Reviews (page 2 of 7)
I like Madness. So upbeat. One Step Beyond is my favorite.
This isn't available in the United States, so I had to skip this one. I'm going to make up for it by diving into the rest of their discography! Just not right now!
Joooooder...otra puta maravilla(PSP)
Brilliant album!
Я не знаю почему. Почему так происходит, что в который раз мне достаётся альбом "про британцев". Вы из меня британского патриота делаете? Я в целом и не против, так-то я уже поданный Его Величества... Не мне судить, но кажется, будто эта музыка слегка старовато для 1982 года. Когда у нас уже были всякие постпанки там и прочее. С другой стороны... это же вроде как попса? А она может жить долго. Мне дико понравился альбом! Это редко бывает в последнее время. Ну это же супер стильно звучит! Может быть, я перевдохновлялся британской эстетикой, но мне очень сильно запали в душу богатые на разные звуки аранжировки. И духовая секция, и клавишные-клавесинчики... всё вместе как оркестр. И так ненавязчиво... С другой стороны, концовку (прям как Lynyed Skynyrd) смазали... но попытались реабилитировать последней песней (прям как Lynyed Skynyrd). Может, я действительно бумер?
Wow! Legit great album. So fun.
so saxy
Big bold sax, vaudeville, Pythonesque, campy in its own way. The musical embodiment of walking through a carnival hall of mirrors
80s ska Lahhhndahhhntown
One of my favorites
Madness is such a great band. This album has some love time favourites, and I've definitely picked up several new favourites.
The 80s were a strange time for music, and I'm loving every second of it. Nothing but praise from me for the pioneers of modern ska.
Great album. The music is rich, and the songs are fun.
Beautiful
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ABSOLUTE SKA-POP PSYCHOSIS IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE I put on The Rise & Fall by Madness expecting “fun little British ska record.” What I got instead was a 40-minute identity crisis, a street parade, a pub argument, a nervous breakdown, and a warm hug from a man in a pork pie hat — sometimes all in the same song. This album does not “start,” it kicks your door in yelling about unemployment, class struggle, and being slightly unwell in the head, then immediately apologizes with a kazoo-level bounce. “Our House” feels like your childhood memories were thrown down a staircase and somehow landed perfectly upright. “Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day)” sounds like existential dread learned how to skank. I should not be able to dance this hard to songs about societal decay, yet here I am, fully out of breath, questioning capitalism. The sequencing is unhinged. One minute I’m laughing, the next I’m staring at the wall like I just remembered an embarrassing thing from 2007. Madness somehow weaponizes cheerfulness. The horns are joyful. The lyrics are NOT. This is sonic emotional whiplash and I love it. By the end, I felt like I had lived an entire British life: born in a terraced house, yelled at by my dad, drank too early, laughed too loud, worried about the future, and still showed up to dance anyway. That’s not an album — that’s a cultural speedrun. Five stars. Ten stars. A thousand stars. This record made me want to put on suspenders, cry about the state of the world, and then politely ask if anyone fancies a pint.
I was waiting and hoping for my crazy Rocksteady crew. Not disappointed.
REALLY COOL
Its madness
I'd only heard "Our House" from this and was kind of surprised. It's smart pop music with intricate arrangements, great playing and production, and interesting songs in an autobiographical style. Points off for the guy in Brownface on the album cover and for the racist overtones of "New Delhi." Otherwise, I really enjoyed this and it was good to hear this group beyond their ska beginnings.
I like this one
Loved this. It's impressive how they have so much energy and humour without ever becoming just novelty songs. Shocking that a two-tone band couldn't see that the casual racism of 'New Delhi' and having someone in brownface on the cover was a problem though.
Great tunes, set off by nostalgia of remembering it coming out when I was in primary school ha
Great vibes, good tracks, sometimes a bit too whimsical.
I love Madness and this definitely their best album. There are some of their finest tracks here “Tomorrow”, my favourite “Our House” and if you select the reissue “Drive my car” and “House of fun” (how was that their only number 1). You just cant beat that bass at the beginning of “Our House” The album tracks are all strong and enjoyable, capturing the Nutty Boys at their peak. They genuinely feel unique in UK music as they blend ska snd pop so well, with the piano and horns making things instantly recognisable as Madness. Part of me wants to give this a big fat five but think it falls just short
Always liked Madness, and this is one of their better albums. "Tomorrow's Just Another Day", "Blue Skinned Beast", and of course "Our House." Might be a bit on the long side with some filler in there, but overall a good one.
british ska revival pop music. if you've heard that repeated 80s hit song on the radio that goes "our house. in the middle of our street, our house. in the middle of our street, our house. in the middle-" this is the album where this single calls home. new-wave... ish... pop music, basically. if there's one thing i can praise about this album right off the bat? its cleanliness and consistency. like seriously, especially with other artists in this genre sphere... these recordings are really sharp and measured, and i can't help but admire that. some of the tracks are more straightforward, some are a little more playful. if there's one thing that i don't like as much about this album, it's how homogeneous it sounds. like i would love it so much if these guys could make their tracks a liiiiiittle more different from one another. even if it's tiny. i really cannot complain too much though considering the songs are still... they're good songs! would love to learn how to write songs like these.
You know the album is important when its not even on your major streaming app. Ive never heard this Madness album, which is a surprise because where I come from Our House is their biggest hit It was better than I expected. 3.5 but rounding up
Ahhhh - Madness. Their actual Magnum Opus (The Liberty of Norton Folgate - not a dud on even the two-disc version of that album) isn't on this list. Instead, we just get this, the album with their biggest hit. Which is... okay. But can't touch Norton Folgate. Anyway, Madness (almost) always get the joyful melancholia mix just right, which just resonates right with me. Very well-produced, especially for the 80s, and just a very tight outfit.
Very hit or miss
Never really been a fan of Madness listening to their singles or their innumerable festival appearances, but I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would...
Includes the iconic "Our House" - fun 80s Brit Rock.
Great album taking ska into a more popular field of music which made it "easy" to listen to. Still, a good album with great songs.
If The Kinks were a ska band in 1982, I reckon they would like this album. Pretty good stuff!
Pop, new wave, 2 tone.
**Madness – *The Rise & Fall* (1982)** Released in October 1982, *The Rise & Fall* is widely regarded as Madness’s first true “album” rather than merely a collection of singles. It marked a creative turning point where the band deliberately moved beyond their nutty ska-pop persona to craft a loosely conceptual record about childhood, London life, and the passage of time. Band members themselves have referred to it as their *Sgt. Pepper*—a statement of artistic ambition that, while not without flaws, remains their most coherent and critically celebrated studio work. --- ### **Overview & Concept** The original idea was to write about growing up in London, chronicling the band’s shared childhood experiences. While the concept loosened as writing progressed, the thematic thread of nostalgia, working-class life, and the bittersweet passage of time remains strong. As Suggs later noted, “It was the first album we made that was an album, not just a collection of songs.” The result is a record that feels like a musical stroll through 1970s and early-1980s Britain—part kitchen-sink drama, part music-hall variety show. --- ### **Musical Style & Production** **Production:** Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who had produced Madness’s previous records, returned for this album, but their approach shifted. Rather than pulling “all the stops” only for obvious singles, the band focused on making every track album-worthy. The production is clean, spacious, and surprisingly sophisticated for 1982, recorded at George Martin’s Air Studios in London. **Musical Range:** This is Madness at their most experimental. While their ska and reggae roots remain audible, the album incorporates: - **British music hall** (piano-driven numbers like *Primrose Hill* and *Calling Cards*) - **Jazz** (*Madness (Is All in the Mind)*, *Sunday Morning*) - **New Wave** (*Sunday Morning*’s jagged guitar interruptions) - **Eastern/Indian influences** (*New Delhi*) - **Orchestral pop** (brass and string arrangements by David Bedford) The arrangements are dense and layered—horns, keyboards, glockenspiel, multiple vocal lines, and Mark Bedford’s melodic bass all compete for space, yet the mix rarely feels cluttered. As one reviewer noted, the album “defies convention and will remind you of everything from the Cat Empire to Queen and Zappa.” --- ### **Lyrical Themes & Song-by-Song Highlights** **Childhood & Nostalgia:** - **“Rise and Fall”** – The title track sets the album’s nostalgic tone, with Suggs reminiscing about “forgotten moments” before and after an unspecified disaster. It’s mid-paced, grand, and establishes the album’s reflective mood. - **“Our House”** – The album’s centerpiece and biggest hit. A flawless pop song about working-class family life, it won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Pop Song in 1983. Its influence persists through countless covers, adverts, and even football chants. **Working-Class Monotony & Escapism:** - **“Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day)”** – A top-10 single about the grind of daily life, contrasting downbeat verses with an upbeat chorus. Elvis Costello guested on a slower version for the 12” release. - **“Primrose Hill”** – A character study of an older man nostalgic for lost possibilities, driven by jaunty piano and brass. **Political Commentary:** - **“Blue-Skinned Beast”** – Rare political territory for Madness. Written by saxophonist Lee Thompson, it addresses the Falklands War, with the title referencing the blue body bags used to transport fallen soldiers home. It’s one of the album’s most musically jarring tracks, with abrupt shifts between major and minor keys. **Mental Health & Alienation:** - **“Mr Speaker (Gets the Word)”** – A character study of an escaped patient from Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum (a real London institution later renamed Friern Hospital). It’s darkly humorous yet sympathetic, typical of the album’s tonal complexity. - **“Tiptoes”** – A claustrophobic, panicked track about a man seemingly driven to suicide by nightmares. Suggs’ lyrics are deliberately opaque, leaving the narrator’s ultimate fate ambiguous. **Social Observation & Character Studies:** - **“Calling Cards”** – Suggs plays a minor criminal on the Old Kent Road planning a sorting-office robbery. It’s more *Ladykillers* than *Krays*—knockabout comedy propelled by a mighty Mike Barson piano solo. - **“That Face”** – A bridge between early Madness and their later melancholic phase. Suggs confronts aging and abandonment, with Barson’s piano and Bedford’s bass creating tension and airiness in the gaps. **Experimental Departures:** - **“New Delhi”** – Mike Barson’s solo composition about traveling in India. Musically closer to Blancmange than typical Madness, it’s the track most detached from the album’s London concept. - **“Sunday Morning”** – A hangover song that starts like New Wave, settles into smooth contemplation, then lets jagged riffs stab back in. It’s “wonderfully unsettling” and evokes the disorientation of the morning after. - **“Are You Coming (With Me)”** – A somber, mature album track about worrying for a friend wasting their life. It feels like the “real” ending before the poppier epilogue of *Madness (Is All in the Mind)*. --- ### **Critical Reception & Influence** *The Rise & Fall* was included in the book *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die*, cementing its status as a classic. AllMusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine compared it to The Kinks’ *Village Green Preservation Society* and Blur’s *Parklife*—albums that capture a specific moment of British pop life with wit and effervescence. He noted that despite the evident influence of The Kinks and Ian Dury, the album remains “recognizably Madness in sound and sensibility.” The album’s influence extends to later British pop. Its blend of music-hall nostalgia, social observation, and genre-hopping anticipated the Britpop era, particularly bands like Blur and Pulp. Cardiacs guitarist Kavus Torabi has cited it as one of his favorite albums. --- ### **Pros** 1. **Cohesive Vision:** Unlike their sometimes-patchy earlier albums, *The Rise & Fall* holds together as a unified listening experience. The concept, while loose, gives the record narrative momentum. 2. **Musical Ambition:** The band pushes far beyond ska into jazz, music hall, and orchestral pop without losing their identity. The arrangements are inventive and richly detailed. 3. **Lyrical Maturity:** Suggs and the band tackle politics, mental health, aging, and working-class life with humor and pathos. The character studies are sharply observed. 4. **“Our House”:** Simply one of the greatest pop songs ever written about family life—timeless, universal, and perfectly constructed. 5. **Production Quality:** Langer and Winstanley achieve a clean, spacious sound that has aged remarkably well. The instrumentation is clear and dynamic. 6. **Standout Deep Cuts:** Tracks like *That Face*, *Are You Coming (With Me)*, and *Mr Speaker* reward repeated listening and demonstrate the band’s range beyond singles. --- ### **Cons** 1. **Inconsistent Quality Control:** While the highs are very high, not every experiment succeeds. *New Delhi* is widely considered a weak point—an unfocused departure that breaks the album’s London concept and verges on cultural appropriation with its fake Indian accents in the outro. 2. **Filler Accusations:** Despite the band’s intention to make every track count, songs like *New Delhi* and, for some listeners, *Calling Cards* or *Blue-Skinned Beast* feel like lesser efforts compared to the album’s peaks. 3. **Suggs’ Vocal Limitations:** Suggs’ distinctive but limited voice can become wearing over a full album. The band compensates with backing vocals and instrumental variety, but it remains a constraint. 4. **Aged Elements:** The album cover features a band member in brownface (as a “nutty professor” character), which has aged extremely poorly and has been criticized as racist. Some streaming services have obscured the cover, and it remains a stain on the album’s legacy. 5. **Concept Drift:** The original childhood-in-London concept was abandoned partway through writing, leaving some tracks (*New Delhi* especially) feeling disconnected from the album’s thematic core. 6. **Not Their Biggest US Success:** Despite *Our House* becoming their biggest American hit, the album itself was not even released in the US in its original form—Geffen Records instead compiled a different tracklist for American listeners, suggesting label uncertainty about its commercial viability as a whole. --- ### **Verdict** *The Rise & Fall* is Madness’s most accomplished studio album—a record that captures a band transitioning from singles merchants to serious album artists without sacrificing their essential charm. It is flawed, certainly; the concept unravels in places, a few tracks miss the mark, and the album cover controversy is impossible to ignore. Yet when it works, as it does on *Our House*, *Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day)*, *That Face*, and the title track, it achieves a rare blend of wit, melancholy, and musical inventiveness that places it alongside the great British concept albums. For anyone seeking to understand Madness beyond the hits, or British pop beyond the obvious canon, it is essential listening.
I miss the old Kanye
Amazing, almost a 5. “Our house” gets glazed imo. Fav track: “Rise and fall”
I was bought the cassette of 'Complete Madness' for my 12th birthday which featured 'House of fun' as the new single. Add to this 'Driving in my car', 'Our house' and 'Tomorrow's just another day' and you have evidence this was one of the best singles acts of the era, period. I was wondering where 'Cardiac arrest' was, to be honest. I was thinking this album could be worth five stars after the title track and a few other early ones, and I'm sure that this album may well have been the inspiration for the 'Our House' musical. One can tell that this is a more piano dominated album than ska based and it is the production of Langer and Winstanley that stands out - I think this may be a concept album about their growing up, but 1982 was not the year for that type of record.
Experimental album that has a bit of a Tim Burton / Danny Elfman vibe. Lots of unexpected chord progressions and rhythms that made it really interesting to listen to. Our House is a great song and the change-ups in the chorus are a fun gimmick. Not sure if this will be a mainstay but I do want to listen again. A shame it's not on Tidal because I would have picked a few songs for the playlist.
Much better than I was expecting. I thought of Madness - based on only having heard Our House - as almost a novelty band. This was a nice surprise, very consistent and enjoyable listen
Don't love the brownface album cover but do enjoy the music.
Quite a decent collection of quality tracks beyond the hit, and was actually a delight. “Our House” is a perfectly timeless pop ear worm. A lot of fellow travelers of the 1001 Albums Project get angry about too much 80s music from the Isles; this album should be immune from that criticism (it isn’t but there are a few dozen albums that are more guilty). 8/10.
While of course this album is basically only known for Our House, it's definitely a good package, all together. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
Not sure why it's buried on streaming services, but I enjoyed it.
You can just tell this band is having a blast while recording these song and the groove really shines through and is so fun to listen to. I of course recognized the first track but the rest followed in its footsteps having wonderful instrumentation all around with jazziness and a taste of Brit pop as well. The overall vibe just feels free and like there are no worries which I love.
Packed with classic songs and classic sounds. Only reason it’s not a 5 is that I can only listen to so much Madness before my ears go “enough”. 4.5
they should move the house
The Specials but good. Some absolutely killer basslines across the whole record that remind me of all-time classic Minutemen (despite preceding it), and while the whole Python-esque British Isles humor hasn't aged all that well it certainly gives the whole album a playfully vintage quality while pinning it tightly to its era. It's a little dorky but very charismatic. Fav tracks: Mr. Speaker, Rise and Fall, Our House, Madness
Not on tidal. Why? But anyways its a solid 2nd wave ska project. Which i am a 3rd wave guy, its what I grew up on. But I do like some things like the specials. And this is in a similar vein. Madness does have a little bit of a weird edge though. There is some jazzy elements with the stand up bass and thr piano too. Though the piano has a player piano feel that is pretty interesting. Saloon vibes. Our house is the big song here and its great. Its a classic for sure. But there are other songs. Personally im into madness, thr closer, as well as tomorrow's. Both good songs as well. As a whole the record is pretty good. Not exactly my thing 100% but very good. It has to be a classic if this wave is your thing.
Very surprisingly good considering I’d never heard of them before now, that is until “Our House” played. Actually might consider getting this album on vinyl 4.5 but down to 4
House of Fun is one of my siblings' favorite songs. Yet another song called Our House that I like this week as well is pretty funny. Nostalgic for me but not my usual listen.
While I love ska, I'll admit I haven't listened to much Madness - I think the overexposure and non-ska-ness of "Our House" turned me off. But this album was very fun and enjoyable, and I feel a little bad for avoiding them for so long. - Heard before? I think I might have recognized a few songs beyond "Our house." - Will I listen again? Definitely. - Does it inspire me to listen to more of this artist? Yes!
A fun poppy album with lots of hooks and a slight ska flavor. It almost reminds me of some of Danny Elfman's stuff - it's got a theatrical bent with the occasional quirky darkness.
Some good jams on here
Revelation! I tend to think of them as essentially a novelty act, but this was far more fun, skilled and inventive than I expected.
Much better than the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young version.
Fader altså
I guess I don’t really know what ska is. I thought there had to be a bit more Rastafarian going on. More of a 3.5 but round up for pleasant surprises
I didn't expect much from the band that gave us "Our House," a catchy one hit wonder type song I remember from early 80's teen-dom. But this has an enjoyable, intelligent pop sound, and the album is very even. This would sound really good live, there's so much going on musically. Unfortunately, it's not on Spotify in its entirety so I had to listen via YouTube. Bleh. But I decided to round this pleasant surprise up to 4.
Classic, although I felt most of the songs sounded like our house
It’s not Madness’ best album, but still great!
When I read "ska" and knew Madness was the band that performed "Our House," which is not my favorite song, I started to wonder if this would be a painful experiment in discovering what early ska sounded like by a bunch of guys who were half as talented as they are clever. I really liked this one and I have absolutely no clue (other than the presence of horns) why this specific album would be considered ska. Perhaps I am just scarred by the late 90's ska-revival. I still shudder thinking about it. This was a fun album, even if that asshole on the front is in brown face. Mr. Speaker was very Kinks-like. You could have put that song on any of The Kinks albums on this list and I would not have known any different. I gotta add this one to my own collection, as this is worthy of a repeated listen. Rise and Fall Tomorrow's (Just Another Day) Blue Skinned Beast Sunday Morning Our House That Face Madness (Is All in the Mind)
Long LP. It’s like a childrens version of punk music?! The lyrics are repetitive and quite simple. But I think they are also more a metaphor. It sound a 80ies but not that much 80ies. It’s a lot of marching music. So many references. So many different instruments and styles mixed up. It tells a story. It could be a musical. I am confused. Feels like there’s a story behind every songs lyrics/story.
Four stars just for Our House. Where? In the middle of the street
Despite the brown face on the cover and the awful racist accent on New Delhi, I can't hate this. I also can't in good conscience give it a 5/5. 4 it is then.
I could only listen to 6 songs available to me, but they were excellent. I see a straight line between this and Modern Life is Rubbish by blur.
I forgot that Madness very quickly stopped being a ska band, and went pure pop. They had developed a signature sound at this stage featuring piano bass, a variation on the staxx beat, and a guitar that is so buried in the mix that it's largely imperceptible. Every song here is a quality production, and the singles will still be played in 50 years time, but it lacks the ska energy and rudeboy edge of One Step Beyond. Instead it tells the story of late 70s/early 80s Britain with humour and heart.
So much fun
Is this even ska? This is a very musical album. Maybe it's prog/singer-songwriter ska? There is a lot of bounce in the tracks, but they are slowed down below skanking speed. I hear jazz, crooner, and lounge. The music reminds me of the Kinks for some reason, but where the deep Britishness of the Kinks alienates me from their music, it provides interest here. Whatever this album is, it defies genre. I can't place it, but I'm into it. Four stars.
Brilliant! In between Talking Heads and the Clash mayhaps? A bit more cinematic than either. Still sounds fresh after 44 years! 4.2
Definitivt mer än bara Our House!
brilliant. on suggs birthday too
Two things upon a first listen: this is very English, so it's no surprise that it wasn't released in the US. The Rise and Fall is to Madness what Village Green/Arthur were to the Kinks (and not just by name similarity). This reveaks something that I didn't appreciate while growing up listening to their Two Tone singles: these guys can PLAY. Some great performances, especially Barson and Bedford on piano and bass, respectively.
Tässä oli jotain mistä tykkäsin tosi paljon. positiivinen soitanta ja kivat taustat
Nonii kunnon määdnessiä. Tää on tämmöstä omanlaistaan prittiläistä fuusiokitseniä. Toki en näitä tän "genren" muita pändejä kauheesti tunne paitsi sen ghost town -biisin osalta joka sekin on kyl ihan hyve. Määdnessiltä on jonkun verran tuttuja veisuja, jotka pistää keskijalan ja menojalan vipattaan. Tällä levyllä toi auerin huussi ol tuttu ja toki house of fanny mutta se ei taida alunperin olla tällä kokonaisuudella vaan on näitä spotify-version erikoisuuksia. Kaikesta huolimati mahottoman mukavaa meininkiä ja vois kuunnella enempikin. Pändi on monisyinen, mutta siitä huolimati paketti on saatu mukavasti soimaan levylle ja kaikki kilkkeet saa ajan ja paikan. Ison nelosen arvonen JUU.
Man, to be hip and in college and listen to this and some B52s, circa 1983. Had to have been a blast. Little inconsistent (I would cut three numbers) but overall a great record.
This album sees Madness breaking away from their previous almost comedic ska stuff and into more interesting territory.
I really enjoyed this! It’s has a quirky college band sound. Sort of like a British 80s Ben folds five kind of thing. Not quite sure how to explain it other than if I was in college when this came out I would be all about it.
Had not heard much Madness beyond Our House (which is epic), but really really enjoyed this. Much more experimental than I thought and almost felt like sort of a concept album. The horns are awesome (expected from a ska band I guess?) but overall just some very cool instrumentation and interesting musical choices. Also really like his voice. Overall just a fun listen.
This is the second album in a row that wasn't on Apple music. Not sure what's going on here. Overall, a great album.
Perfectly fine music
National treasures. Such an influential band and arguably the most British band of all time, singing about roast dinners, misbehaving and the Post Office. UK music festivals would not be the same if Madness hadn't existed. Without the Ska revival, all the awesome sax and brass players would have picked up guitar lessons instead and joined a rock band. Ugh. Madness have been better than this, but none of the other albums have Our House, a song you can put with Blue Monday, Praise You and Bohemian Rhapsody on the Mount Rushmore of British singles. 7 / 10 Best track/s: Our House, Madness (It's All In The Mind), Rise and Fall
fun
Madness cultivate a unique and funky sound, capturing mundane British life.
Really enjoyed
Underrated genius. Reminds me of my childhood growing up in the UK in the 80s. Madness at their peak. Yes, I'm middle aged, no I still have all my hair, and I've never voted Tory and didn't vote for Brexit.
This was great 4.25
This is a great ska project. Ahead of its time and influential. This album is shockingly cohesive and intuitive. These songs were begging to be written and the energy is there.
Loved the funky vibes, makes the songs more memorable. This album was a house full of fun 😹😹😹
One of those album I wished I loved more. Some real bangers here, especially those last 3 and the hit "Our House". Although through some of this album I was just waiting for the song to end already. Probably would have been a 3 had it not ended as strongly as it did
Seemed like a move away from their Ska roots but some really catching songs on this. Our House, even thought its been overplayed. is still a favorite of mine.
I really enjoy listening to Madness and had a good time listening to this one, too, even if they did get a little weird at times.
Nice surprise! This album never made it to the US despite "Our House" being an omnipresent hit (it and a number of the songs from this were included on the self-titled album from 1983) the one that showed everyone this clown car of a band had more depth to it. I really love Madness. This ambitious album encapsulates English slapstick and eccentricity laced with just enough English melancholy and class struggle and every once in a while you are reminded they were tight as hell. I was gonna say this isn't the Madness album I'd pick, but I'd never heard it before.
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
Was never that keen but enjoyable now.Like Sugg's phrasing
It's a two-hit wonder album.
It's a shame this isn't available on Apple Music (apparently it wasn't released in the US), but I found this really enjoyable.
Just a fun 80s album
When I was in high school, I had a few friends who were way into Ska. They would try and convert me, often playing records by bands like Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish. To me, these songs were always a bit too much, featuring constant aggressive use of horns over upbeat raggae-inspired rhythms that I would find exhuasting to listen to. It always just sounded like punk with a gimmick to me. Because of that, I wasn't at all excited when I looked this album up and saw it was classified as "ska". To make it worse, I couldn't find it on streaming so had to rely on a fairly low-quality Youtube playlist to listen to it. I quickly found myself pleasantly surprised. I found this record to be an interesting blend of many genres and influences, and I found the horns and other less conventional instrumentation was used in a way that complemented the music as opposed to overpowered it like on the previously mentioned ska albums. This made it so when they did take centerstage, like at the end of "Primrose Hill," it made for interesting and powerful moments. I didn't expect to recognize any tracks, so was surprised to hear "Our House," a track that I've heard probably thousands of times before but never knew the origin of. There were still a few misses on the album. I found Blue Skinned Beast kind of irritating, and New Delhi, while an interesting idea, felt a bit out of place. Overall, definitely an interesting and ambitious record that I'll likely return to. I'd say a 3.5 or 4/5.
That was weird
I liked it, was fun!
Picks up where The Kinks left off, via The Specials and The Stranglers. Very clever!
Joy to the ears and heart.
Really cool style of music. It was a weird type of ska-ish that I could get down with. Holy hell Our House is an absolute jam on this album. I don't know if I have ever really listened to that song fully. Sandwiched in this album though it is so great. Album died down hard on the last 4-5 songs but was still quite. Lower 4
I dig it! Weak 4 though
Why I decided to do this list. All I knew was the song ‘Our House’. This is a really banger of an album and is a good mix of ska and 80s pop. Worth checking out and relistening.
Man, I can't help it. Early Ska weirdness is just so fun.
Only knew "Our House", which is an ok song. I felt like the rest of the album was so much better. I enjoyed this listen
Música de mi adolescencia. Madness era toda un locura, evidentemente. “Our House” es un tema que hoy en día nadie ha podido superar en divertimento ni imitar esa base rítmica sincopada tan contagiosa. El resto del disco transcurre por ese camino teatral de música inspirada en el ska y anclada en una tradición pop británica que crea una atmósfera teatral dispuesta a hacer pasar buenos ratos. Una delicia que merece ser reivindicada.
Un album plutôt chargé, mais dont les différentes strates demeurent maîtrisées, dont le thème nostalgique est bien exploité, en contraste avec le rythme entraînant. La dernière pièce un peu plus commune, quoique bien exécutée
This album wasn't on Spotify in the US, so I listened on YouTube. That said, it's a pretty energetic ska album with some new wave elements. Many of the songs have good brass sections mixed with interesting new wave style vocals.
The Rise & Fall was a happy surprise. I was familiar with "Our House" from my MTV indoctrination in the summer of 1983. It was not my life jam, but I liked it then and continue to like it now. To my delight, the rest of the album maintains the style of "Our House," but that may simply be definitive Madness.
Very inpressive. Im sure in the early 80s this was something else. Its kind of line a concept experimental album with a new twist to Ska that no other ska album had at the time. In context I can say it has to be a stepping stone for the genre and a good guide to influence the 90 hardcore ska. That said Our house is a banger that song is so foking good. This album is very very good
Was ready not to like this because I assumed ska. There's definitely ska things happening in this, but like, only structurally? It had a lot more going for it than I expected. Ended up enjoying it. 3.5/5
This was rather a groundbreaker for the time it was released. Wonderful music.
Couldn't find the full album but I may be able to piecemeal it together in a playlist if I really dug around. Our House was one of my favorite songs (and videos) as a teen. Anyone else remember them on The Young Ones?
Our House is the obvious standout here but the whole album is actually super good. creates a very unique vibe that is obviously born from their growing up. low 4, i think i would be pleasantly surprised if this was the soundtrack to a party
Madness always hits right.
This was an aural funfair - a summer feeling of carefree fun. Never listened to a Madness album before, and had no expectations whatsoever. I don't quite know when I'd listen to it again, but I really enjoyed the ride.
Our house is indeed in the middle of the street. I dig the instrumentals like in New Delhi and the Car/Bike songs and found the 60-70s British rock vibe (but not Beatles) oddly comforting. Good listen imo.
A quintessential Madness album Highlights: - House of Fun - Our House - Rise and Fall
I didn’t get the appeal of this band when I was younger and found my sister’s copy of their eponymous compilation. But now I realize they’re really fun and musically interesting.
Lots of decent and catchy songs, even if they were a bit crumpety. And then Our House came on and it was a crazy plot twist
Very experimental sounding album. Lots of 60s influence from The Who and The Kinks. Parts of it reminded me of Village Green. Catchy stuff.
Fun ska pop, decent, even level
Thought this was a band I’d never heard of, but then Our House starts up. The rest of the album is pretty cool with some dark undertones, but there’s a couple stinkers here that keep it from a 5/5.
A fun one to listen to and probably the best cover of 'Our House' to date.
This was fun
It's good......(massive suspense)............. ....(more suspense).......not great.
I don't think I've ever listened to a Madness album before, but always liked most of their singles. This was much more varied and artistic than I was expecting. I enjoyed most of these songs, even though it was a bit long. No complaints really!
Blind album, and artist, but know the hit. I pleasantly liked this album actually. It was interested and I loved the variety of instrumentation and the way it blended.
So fun. They should have been much bigger in the US.
[4.25/5] Final impression: Lots of fantastic tracks, and even the tracks I don't like as much are still a fun listen. Listened to on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPjcc9Vi-9s&list=PLwTsihu-EGpB-o1DIUfRUq0O2b1VSinBY]. Rise and Fall - The instrumentals are interesting. I kind of like it. Tomorrow's (Just Another Day) - A solid beat and catchy - I really like it. The instrumentals are good as well. Blue Skinned Beast - The vocals on here are rough. Instrumentals aren't too bad though. Primrose Hill - I like the vocals on this one. Probably my second favorite track so far. Mr Speaker (Gets The Word) - Sick as fuck instrumentals. Very distinct from the other tracks in a great way. Sunday Morning - Sick instrumentals again. Lyrics kind of repetitive, but it almost works with the concept of the song. Our House - Easy to like. Great instrumentals and great vocals. Tiptoes - Just fun. The instrumental descent after "he could really fly" goes so hard. New Delhi - Combined with the album cover I'd consider this a red flag. That Face - Instrumentals are good, but one of the weaker tracks here. Calling Cards - Vaguely feels like I'm in the desert heat playing poker in the local saloon, but not overtly. *Are You Coming (With Me) - Once again, sick instrumentals. Great vocals too. I can't decide if this one is better than Mr Speaker or not. Madness (Is All In The Mind) - I like the vocals here. Overall notes: Not sure if this one is getting bonus points for being the most interesting album out of the last 3 I've listened to, but I like almost all the tracks on this. And each track is distinct, which is cool. Great instrumentals, mixed on the vocals but generally they're good.
Now I love Madness, and I listened to these albums so much growing up, so I'm a little biased i would say - that being said, I do think the shine has worn off of this album a little for me. I personally always preferred their earlier, Nuttier stuff to their music hall inspired tunes, so I would have probably chosen Absolutely! as the album that made this list, but this is still eminently singable and does have a good variety of "bright music, dark themes" songs that I love about Madness. So yeah, not the 5 I thought is give them, but still really good
This one really surprised me. I went in expecting the usual Madness ska-pop bounce, and sure, there's some of that, but The Rise & Fall goes way deeper than just cheeky fun and nutty boys larking about. It’s way more melancholic and reflective than I thought it would be. There’s a strong thread of nostalgia and sadness running through it that really gave it more weight for me. The title track especially set the tone — wistful, a little gloomy, but still catchy in that very British way. It’s like the musical equivalent of flicking through old school photos and realising everyone moved on without you. I think what struck me most is how confident they are in flipping moods. Our House is obviously the big hit here, and yeah, it’s a brilliant single — instantly recognisable, a perfect little slice of suburban joy. But around it you’ve got these strange and experimental moments, like Primrose Hill and Blue Skinned Beast, that lean more into art-pop territory than straight-up ska. I really liked Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) — it’s got that resignation baked into it that hits just right when you're in the right frame of mind. This album feels like Madness growing up a bit, and I found that shift really compelling. There’s still fun to be had here, but it’s bittersweet fun — the kind where you’re laughing with friends but also feeling the pull of everything that’s changed. For me, this is where they became more than just a singles band. It doesn’t all work, but when it does, it’s properly affecting in ways I didn’t expect.
Kind of like a off-brand, half step between The Jam and The English beat. Still a fun album.
While this album was never released in the states, several of the songs wound up on another one of their albums. This is a pivotal album in the Madness lineup, and is a heck of a lot of fun to boot.
This album with all these songs was impossible on apple music but that's what I get for that having apple music
Really good!
I’ve only heard Our House before. That was a fun listen all the way through.
Fun romp
The Nutty Boys with a social conscience. Great combination!
I saw "ska band" and assumed I would hate this. Now that the album is done, I have no idea what this was (it wasn't ska, that's for sure), but I definitely didn't hate it. Quite fun and interesting. I knew Our House before as a really annoying and repetitive earworm, but I'm pretty sure now that the annoying version I know wasn't this one, as the one here was really quite decent.
some great tracks
Ska just works for me. Had they leaned further into either the jazz or punk vibes, it'd be a 5 star album for me. However, still a very strong showing with gripping instrumentals.
Yeah I really liked this of course it hasvthe classic Our House
There’s always something happening and it’s usually quite loud.
Our house is a banger, the rest of the songs have somewhat interesting instrumental parts but it's still not the kind of music I'd normally listen to. Old pop I guess
I absolutely loved this album. Had never heard of them before. It was pretty good and then got better as it went on. I had to dive into the wiki and then watch a few YouTube live performances. Just a great album and a cool band.
An 80s ska revival with more substance than the average energy+upstroke ska of a similar era. There’s definitive mood and theme (nostalgia, childhood) that runs through the record
Familiar, up beat, good energy, quirky. Enjoy the experimental elements and surprise in places. Kinda prog rock in places and like the change in tempo, Melodie’s and little ditties. It’s good and surprised at how much I liked it and the alt of it.
Spotify didn’t have all the songs 😢
Incredible. Never write off a ska band I guess! Amazing to hear the influences on so many bands I care about. Completely unknown to me, had to listen on Youtube because it wasnt on Spotify.
House of Fun, Our House, Driving in My Car, Mr Speaker, Tomorrow's Just Another Day - all present and very correct on here. Plus a decent supporting cast; what's not to love?
9 minutes of pure Madness. Fantastic
I liked this a lot. I get Beatles vibes. Found myself jamming to this album.
Good music on this album, but I would be happy enough just to listen to their greatest hits.
Great album
Not sure why Spotify didn't have the entire album. Had to go on YouTube to listen to it with sooo many ads getting in the way. I really enjoyed it - I like 2 tone so of course I'd like it! Yeah it not original ska but who cares - all genres morph, so what? Never heard this but I can see why - it was never released in the US - we just got the "Our House" single. I will have to listen to this again soon!
Very fun music
I've never loved Madness - they verge on cringe and suffer from having a sound that's so specific I feel like they get stuck in the loop of making the same stuff over and over again. That's what I thought going into this album, but actually this is a pretty exciting listen. It's clearly Madness, but feels like they've pushed the boat out a bit more and aren't writing for radio. Colour me impressed.
A pleasant listen.
A band I've always loved and never owned (except Our House from the Stiff Records Box Set, which everyone should own, 4 discs of pure brilliance!). Glad to be pushed to listen to another great Madness album.
Wow, this is neat. It’s definitely a little overly jaunty at times, but I can’t give anything less than 4 stars to an album this musically interesting. A clear precursor to modern indie bands like Field Music, too. Must-listen #112.
I hadn’t heard of this band before, but I did recognize Our House. I enjoyed this quite a bit.
I liked the bass and instrumentation(? idk)
Fun 80's band. I didn't actually know this was considered ska.
Bummed this wasn't on spotify for some reason. The youtube audio quality wasn't as good. But I was surprised by this album. Wish I could listen to it more easily.
Strong album
One extra star for the nostalgia of our house
I read someone comparing this album to Village Green Preservation Society and Parklife - and it rightly takes it's place as a snapshot of English life at a particular time, sitting alongside those classics. 'Our House' has some of the most affecting melodies and lyrics ever committed to record. I love the way Rise and Fall just kicks straight into vocal. 'Tomorrow's Just Another Day' is one of my favourite Madness songs. 'Blue Skinned Beast' is pure pop until the unexpected chorus, tempo change, more in the minor key, fat piano hook - another barnstormer, and complete earworm. And there's more, although it does dip towards the end, depriving it of top marks. I have overlooked Indian accents and that cover 🫣
I knew it from back in the day. It seems kinder and gentler now. I enjoyed alot.
The nice thing about such a short album is you can listen to it many times. Those key changes on Our House get me every time
This is some weird shit, but I can dig it. There's a lot of hate for this online, and if I was forced to listen to it on the radio or by my parents, I'd probably hate it too. But I wasn't, so I don't. 3.5 / 5 rounded up to 4 just to be cheeky. Was not expecting to hear "Our House", but also wasn't fully surprised by it either.
My friend's a fan so I went into this expecting it to be good. I had only heard Our House prior to this and found the the other tracks were a fun listen, although borderline racist?
Sucks you can't listen to this easily, had to resort to some random YouTube Playlist
I enjoyed it but it was far too long to justify how one tone the tracks were, as single songs every song is fantastic but as a whole experience, simply not my thing
Another good one! Didn't know any music of theirs besides Our House but this was a good album.
only 3 of them are on spotify but that’s fine, probably best in small doses
Wesoły, zakręcony, kreatywny i swobodny. Wszystko czego człowiek potrzebuje, by poprawić sobie humor. Our House wielkim hitem bylł, jest i będzie, a kilka innych kawałków wcale nie zostaje w tyle. Czy ta płyta zmienia życie? Nie, ale na pewno czyni je nieco znośniejszym 7.5/10 równane w górę
So short but great!!!
It loses a star for Barso in blackface. Otherwise poignant, wistful and bouncy
Don't love the black face on the cover, but the music iss undeniably catchy andd memorable. Fun album
Classic Madness tracks. Quality.
This band always makes me smile. I mean, aside from "Our House" and "It Must Be Love" which are two GREAT songs, they always seem to have a fun time. There was a lot of times I bopped my head during this album (and btw, why was this not on Spotify??). Some of the songs were a bit... out there. But, hey, it had "Our House" on it, so that's a plus. Top tracks: "Our House," "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)", "That Face," "Callong Cards"
The first album I’ve encountered on here that isn’t on streaming - had to goto YouTube for this one. But it was worth it! I’ve always like Our House because Dad introduced me to it, but never knew what album it came from. Overall a fun upbeat pleasant listen. Hopefully this gets added to streaming at some point so I can listen more often.
Fun 80’s Brit pop
I actually liked this quite a bit. It was a fun little concept album that had good energy/vibes to the music. I was a little familiar with "Our House" but truly only in clips from a commercial maybe or a show? I'll look forward to a relisten for this.
Didn’t listen to all of it since not on Spotify but I enjoyed what I heard.
This was a fun album. I really enjoyed the old school feel. I think I might have given it 5 stars if I gave it another listen. Unfortunately it is not on spotify and I only have enough patience for one listen through on youtube.
Je pensais pas que Madness se taillerait une place dans la liste, mais jsuis bien content qu'ils soient inclus
I've heard of Madness, and at times have experienced Madness, but this is my first listen. As I listen, I can't fit these guys into a particular box. At least, not on this album. A bit like The Clash, just different than any of their counterparts. Ah, wait, I've heard Our House... ok, yes. Good, catchy tune. I thoroughly enjoyed the song before it, though, Sunday Morning. That one is definitely a favorite. I'll give this a 4.
I was new to most of the material here, and while I feel like it was less Ska-flavored than I was expecting for a 2 Tone artist, it was still pretty enjoyable. As cliché as it is, the highlight for me was still "Our House." The energy of that intro can't be denied, and even though I've heard it a gazillion times, it's still a banger. This band was far, far bigger in the UK than they became in the us, and it was nice to have an opportunity for me to hear more from them.
I didn't expect much from the band that gave us "Our House," a catchy one hit wonder type song I remember from early 80's teen-dom. But this has an enjoyable, intelligent pop sound, and the album is very even. Too bad it's not on Spotify, I had to listen to this one via YouTube. Another reason to give the band a break and round 'em up to 4.
Great songs, and quintessentially North London
Link went not to a full album, found the self-titled “Madness” had all the correct songs. Pretty good album with lots of layering, seems pretty underrated. I did know ‘Our House’ 3.5/5
A ska band trying to move beyond ska. I didn't really like it as much as I like their previous album, 7 probably because of that. Not as much upbeat fast tempo music but there were some great hits here like Our House and Madness
Power Pop from Britain at its best. This is fine, fun music.
****A great fun album. Totally enjoyed
4.5
Quite enjoyable English pop ska. Will seek out future listens.
Great vibe
I like the jumpiness and cheerfulness, the occasional melancholy as well, and this is a overall a very coherent album.
what a quirky little band they are
Just great music
Strange and wild. Full of off beat vibes.
Delightful. A new wave Village Green Preservation Society.
Wasn’t able to listen to this whole album as it was not released in the US, but have always been a fan
Stuck between 3 and 4 for this one but I've been rounding up so 4 it is! Really fun album.
'Our House' is obviously the banger single, but outside of that there isn't a weak song in the tracklist. They had some great songwriting abilities, fun basslines all over this thing, the horns add so much as always. Like the jazzier closing song too, great stuff overall.
When it comes to hit songs, “Our House” has always been one of my top tracks. Beyond that, the only other Madness song I knew was “One Step Beyond,” which I found incredibly annoying. It led me to believe they were a one-hit wonder, especially since ska has never been my favorite genre. However, after giving “The Rise & Fall” and their 2009 album a listen, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed their music. I don’t know what their other albums sound like, but if they’re anything like these two, I’m excited to check out more.
What?! That’s it? Thirteen minutes of music? Dang, I was liking this, too. I could have gone for a few more songs.
"Our house, in the middle of the street"
misschien iets minder nutty dan we gewoon zijn van the nutty boys, maar de muziek blijft dansbaar, ook al zijn teksten soms wat serieuzer/nostalgischer... een plaatje dat misschien een beetje moet groeien, maar een zeer sterke
Great music
Perfect
Quality Madness. Not their most mainstream work and a few of these songs we didn't know, but we really enjoyed this. They're a very cheery band.
I really like this album -- "Our House," of course, but most of the other songs too. They're catchy and fun, and I'd be happy to listen again.
“Our House” is one of my favorite 80’s tunes… but this album was unknown to me (not surprising, since you can’t get it in the US even today - at least through traditional streaming channels). While I liked the rest of the album well enough, I felt a little disappointed. “Our House” seemed head-and-shoulders above the other tracks. The rest was alright.
Fun
Pretty solid album. First two stand out, as well as Our House. Rest I could do without, but they are cool and short.
solid album with some bangers
In the USA, Our House, is the only song (in general) that most have ever head of. Don't know why some bands have success in the US but don’t have more hits when they are this good.
This was fun, and not really very ska, either. I had 10cc's "Sheet Music" come up recently and this is kinda in the same ballpark - slightly proggy pop rock. Blackface on the album cover is pretty regrettable. 😬 So, too, "New Delhi" - I liked the music of that one, but the mock Indian accents aren't great. Fave tracks - "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)" was great. And of course, "Our House" absolutely slaps. Great tune!
De ondoorgrondelijke selectie voor de 1001. Zoveel mogelijk debut-platen, die het op zichzelf niet waard zijn. Maar als er dan een band wel een prachtige start heeft gemaakt, dan ontbreekt dat album. Dan hoor je wellicht niet goed genoeg dat het in het begin ook maar slechts een bandje was. Tuurlijk op Rise & Fakll staat de hit Our House. Daartegenover start het debutalbum (althans studiodebut) One Step Beyond met de drie nummers One Step Beyond, My Girl en Night Boat to Cairo. Bam! Het album One Step Beyond is veel meer enerverend en speels. Het springt er echt uit. De nummers op The Rise & Fall voelen weer creatiever. De samenstelling op het album zorgt voor voldoende afwisseling, zodat het album goed als geheel te luisteren is. Af en toe komt het speelse van eerder wel mooi terug, zoals bij Mr. Speaker. Zo hoor ik Madness toch het liefst. Als een band zelf plezier heeft, is dat zeer aanstekelijk.
Ik was vooraf een beetje bang voor heel veel ska, maar dat valt gelukkig alles mee. Ik ben niet zo bekend verder met de genres die hier tegen aan schurken, maar dit vind ik prima aan te horen. Het is wat avant gardistisch, af en toe carnavalesque blij, soms doet het me zelfs aan de psychedelische Beatles denken. Het is meer luistermuziek dan feestmuziek, ik vind het vrij muzikaal. Toch zijn het echt wel liedjes, al zitten er experimentele stukken bij en zullen dit lang niet allemaal radiohits zijn geweest, als dat al de bedoeling was. Our House is dan wel weer een aardig hitje geworden. Ik kan me best voorstellen dat dit album best inspirerend was voor andere muzikanten. Ook voor de nederpop uit de jaren 80 denk ik, ik hoor hier wel bands als Toontje Lager in. En mede daarom verdient dit album ook zeker een notering in onze favoriete snoblijst. Ik zou het een 3,5 geven als ik halve sterren had
Yes, I liked this very much
Overall really smooth transition between songs with a variety of different sounds from the mediated sound of Primrose Hill and Are You Coming to the upbeat classic of Our House. Won't be a go to album but I appreciate what Madness have done on this album.
Absolute mad lads
good, listened to 1 song. not in the mood
This is the best album by Madness because it is the least pure Ska album. Ska is a genre that can get rather tiresome very fast (contrary to the upped tempo, eh?). They know that and so they deliver a good albums with political undertones and poppier stuff (the radio-friendly "Our House"). More towards the end, they come into genre territory and then it's gets a bit boring in my view.
3.5/5
yeah it was pretty cool actually
Divertidísima energía y mucha variedad. 4/5.
delovely
Creepy fun clown EP, reminiscent of XTC with more ska elements. Very fun and great for dancing and being weird.
This was surprisingly good. Great use of brass, wood winds, and especially saxophones! The vocals are interesting, doleful in places, chipper and bright in others. Unique.
4.0
I thought the sound was unique and had a fun electronic feel. In particular I loved the trumpet on Primrose Hill, and Our House is obviously a classic! It was a quick one at 4 songs and 13 minutes, but overall an enjoyable one.
I liked it very much
This album is great! Quirky, without being obnoxious, and completely different from other things I've heard, while still being well written and engaging to the musical senses. There are so many unique influences here - jazz, swing, ragtime, and like a...circus-y vibe? It's so fun and dynamic! The piano and horn work throughout is superb. A few of the songs don't land with a big impact, so not quite a 5-star venture, but I highly recommend a listen through, especially if you want something different. Fav tracks: Mr Speaker (Gets The Word), Our House, Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)
Better than I expected! I will never listen to this again though!!
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Tomorrow’s, Sunday morning, Our house, Madness
I didn't know much of Madness outside of their hits, but this was pretty enjoyable. I think my favorite songs were "Rise and Fall," "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day," and "Our House." Probably more of a 3.5 for me, but I'm rounding up.
I never realized that these guys flirted with being ska until I read another comment. Interesting. I've always liked these guys and their minor chords. Many of their songs have a calliope feel to them and their chords are reminiscent of when a record player is playing slightly slower than it should. I'm not sure why it works for me, but it does.
This is the band that sings Our House (in the middle of the street) which is different than Our House (a very very fine house by C,S,N&Y) yet neither is House music. I digress. Great album! I love a band that can bring the horns and lay down some bumping bass lines.
Only a few songs from this album are available on Spotify. I liked them, would definitely listen again. "Our house, in the middle of the street".
I like Tomorrows Just Another Day, Blue Skinned Beast, Our House, and Tiptoes
I obviously knew Madness for their sole (US anyway) hit, Our House, but I never had an urge to explore the rest of their catalogue until my partner started getting into a couple of their tracks. I mean, it sounded, most of the time, like cartoonishly evil bad guy music, in the best of ways, and that made me far more optimistic to listen to something from their catalogue. Actually listening to it, it still sounds like the sonically condensed version of "mwah hah hah," but there are some lighter, pub rock-esque tracks that I wasn't as big of a fan of, but I think that goofy energy throughout gives off a light sound whilst still feeling deadly serious, but all in good faith. If I could compare it to something completely unrelated, it would be when They Might Be Giants has those tonally dark songs that are completely goofy once you actually tune into the lyrics, and I think that can be a blast. My only real detraction is the repetition, as I feel this album could be cut in half and almost nothing would be lost, but perhaps some adore songs here that I just shrugged at, so I suppose its best as is. When this album does hit though, hoo boy, certainly can see why Madness are one of the most famous two tone outfits. Now if we can just address the black face on the album cover we'll be golden.
Their brilliant career. Unlike their two-tone peers they could both sustain a lengthy career (Specials and Selecter, The Beat all imploding after 2/3 albums), and like them hit the ground running from the off. All of the first four Madness albums are excellent, a proper imperial period straight off the bat. This is the fourth and last (IMHO) and introduces a more reflective tone into their music, more lyrical ambition - it's really a love letter to the London they grew up in (Our House, Primrose Hill), and just a greater maturity from a band never far from silliness. Both a long way from The Prince and not. Perhaps the most London of bands since The Kinks. All of these things are compliments.
I liked what I was able to listen to.
Great Ska album.
The layers, the licks, and the Britishness of it all. Close to a 5/5.
Madness is often overlooked as a gimmicky one-hit wonder due to “Our House”. In itself an actually terrific song. The rest of the Rise & Fall is just such great fun. A combination of witty yet daunting lyrics, playful instrumentals and a Britishness that’s wonderfully charming. Don’t underestimate the quality of Madness.
The beach boy sound became older
Enjoyed this.
Excellent stuff, not many of the "favourites" on this album but good solid madness
Not as jolly as some of their other albums, but "Our House" makes up for this.
a fun album! but doubt I'll listen again
What a fun album! Really enjoyed this one. Too bad it wasn't on Spotify!
Good album. Unique sound with a blend of different instruments. And all the songs had that band's sound, despite the various songs having influences from different genres.
New wave. Un megahit. Entretenido.
They call it madness.
I liked this one. Our House is iconic. More palatable music for me compared to the previous ones. What's up with the blackface on the album art though??
Very good. May be a "concept album," but everything holds together and the music is relatable while varied. Def. a three, prob. a four.
Loved. Madness are cool. Will listen to again.
Was a good album, the standouts were the classic songs of Tomorrow's (Just Another Day), Our House, House of Fun.
Best wel hard
There's a lot to like here. Our House in particular, of course; the music, singing, lyrics, all come together into something quite special. Not every song on the album has the same magic but overall The Rise & Fall is solid and enjoyable throughout. I often comment on the album cover in my reviews but in this case the less said the better. I trust Madness is embarrassed now whenever they think about it.
Except for one song, new to me. Liked it. Bought it.
Enjoyed this one- nice surprise, only heard of Our House previously. Liked the soul/ska elements - upbeat and funky.
Never heard of them. Ska? Nah. Our house? That song from insurance commercials? Nah. Not on Spotify? Nah. But.... This was actually pretty great. Saw it compared to the Kinks Village Green preservation society, and that seems about right. Catchy, nostalgic songs about English life, with a sense of humor. Not really any duds in the bunch. Good stuff.
A solid listen with all the expected nuttiness nestled comfortably alongside some social commentary songs that wouldn't be out of place on a Blur or Kinks album.
Some hit the spot and some are little way off, but Our House is a perfect treat, simply sublime
Absolutely! (Sorry: Wrong album) I love Madness and they have top songs, but they don't have a solid gold album that is bangers wall-to-wall. Nutty boys, silly songs, sensible songs, ska, reggae: good stuff all.
Good album, enjoyable enough, and Our House is a delight. Strange that this is the only Madness album on the 1001 list. I'd listened to The Liberty of Norton Folgate recently, which was well worth a listen.
Musically interesting, rich, diverse, different album, I genuiely enjoyed this fun record. The whole atmosphere of it could be described as 'mad' a bit, which I guess fits the name of the band perfectly.
Always found the concept at the heart of this album--something about lower middle-class Britannia--endearing or at least interesting. And I think such concept is very well-executed for the most part. Plus, "Our House" is an infectious earworm, c'mon! Following the purposes of this list I would give a 3.5/5 grade to this one (rounded up to 4), but that would translate to a 8.5/10 grade for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: 462 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 254. Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 126 (including this one--just erring on the side of caution here, now that I do realize how many albums might end up on my own list--potentially far more than 1001, which is the number I intended to follow at first) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 160
So happy to see some ska representation on this list. This album is super cool. It definitely has a lot of ska, but also ventures far into a lot of other territory. I dig how dark it is too. Definitely something I need to pick up on wax eventually.
I don’t feel like writing a long review right now but basically this record was really good and it surprised me. Also, I knew ‘Our House’ when I wasn’t expecting to recognize anything. Noice.
This album was surprising to me. Ska is a genre that I'm not terribly familiar with so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a wonderfully crafted new wave album that incorporates elements of jazz and dancehall in addition to ska to form the 2 tone music that was popular in the UK in the 70s and 80s. The lyrics seemed to be focused on contrasting the ease of childhood to the stark reality of the Thatcherism of the 80s in which Madness found themselves. The result is an album that perfectly encapsulates the hopelessness and tumultuousness of that time.
This was a real surprise. Despite their 'nutty boy' reputation, I knew some of their songs had a surprising depth - Our House is a classic, and I knew Tomorrow's just another day before listening - but this is closer to Ghost Town by The Specials, or even some Cardiacs stuff in terms of depth and complexity. It still has its slightly silly moments, and I'm not sure a track like New Delhi would get played much any more, but I'll definitely be listening again. Madness are much more than just Baggy Trousers and silly walks.
As ever, raucously good fun from Madness. One of their most famous hits, 'Our House' is here, the whole album infused with nostalgia. The faux-Indian accent on New Delhi is slightly uncomfortable in 2023 but other than that, this is solid
There's probably better Madness albums than this, but it's certainly very interesting, and Our House is such a great song, which knocks it up a point.
mye my house3.7
I'm mad that this isn't on my streaming service, because I quite like it. I was expecting every song to sound like Our House, but I was wrong. Everything sounds weird, and I like that. My favourite songs were Our House, Primrose Hill and Tiptoes.
This album isnt available on any streaming services, so I listened to Madness (1983), which was the next closest thing. I like the band Madness a lot, and I do think that UK ska should be represented by one album in the 1001 list. It does stand out, even on this anglophile list, as an exceptional entry. 4/5
Overall the sound is more mature and the arrangements more sophisticated than what I was expecting, being more familiar with the wacky ska of their debut, One Step Beyond. There are many changes of tempo and breaks for romping piano or honking sax solos. It's an interesting mix of different styles and since it sounded so much better the second time around, I’ll +1.
(unavailable in N America on Apple Music - had to navigate the gross morass of YouTube) Even before playing this album, just the name "Madness" evokes childhood memories - in the first year or 2 of MTV Madness were one of the bands in heavy rotation and for a kid they were a fascinating act; seemingly a bunch of lunatics with hilarious videos and catchy-as-hell songs. It's the kind of music in your (my) youth that you (I) wouldn't necessarily or immediately appreciate how complex and intricate it is because of the overly melodic nature. Honestly it's amazing/joyous/diverse and more than I even expected (also it sounds great). Favourites: "Primrose Hill" and of course the classic "Our House" Love it. 8/10 4 stars
It’s nice, great singles and decent album tracks. I can hush aside the casual racism because of the time. So it’s a 4/5
I wasn't expecting much from the one-hit wonder behind "Our House", but I actually really enjoy this. It's New Wave with inspiration from 2-tone (in the energetic Ska-like instrumentals) and New Romanticism (in the glam and music hall style, especially the vocals). Nearly every song's a wacky bop. Hard for me to pick favorites. Tons of energy and strange rhythmic instrumental that kept my attention in every song. Just a shame it's not on Spotify.
Sounds pretty much how I expected for the band behind Our House. And it rocks.
Banger
BL: Madness is one of those groups I always say “I need to listen to them more”, and I guess now I finally am - I’m aware of the hits but have zero B-sides and deep cuts in my discography. AL: a good listen. Madness is a very fun if not zany band. Wacky piano parts offer a unique take on the Ska genre. Excellent levels of musicianship and lyrical content - these guys really were ahead of their times and genius in all their individual rights. It’s also worth mentioning the very good album art which just highlights the insanity inside FT: “Rise and Fall”, “Tomorrow’s Just Another Day”, “New Delhi”, and “House of Fun” 4/5
I liked their style and variety. I wasn't able to listen to all the songs on Spotify, but I liked the ones I did hear.
Oh hey Our House
Me gustó mucho. El álbum es bastante experimental, y eso hace que me guste aún más, hace que se sienta único y con personalidad. Incluso si a veces es un poco extraño, casi siempre es un extraño bueno. Me saca un poco de onda que tenga tantas canciones, pues, en realidad, es como si el álbum estuviera repetido 3 veces, como si fuera una versión Deluxe o algo por el estilo. No entiendo muy bien el por qué de esto y, personalmente, prefiero que en el álbum solo estén las versiones originales y cualquier cosa extra se ponga en otro, pero tampoco es mayor problema. Finalmente, algo que me pareció raro es que muchas veces le vi el potencial de ser todavía más, pero siempre se quedaba al margen. No es algo tan malo, pues parecía que lo hacía a propósito, como si eso no fuera lo que el álbum buscara ser. A pesar de esto, las 4 estrellas las tiene bien merecidas y definitivamente lo seguiré escuchando.
I am reviewing this album with a very big asterisk -- as it was never released in North America, I only have access to 6/13 songs. Those six songs, though, are pretty great. It's a shame that Madness was essentially a one-hit wonder on this side of the pond, thanks to this album's "Our House". A catchy number, to be sure, but they're so much more than that. The six songs sampled here are near pop perfection. I'm surprised to hear that they're considered a two-tone/ska band, as that vibe is minimal here, and seems to be just one of many sounds explored on this record. It's very instrumentally dense, but I guess that's a result of having seven guys in the band. I'd definitely be down to check out more Madness in the future.
Not really my style, but good.
First 10 seconds and you know who is playing... it's definitely Madness.