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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Baggy Trousers | |||
| 2. Embarrassment | |||
| 3. E.R.N.I.E. | |||
| 4. Close Escape | |||
| 5. Not Home Today | |||
| 6. On The Beat Pete | |||
| 7. Solid Gone | |||
| 8. Take It Or Leave It | |||
| 9. Shadow Of Fear | |||
| 10. Disappear | |||
See all 24 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. One Step Beyond... | |||
| 2. E.R.N.I.E. | |||
| 3. Mistakes | |||
| 4. Disappear | |||
| 5. Bed And Breakfast Man | |||
| 6. The Return Of The Los Palmas 7 | |||
| 7. Close Escape | |||
| 8. Overdone | |||
| 9. Not Home Today | |||
| 10. Razor Blade Alley | |||
|
See all 21 tracks on this disc
| |||
Product Description
CD Description
Union Square Music s 30th Anniversary Madness reissue campaign continues with Absolutely, the band s second album, and the one which features the classic schooldays anthem Baggy Trousers . It also contains the lighthearted instrumental The Return Of The Los Palmas 7 and the band s first real foray in to the realms of social comment, with the excellent Embarrassment . This is classic early Madness, a snapshot of a band on the ascent from their beginnings as nutty ska boys to international pop superstars.
Product Description
CD-1:1-Baggy Trousers 2-Embarrassment 3-E.R.N.I.E. 4-Close Escape 5-Not Home Today 6-On The Beat Pete 7-Solid Gone 8-Take It Or Leave It 9-Shadow Of Fear 10-Disappear 11-Overdone 12-In The Rain 13-You Said 14-The Return Of The Los Palmas 7 15-Bonus Tracks: 16-In The Rain (single version) 17-The Business 18-Crying Shame 19-That's The Way To Do It 20-El Regresso De Los Palmas 7 (spanish version) 21-Swan Lake 22-Release Me/Close Escape/Solid Gone 23-Promo Video: 24-Baggy Trousers 25-Embarrassment 26-The Return Of The Los Palmas 7 CD-2:1-One Step Beyond 2-E.R.N.I.E. 3-Mistakes 4-Disappear 5-Bed And Breakfast Man 6-The Return Of The Los Palmas 7 7-Close Escape 8-Overdone 9-Not Home Today 10-Razor Blade Alley 11-My Girl 12-Take It Or Leave It 13-On The Beat Pete 14-Embarrassment 15-Shadow Of Fear 16-You Said 17-In The Middle Of The Night 18-The Prince 19-Baggy Trousers 20-Rockin' In A 21-Madness
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Top Pete
Format:Audio CD
When this album was released in 1980 I remember there being much discussion at school about which album was better: this one or their first, One Step Beyond. Opinion was always divided, pretty much 50/50, so we never got a majority decision either way. Even amongst long term Madness fans, I think that still holds true today.
However, for me, this has always been the better of the 2 albums. All songs here are Madness originals (One Step Beyond had some, admittedly very good, covers) and showcased over an entire album what brilliant songwriters they all were.
There were 3 singles taken from this album, 2 of which (Baggy Trousers and Embarrassment) rank amongst their very best (and they had a lot of singles!). The third (Return of the Los Palmas 7) was a great instrumental, the single version being (I think) a complete rerecording of the album version, which is shorter and has a more low key and laid back sound to it (you can almost feel the smoky atmosphere of the jazz club that they could be playing in).
Every Madness album has one track that positively screams at you 'Should Have Been a Single!'. On One Step Beyond it was Bed and Breakfast Man. Here it is E.R.N.I.E., a great music hall style song about the Premium Bond number generator machine (I kid you not). At the time, I actually thought this should have been chosen over Los Palmas 7 as the third single. It is such a little gem of a song, and is really worth hearing if you have never listened to this album before.
What I think sets Absolutely apart from other Madness albums is the sheer number of would-be singles. Almost every track could have been one. As well as E.R.N.I.E.... Read more ›
However, for me, this has always been the better of the 2 albums. All songs here are Madness originals (One Step Beyond had some, admittedly very good, covers) and showcased over an entire album what brilliant songwriters they all were.
There were 3 singles taken from this album, 2 of which (Baggy Trousers and Embarrassment) rank amongst their very best (and they had a lot of singles!). The third (Return of the Los Palmas 7) was a great instrumental, the single version being (I think) a complete rerecording of the album version, which is shorter and has a more low key and laid back sound to it (you can almost feel the smoky atmosphere of the jazz club that they could be playing in).
Every Madness album has one track that positively screams at you 'Should Have Been a Single!'. On One Step Beyond it was Bed and Breakfast Man. Here it is E.R.N.I.E., a great music hall style song about the Premium Bond number generator machine (I kid you not). At the time, I actually thought this should have been chosen over Los Palmas 7 as the third single. It is such a little gem of a song, and is really worth hearing if you have never listened to this album before.
What I think sets Absolutely apart from other Madness albums is the sheer number of would-be singles. Almost every track could have been one. As well as E.R.N.I.E.... Read more ›
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well, what is there to say about this album? It is a Madness Masterpiece. Three top-twenty singles taken from this album alone do it credit ('Baggy Trousers', 'Embarrassment' and 'Return of the Los Palmas 7'), but there are many other great tunes to choose from.
'On The Beat Pete' is a stomping Ska/Pop tune to really get your teeth into; 'You Said' is another darker song for the fans and non-fans alike; 'Disappear' will lull and calm you with its bright tones and lucid rhythms; 'In The Rain' sings of the all-to-often bleak weather one experiences as a youth in Blighty.
Simply excellent, simply Madness at their greatest. Forget the Best Of's and the Greatest Hits, this is the album for those fans who want to leave the fake fans behind and explore that long-and-winding road to Madness themselves.
Many records of the time capture the feeling of the early 80s, but this one does that time period justice - truly a heavenly record.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
If you think of Madness as a singles band,think again.
This album is absolutely crammed with well-crafted tunes that reflect both the melancholy and more frivolous approach that really define the band.Highlights include Close Escape Not Home Today,Take It Or Leave It,the classic singles Baggy Trousers and (The peerless) Embarrassment,and Disappear,arguably the bands best ever track.
I've had the album since 1981 and now on CD and although Madness's time has been and gone,it still stands up today,and i can literally smell those school corridors it reminds me of !
This album is absolutely crammed with well-crafted tunes that reflect both the melancholy and more frivolous approach that really define the band.Highlights include Close Escape Not Home Today,Take It Or Leave It,the classic singles Baggy Trousers and (The peerless) Embarrassment,and Disappear,arguably the bands best ever track.
I've had the album since 1981 and now on CD and although Madness's time has been and gone,it still stands up today,and i can literally smell those school corridors it reminds me of !
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is Madness at their best - they'd freed themselves from the constraints of trying to be a ska band (they never really were) - and became a pop band (which underneath it all, they always were). Brilliant tunes, great singles and top production - it still sounds fantastic today.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. McCarraher
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
I bought this yesterday, having not heard this album for thirty years! It greeted me like an old friend. This wonderful, lovingly expanded edition includes the original album (such greats as Baggy Trousers, Embarrassment, E.R.N.I.E) as well has a host of B sides and oddities, three DVD promo films AND a whole 21 track BBC live in concert covering material from the first two albums. Great sleeve notes as well. Priceless! Who could ask for more?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
I remember buying this the day it was released back in the early 80's and its as good now as it was then. It was this album that inspired me to go to my very first concert and madness were as brilliant live as they were on record. If you only ever buy one madness album, make it this one. A combination of well known chart hits and great album tracks although in fairness I think that almost every track on this album would have been strong enough to release as a single.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Craig Taylor
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Absolutely, the second studio album from Madness is perhaps one of their strongest. It features hit singles Baggy Trousers, Embarrassment, and the Return of the Los Palmas 7, amongst many great album tracks. There isn't a bad song on this album with most of them have a 'single' quality written all over them. My personal favourites are 'On The Beat Pete', 'Disappear' and 'You Said' all brilliant songs.
In addition to the original album you get the b-sides to the singles which are equally just as strong, along with a live recording of them in concert featuring songs from the album.
All of this for such a low price, there's no excuse not to buy!
In addition to the original album you get the b-sides to the singles which are equally just as strong, along with a live recording of them in concert featuring songs from the album.
All of this for such a low price, there's no excuse not to buy!
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good fun
Good seller.
Fast delivery.
If you missed out on Madness the first time around you've certainly no need to now. Suddenly they are popping up all over the place. Read more
Fast delivery.
If you missed out on Madness the first time around you've certainly no need to now. Suddenly they are popping up all over the place. Read more
Published 2 months ago by M A Bleines
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely
This is a excellent CD form an Excellaent band.
I love it!!! I also love the letters on the spine which spell out MADNESS! when stood on my shelf.
I love it!!! I also love the letters on the spine which spell out MADNESS! when stood on my shelf.
Published 2 months ago by William DORRINGTON
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album!
Great, brilliant love these digitally remastered 30th anniversary CD's all the artwork videos etc...puts me right back to my youth!
Published 3 months ago by paul
5.0 out of 5 stars
memories
used to have this on vinyl but due to limited space wi modern new builds had to get cds in place of, superb album one of their best everytime i listen to it it takes me back to my... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Buzz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Cd
One of their best cds. Just as good as original lp but with bonus cd. Case is well designed with booklet.
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Julia Barnes
5.0 out of 5 stars
a thousand winners every week
I understand the dilemma when choosing which is the best Madness album. At our school in 1980 in Kentish Town, there were so many signed albums! This however is the one for me! Read more
Published 12 months ago by RocksteadySi
1.0 out of 5 stars
NOT ARRIVED
Still waiting for it to arrive. NOT HAPPY!!!!!!!! WOULD THINK IF YOU PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU WONT HAVE TO WAIT OVER 2 MONTH TO GET IT
Published 13 months ago by cloughie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fabulous Surprise With The Cover
As a Madness collector, having Suggs and Chas' autograph, speaking to them on radio 1 there's not a lot that makes you smile as far as suprises go. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2011 by Shiny
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's Madness
I couldn't resist buying this. I have the LP, the CD and the tape. I remember when I bought the LP. Every song is classic Madness. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2010 by A. MCARTHUR
5.0 out of 5 stars
madness
probably the best madness album ever, the nutty boys at their polished best on par with one step beyond , buy it and relive the nutty sound of london at its eighties best,... Read more
Published on 28 May 2010 by Andrew J. Fry
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