroy speaks] (03:25) 6 House of Fun (02:49) 7 Dont Look Back / [Neil Ferris from Ferret & Spanner] (04:51) 8 Driving in My Car (03:17) 9 Terry Wogan Jingle (00:25) 10 Animal Farm (04:02) 11 Riding on My Bike / [John Kalodner from Geffen Records] (05:37) 12 Our House (Stretch mix) / [Pauline Black from The Selector] (05:50) 13 Walking With Mr. Wheeze (03:33) 14 Tomorrows (Just Another Day) / [Nigel Dick from Stiff Records] (03:46) 15 Madness (Is All in the Mind) / [Lionel Martin - accountant] (03:07) 16 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 17 Behind the Eight Ball / [Lees Uncle Jack] (03:35) 18 Ones Second Thoughtlessness (03:24) 19 The Sun and the Rain / [Gary Doves - early Madness drummer] (03:37) 20 Fireball XL5 (01:44) 21 Visit to Dracstein Castle (01:55) 22 Michael Caine (03:40) 1 If You Think Theres Something (03:08) 2 One Better Day / [Paul Wolfe - early Madness lawyer] (04:33) 3 Guns (03:14) 4 Victoria Gardens / [Ian Horne - sound engineer & guru] (04:06) 5 Sarah (03:43) 6 Yesterdays Men (harmonica version) (04:30) 7 All I Knew (03:08) 8 It Must Be Love (live) (03:32) 9 Uncle Sam (03:06) 10 David Hamilton Jingle (00:34) 11 Inanity Over Christmas (03:50) 12 Please Dont Go / [Hector Walker - Madness valet] (03:24) 13 Sweetest Girl (extended version) (05:44) 14 Jennie (A Portrait of) (03:24) 15 Tears You Can’t Hide (03:08) 16 Call Me (03:56) 17 (Waiting for the) Ghost Train (03:45) 18 One Step Beyond (Italia version) (02:21) 19 Maybe in Another Life (03:00) 20 Seven Year Scratch (edited version) (05:52) 21 Release Me (01:55) 22 Carols on 45 (01:12) 23 The National Anthem (01:13) |
 | Album: 16 of 33 Title: Total Madness: The Very Best of Madness Released: 1997-09-09 Tracks: 12 Duration: 43:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Our House (03:22) 2 It Must Be Love (03:24) 3 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 4 Shut Up (03:26) 5 Grey Day (03:39) 6 The Sun and the Rain (03:16) 7 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 8 Michael Caine (03:38) 9 One Better Day (04:06) 10 Uncle Sam (04:16) 11 Yesterday’s Men (04:37) 12 One Step Beyond (03:32) |
| Total Madness: The Very Best of Madness : Allmusic album Review : Since Geffen doesnt possess the rights to the bulk of Madness best, most influential work, Total Madness: The Very Best of Madness isnt the definitive compilation it could have been. Instead of drawing heavily on their early ska singles, Total Madness relies on the latter-day albums Keep Moving and Mad Not Mad, as well as adding three cuts from the 1983 compilation Madness, which means that only four songs -- "Our House," "It Must Be Love," "Tomorrows Just Another Day," and "One Step Beyond" -- are genuine classics. There are several hits here -- such as "Michael Caine," "Wings of a Dove," "Yesterdays Men," and "One Better Day" -- but they arent nearly as vital as "House of Fun," "Night Boat to Cairo," or "Cardiac Arrest," three hit singles which were on Madness. As a result, Total Madness winds up being an overview of Madness in their decline, with a couple of earlier hits thrown in for good measure. On that level, it isnt bad, but it certainly doesnt capture the essence of the band, and both dedicated fans and curious listeners would be better served by Complete Madness or Madness. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 33 Title: Universal Madness (Live in Los Angeles) Released: 1998 Tracks: 13 Duration: 44:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 (Hey You) One Step Beyond (03:27) 2 Embarrassment (03:16) 3 The Prince (03:30) 4 Sun & the Rain (03:54) 5 My Girl (02:53) 6 Shut Up (03:23) 7 Baggy Trousers (02:39) 8 It Must Be Love (03:41) 9 Bed & Breakfast Man (02:23) 10 Our House (03:54) 11 Swan Lake (03:29) 12 Night Boat to Cairo (04:04) 13 Madness (03:39) |
 | Album: 18 of 33 Title: The Heavy Heavy Hits Released: 1998 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:16:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Prince (03:19) 2 One Step Beyond (02:17) 3 My Girl (02:45) 4 Night Boat to Cairo (03:30) 5 Baggy Trousers (02:46) 6 Embarrassment (03:10) 7 Los Palmas 7 (02:01) 8 Grey Day (03:39) 9 Shut Up (04:06) 10 It Must Be Love (03:19) 11 Cardiac Arrest (02:52) 12 House of Fun (02:49) 13 Driving in My Car (03:17) 14 Our House (03:22) 15 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 16 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 17 The Sun and the Rain (03:30) 18 Michael Caine (03:29) 19 One Better Day (04:15) 20 Yesterday’s Men (04:08) 21 Uncle Sam (03:06) 22 Sweetest Girl (04:20) 23 (Waiting for the) Ghost Train (03:45) |
| The Heavy Heavy Hits : Allmusic album Review : The 1992 greatest-hits compilation Divine Madness was repackaged in 1999 as Heavy Heavy Hits. Ostensibly,0 the reason was to include the 1985 single "Sweetest Girl," which was somehow left off the original edition. Avid Madness collectors know better; they recognize it as a shamelessly mercenary conspiracy by Virgin Records to systematically bankrupt loyal Madness fans by releasing and re-releasing the same handful of songs over and over and over. With its feeble "Whoops! Forgot a song!" excuse, Heavy Heavy Hits seems at least one singles collection too many; insufficient reason for milking another $20 out of fans who have already sprung for Madness, The Madness, Complete Madness, Utter Madness, Divine Madness, Total Madness, Universal Madness, Its Madness, Its Madness Too, Madstock, The Business, and The Lot. Someone, please, stop the madness! For fans who never purchased Divine Madness, Heavy Heavy Hits is the preferable edition. The rest should just sit this one out. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 33 Title: The Lot Released: 1999 Tracks: 77 Duration: 4:06:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 One Step Beyond (02:19) 2 My Girl (02:45) 3 Night Boat to Cairo (03:32) 4 Believe Me (02:29) 5 Land of Hope and Glory (02:58) 6 The Prince (03:19) 7 Tarzans Nuts (02:25) 8 In the Middle of the Night (03:02) 9 Bed and Breakfast Man (02:33) 10 Razor Blade Alley (02:42) 11 Swan Lake (02:35) 12 Rockin in a Flat (02:30) 13 Mummys Boy (02:24) 14 Madness (02:38) 15 Chipmunks Are Go! (00:54) 1 Baggy Trousers (02:40) 2 Embarrassment (03:11) 3 E.R.N.I.E. (02:09) 4 Close Escape (03:33) 5 Not Home Today (02:44) 6 On the Beat Pete (03:05) 7 Solid Gone (02:20) 8 Take It or Leave It (03:27) 9 Shadow of Fear (01:59) 10 Disappear (02:59) 11 Overdone (03:46) 12 In the Rain (02:44) 13 You Said (02:35) 14 Return of the Los Palmas 7 (02:04) 1 Cardiac Arrest (02:53) 2 Shut Up (04:08) 3 Sign of the Times (02:44) 4 Missing You (02:33) 5 Mrs. Hutchinson (02:18) 6 Tomorrows Dream (03:55) 7 Grey Day (03:41) 8 Pac-A-Mac (02:38) 9 Promises Promises (02:52) 10 Benny Bullfrog (01:52) 11 When Dawn Arrives (02:44) 12 The Opium Eaters (03:03) 13 Day on the Town (03:25) 1 Rise and Fall (03:17) 2 Tomorrows Just Another Day (03:11) 3 Blue Skinned Beast (03:23) 4 Primrose Hill (03:36) 5 Mr. Speaker Gets the Word (03:00) 6 Sunday Morning (04:02) 7 Our House (03:22) 8 Tiptoes (03:30) 9 New Delhi (03:41) 10 That Face (03:40) 11 Calling Cards (02:19) 12 Are You Coming (With Me) (03:17) 13 Madness (Is All in the Mind) (02:54) 1 Keep Moving (03:33) 2 Michael Caine (03:39) 3 Turning Blue (03:06) 4 One Better Day (04:07) 5 March of the Gherkins (03:30) 6 Waltz Into Mischief (03:36) 7 Brand New Beat (03:17) 8 Victoria Gardens (04:32) 9 Samantha (03:14) 10 Time for Tea (03:08) 11 Prospects (04:15) 12 Give Me a Reason (04:01) 1 Ill Compete (03:21) 2 Yesterdays Men (04:37) 3 Uncle Sam (04:16) 4 White Heat (03:48) 5 Mad Not Mad (04:11) 6 Sweetest Girl (05:47) 7 Burning the Boats (04:31) 8 Tears You Cant Hide (03:09) 9 Time (04:22) 10 Coldest Day (04:24) |
| The Lot : Allmusic album Review : The second Madness box set includes all of the studio albums from the bands first run from 1979 to 1986, leaving out only the 1999 reunion CD Wonderful. It also leaves out the various compilation records (e.g., Complete Madness, Utter Madness, and Divine Madness, as well as the U.S. release Madness). Rather than reproduce the original album covers, The Lot pairs off the six albums into three distinct periods: the early "nutty" ska of One Step Beyond and Absolutely; the early-80s experiments with a more mature pop sound on Seven and The Rise and Fall; and the more slickly produced, darker-toned pop of Keep Moving and Mad Not Mad. Its a clever packaging strategy, though the art direction could stand to be a little more attractive. The box set also features a 45-page color insert with comments from the band about each album. But the real draw for serious fans who already have all of the albums is the inclusion of 24 "interactive videos" intended for computer viewing. Each CD contains four videos from that period. Even fans who already have the Complete Madness, Utter Madness, and Divine Madness video collections may find this feature attractive, since the quality of the visuals seems to have improved in the conversion to digital. American fans should beware: the enclosed edition of the 1984 album Keep Moving is the British version and consequently does not contain the singles "The Sun and the Rain" or "Wings of a Dove," although both are included in video form. In any case, The Lot offers strong evidence that, for all of their hit singles, Madness was an excellent album band as well. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 33 Title: Wonderful Released: 1999-11-01 Tracks: 11 Duration: 41:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lovestruck (03:50) 2 Johnny the Horse (03:20) 3 The Communicator (03:20) 4 4am (03:50) 5 The Wizard (03:27) 6 Drip Fed Fred (04:30) 7 Going to the Top (03:56) 8 Elysium (03:52) 9 Saturday Night Sunday Morning (04:14) 10 If I Didnt Care (04:24) 11 No Money (03:13) |
| Wonderful : Allmusic album Review : Madness officially disbanded in 1986, but the members never seemed content to call it quits. Finally, after 13 years, six singles collections, five "Madstock" reunion concerts, three ill-fated spin-off attempts, two live CDs, and two box sets, the boys worked up enough courage to celebrate their 20th anniversary with their first new album since Mad Not Mad. Pianist Mike Barson was back, of course, but the real returning heroes were producers Clive Langer and Alan Wistanley, whose sure-handed pop sensibility is all over the record. Though these 70s ska pioneers might have benefited from the success of 90s ska bands like Blur, No Doubt, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Smashmouth, Wonderful is not really a ska record. "The Communicator" and "Drip Drop Fred" (which features guest vocals from fellow Stiff Records alum Ian Dury, to whom the record is dedicated) are the only songs that seek to approximate the old, nutty sound. The rest harken back to the slickly orchestrated pop of early-80s albums like Keep Moving and The Rise and Fall. If tracks three through 11 dont quite live up to the promise established by the two irresistible singles "Lovestruck" and "Johnny the Horse," they dont embarrass either. Among the best are "4am," a slightly more expensive version of one of the better songs from Suggs solo career, and the typically self-referential "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning," which likens the band to "thieves returning to the scene of the crime." On the whole, its a pretty successful return. Some fans might find the bombastic production somewhat cloying, but it undoubtedly delighted Virgin Records, which seemed sure to jump at the chance to release a few more greatest hits compilations. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 33 Title: Ultimate Collection Released: 2000-11-14 Tracks: 19 Duration: 58:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 One Step Beyond (02:19) 2 My Girl (02:45) 3 Night Boat to Cairo (03:33) 4 Baggy Trousers (02:42) 5 Madness (Two‐Tone single version) (02:24) 6 The Prince (Two‐Tone single version) (02:30) 7 Embarrassment (03:10) 8 The Return of the Los Palmas 7 (02:04) 9 House of Fun (02:49) 10 Our House (03:22) 11 It Must Be Love (03:24) 12 Madness (Is All in the Mind) (02:52) 13 Grey Day (03:39) 14 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 15 Shut Up (03:26) 16 The Sun and the Rain (03:16) 17 Michael Caine (03:38) 18 Yesterday’s Men (04:37) 19 Wings of a Dove (A Celebratory Song) (03:00) |
| Ultimate Collection : Allmusic album Review : Inevitably, if one calls ones compilation Ultimate Collection, youre going to have some smug journalist replying, "Ultimate collection? I think not." Then again, Madness chalked up quite an impressive list of hits, and even at a generous 19 tracks, this album couldnt fit them all. So then its down to choices. Chart placement obviously wasnt a factor, or "Driving in My Car," a British Top Five, would be here and "Yesterdays Men," a lowly number 18, wouldnt, while A- sides would not have been supplanted by their flips. Sometimes listeners get both, as with "Tomorrows (Just Another Day)" and its B-side "Madness (Is All in the Mind)." But best of all, were offered the original 45 take, not the album versions later most fans are now familiar with. Thus their debut single "The Prince" comes in its singular robes, not its album garb, as does its flip "Madness." August 1985s "Yesterdays Men" is the latest release of the lot, although the group knocked out three more singles before splitting. Inevitably, though, the tracks are not in chronological order, but since the earliest songs are wisely placed at the beginning, this doesnt particularly irritate. Helpfully, the track listing provides both release dates and UK chart placements, part of a copious booklet which includes a well-researched biography and photographs that complete the sumptuous packaging. The true ultimate collection is the box set that gathers up all the groups A- and B-sides, plus a bumper crop of rarities, but if thats just too much Madness, this will probably suit better. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 33 Title: Our House: The Best of Madness Released: 2002-11-26 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:10:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 House of Fun (02:49) 2 Our House (03:22) 3 Simple Equation (04:01) 4 My Girl (02:45) 5 Baggy Trousers (02:46) 6 Prospects (04:14) 7 Embarrassment (03:10) 8 Driving in My Car (03:17) 9 Grey Day (03:39) 10 Shut Up (02:53) 11 The Return of the Los Palmas 7 (02:03) 12 The Sun and the Rain (03:30) 13 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:10) 14 Night Boat to Cairo (03:31) 15 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 16 One Better Day (04:06) 17 Rise and Fall (03:16) 18 Sarahs Song (03:46) 19 White Heat (03:47) 20 Michael Caine (03:38) 21 It Must Be Love (2002 mix) (03:25) |
| Our House: The Best of Madness : Allmusic album Review : Our House: Best of Madness takes the majority of the groups hits and puts them together on one CD. Unlike 2000s Ultimate Collection, this focuses more on the groups major hit song output and replaces the B-sides with a few new adaptations of old songs and a few interludes from the U.K. stage production of Madness: The Musical. While this is by no means a complete and thorough look at Madness impressive legacy, it is an extremely adequate compilation that would be perfect for the first-time listener who is unfamiliar with the groups sound. | ||
 | Album: 23 of 33 Title: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Madness Released: 2005-05-24 Tracks: 12 Duration: 36:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Our House (03:22) 2 Calling Cards (02:19) 3 House of Fun (03:00) 4 Grey Day (03:39) 5 The Sun and the Rain (03:16) 6 Time for Tea (03:08) 7 One Step Beyond (02:19) 8 It Must Be Love (03:24) 9 Cardiac Arrest (02:59) 10 Keep Moving (03:33) 11 Bed and Breakfast Man (02:34) 12 Wings of a Dove (A Celebratory Song) (03:00) |
| 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Madness : Allmusic album Review : There have been numerous gigantic Madness anthologies -- 1999s Lot box, 2000s Ultimate Collection, and 2002s Our House: Best of Madness -- but none as concise as Hip-Os 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Madness. The group had so many excellent singles -- "House of Fun," "Bed & Breakfast Man," and "Our House" -- that theres not a bad track to be found. However, fans will no doubt be wondering where staples like "Baggy Trousers," "Michael Caine," and "My Girl" are, just to name a few. For a comprehensive look at one of the new wave\ska revivals most beloved acts, check out one of the aforementioned greatest-hits packages, but for a simple entry point that requires little in the way of laborious study, The Millennium Collection is a sure bet. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 33 Title: The Dangermen Sessions, Volume One Released: 2005-08-01 Tracks: 13 Duration: 37:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 This Is Where (00:30) 2 Girl Why Don’t You? (03:05) 3 Shame & Scandal (02:53) 4 I Chase the Devil AKA Ironshirt (03:20) 5 Taller Than You Are (02:27) 6 You Keep Me Hanging On (03:10) 7 Dangerman AKA High Wire (02:42) 8 Israelites (03:03) 9 John Jones (03:28) 10 Lola (03:21) 11 You’ll Lose a Good Thing (02:42) 12 Rain (02:55) 13 So Much Trouble in the World (03:44) |
| The Dangermen Sessions, Volume One : Allmusic album Review : What does a veteran band do when its some 25 years into its career and wants to record a new album but doesnt have any new original songs? Why, record a covers album of course! And thats exactly what Madness, the kings of British ska revival, have done for their ninth studio album, 2005s The Dangermen Sessions, Vol. 1. Its their first new album since 1999s Wonderful, but theyve been active in the interim, playing gigs on a regular basis. This means that the group sounds supple and professional, even if the lack of new songs in six years does suggest that the band doesnt really have anything to say at this point, and would just rather play, relax, and have a good time while encouraging others to have a good time. And thats fine -- The Dangermen Sessions, Vol. 1 is pleasantly laid-back, a good soundtrack to a lazy summer afternoon. Madness demonstrate a stronger reggae bent than they ever have, which does mean that album can be reminiscent of UB40s similar venture, Labour of Love, but Dangermen never sounds too sleepy or refined, as UB40s sequels to their 1983 commercial breakthrough did. In other words, it still has that nutty Madness sound, only its not nearly as frenetic as it was 25 years ago -- its mellow and relaxed, and rather charming because of it. That doesnt mean that The Dangermen Sessions, Vol. 1 is something that even hardcore fans will play all that often, but anybody who has liked Madness in the past will find it hard not to enjoy this CD as it plays. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 33 Title: Eight Madness Tracks Released: 2009 Tracks: 8 Duration: 27:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Our House (03:12) 2 Driving in My Car (03:18) 3 Michael Caine (03:33) 4 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 5 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:11) 6 (Waiting for the) Ghost Train (03:45) 7 The Sun and the Rain (03:28) 8 One Better Day (04:05) |
 | Album: 26 of 33 Title: The Liberty of Norton Folgate Released: 2009-03-23 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:25:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Overture (01:07) 2 We Are London (03:39) 3 Sugar and Spice (02:51) 4 Forever Young (04:36) 5 Dust Devil (03:44) 6 Rainbows (03:21) 7 That Close (04:10) 8 MK II (02:26) 9 On the Town (04:32) 10 Clerkenwell Polka (04:20) 11 The Liberty of Norton Folgate (10:13) 1 Lets Go (03:30) 2 Idiot Child (03:19) 3 Mission From Hell (03:49) 4 Seven Dials (02:54) 5 Hunchback of Torriano (03:12) 6 Fish and Chips (02:42) 7 Bingo (04:08) 8 NW5 (04:14) 9 One Fine Day (03:58) 10 The Kiss (04:06) 11 Africa (04:19) |
| The Liberty of Norton Folgate : Allmusic album Review : Madness never disappeared but they faded away, spending years playing summer festivals and other oldies venues befitting an act specializing in nostalgia -- an impression that 2005s covers album, The Dangerman Sessions, did nothing to assuage. All this makes The Liberty of Norton Folgate, the bands first album of original material in ten years, and their first in more than a quarter-century, feel fully realized, even surprising. The element of surprise is not in the music, which is firmly within the 2-Tone tradition they laid down in the early 80s -- and indeed, is produced by their longtime collaborators Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley -- but rather that theyve found a way to deepen their nutty sound, to offer nothing less than a mature, middle-aged spin on Presents the Rise & Fall. Like that 1982 new wave classic, The Liberty of Norton Folgate is about London and steeped in classic British pop, using the Kinks as ground zero for a series of wry, keenly observed pop songs about the people and places in London Town. Madness never try to update their sound -- they never dabble in electronica or ragga -- instead they dig deeper, finding new musical wrinkles within tightly written three-minute pop tunes and stretching out on the astonishing title street that concludes the record. While Madness may be trading on the sound that brought them to the top of the charts, it never sounds like a vain, desperate stab at reviving their youth; they play and write as the middle-aged men they are, finding sustenance within the music of their youth, then adapting it to their lives now, finding as much mirth as melancholy in what they see. Also befitting a middle-aged Madness, The Liberty is an album of craft -- so much so that the album has no such stand-out hit single as "Our House," but then again, those were different times -- but the true testament to the value of that craft is that The Liberty of Norton Folgate is as rich and rewarding in its deluxe double-disc incarnation as it is in its simpler, single-disc set, something that speaks volumes to the extent of the bands unexpected revitalization here. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 33 Title: Total Madness: All the Greatest Hits & More! Released: 2009-09-21 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:11:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 One Step Beyond (02:19) 2 Baggy Trousers (02:27) 3 House of Fun (02:46) 4 Our House (03:12) 5 Embarrassment (03:04) 6 My Girl (02:41) 7 It Must Be Love (03:19) 8 Wings of a Dove (03:01) 9 The Sun and the Rain (03:28) 10 Grey Day (03:39) 11 NW5 (03:48) 12 Cardiac Arrest (02:52) 13 Tomorrow’s Just Another Day (03:14) 14 Driving in My Car (03:18) 15 Bed and Breakfast Man (02:33) 16 Lovestruck (03:50) 17 One Better Day (04:01) 18 Michael Caine (03:34) 19 Return of the Los Palmas 7 (02:33) 20 The Prince (03:20) 21 Shut Up (02:51) 22 Madness (02:38) 23 Night Boat to Cairo (03:24) |
 | Album: 28 of 33 Title: Ultimate Madness: 21 of Their Finest Released: 2010-06-07 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:05:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 The Prince (03:20) 2 One Step Beyond (02:19) 3 My Girl (02:42) 4 Night Boat to Cairo (03:24) 5 Baggy Trousers (02:28) 6 Embarrassment (03:04) 7 The Return of the Los Palmas (02:34) 8 Grey Day (03:38) 9 Shut Up (02:52) 10 It Must Be Love (03:20) 11 Cardiac Arrest (02:53) 12 House of Fun (02:47) 13 Driving in My Car (03:19) 14 Our House (03:11) 15 Tomorrows Just Another Day (03:14) 16 Wings of a Dove (02:59) 17 The Sun and the Rain (03:29) 18 Michael Caine (03:33) 19 NW5 (03:48) 20 Dust Devil (03:45) 21 Forever Young (03:10) |
 | Album: 29 of 33 Title: Forever Young: The Ska Collection Released: 2012 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:18:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 One Step Beyond… (02:19) 2 Forever Young (04:35) 3 My Girl (02:41) 4 Baggy Trousers (02:28) 5 House of Fun (02:47) 6 Grey Day (03:38) 7 Tarzan’s Nuts (02:25) 8 Don’t Quote Me on That (04:33) 9 Take It or Leave It (03:19) 10 Victoria Gardens (04:33) 11 The Prince (03:19) 12 Day on the Town (03:22) 13 Dust Devil (03:44) 14 In the Rain (02:46) 15 Not Home Today (02:44) 16 Prospects (04:13) 17 In the City (02:58) 18 Madness (02:38) 19 Mistakes (02:54) 20 The Communicator (03:21) 21 Swan Lake (02:38) 22 Night Boat to Cairo (03:25) 23 Vietnam (04:15) 24 In the Hall of the Mountain King (02:39) |
| Forever Young: The Ska Collection : Allmusic album Review : While they were never strictly a ska band, Madness had more than their share of skanky moments, many of which can be found on this 24-track compilation from Salvo. Forever Young: The Ska Collection spans the beloved English outfits entire career, from the manic thump of early hits like "One Step Beyond" and "Baggy Trousers" to "Dust Devil" from 2009s Liberty of Norton Folgate. The overview also includes a pair of previously unreleased cuts (a spirited cover of Jimmy Cliffs "Vietnam" and a typically manic rendition of Edvard Griegs "In the Hall of the Mountain King"), as well as a handful of EP tracks. While longtime Madness fans will appreciate The Ska Collections quirky set list, listeners who are just looking for something with "Our House" on it (it doesn’t appear here) would be better off with 2002s excellent Our House: The Best of Madness. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 33 Title: Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da Released: 2012-09-28 Tracks: 14 Duration: 47:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 My Girl 2 (02:50) 2 Never Knew Your Name (03:28) 3 La Luna (03:38) 4 How Can I Tell You (03:18) 5 Kitchen Floor (03:21) 6 Misery (03:16) 7 Leon (03:48) 8 Circus Freaks (03:15) 9 So Alive (02:58) 10 Small World (03:46) 11 Death of a Rude Boy (03:58) 12 Powder Blue (03:47) 13 Black and Blue (03:01) 14 My Girl 2 (03:01) |
| Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da : Allmusic album Review : With their constant Madstocks and concerts, Madness never went away, but their 2009 album The Liberty of Norton Folgate -- their first album original material in ten years -- felt like a full-fledged comeback, a return to the brilliant form of 1982s The Rise & Fall, the album that firmly positioned the band in the grand tradition of British pop. Oui, Oui, Si, Si, Ja, Ja, Da, Da, the 2012 sequel to Liberty, proves the 2010 comeback was no fluke, with its equally clever and confident collection of savvy pop and ska, tunes that are effervescently melodic, lyrically nimble, and giddy with their dexterity. With an opening song that posits itself to be an explicit sequel to Madness signature hit "My Girl," this certainly recalls Madness new wave glory days, but Madness is under no illusion that theyre still a young band. If anything, theyre reveling in their advancing age, relishing the opportunity to look back -- in their heart they always were nostalgic -- and enjoying playing pop, soul, ska, reggae, and R&B with their old mates. But Oui, Oui isnt living in the past, its using the past to address the present, which gives some soul to these nifty little songs, and turns this album into another mini latter-day gem from the Nutty Boys. | ||
 | Album: 31 of 33 Title: The Very Best Of Released: 2014-04 Tracks: 32 Duration: 1:42:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 One Step Beyond (02:19) 2 It Must Be Love (03:20) 3 Shame And Scandal (02:53) 4 House Of Fun (02:57) 5 Baggy Trousers (02:48) 6 Death Of A Rude Boy (03:50) 7 Our House (03:22) 8 Grey Day (03:40) 9 The Sun & The Rain (03:27) 10 Madness (02:39) 11 Michael Caine (03:40) 12 Bed & Breakfast Man (02:33) 13 Shut Up (04:06) 14 On The Beat Pete (03:05) 15 Take It Or Leave It (03:28) 16 Swan Lake (02:36) 1 Night Boat to Cairo (03:32) 2 Embarrassment (03:12) 3 The Prince (03:19) 4 The Opium Eaters (03:02) 5 Lovestruck (03:50) 6 The Communicator (03:20) 7 Wings of a Dove (02:57) 8 Forever Young (04:35) 9 Cardiac Arrest (02:53) 10 In the Rain (02:45) 11 Calling Cards (02:19) 12 Sign of the Times (02:43) 13 Tomorrows Dream (03:55) 14 Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (04:13) 15 Deceives the Eye (02:00) 16 In the City (02:58) |
 | Album: 32 of 33 Title: Can’t Touch Us Now Released: 2016-10-28 Tracks: 16 Duration: 58:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Can’t Touch Us Now (04:09) 2 Good Times (02:54) 3 Mr. Apples (03:37) 4 I Believe (03:44) 5 Grandslam (02:36) 6 Blackbird (04:03) 7 You Are My Everything (04:09) 8 Another Version of Me (02:40) 9 Mumbo Jumbo (03:23) 10 Herbert (03:57) 11 Don’t Leave the Past Behind You (02:46) 12 (Don’t Let Them) Catch You Crying (04:10) 13 Pam the Hawk (04:37) 14 Given the Opportunity (03:31) 15 Soul Denying (05:13) 16 Whistle in the Dark (03:29) |
| Can’t Touch Us Now : Allmusic album Review : Madness first rose to fame as the biggest stars of the U.K. ska revival, but with time their approach evolved into a very British mixture of pop, rock, and R&B;, and the shift suited their lyrical approach. At their best, Madness always had a keen but loving appreciation of the foibles of British life, like a more playful version of Village Green Preservation Society-era Ray Davies, and the consistency and strength of their songwriting was as much a part of their success as their purposefully goofy showmanship. In 2016, Madness are still a going concern after several breakups and reunions, and if Cant Touch Us Now isnt up to the level of their triumph, 1982s Madness Presents the Rise & Fall, it shows theyve found a way to mature without abandoning their playful side, and it features some of their strongest songwriting in years. With "You Are My Everything" and the title track, Madness reveal theyve learned to deliver a convincing love song without sounding stiff or self-conscious. Elsewhere, "Mr. Apples" is a sly portrait of a small-town authority figure with some skeletons in his closet, "Good Times" and "Another Version of Me" are bittersweet tales of the victories and defeats of ordinary life, and "Mumbo Jumbo" melds social commentary with a goofy groove that can make you dance. And "Herbert" is truly one of the best songs Ian Dury never found the time to write; its a loving tribute to the bands former labelmate and fellow British institution. Madness dont kick up as much dust in 2016 as they did in the 80s, but the melodies are strong and the performances are excellent. The honking sax and up-front piano work are clear ties to the bands golden era, but this music sounds fresh, smart, and confident, clearly the work of Madness but not a bland replay of their past. Madness willingness to act "nutty" for their fans often disguised how intelligent and tuneful they could be; on Cant Touch Us Now, the smarts and the songwriting are closer to the forefront, and its a fine showcase of what they still do well. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 33 Title: Full House: The Very Best of Madness Released: 2017-11-17 Tracks: 42 Duration: 2:23:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Prince (03:21) 2 One Step Beyond (02:20) 3 My Girl (02:45) 4 Bed and Breakfast Man (02:33) 5 Night Boat to Cairo (03:31) 6 Madness (02:41) 7 Baggy Trousers (02:42) 8 Embarrassment (03:10) 9 The Return of the Los Palmas 7 (02:33) 10 Grey Day (03:37) 11 Shut Up (04:06) 12 It Must Be Love (03:20) 13 Cardiac Arrest (02:52) 14 House of Fun (02:58) 15 Driving in My Car (03:20) 16 Our House (03:22) 17 Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) (03:09) 18 Wings of a Dove (02:56) 19 The Sun and the Rain (03:28) 20 Michael Caine (03:35) 21 One Better Day (04:09) 1 Uncle Sam (04:12) 2 Yesterday’s Men (04:32) 3 (Waiting for) The Ghost Train (03:39) 4 Sarah’s Song (03:39) 5 Lovestruck (03:50) 6 Johnny the Horse (03:20) 7 Drip Fed Fred (04:25) 8 Simple Equation (03:58) 9 Girl Why Don’t You (03:08) 10 NW5 (04:15) 11 Dust Devil (03:20) 12 Forever Young (04:36) 13 Sugar and Spice (02:51) 14 My Girl 2 (02:51) 15 Never Knew Your Name (03:27) 16 How Can I Tell You? (03:15) 17 Misery (03:17) 18 La Luna (03:35) 19 Mr. Apples (03:37) 20 Can’t Touch Us Now (04:09) 21 Another Version of Me (02:40) |