- Audio CD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Import
- ASIN: B000050VUB
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've been a Madness fan for years and I remember when this was released. (1988 I think)
I got just as excited as for any previous releases... but no one else did!!
The album was unfairly judged upon release as people expected 'that nutty sound' but got this - a far more serious and grown up Madness singing about real life (as usual), but the darker side of life not just the happy days of the 'Baggy Trousers' era.
Anyway if you've listened to their previous album 'Mad not Mad' and liked it then Id recommend this. If you haven't heard Mad not Mad, then buy that first and then you'll be ready for this.
In general I think this album has stood the test of time a lot better than some of the earlier Madness material and it's time it started to get the recoginition it deserves.
As with a previous reviewer Id have to say that the two singles that were released 'I pronounce you' and 'Whats that' were probably the weaker tracks. My personal favourite tracks are 'Nightmare, Nightmare' and 'Nail down the days' but this is a great album and needs to be listened to completely, its not just a few good singles with filler tracks - there's not really a bad track here at all!
For an insight into the sound think of earlier Madness at their most relaxed -'Yesterdays Men','Grey Day','Sweetest Girl' and even 'Waiting for the Ghost train' and you'll figure where this album came from! :)
To conclude, this is the one Madness cd that is always in my car. Every time I listen I seem to find another layer, and thats after 17 years!
* 2011 *
I cant believe its nearly 6 years since I wrote this review and.....
It now +looks like its gonna happen - 'The Madness' will be re-issued this year.
I still rate this as one of my favourite albums ever and now its top of my mp3 players playlist, and thats after 23 years! :o)
I got just as excited as for any previous releases... but no one else did!!
The album was unfairly judged upon release as people expected 'that nutty sound' but got this - a far more serious and grown up Madness singing about real life (as usual), but the darker side of life not just the happy days of the 'Baggy Trousers' era.
Anyway if you've listened to their previous album 'Mad not Mad' and liked it then Id recommend this. If you haven't heard Mad not Mad, then buy that first and then you'll be ready for this.
In general I think this album has stood the test of time a lot better than some of the earlier Madness material and it's time it started to get the recoginition it deserves.
As with a previous reviewer Id have to say that the two singles that were released 'I pronounce you' and 'Whats that' were probably the weaker tracks. My personal favourite tracks are 'Nightmare, Nightmare' and 'Nail down the days' but this is a great album and needs to be listened to completely, its not just a few good singles with filler tracks - there's not really a bad track here at all!
For an insight into the sound think of earlier Madness at their most relaxed -'Yesterdays Men','Grey Day','Sweetest Girl' and even 'Waiting for the Ghost train' and you'll figure where this album came from! :)
To conclude, this is the one Madness cd that is always in my car. Every time I listen I seem to find another layer, and thats after 17 years!
* 2011 *
I cant believe its nearly 6 years since I wrote this review and.....
It now +looks like its gonna happen - 'The Madness' will be re-issued this year.
I still rate this as one of my favourite albums ever and now its top of my mp3 players playlist, and thats after 23 years! :o)
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I can remember feeling really dissapointed when this was released. It just wasn't what i was expecting and consequently i put it away for some time. Recently i "rediscovered" it and, was pleasantly surprised by what i found. If you listen with an open mind you will hear the maddies musical genius, through the mix of unfamiliar musical styles. Lyrically this is one of the darkest albums they released and IMO is a little spoiled by the overuse of synthesized sounds, but there are some real gems here. Nail Down the Days, Song in Red, Nightmare Nightmare and the haunting In Wonder contrast well with the juxtaposition of lyrics and melody that is Oh and Beat the bride. In fact, the 2 singles from this album are probably the poorest on here and coupled with it's rather radical departure in style IMO is the reason it wasn't very well recieved at the time. Recommended
Format:Audio CD
I love this album. I bought it shortly after it was released. Standout tracks despite what others say about the singles are
Whats That (classic cathal song)
Nail down the days
In Wonder (my personal favourite off this album)
Gabriels Horn (check out the mix on the re-released It must be love cd)
Oh! (fantastic lyrics)
Nightmare Nightmare
All in all a triumph, just a shame most Maddies fans werent ready for this departure from the traditional madness sound. I've always loved madness and this is no exception. Try it out and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Whats That (classic cathal song)
Nail down the days
In Wonder (my personal favourite off this album)
Gabriels Horn (check out the mix on the re-released It must be love cd)
Oh! (fantastic lyrics)
Nightmare Nightmare
All in all a triumph, just a shame most Maddies fans werent ready for this departure from the traditional madness sound. I've always loved madness and this is no exception. Try it out and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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