Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Hey There, Banthony Craptano here, the internets crappiest music nerd and todaaaaayy, we’ve got The Rise and Fall by Madness. The whole thing is available on YouTube for those interested. This record truly is a rise and fall. It had all the elements of something I should like. Esoteric arrangements, a fervent horn section and the sound of a band doing whatever the hell they want. It felt like a dish cooking on the stove with many great ingredients and yet, when I taste the stew, there’s so much happening at once, it becomes overbearing. There were moments throughout each song I enjoyed but overall, the front of the album plays out like a fever dream. An intoxi-faded night out on the town that keeps escalating. “Did I just talk to that random stranger about my 3rd grade pot collection?” You can’t quite remember what just happened as the brownout begins. Just when you think you’re maintaining, “Blue Skin Beast” clambers around the corner and flips your perception of time signatures upside down. We keep ascending up “Primrose Hill”. A song with some kind of haunted reminiscence of The Benefit of Mr. Kite if it was written for a Tim Burton Movie. The bender continues well into “Sunday Morning” (literally and figuratively). Just when you feel like you’re about to go completely mad, you stumble on ‘Our House’, the equivalent of finding a glowing neon Waffle House sign in the depths of your depravity. As soon the verse kicks in, it’s the audible sigh of relief. Smothered Hash browns are ordered, the coffee has arrived and the chain smoking 56 year old waitress calls you honey as she slides it over. Everything is going to be okay. New Delhi was the only one I skipped about 3/4’s of the way through. That was hot trash. For whatever reason, this album didn’t resonate with me but that’s okay. I mean, if I’m complaining that the band named Madness was too free form/experimental, who’s the real jackass here? It’s got remnants of Ian Dury, Sparks, The Beatles and the ska sound that Madness was founded on. It’s definitely worth a listen, albeit a fucking bizarre one. 3/5
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
For some odd reason, I could not find this record on Apple Music listed as 'The Rise and Fall'. I guess this is the same situation as with 'Aftermath'. This record was not released in the States, but there is a compilation album called 'Madness' that has a few tracks from this record that was so I can't review it the way I would like to. What is up with Apple's library? It opens with "Our House" and wow, what a catchy song, for better or worse. I have heard it my whole life but thought it was just some silly little song. It is actually very musically complex. I am a sucker for ska because I am a sucker for a horn section ALWAYS. "Tomorrow's Just Another Day" is another cool track sonically. It has a psychobilly swing to it like "Stray Cat Strut" that came out like a year prior, if I am not mistaken. This is just a more animated version of that, sonically. "Primrose Hill" is also a very interesting track because it feels very 80s and very late 60s at the exact same time. If The Beatles released this like 15 years prior, I'd be like "yeah, I see that". But I do love the driving piano part and then the horn section solo about a minute and a half in. It feels sinister but in like a "twirly mustached supervillain" kind of way.
It's British and it's 80s so there's not really a chance for be liking it. I love goofy, silly, whimsical music and the last song is akazoo song so i think it didn't have those other problems, i would like it but i really didn't. It just felt tedious and it was the Spotify one so but even the full album. There was a sign i kind of liked not i can't remember which.
So I listened to what was on Spotify. It looks like this another licensing issue situation. What I heard on Spotify was enough and I won’t be searching these guys out. Is the bottom left guy on the cover in brown face? Look, I don’t know music like y'all do but I don’t think they’re playing the same song at the same time in this first song. Oh hey, I know this second song. Third song: is this the wiggles? Most of the rest: wtf Last song: Marlon?
A charming album off major streaming but worth your time to explore and dive deep.
Inoffensive to the ears, even if that one song gets played to death on 80s radio stations while the rest of the album gets ignored. Still white guy ska, though. You're never going to find me listening to this on purpose.
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.
Tive uma experiência bem única com esse aqui, no começo estava achando um pouco esquisito, mas um esquisito bom. A música: "Madness (Is All in the Mind)" é muito bafonica com uma pegada meio jazz, minha favorita do álbum. Por fim, gostei bastante dos instrumentos de sopro e da vibe de nostalgia que todas as músicas me causaram. Nota 3.5/10
7/10 There are probably better Madness picks. This one has some bangers but also quite a few duds. Highlights: Our House Tomorrow's Rise And Fall Blue Skinned Beast
Our House is good but the bike and car song sounded like the same song
An album of nostalgic longing and wistfulness. Listened to from a position of nostalgic longing and wistfulness, some 40-something years on. Very disconcerting parallax effect, bestowing depth and (perhaps artificial) meaning to the randomness of (my) youth.
good
liked it at first but then it became boring, too long too repetitive
Didnt really like it
Liked the Our House song
Admittedly, I had a hard time finding the full album. But I was able to piece together enough to understand it. It’s fun and poppy with some working class takes. It’s a pretty locked in time sound of 80s Brit ska, but I don’t mind it. And of course we have all been inundated by “our house” over the years, for better or for worse.
This is pure, unadulterated, blistering, utter music Calling Cards is an awesome song tbh... good instrumentation throughout this album but that and Our House stand out particularly
Literally this album must be on here cuz of our house... like what the hell was this wacko album. I did not need to listen to it before i died
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.
This album was a remarkable surprise. Not sure I've ever heard an album that so successfully bridged late 70s and early 80s music. Or maybe it was the balance of new wave and jazz. It really worked for me.
3.5
Experimental. Buttoned up.
What a disappointment. First of all, this is not a Ska album. There's a slight influence on some songs, but it's basically a British pop album. I'm guessing early Madness fans were not happy with this effort. Liked Songs Added: Our House
"Our House" is a banger! So many memories of my Dad playing that one growing up. Just kinda ok outside of that one.
2.5
nah
I can't believe people are mad about Apu when this exists
This album is nearly 2 hours long. Thankfully, Spotify only has 8 of the 30 tracks, which is all you need to listen to in order to identify that this album really isn't that great. We all know "Our House", and that tune is okay, I guess. Usually when Spotify doesn't have an album, I'll seek it out elsewhere, but this time, I'll refrain from doing so. Report me to the admin, idc.
Obviously super familiar, if you happened to grow up in the UK in the 80s. Listening now it sounds like it's exactly what it wants to be. My only problem is that I don't like it very much. Bang middling.
wow “our house” is soooo different from the rest of the album. in terms of production quality, sure; but also lyrics and musicality. it’s like a totally different band for one track
The overall sound that the had going on here wasn't my cup of tea. There were parts that sounded really good, but not enough popped up throughout the album.
I didn’t know Our House was theirs, completely caught me by surprise. I have a weird experience with that song. I distinctly remember listening to it as a kid in a pep rally and for whatever reason grappling with the concept of time never ending in Heaven for the first time. Such a funny juxtaposition between the fun environment/song and the internal turmoil going on in little me’s head. Anyways I’ve never been that big of a fan of the Ska revival but this one I was enjoying decently throughout. It is a bit gimmicky but still varied enough to hold the attention. Rating: 3.4
Didn't enjoy this album I did however enjoy them making the American National Anthem into circus music. 1.8 outta 5
Our House is a decent enough song (only one of theirs I knew prior to today) but not enough to salvage this mess. Goofy ass circus music. Would’ve been a 2 but the brown/black face and fake Indian accent on one of the tracks was atrocious.
If this came out when I was in high school, this probably would have been my personality. It's totally fine. I'll never listen to it again though.
SPACCA, anche se in certi punti sono davvero molto simili ai Beatles
This is really dumb music, or I’m not smart enough to get it. Considering my education, I side with the former. What a waste of time.
General thoughts: The sound is kinda spooky, I like it. Their style is very distinctive, and the songs are always catchy. In general, their arrangements were very good. I wouldn't define it as Ska though, or at least not what I use to call Ska. Quick wiki search says there have been 3 large ska movements since the 70s, I’m probably more used to the newer ones (? The album is very consistent but falls apart in the last third. Couldn’t get the hang of the lyrics Outstanding song(s): Our house Weakest song(s): Are you coming (With me) Cover: Very cool. Seems to reference some of the songs Real rating: 3.46
# 566 : The Rise & Fall The Rise & Fall – Madness, But Not the Good Kind The confidence of “Our House” is immediate and convincing—it’s the hit, the anthem, the reason this album exists. The rest? Fine. Thoughtful. A little fun. But let’s be honest: the best Madness album is The Best of Madness. You don’t often think of Madness album tracks, and this one doesn’t change that. This might be the most British album ever recorded—tea, rain, and mild existential dread in musical form. “House of Fun” is the best of the bunch, but everything else feels like a polite shrug wrapped in synths and ska-lite. Verdict: Three stars for charm. File under “albums that peaked at track one.” If you have to listen to this, look out for: House Of Fun Listened: 11/09/2025
"Our House" is a cool song, but the rest is really not good imho, the longer i listened to it, the more annoyed i got from it.
V/rv
Couldn’t listen to the whole thing because it’s not on streaming. They sing with too strong British accents for it to be available in America, I guess. But I liked what I heard.
picks: our house, house of fun
Only reason this album is here is because of 'Our House'. I have neither proof nor doubts.
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
First off, don’t click the link to Spotify because whatever album they have on Spotify it is not this album. It’s some kind of collection of singles that isn’t anywhere near as good as this album. In general, not a huge fan of madness, but I really like this record. It’s a nice mix of ska, new wave and classic British pop. Enjoyed this record a lot once I found the right one.
Not a huge fan of this, but there were some tracks on here that I liked, like Our House and New Delhi. 2.75/5
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
not on spotify
It is what it is; it bad at all and nothing to write home about. 3/ 5
Very good album cover. Music wise, lots of semi tones I don’t like. They have a framework to write songs which I don’t think I can connect with.
This album reminded me of a carnival. But like, one where the ride operator blows a smoke ring right into your face as you hop on the Gravitron. And as soon as that Gravitron starts up, and you’re pinned to the wall, it starts to rise. Every few seconds, you get a glimpse of that ride operator. Wait a second, is he putting a needle into his arm?? Oh my god, did he just pass out? Is he dead? And all this, while you continue to spin, stuck to the wall of this Gravitron. A ride you can’t get off of, and just continues to spin as the cacophony of sounds and screams all blend together… Anyways this album kinda sucked.
Didn't know anything other than Our House coming in, and I was also expecting more of a 90s Ska sound. Wasn't a bad album at all, just not something I'd seek out to listen to again.
This album is completely unlistenable, and then they drop one of the greatest songs ever written on you with "Our House". What happened?
Wish I liked it more.
Why is our house in the middle of our street??
This is crazy stuff. ‘Our Town’ keeps them on the map, but the rest of it was, albeit playful and enthusiastic and well put together, novelty (unless I missed something?)
Madness are beloved by a lot of Brits and I never had the heart to tell them that I didn't think they were that great. It was extra hard because I taught in the same school they attended years before (they write Baggy Trousers’ about the school). Our house is a great song but I’m not a huge fan of the album as a whole.
I expected something more ska knowing these guys were one of THE Ska bands of the 80s, instead it's more just theatrical rock without much more going on, besides making me think of halloween. But yeah not for me
4/10 - ska just isn't for me
They have a distinctive sound but it's a bit one trick pony. Nothing about it makes me want to listen to it twice. Or even once really, except that I have to.
firstly, a very unfortunate album cover. Secondly, I thought this album was fine. It had a lot of catchy songs on it but the signature madness sound starts to get a little grating before the album has finished. I definitely was growing tired as the second half of the album played. 3/5
I would describe this as proto-Ska, with a bit of teenagers mashing on a bunch of instruments. Our House is a decent song, but the rest of it waivers between alright and god-awful. It's borderline experimental in parts, and doesn't sound good. 2/5
The "Our House" album by British ska band. That is a great pop track but the rest is kinda weird.
This was rather a groundbreaker for the time it was released. Wonderful music.
This rubbed me entirely the wrong way today. I wasn’t in the best mood to start with, and I felt myself getting more and more irritated as it went on. Even in the best of circumstances, I don’t have a lot of patience for something so unrelentingly upbeat (and so unrelentingly British?). I mean, I guess there’s a point in favor of the group’s name - I did start to feel like I was descending into madness. I’d probably be more forgiving if I had more of a sense of humor about it. I’ll give it that the instrumentation and compositions are creative.
Only good song was Our House, everything else was really so-so. Why can't we get more real reggae on this list?
Some good some bad.
So hard to listen to. They have this weird cadence thing they do where they stress Ev-Ry-Sin-Gle-Syl-Lab-le. Gets really tedious to hear. How this shitty band came up with the great Our House is a mystery to me, that was the only highlight on the album. And also Madness Is All In The Mind was nice and chill. And it was hilarious hearing the people talking in the background at the end of New Delhi, as an Indian that was pretty funny. Best song: Our House
As an album, im not too impressed with this. Their earlier albums, although being observations and commentaries on society too, had life and an upbeat quality that seemed to be sadly lacking from here. Even Our House appeared to be toned down. To sum up was disappointing. Sorry, the nutty boys only get a 2 for this.
Sing a long a cheeky cockney musical. Aren’t they so clever and funny.
Its got my favourite Madness song on it, 'Our House', but so do their many best of complations. I've never listened to a Madness album all the way through until now, and it was pretty good in places. But I won't make the effort again.
I’ve only ever listened to a greatest hits of Madness, in this albums case I can see why. It did have a couple of bigger songs on but the album as a whole was a bit meh.
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?
could i write poetry to this? n
I always thought of Madness as a Second-Wave Ska band, akin to The Specials and The Skatelites. Throughout this album, they proclaim themselves as Rocksteady, a style that bridged Ska and Reggae. Mostly what I heard was much closer to a Beatles-influenced Pop outfit with a few minor elements of Ska and Rocksteady. Madness' best-known singles lean hard on Jamaican roots, but the majority of this album doesn't follow. They come across as being closer to Mod acts like The Jam than proper two-tone Ska acts like The Beat. Speaking of The Beat (a.k.a. The English Beat), are we going to see them on this list? They were as essential, if not more so, than Madness, had way more hits, and influenced some very significant artists (Pete Townshend, The Police, etc.).
2.5
1.5 stars I was hopeful in seeing madness because I enjoy ska. Didn’t realize it wasn’t going to be ska. In fact, it was just lot of boring ultra British dribble. “Our House” stands out because it’s listenable. I always had a hard time understanding why some British records would be altered, changed, or not released in the US. The Clash self-titled originally not getting a US release, Elvis Costello having “I don’t wanna go to Chelsea” taken off This Year’s Model. But the fact that this album didn’t get a US release makes sense. This album made no sense to me as an American. Frankly, I’m glad it wasn’t on Spotify. I wouldn’t want this shit anywhere on my algorithm. But I do like “Our House” so I rounded up.
Not great, not bad. Frankly a little boring. I just don't think I'm all that into ska music. I don't want to take away from the talent of the band by saying it's bad. It is NOT bad. It just isn't for me.
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
shit happens
I knew Our House but hadn't really listened to it, so I didn't even realize this was a ska band until it was pointed out to me. I grew up with ska punk being the main style of ska so this is wildly different than that and man I really enjoyed this. I thought it was going to be hokey just from the way I remembered the chorus of Our House, but I even really liked that song now. Sonically rich and filled with horns that sometimes border on menacing, this album musically creates a feeling of foreboding, like something is coming and you better watch out, but the vocals are firmly in 80s new wave camp, lending an optimism to the whole venture. It sounds like the world's ending and we're all gonna die but we're in it together and it'll be okay cause it's not exactly like it's tomorrow or anything. Really reminds me of the awesome riff in "Tell Me I Should Stay" by Franz Ferdinand. There were a couple of songs I didn't like but overall this was an album that immediately made me want to revisit it. Lush and FUN orchestrations have me wanting to listen again and again. So I will.
If I wanted to listen to Emerson lake and Palmer I would have listened to Emerson lake and Palmer but overall not bad. It made me feel like I was in a fun house of horror though
Well, this is nice enough pop music, and one or two songs were good singles, but I don't rate this as a particularly great album.
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.
Enjoyed Madness in my high school days but as an album it’s getting a three some great hits, but lacks an abundance of good tunes to make it a good album
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.
Some fun stuff
Couldn't get this one on my streaming service.
A quintessential Madness album Highlights: - House of Fun - Our House - Rise and Fall
A genius album. Extremely creative compositions all throughout with great variety. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going in, but I ended up loving this album. Though one issue is the fake Indian accent at the end of New Delhi and the brownface on the album cover have aged very poorly. Even so, I’m not sure if that overall minor aspect fully knocks down to a 4, so it remains a 5. 5/5
I’m sure some theory nerd is going to tell me “oh the key changes are totally normal they’re just substituting the 2nd for the major lydian” or some shit but- hey- for real- would it kill these guys to stay in the same key while in the same section of a song? Like if the verse is in C can you just I don’t know STAY IN C until the verse is over? It mostly sounds like they don’t know what they’re doing. I found it so distracting I couldn’t really focus on the lyrics or frankly anything else. “Our House” is a fantastic song that switches keys between the verse and chorus. And earns this an extra star. Otherwise- I think I’ll stay sane thank you very much! TWO STARS
I had high hopes for this one given heavy airplay and familiarity with our house and the genre. This should be easy and fun. The first song was interesting…the second one too: this feels familiar. By the time I reach Mr. Speaker I’m growing concerned I’ve fallen into some Danny Elfman-Tim Burton collab - not an Oingo Boingo sound but Nightmare Before Christmas or Beetlejuice or PeeWee on repeat sort of sound. It tires quickly. I know this band are legends in and still tour around Great Britain. But this won’t find its way into my playlist.
This is the 186th album I’m rating. I have absolutely no idea what this album is. Adding to my Playlist - Rise and Fall, Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day), Primrose Hill, Mr. Speaker (Gets the Word), Sunday Morning, Our House, That Face, and Madness (Is All in the Mind). Not Adding to my Playlist - Blue Skinned Beast, Tiptoes, New Delhi, Calling Cards, and Are you Coming (With Me). Mr. Speaker (Gets the Word) - I’m not sure why but this feels very modern. Our House - I never knew this song was made by Madness. This is blowing my mind. It’s kind of annoying but a classic. Also, it’s a bit worse than the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young version. All in all I liked 8/13 songs. A couple of misses here and there but the hits were amazing.
there's too many Americans that just don't understand Madness that are bringing the overall rating of this down. The Rise & Fall is a love letter to a nation that can weather any storm, because it never loses its sense of humour, its eccentricity, or its sense of home. Rule Britannia? Perhaps. But more like: brew up a cuppa, turn the record over, and remember that this little island still has a soundtrack worth shouting about.
Tienen un sonido propio y un manejo del ritmo muy peculiar. Es interesante, aunque no son mi estilo preferido.
18/1089 i fear this is gonna be a dud for me, this just is NOT my style at all. Rise and Fall is is a decent song and i like it as an album opener Blue Skinned Beast was fine and i vibed with that one a bit. Tomorrow’s…, Primrose Hill and Mr Speaker aren’t for me i’m now realising that my issue with Our House is purely the chorus, i do quite enjoy the verses but the chorus just really grates on me the rest of the album was fine but it kind of merged together, nothing stood out majorly. 2 stars or 47/100 I’m trying to add a little objectivity to my taste so i feel like this is a fair rating. i am just really not a fan of this style vocally, instrumentally or lyrically. However i’m trying to reserve 1 stars/really low scores for albums that i actually struggle through and this one wasn’t too hard a listen in the end. I can sort of see the appeal. fave: Rise and Fall probably least fave: Mr Speaker
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.
Me gusta pero medio que me agota ese sonido circense constante.
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
Cool
I believe I have heard of this band not sure if I have listened to their material. Cool stuff. Not my style. I respect the music though.
I decently liked the new wave pop songs in the first half, but it turned into wacky circus music toward the end, which is pretty much what I expected from a blackface ska album.
Cool post-ska I guess you'd call it? The first quarter is let down by too-slick production and leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Rise and Fall opens sounding more like a Beatles track before speeding up into the most deadpan ska I've ever heard. More like one tone than two tone (yuk yuk). It regularly goes into full horn section polyphony but also has a very 80s slickness to it. Tomorrow is a classic Madness music hall number and it goes fine but the 80s production kind of misses the point of it being a really bawdy angular genre (especially when Madness do it). Kind of vaguely interesting avalanches of percussion in Blue Skinned Beast but I'm already losing interest. Things turn with Primrose Hill another classic music hall, this time a lot more on point with everything lined up to the rythym track in full ska fashion. Mr Speaker is super fun with tonnes of horns and some clever rythyms and overdubs. Sunday Morning is full of surprising little meter changes, weird tenor sax bits and some absolutely deranged piano vamps. Our House does its bit for reconciliation by somehow combining disco verses with a britpop chorus. That Face finally hits the right balance between the 80s production and the jauntiness of ska, lots of random horn blares fading in and out and delays over the top of rubato. Very nearly a four, its just a little too clean. I feel like this approach was actually perfected by Mr. Bungle a decade later (criminally they don't have a spot on the list).
2.15
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
Tiene mucha onda y hay una que otra canción en serio genial, pero para mi gusto la cosa se pone muy rara, muy pronto.
And here I thought Madness was a ska band. I was expecting peak British 2 Tone 2nd wave ska and get... well whatever is happening here. It's not terrible? Kinda goofy in parts, dabbling in New Wave for sure. Also, that motherfucker is for sure in brown face sitting in front of a cobra or some shit. The 80s were wild, holy shit. Anyway, 2.4 rounded down. And mostly because Our House is a bop.
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.
No lo pude terminar, las canciones que escuché eran como sonidos aleatorios juntos y mucho más fuertes que las voces
Sin mas
Always love Madness.
Ehh, one song is all we really need, innit?
Boas músicas no começo, senti que se perde do meio pra final
More fall than rise
A fun one to listen to and probably the best cover of 'Our House' to date.
omg these are the peeps who made our house. pretty baller ska type beats across the album mmmm
Fastincating ska album with great hits, with Our House and House of Fun. Props to the drummer for being great and fun. Other than that, it's a mixture of great songs and not-so-great songs.
I’d only heard “our house” so this was fun. Sounds like Ska music. Fun to dance to.
I forget how huge Madness were back in the day. They’re a brilliant singles machine, but I didn’t get much more from listening to an album. Will always be a good time when Baggy Trousers comes on in the pub, but not sure I’d ever choose to listen to them in the house.
This was fun
Madness is definitely a good band name! Vibes varied between crazy circus and 50s detective music. Interesting, but not something I'd listen to casually.
It's good......(massive suspense)............. ....(more suspense).......not great.
Madness are always great.
Our House is a certified banger, but otherwise I'm the album is okay Ska Band.
Overall: 6/10 I had pretty low expectations for this one but I was decently surprised. Still not a great album or anything but it certainly had it moments of instrumental creativity that kept it interesting. I was certainly never bored while listening to it. Fav Song: Mr. Speaker Least Fav Song: New Delhi
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!
Madness went a little more pop here it seems. You hear it in what became their biggest hit in "Our House". I was selfishly hoping for one of their earlier, more ska-oriented albums though. The "other" tracks on this album just felt underwhelming and aren't the sounds that accurately capture Madness as a whole.
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.
Amazon music didn’t have this particular album, so I listened to a “best of” album. Enjoyed their quirky style!
Super fun sound. Curious why it's not on spotify?
The beats, tempos, arrangements, cords, vocals, and lyrics all felt like they were fighting against each other and had no idea that they were being recorded. This was bad. Madness is a very apropos name for this band. 1.1/10 110/1001
-yeah, not really my thing i guess. couldn’t really connect with too many of the songs on here, though i can certainly appreciate the uniqueness and experimentation -i had never really listened to ska before this. idk how much it counts as a ska album but hey it wasn’t what i was expecting -obligatory “yes Our House is a banger and iconic” -Favorites are Blue Skinned Beast, Mr. Speaker (Gets The Word) and Our House
Hade turen att äntligen få se dem live för en dryg månad sedan. Kanske 40 år för sent men men...
Much better than I expected! They genuinely have a creative, fun sound with interesting elements sprinkled on the new wave pop formula. With New Delhi I didn’t get the lyrics fully, but from what I got it left a weird impression. Favorite track: Sunday Morning 6.5-7/10
I liked this album. For some reason it was not on Spotify, so I had to search for the songs. Very British. I knew Our House going in.
There is an edit of "Our House" on YouTube which just repeats "Our house, in the middle of our house" repeatedly for nine minutes. In college, one of my friends hated that video so much that he would leave the house if someone pulled it up. One time someone played the song in the car and this guy got out to walk two miles home from Olive Garden.
Our House and Driving in My Car
Madness es uno de los grupos que siempre me pongo para animarme, sobre todo su primer disco. Este no lo tenía escuchado salvo por Our House, pero sigue en la misma tónica: humor típicamente inglés y diversión. Perfecto para un viernes. 3'5/5
Not available on Qubuz. Kinda weird. Not totally into it.
Liked the style
Fun stuff. Especially enjoyed the use of saxophone
I get that its fun and jaunty throughout, bit it doesnt keep the quality of the benchmark Our House (and It Must Be Love to an extent), I'm not much of a Ska guy either, but I can appreciate the effort here. Love the horns!
Great album cover but boooooring ska album. Didn’t make me feel like skankin ONCE. “Our House” is the hit single and probably the only reason this album made the list. Life in England sure sounds like a bummer anytime a band sings about it!
It's weird that in UK Madness is a really famous band but anywhere else not people know them. Their blend on rock and ska with well driven piano and metal section is so envolving and catchy that it is really hard not to like. An easy 5 out of 5 album to me. Good melodies and clever lyrics as well
Great record by Madness, it strays away from their Ska roots, but it brings a different sound and a good set of songs for it.
A rather inconsequential album.
Ok album with one great song.
So fun. They should have been much bigger in the US.
Groupe connu par quelques tubes entendus à l'époque de leur sortie ('Embarrassment', 'One Step Beyond', 'Night Boat to Cairo'), et que j'appréciais. J'ai reconnu dans cet album 'Our house', très sympathique. Les morceaux sont moins reggae que les tubes que je connaissais, ce qui est plutôt une bonne chose pour moi ! L'harmonie est souvent originale et variée, ce qui est aussi une bonne surprise. Par contre certains morceaux sont plutôt ratés (Mr. Speaker, musique de cirque ??), l'album ne rejoindra donc pas ma collection. =>3/5
I swear I never heard of "English music hall" as a genre until yesterday's Ian Dury album. Can't say I'm a fan. As far as Madness are concerned, I like their Ska stuff way more than this.
This one is very definitively Britain in the 1980s, isn't it? Partially based on the concept of childhood memories, the music recalls both the transatlantic New Wave scene and the ska movement in England. The album has a lot of character, but "Our House" is the best track by a mile. Given the subject matter and style, it's maybe no wonder that they did well in the UK but were a mere one hit wonder in the US over the same time.
[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.
An amazing listening experience, the songs are diverse and relaxing to have them in the background Fav song - Madness 3/5
Suggs sings short and punchy lines about being English, accompanied by jaunty piano and overlaid by dramatic horns. It’s fine, but it’s not the Madness that I know and love.
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
Great tunes and lyrics - thx!
The definition of a greatest hits band. Some nice singles but the piano sounds like a novelty band and a lot of it just fades out of memory immediately.
Ugh I don't care if this has "our house" on it. Get these british mf OUT of my ears please! They don't even sound like they want to be there playing the music by the way they sing omg
2.45 star bc I couldn't remember what I listened to but I did like the sounds generally I think
our house Best Song: Primrose Hill Rating: 4.5/10 (Not good) Stars: 2/5
Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: 👳🏿♂️🎨🤔 Production: 🎧🙂👌 Music: 🆗☕🎺 Rating: 🐍🐍/5
Overall a 3, some of this was corny but others catchy. They are definitely talented but not to my speed today
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.
Upbeat (sometimes oh cool sometimes straining my patience), playful New Wave album.
The well-known hit "Our House" stands far out of the rest of the album.
This album is just bad to me. So boring, annoying to listen to even. Never listening again, it just irritates me.
Other than not being able to find this one on Spotify (YouTube Music ftw), this one is a pretty rewarding find. I knew Our House, but hadn't heard any of the rest. It does get the "ska" label, but if you want to label it that you have to consider how early in that genre this one was, so its ska-ness, if it is that, doesn't overwhelm. Plenty of quirkiness, and chock full of saxy songs, they don't all land for me, but there's enough to keep me interested.
Chemist warehouse somg 4 stars
Kind of like a off-brand, half step between The Jam and The English beat. Still a fun album.
Another album that was released during my formative years, and another album that contains several tracks I'm well-familiar with. As a complete album though it was not as good as I was hoping for. There seemed to be multiple tracks that just never really got going.
Standout Songs: Blue Skinned Beast Mr Speaker (Gets The Word) Our House Calling Cards Not a bad album, and a song I already knew. Just didn’t blow me away
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 was a pleasant surprise. It's a good album but no more than that. It just doesn't have the impact or hold the attention like those first two albums. 3 stars overall. Would I listen again? No Would I buy this album? No Side One 1. "Rise and Fall" 3:16 - 3* 2. "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)" 3:10 - Excellent tune. 4* 3. "Blue Skinned Beast" 3:22 - A little jarring musically. 3*. 4. "Primrose Hill" 3:36 - This has the 'Madness sound' and references. 4* 5. "Mr. Speaker (Gets the Word)" 2:59 - Quirky. 4* 6. "Sunday Morning" 4:01 - 3* 21/30 Side Two 7. "Our House" 3:23 - 5*. Classic song. A big hit. 8. "Tiptoes" 3:29 - Nice keyboards. Good song. 3* 9. "New Delhi" 3:40 - 3* 10. "That Face" 3:39 - 3* 11. "Calling Cards" 2:19 - 3* 12. "Are You Coming (With Me)" 3:17 - The piano is good on this. 3* 13. "Madness (Is All in the Mind)" 2:53 - One of the better tracks on the album. Jazzy. 4* 24/35
Great set of songs, playful, but not cheesy.
Ok-ish
Couple of good songs. Past that, kinda meh. Nothing bad. Nothing great
This album with all these songs was impossible on apple music but that's what I get for that having apple music
I found this to be very annoying and a lot of the songs were circus-y which i find very hard to listen to. I also hated the vocals.
Really good!
Ok overall
Ive had a run of awful albums so this was a nice change However id be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed with it. Our House stands out like a sore thumb, it's not only the best, but its the best by a mile. The rest is fine, but not as good as I was expecting Its a 3
Our House is played on the radio but don't think I've heard the rest of this.
I’ve only heard Our House before. That was a fun listen all the way through.
Fun romp
Britisk rock, lidt forskellig genre, koncept-album, lidt irreterende og lidt catchy
The Nutty Boys with a social conscience. Great combination!
Some filler, but too much gold to ignore. These are the ancestral songs one my people. Favourite (new) Song: Rise and Fall
Was expecting to love this but the singles are definitely the strongest on there! An interesting take on madness but their more mainstream sound is still my fav
Such an enjoyable album - it brims with originality, joyfulness and wit from start to finish. I can’t really fault anything. Great tunes, fun lyrics, slick production, superb arrangements. Madness at their glorious best.
Favorite Track: Our House
Our House is the fresh exception in a long row of pieces that are probably intended to be interesting and arty. But good music is not necessarily about being cognitively interesting but about being heart and soul.
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.
This one leans into a kind of whimsical silliness—like a collection of quirky little sing-song character stories. It’s not an album I’d reach for instinctively, but some of these tracks definitely float around in the cultural ether. I remember hearing a few growing up or catching them in the general zeitgeist. Not quite my usual vibe, but I get the charm, sort of.
Totally wild that a 2-Tone-associated band would have a dude in actual blackface on their album cover, but here we are. My girlfriend when I was in high school, (also the first girl I'd ever kissed), curiously mentioned that I looked like Suggs to her. I don't see it now, nor then, so I dunno what she was on about, but cheers all the same I guess, Hot Lips Jenny. My best friend also gave me the domestic US release Madness on CD—which includes most of the tracks on this record—for my 18th birthday. Too bad "Night Boat to Cairo" isn't on this coz it's arguably their best original song. Madness was always a little too sing-songy and poppy for my taste. If I'm gonna listen to 2nd-Wave British Ska (or anything remotely adjacent), I'm going straight to The Specials, The Selecter, or The English Beat. In all honesty, though, I'm probably skipping them altogether and just listening to Prince Buster or Toots and the Maytals, who these cats, especially Madness, were pretty much ripping off. I'm kinda surprised this record, and band in general, are on the 1001 list to begin with. Despite all of the above, I must say the arrangements and time signatures on this record are actually pretty fun for a pop record. There's a lot of creativity and carnivalesque energy here, and I definitely remember hearing "Our House" when I was a kid on KROQ in Los Angeles, so it takes me back a little. But that is about the extent of the charm here. Nevertheless, I haven't spun up Madness in decades, and revisiting it here reaffirms that is probably just fine. By track 11 I just kinda want it to be over, in all honesty. Not bad, but not really for me anymore; and definitely lacking the staying power some of their contemporaries.
Doesn't seem like something I'd be into, but who knows. I know a few songs from them, none of which are my favourite. Gonna keep an open mind though. Rise and Fall Weird mixing, the horns are so much louder than everything else. Don't love the verse melody. The vocalist is really monotone and flat. Cool bass part. Kinda busy and unfocused. Solid outro. Fine. 3/5 Tomorrow's (Just Another Day) A bit of an irritating tempo. The main sax melody is kinda cool I guess. I like some of the instrumental breaks quite a bit. The depressing lyrics kinda clash against the chaotic instrumental leaving them with little impact. Average. 2.5/5 Blue Skinned Beast Instrumentally it's quite interesting, very unique composition. There's some beautiful chaos there, especially when the electric guitar starts wailing in the background. Catchy chorus. I like the piano and the bass quite a bit. Decent. 3.5/5 Primrose Hill Really busy and annoying. Hate the instrumentation. The samey vocals don't help. Just extremely intense and unrelenting. Dislike. 2/5 Mr. Speaker (Gets the Word) Unpleasant intro. Circus music. Repetitive. Vocals remind me of the worst songs from Barrett era Pink Floyd for some reason. Strongly dislike. 1.5/5 Sunday Morning Interesting intro. Crap lyrics. Asylum music. Reptitive. Never fucking ends. Headache inducing. Specifically created to be as abrasive and annoying as v humanly possible. Strongly dislike. 1.5/5 Our House Ugh it's this song. Preset sounding piano. Dead sounding vocals on the verse. Annoying chorus. The instrumental bridge is kinda good(?) Don't mind the lyrics. Dislike. 2/5 Tiptoes Pleasant keys. Decent bassline. Honestly a refreshingly structured and pretty instrumental. Compliments the "falling" imagery in the chorus. Decent. 3.5/5 New Delhi Cliche instrumentation. Grating vocals, especially on the verses. The Indian influences don't really translate well here, just comes across as messy. Strongly dislike. 1.5/5 That Face Completely lost me. Has nothing worth catching onto, just a monotone chore to get through. Bores me to tears. 1/5 Calling Cards Decent bassline. Horrible lyrics. Annoying instrumental. CIA torture clown music. 1/5 Are You Coming (with Me) Not entirely unpleasant, just extremely boring. Kinda has some instrumental moments worth caring about, but the rest does nothing for me. Dislike. 2/5 Madness (Is All In The Mind) Chore. At least it's comprehensible. I kinda like the piano I guess. The chorus isn't too bad. Dislike. 2/5 I can't say I've ever heard anything quite like this before, and frankly I don't suspect I'd like to. While it is original with its collection of up tempo, strangley structured songs it does so in a very messy and unpleasant way. This experience is a claustrophobic one, with loud, blaring horns, repetitive composition and flat, low energy vocals. Neither of these elements ever get a moment to breathe and be digested before they instantly throw something else in your face. There's just a constant unrelenting cacophany of noise that never really gives any pause for any sort of carthasis or feeling. Honestly this just bores me. Boring vocals, annoying horns and irritating songwriting. Offensively british, to a point approaching parody. The only points I can give it is for at least sounding like they put some effort into it. I'll give them that at least, they do sound like they understand what they're doing. All of it sounds original and real. Too bad it stills sounds like they're trying to sonically torture you. At least it's consistent and even a bit experimental, which I can respect. 2/5
I thought they were a ska band. This isn't ska. Only some ska influences on the B-side. But seriously, there's only one Madness album on the list and it's most definitely the wrong one. It should have been One Step Beyond or Absolutely, not this one. This album only has Our House. The rest is not good.
Didn't know that this was considered ska; was bracing myself for something more annoying but just sounds like pleasant rock and roll. Nothing particularly hard hitting or memorable though.
Very fun, very catchy, very energetic New Wave record. I must say, I'm not a fan of Reggae or any of its derivatives (including Ska), but this album was pleasently surprising to me, though the Ska elements are significantly paired down. Cool. Key tracks: Rise and Fall Sunday Morning Our House
some great tracks
OUR HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR STREET
I listed to their self-titled album instead of this one, but I feel I got the jist of it. It's fine. Our House has stayed somewhat relevant and catchy.
um pré-indie circense, cheio de ideias, denso. gostaria que fosse mais dançante.
This album is madness. There is so much weird shit going on the band name is appropriate. Very adventurous album that hits most of the time. I dig Ska music in general and this fits right in. Solid album.
fun
Pretty good! Our house stuck out like a sore thumb a bit but many of the songs were interesting and generally well crafted. Just a tad boring now and again. 3/5
Madness are an all time great singles band which makes their best of the definitive album There’s a few of those classics on here (Our House, House of Fun, Driving In My Car) but quite a lot of filler as well
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.
Welcome 2 Our House Thank You Goodnight
Cartoonist, carnival, and child like. kind of annoying, kind of fun.
had to listen to their most popular album becauser amazon did not have this one, it was fine
Second wave ska is always fun. Wish I could’ve heard more than three tracks. I’ll have to seek this out on CD
Not really for me, just sounds like circus music.
Yeah I really liked this of course it hasvthe classic Our House
The opening title track's lyrics are undercut by the jolly ska instrumentation, which is a general direction of the album. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.
As up and down as its title suggests.
There’s always something happening and it’s usually quite loud.
middle of the street
Unfortunately, I love ska.
It defies convention and will remind you of everything from the Cat Empire to Queen and Zappa.
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.
This is without a doubt a superb record. The production is so clean for 1982, and it's chock-a-block with bangers. I've always liked Madness, and this has cemented it further. Favourite tracks: Rise and Fall, Tommorow's (Just Another Day), Sunday Morning, Our House, New Delhi, Calling Card.
Not sure what to make of this. It's sounds quite experimental and almost a concept album. Obviously enjoyed the big hits, our house, another day etc... Some of the other tracks need more listening to. Not sure about accents on New Delhi
A decent record with solid production and a mix of quirky, upbeat tracks. The clear standout is “Our House,” which brings most of the album’s charm and energy. Outside of that, the rest of the record is fairly average.
En 1982, alors que la vague 2-Tone avait déjà déferlé et que Madness s'était solidement établi comme l'un des groupes les plus joyeusement excentriques et populaires du Royaume-Uni, leur quatrième album studio, "The Rise & Fall", est venu marquer un tournant décisif. Loin de se contenter de la formule ska-pop qui avait fait leur succès initial, le septuor londonien a livré une chronique douce-amère de la vie et du temps qui passe, ancrée dans le paysage urbain de leur Londres natale. Si l'énergie contagieuse et le sens de la mélodie imparable de Madness sont toujours présents, ils sont ici mis au service d'une palette sonore bien plus large et nuancée. "The Rise & Fall" n'est pas un simple album de ska ; c'est un mélange complexe où se mêlent des échos de music-hall anglais, des touches de jazz, des orchestrations pop sophistiquées, et même des clins d'œil à des sonorités plus exotiques, comme sur le morceau "New Delhi", bien que ce dernier puisse diviser certains auditeurs. L'album qui est souvent considéré comme un album conceptuel, explore les hauts et les bas de l'existence, les souvenirs d'enfance, les désillusions de l'âge adulte et les mutations d'une ville. L'album contient bien entendu son lot de tubes, et quel tube ! "Our House" est sans conteste la pièce maîtresse, une ode universelle au foyer, à la famille et aux petits riens du quotidien qui est devenue leur plus grand succès international, et notamment leur unique percée dans le Top 10 américain. Sa mélodie entraînante au piano, ses cuivres joyeux et son refrain fédérateur en font un classique instantané, une chanson qui transcende les générations. Mais réduire "The Rise & Fall" à ce seul titre serait une grave erreur. Les thèmes abordé tout au long de l'album sont la normalité, la folie douce, la routine et l'extraordinaire qui se cache dans l'ordinaire. "The Rise & Fall" est plus qu'un simple album, c'est une lettre d'amour à Londres, à ses habitants, à ses contradictions. C'est le son d'un groupe qui a grandi avec son public, qui a compris que la vie n'est pas qu'une fête ininterrompue, mais qui choisit de la célébrer malgré tout, avec ses joies et ses peines. Au final, ce sera un 2 sur 5 pour un classique à découvrir
I love hearing albums where the mega hit isn’t even the best track.
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
I though that I would enjoy it more
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.
Besides Our House, rest of the album is blah!
Spotify didn’t have all the songs 😢
It’s decent, Our House is a banger tho
It’s a very unique sound and I can be there for that but god damn does this list have to stop with every band that could foreseeably be in a Tim Burton soundtrack.
I don't really understand Madness. Always seemed like more of a novelty band to me (although I appreciate they were much beloved and important as part of the ska / reggae crossover at the beginning of the 80s) "I Like Driving in my Car", "Baggy Trousers". It's all a bit "Arthur Atkinson" for me.
It’s a fairly decent ska album. The back half dropped off a bit.
This album doesn’t exist, false advertising
Album doesn't exist in full anywhere i could find. Thus I can't listen to it
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?
Liked the first half of this more than I expected. Couldn’t really get over rNew Delhi tho. What a yikes!
Hressilega heimskulegt en skemmtilegt. Ansi nálægt menningarnámi og jaðrar við að vera fordómafullt. Aðrir tímar, 3,5.
They’ve got a unique sound, but that might be their best hook. Overall it’s okay but not special.
Not that much to go off of here
9 minutes of pure Madness. Fantastic
Forgettable
Overall it's pretty good. Apart from the all-time classic "Our House" it lacks any other big hits. However, the music is very well done, and fits that new wave aesthetic. I'm glad to have heard the rest of this album. "Calling Cards", was just a fun little romp that had me smiling. "Our House" of course will make the 1001 playlist, and overall I rank the album at just above average. ~ 2.8 stars
Okay. Bad not updating the cover.
Was surprised when Our House played. Was not aware it was on this album. The rest of the album stayed interesting throughout. 3⭐️
What a weird album. Feels really experimental, and kinda all over the place genre wise, but manages to stay consistent in tone/sound throughout. When Our House came up I was shocked since I was not expecting to recognize anything on this. And honestly, the fact that anything on this album broke through and became a hit is insane to me considering how much this album just does not care whether it's accessible or not. Overally, enjoyed the album for what it was, but it was kinda silly a lot of the time and generally sits in a style that I find hard to take seriously I guess. A lot of dated sounding bass and instrumentals that while they don't sound dated in the context of the songs (In fact, they manage to make those sounds come off as really unique and fresh), it's tough for me to separate them out from other music I hear those sounds in and are extremely dated/cheesy themselves.
2,5
I liked this a lot. I get Beatles vibes. Found myself jamming to this album.
Fuck yeah
eh.. not bad has the song "our house" which has been an ear worm for generations. Well put together album just not for me.
Good music on this album, but I would be happy enough just to listen to their greatest hits.
Sorry Suggs, couldn't make it to the end
That one song sounds like fever by Peggy lee
Cute
Great album
Why did we get two ska bands in a row? Seems statistically unlikely. Our House is great, the song after (Tiptoe I think ) was good. Had to listen on YouTube so it was hard to tell what track was what. This was a big shrug 🤷♀️
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
When I was a roadie, I took down the stage after a Madness gig. When the show ended, Madness walked passed us roadies waiting backstage. Chas gave us a wave and a thumbs up. He was the only musician who ever acknowledged the crew. Nice one, Chas. Mr Speaker is a jam. Some really good songs on here. Very British, very London.
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.
If it weren't for "Our House" this album would be a dud, but that song really is a jam. I do enjoy the whimsy sounds, it's different and kept my interest, but the majority of the songs are just okay. Was able to give the entire album a listen on YouTube.
Despite the title, The Rise & Fall sounds like Madness gelling into a new form, that they were more than what people thought of them as. A noble effort, even if it sounds nothing like the most enduring song here and it often feels as though it falls through the cracks. Favorites: Rise and Fall, Tomorrow's (Just Another Day), Blue Skinned Beast, Mr. Speaker (Gets the Word), Our House, New Delhi, That Face.
Es ist ein Meisterwerk des britischen Ska und Pop, das die Band auf ihrem kreativen Höhepunkt zeigt. Mit Songs wie „Our House“ und „Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day)“ vereint das Album charmante Melodien, intelligente Texte und eine Prise Nostalgie. Es ist sowohl musikalisch vielseitig als auch thematisch fesselnd, mit einer Mischung aus heiterem Humor und nachdenklichen Momenten. Die Produktion ist makellos, und die Energie der Band bleibt durchgehend spürbar. Ein zeitloser Klassiker, der den einzigartigen Stil von Madness perfekt einfängt – 🌟🎶
Ganz ok, ein paar gute Lieder und viele Instrumentale
A pleasant listen.
Almost bumped it up a star just for Our House, but that'd be letting the other 12 bad tracks off the hook.
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.
Por algum motivo eu lembrava dessa banda como um two-tone mais clássico pique the specials. Ver o lado mais pop e New wave foi engraçado. Não é um disco ruim, mas não me pegou muito no geral
Mid ska
Strong energy
Couldn't find on spotify so I listened to a different album but overall didn't like
Enjoyed the tunes I knew, surprised by those I didn’t (Blue Skinned Beast a hoghlight)
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.
Yeah, not my favourite Madness stuff however great story telling of a time in England I would say. Just prefer the more fun and Ska stuff
I really enjoyed the creepy undertones in the music
Know most of these songs because my dad is a huge fan. Not my favourite thing, but mostly good and Our House is really good.
I liked the bass and instrumentation(? idk)
I don’t mind them in small doses but a whole album is too much for me. It’s all variations on the same that grates on me after a while.
This is #day234 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... every so often, this list still can surprise me in the best way. While there are certainly some divisive choices, when it clicks, it clicks. And when that happens, I give an album the highest score. The previous example was A Walk Across The Rooftop by The Blue Nile. The latest one? The Rise & Fall, the fourth studio album by the band called Madness. I didn’t know the band or their music... But when you see something from the '80s on the list, at least for me, that’s an automatic appeal. The Rise & Fall is an absolute pleasure. It's fun, catchy, and musical from start to finish. I particularly enjoy jazz interpolations. Some standout songs include the title track, "Sunday Morning," and, of course, "Our House." This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day235.
It just isn't very good.
в большинстве своем откровенная скукотища
meh
Some classics on this album. The rest is of a wide array musically, but still recognizable as Madness (pun might be intended). A bit too sober at times for my taste.
I respect it but I wouldn't listen to it
Fun 80's band. I didn't actually know this was considered ska.
Genuinely better than I was expecting as I didn't think I liked Madness. This was solid.
interesting ... but it's not going on my list.
I've got a lot of time for Madenss. But, honestly, if I hadn't seen that 'Our House' was coming up I would have bailed on this way earlier. It's just not that fun, and that's what you want from Madness.
A little difficult to get a listen of the full album as most of it isn't on Spotify, but from what I got on YouTube... meh, this album is just kind of a dud for me. 2.5
Entertaining. Some songs I knew. Kind of too "weird" in a way to be in my must hear list. Also, I am not sure if this is the case because youtube sometimes does this, but I seriously did not need a thirty song marathon of an album. I did, frankly, get a bit sick of it after a while. That should not damage the band or its value, and I won't let it. It is entertaining and decent.