Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Do not need
It's OK. There are times when I quite like it. Some of the lyrics are quite interesting. But that's as far as I'd go. Otherwise, doesn't do a whole lot for me.
Solid þristur. Our house er meistaraverk en það er slatti af filler efni þarna. Hljóðið varð smá áreiti eftir því sem leið á seinni hluta. Ekki alinn upp við the madness sound.
Fínt að fá smá Madness, alltaf léttir og skemmtilegir. Fullt af góðum lögum, tomorrows just another day alltaf í miklu uppháldi hjámér. Slappari kaflar inn á milli.
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.
the rise and fall tomorrow's just another day
Me gustó mucho en su generalidad, aunque tiene taaanto temas (como 30) que también tiene mucha porquería. Es un ska lento medio jazzero.
I love Our House, but the rest of the album didn't interest me much.
Totally my cup of tea. I like to think I've always been a fan of Madness but the only album in my collection is their 1992 greatest hits collection Divine Madness. It was a joy to discover this album in its entirety whatever it's past transgressions may have been. Faves: Tomorrow's (Just Another Day), Our House.
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!
Blije new wave uit begin jaren tachtig, in die tijd misschien maar de beste trend om te volgen als je muzikant was in Engeland. Beter dan al die van de pot gerukte punk. Het resultaat is energiek plaatje, weinig pretenties, maar wel zowaar een hitje.
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
I was not ready for this. Parts of it are just too exhausting to listen to.
Good record, but even though those were different times, I can't look at the cover and be ok with the dude with the blackface, so I will give it 3 stars instead of 4. But a good album overall.
This album was difficult to find so I listened to other music by this band. Worthy of a 3.
Especially enjoyed Mr Speaker
Hey Madness, you are a ska band. People like your ska music. Why are you making whatever this is? "Our House" is a great song, but it feels like they just put it on the album to trick people into listening to all this other garbage. This is not a good album.
Pretty good though a bit uneven in quality. 1/2 quality songs on this album. Low 3.
Not on Apple Music, so I had to listen on YouTube, not ideal. Upon first listen, it's alright - nothing is as good as the one song everyone knows, Our House. I could listen to it again...or not.
Yes, I liked this very much
Was okay
No time for a real review. Some good songs (first two + Our House, and a couple more), more boring songs, An ok album, I prefer the rawness of their earlier releases.
Definitely can tell it is from 80s, which isn't a bad thing at all. Overall I liked it enough to give it 3 stars
It's a really strange collection of songs. On the one hand, there's definite musical prowess and understanding of texturing, keeping the listener's interest, and knowledge of several genres (including blues, jazz, funk, and ska). On the other hand, it genuinely seems like Madness was trying to alienate the listener during some tracks. Take Sunday Morning, a theoretically strong track. It tries to go for almost math-rock levels of auditory annoyance with its frequent, unorthodox pauses, off-kilter horn hits, and so on. The song That Face, later in the album, is similar. Separately: New Delhi (the track) is so caricatured that it's hard to enjoy. Also, the main vocalist has a pretty monotone British-conversational voice, reminiscent of punk. Not a big fan. But when the album hits, it really hits. Our House, the international hit single, is really good. The eclectic nature of the band is relegated mostly to the haphazard chord changes, which honestly sound pretty great in this instance. Tomorrow's (Just Another Day), Rise and Fall, and Tiptoes are all just great jazzy/brassy tunes. The four promo video tracks, which weren't included on the original album, are some of my favourites. (Seriously – they should've been on the original! A travesty.) Unfortunately, there's the blackface guy on the album cover. What's up with that? 3/5 Key tracks: Tiptoes, Our House, Tomorrow's (Just Another Day), Rise and Fall
2.5 I enjoyed hearing the songs I knew again. But the rest all sounded like someone trying to be Madness. Makes me think their full catalogue is probably a bit samey and a bit hit-and-miss.
I only knew a couple of these songs. Classic 80s. Karen of course knew of the band again. Dance dance dance.
This album, besides "Our House," was basically impossible to finish.
Not on Amazon music so a no go for me. Although Our House is a great 80s song.
All sound the same
Had to listen on YouTube.
Ska has a strange ability to make my skin crawl
Short funky fun album.
I had never heard of Madness, though I am obviously familiar with the hit "Our House." Reading about this band, I was expecting a more straight up 2 Tone Second Wave Ska sound, but this album is clearly a bit of a departure from that. It's a lot more interesting than I was expecting. This band has a bit more to them than just an 80s ska band, and I'm surprised that they are still together and putting out music to this day. The blackface on the album cover I'm sure is certainly regrettable.
The only Madness song that I’m familiar with is “Our House,” which I was happy to see was on this album. However, other than “Our House,” I didn’t care of this album very much. I know the band said that they went into this album with the plan of making in a concept album about the nostalgia of childhood, and that they abandoned that plan, but honestly, it doesn’t sound like they strayed from it too much. Lyrically, the album felt really cohesive, even with the few songs that didn’t really delve into childhood nostalgia, like “Blue Skinned Beast” and “Mr. Speaker.” Musically though, this album wasn’t much to my liking. I enjoyed the title track and “Tomorrow’s Just Another Day,” but after that, the album turned away from the things that I enjoyed. I didn’t really care for the way that the bass instruments sounded with the piano and string parts. I know that’s really nitpicky, but for an album that feels nostalgic in lyrical tone, I felt like the musical sound had an anxious sound to it that I didn’t care for. I also didn’t like how a lot of songs would start off with a more traditional pop sound, and then shift to something with a jazzier sound. However, “Our House” is fantastic. I love how upbeat it is, and it’s musically great. The lighter strings and brass sounds really create a feel of nostalgia that matches the lyrics really well. I typically love early eighties new wave music, so I was pretty let down by this album.
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.
I like Madness. So upbeat. One Step Beyond is my favorite.
Absolute mad lads
Swäg
Nuts that this was never released in the US, it’s easily at least as good as One Step Beyond…, the only other album by Madness I’ve heard. Most of this album gets more experimental and veers away from the 2 tone/ska of their earlier work. That influence is still there, but there’s more pop, punk, and new wave here. “Our House” is quintessentially new wave, and it’s easy to see why that’s Madness’s biggest hit.
Unavailable so I listened to five tracks from it on the U.S. comp Madness. Liked what I heard…
It was ok. I'll giver it another go because sometimes records are growers.
Better than expected! Always had them down as a ‘best of’ band - no point listening to the albums. As per usually, I was generally right. Some great tracks though. 3.2
It's a nice album. Lots of different pop stylings all done with a light touch. However, give the Madness from One Step Beyond; the non-stop dance floor assault that keeps your body in a state of perpetual movement. 3 stars
This sounds like a record made by British people for British people. Mostly goofy sounding songs led by a honky piano, with cheeky lyrics sung in an English accent. There’s some pretty cool horn work on this album, and drumming and bass parts are surprisingly dynamic and tight. An interesting album, but like beans on toast, it doesn’t appeal to my American pallet. Stand out tracks include “Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day)”, “Primrose Hill”, “Our House”, and “That Face”.
Didn't hate but didn't really like it a charitable 3
I remember that song.
Our House was an earworm from my childhood that I'm glad I have now found. The rest of this is trash. Our House isn't really that good either. It just plays well in my memory. This should be skipped.
I am disappointed! I like Madness! One Step Beyond is my favorite ska tune ever! But this was boring! Someone said it sounds like a musical soundtrack and I’m inclined to agree. One that saps all the energy from the performances. I didn’t care for a single track besides Our House which hardly counts.
I struggled through this.
I have said this a few times during this challenge, as a completionist, fuck those bonus tracks and remixes, it almost doubled the length of this album! I like the novelty aspect of Madness and their greatest hits and the sentimentality of some of their tracks, but I’m not a fan of ska. 2 stars for ‘our house’ The album cover is a bit problematic these days 🤭
I was trying to keep an open mind - but I'm not fan of ska. There was a few fun tracks, but mostly it was just too long and not a style I really get into. Not terrible, not my thing
I’m such sucker for horns and music that feels like a small orchestra is playing it. I had a lot of fun listening to this. Weirdly it’s hard to find streaming. So I had to suffer through a bunch of ads while listening on YouTube. The first two thirds are pretty great and then it loses a bit of its lustre. 3.5/5
fun. but maybe a lil tew much
I love a bit of Madness, but let's face it - they are a singles band. I can't in all conscience give this more than a three. I would probably put their debut on the list before this.
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.
I'd be willing to bet given Madness's gigantic discography, they have a lot of better tracks than the ones offered here. Our House is a solid one hit wonder, but wares pretty quickly. And after listening to the "one I need to hear before I die" I'm not tempted to check out the rest of what they have to offer. Some of the bass liens here rip though.
Three stars, in the middle of our scale.
I’m surprised people hate this as much as they do, but I’m also surprised some people love it. My takeaway is that it was fun to listen to and catchy, but not really much more than that. In summary, if you’ve heard Our House (let’s be honest, who hasn’t?) you’ve heard the album.
Wasn't sure what to expect, but it was fun. And then when it got to "Our House" I went "Oh, yeah, I HAVE heard these guys!"
Bummer it's not available, but what I heard was good.
“Our House” is a classic song and the rest of the album is decent enough.
2024-03-31...
3.5/5
Couldn’t fin on Spotify so didn’t listen sorry 🤷♀️
it sounded okay? not sure how to feel about the album cover or new delhi sounded like 60 year old man pub music yk our house obviously iconic
yeah it was pretty cool actually
It's actually alright, but it may have benefited from my very low expectations of what a "ska" album could be.
Short but entertaining
I do love madness but they seem to be very much a singles band. I don’t really hear much about the albums and probably rightfully so. I think the genre had so much potential and I really love a lot of bands especially Madness and The Specials. But it has always been songs or compilations. I just feel the album was kind of a nice start that just smoothed out, then bam here is our house listen to this amazing song we can make, back to just smooth music. It isn’t bad it is just nothing special so I think it sits pretty much in the middle. I still love the sound I think it’s super cool and I would listen to it I just wish they went all out on some of the songs. 3/5 is still very good. And even though it is 3/5 there was only 2 songs that really stuck out. Stand Out Songs: Tomorrows (Just another day) Our House
Divertidísima energía y mucha variedad. 4/5.
3/19/24. Fun album, always been a fan of the track "Our House." Just feel good music with a great horn section and upbeat, although it loses a little steam toward the end.
Okay not great. Some appeal but mostly an 80's brit pop albo.
There are interesting moments, and “Our House” holds up. But the foundation is shaky, and it gets a demerit for that New Delhi song and for not being available on major streamers.
Our House in the Middle of the Street band. That song's the only thing you've heard from them for a reason, the rest is whatever
Never liked them. Oi. They have a couple of half decent melodies, but this is music created for people who like to shout along to their favourites, just as they would do on the terraces
Not a huge fan of this one, liked a few tracks like Our House.
delovely
Enjoyable but not peak Madness, maybe we’ll see another entry here…
Another surprise. I hadn't realised that Madness had any depth. This album contains wit, musical maturity (with references/allusions to many styles) and accomplished songwriting. What lets it down for me is the singing. I find it extremely hard to get past Sugg's boring sing-by-numbers style. It really does destroy the album.
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.
Lyssnat lite på madness som liten. Det var ok. Mest hitsen. Denna skiva når inte jättehögt dock.
Our house är ju bra, men det här klämchecka soundet blir tröttsamt för mig i längden.
This was fun, I didn't love every song but I can see why it's on this list.
A surprisingly varied album with some darker songs than expected, as well as a great opener and of course the classic House of Fun to kick off the second half. Unfortunately the second half was a bit weaker (the less said about New Delhi the better) and it didn’t quite stick the landing. 3/5 for the album, yikes/5 for the album cover
Our House is a great song, but much of the rest is to wierd and wonky for my taste
I enjoyed the instruments but wasn't mad on the singer.
Our house is good, the rest is ok, but a bit to random for my taste
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)
Can’t find on streaming services
Well mooded guys. I enjoyed getting in the same mood with them.
this seemed promising but became very tiring by the end i never liked our house either so eh, it ok
Only a handful of songs from this album are available to listen to on Spotify as of this writing so I can't really make a judgement here.
Better than I expected! I will never listen to this again though!!
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Tomorrow’s, Sunday morning, Our house, Madness
2/5 something was off
The campiness gets tiring towards the end. Too much carnival vibe. Our House is a great pop tune though.
Giving spooky skeleton meets snarky puppy in a meh way. 2/5
Album for true Brexit Geezahs. Quite possibly the most British album ever recorded. And yes, that includes the borderline rockabilly song at the end and the guy in brownface on the album cover. Our House fucking BANGS tho
Actually pretty good album. Our House is a classic but it’s got other good songs too. -1 star for not being on Spotify or Apple Music
These guys got lucky and made Our House and ended up on this list SMH
Not bad. "Our house" is a classic earworm.
Goofy ass album. Our house in the middle of our street.
Eh.
SAIN ARE 'OUSE?
Not all of the album was available on Spotify, but knew some of the songs that were. Def an exercise in madness.
Not the album I wanted or needed now. It's strange, interesting and sometimes an easy listen. But too experimental for me at the moment which made it a hard listen. A 3 for its clear artistic qualities.
lot of songs not available on spotify but i like what i did hear 3.5
Who has the audacity to make a 90 minute album? And then put multiple version of the same songs in it? The Madness of Madness. 2 stars.
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.
p492. 1982. 2 stars. Evidence - if it was needed - that Madness were a great singles band, but lacked the talent for a full length album. And to be honest the pub piano, cheesy sax and Camden accents get wearing after a couple of tracks.
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 was not ska? Also, for the 3rd day in a row the album wasn't on Spotify. Not relevant but odd. Still pretty good
3.5
Just ok. Our House, obviously a terrific song. The rest of it? What am I even listening to
Boring. Our house wel geinig
When I was 12 Madness were the band that all the cool kids in school liked. So I know the sound because I’m absolutely the right age. There’s some decent tracks here but nothing to keep me coming back for more really. It’s just a bit thin and lightweight. I get why the cool kids liked it and as a greatest hits band they’re fine. But 12 year olds know fuck all.
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!
Sannarlega þeirra besta plata. Nokkrir bangerar og nokkur vanmetin.
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.
Lots of really fun earworms here. “Mr. Speaker” is especially tasty. Madness should’ve been a bigger band in America than they were.
What a delight. I’ve never heard of this band, other than knowing Our House (didn’t know who sang that). But the music is fun and lively. I like the blend of new wave, pop, and wacky. Our House is so great, and this is such a refreshing collection of songs in general. Love so many of them. This album made me feel good, and that’s a good way to feel. Had to find the album on YouTube, it was mostly missing from Spotify.
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 knew "Our House". I also liked "Rise and Fall" and "Tomorrow's Just Another Day". The rest of the album is fine. So that puts me somewhere between a 3 and a 4.
"Our House" is still a great song, but too much of this is trying too hard to be wacky.
80s mediocrity. & the brownface on the album cover, yeesh.
Surprisingly good. I only think of Our House and One Step Beyond. I did not realize how eclectic they were. Very enjoyable. My view of ska has expanded. 3.5 stars.
1/5. I mean, sure. Our House is the hit from the album, already a super annoying song, not much else is standout. House of Fun is interesting just because of the vibe but that's all it got going for it. It's not necessarily a bad album, it's just not as enjoyable as it's trying to be.
I like Tomorrows Just Another Day, Blue Skinned Beast, Our House, and Tiptoes
Wasn’t able to listen to the whole thing, but I enjoyed what I heard. Our House is just a great song!
Might need a revisit in the future. A deeply British genre and set of songs. I'd rather take Men at Work if we're talking early 80s one hit wonders.
OK but not doing it for me.
I found this Madness album really underwhelming. It’s not terrible, it’s just not consistently interesting across its duration making it boring to my ears for want of a better description. I really wanted to like it more, but it just doesn’t hold my attention.
good vibe, cool jams. 3
This album was not available on specify but I listened to the compilation that contained a chunk of the album songs and enjoyed it. It was fun.
Not my style
Outside our house it’s a snoozefest
Not bad, nice background music.
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.
Can’t listen
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
Nawet fajowe. takie 3/5 delikaty pop rock i te sprawy
#89. Another one hit wonder band. But this one is different because I didn't even know that it was a one hit wonder, I thought that was a Talking Heads song the whole time. The album was pretty good though, I dig it. 3/5: yeah Song added to playlist: Our House I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
Wasn’t on Apple Music auto 0
Hey gang just a heads up this is another example of "mediocre British band that literally no one has ever heard of and then when you look them up you find out that they were a one hit wonder and you've heard the one song and it's okay but the rest of their stuff is mediocre and forgettable". You know, like approximately 75 of the albums on this list.
Enjoyed this.
Some tracks were great, others were ok, a few were not good.
English ska band! Décrit comme un concept album. Des beaux sons, belle découverte.
never knew who sung "our house", decent album of proto-ska 3.3/5
Excellent stuff, not many of the "favourites" on this album but good solid madness
Best Song: Our House. Oh that's why this album's on the list. The coffee song. I mean, it's a fun ditty if you divorce it from the corporate clutches it represents now. Especially the parts later in the song that never made it into the commercial. Worst Song: Blue Skinned Beast. That piano was distracting and kind of annoying, even if the chorus was mostly catchy. Overall: Mostly dull, highly repetitive alt(ish) pop rock. They definitely know how to write a catchy hook and then ride it into the ground until all you want is it to transition to the next song. If your friend was in this band you'd think "good for them", but you wouldn't be worried that they'd make it big and leave you for a life of fame and fortune. You'll definitely see them next Friday, same as always.
Not my favourite band but the album tracks were interesting
Fairly ambitious endeavor. Large brass and instrumental made it enjoyable
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
Aikamoista kruisailua eri meininkien välillä. Ei tämä häirinnyt, muttei purassutkaan. Olisin ehk kaivannut selkeyttä tai jotain. Ska on vähän vaikee genre jotenkin. 3/5
Eipä jäänyt mitään mieleen.
Renkutushitti Our House:sta huolimatta todella tylsä levy. 2/5
Decent (at least what I was able to cobble together from Spotify). 3/5
Album unavailable on Spotify
What a fun album! Really enjoyed this one. Too bad it wasn't on Spotify!
It’s okay!
OUR HOUSE
Not bad
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.
Good 80s British pop.
Bri'ish But ye its alright I guess. Some decent tracks but also I was bored 7 songs in
Not really my jam but the Maxwell House Jingle gets it 3 stars
New wave. Un megahit. Entretenido.
Mad House. Un poco igual todo el rato.
I get why they're a singles band now.
They call it madness.
Ehhh... no thanks. I like one song and the rest is blah. Also the cover has blackface....
Fun album
E kje nåke stort ska-meneskje
Thoughts before listening: When I was into ska music in the 90s Madness was always listed as one of the original English ska bands along with the Specials. I LOVE the Specials, but I don't know all that much from Madness except for Our House which is on the album. Review: This is okay. Seems more like new wave pop than ska, although there are some horns in the mix. There is kind of a carnival sound to a lot of the music. Our House is a great song and very iconic for the 80s. Other than that I enjoyed Tomorrow's Just Another Day but nothing else really stands out to me.
Our House is a classic (even if the lyrics are a bit naff); the rest is a curate's egg.
This band has a loyal following but they're boring to me.
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.
Joooooder...otra puta maravilla(PSP)
Another record where I have to go to YouTube to listen, because it’s not widely available for streaming in the US, which brings up a question: Does anyone know why sometimes you can play YouTube videos in the background on iPhone and other times you can’t? I’m not paying $18.99/month for YouTube premium to have that feature. As for the record, I found “the Rise and Fall” to be cloyingly upbeat, with gauzy 80’s production and a hefty debt to British Music Hall. 481 records down, a little over 600 to go.
Not bad songwriting, production values are not to my taste. Probably won't ever seek it out again, but i suppose it's important from an historical perspective.
Too British? Not sure why this didn't click for me
Brilliant album!
Was a good album, the standouts were the classic songs of Tomorrow's (Just Another Day), Our House, House of Fun.
I probably need to give this more of a listen. Our house has always been a massive favourite. "The kids are playing up downstairs" is for me a perfect lyric. But I found the rest of the album lacked some of that poetry.
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?
Best wel hard
Wow! Legit great album. So fun.
Wel leuk, maar niet de Ska die ik van Madness gewend ben en leuk vind. Our House is natuurlijk prachtig, maar de rest vond ik minder leuk dan verwacht, ook omdat het dus gewoon heel anders was dan verwacht. Ik twijfel tussen 3 en 4, dus dan gaan we maar weer aan de hogere kant zitten.
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k55FYtqtXXU
Not available on spotify
cor blimey, come and have a gander at my trombone. i'm a cockney, i'm a cockney, i'm a cockney.
Go Go Power Rangers Go Go Power Rangers Go Go Power Rangers You Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers This record made me feel like one of the Power Rangers. I did some high kicks and jumping around. It was awesome. My favourite Power Ranger is the White Power Ranger.
Absolute scenes
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.
Fun and full of energy. I love the Madness hits bit a whole album is a bit much!
Was entertained that there was an 'I Like Riding on My Bike' song then realised I was far into the bonus tracks so don't know what was actually the album. It all sounded how I would expect Madness to sound. Jaunty fun.
Ska really isn't my thing. Our House was a big hit and an OK song but the rest of the album is meh. Also, is there a dude in blackface on the cover? Ugh!
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.
Our House still a quality song, some ups some downs an ok album I would say but not astounding.
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.
I like ska. But this was kind of boring. 2.5/5 Won't listen again
How do people enjoy this trash? Absolutely awful.
Cool album actually. Wasn’t looking forward to it but it was good
Couple good tracks but too jazzy for me to enjoy the whole thing
Decent 80s brit rock
yeah man im good
so saxy
Sad that this wasn't fully available on spotify. Had to use YouTube and it forced ad's on me. Album isn't for me, but it's not bad.
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.
Tried to pay attention but it got boring quite quickly
Never could get into this band. Our House is nice, I guess. 2.5/5
Good, fun, pop album.
What happened to you Madness? You used to be fun.
Only a bit familiar with Our House, and had no idea what the rest of their songs would be like. The album was pretty much what I expected. 3.25/5
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
When I was young you literally couldn't get away from Madness, they were always on TV with a new hit and video. Only two hits on this album, but I remember them well. I always liked the fact that "Our House" seems to have multiple levels, with something incredibly sad lurking just beneath the surface. Many of the songs were similar, someone doing start-stop half-speaking vocals with a sax in the background. They sound like a very well-polished band that might do weddings or small nightclubs for middle-aged adults. I got a bit tired of this by the end, but it wasn't as awful as I was expecting, so I'm giving it 3-stars.
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.
Album 134 of 1001 Madness - The Rise & Fall Rating : 3/ 5 Favorite Track : Our House This is the album Our House is on.
I ended up listening to this through a Youtube Playlist that someone made, as this wasn't available on Apple Music or Youtube Music. I thought this album was fun and lively. I might poke around what's available on Apple Music because I could see listening to this when I'm in the mood for new wave. Blackface on the album cover sucks, though. Ugh.
I like Our House, it's a fun, kinda goofy song which does kind of work and melds together ska and new wave elements together. I did wish most of the album was as effective as this song but it really wasn't. The closest we got was Primrose Hill, which had a bouncy melody that lead to a great driving section at times. But a lot of the songs felt kinda nonsensical in a way and the goofy nature of a lot of the songs I just didn't care for every much. Sometimes things aren't you're cup of tea.
Un disco que parece con una tonalidad cirsense, esa especie de sonido menor pero en un contexto de felicidad da tal sensación. El álbum no es malo, pero tampoco destaca y cansa en varios momentos con ideas que no cierran y con sonidos que resultan repetitivos. La inclusion del piano llega un punto que no aporta nada, además de ellos apostando porque sea un diferencial. A pesar de esto, quieren ser conceptuales y en cierto aspecto lo logran, se muestran matices en el tracklist y en las canciones. Siento que es una especie de banda inspirada por bowie que quizo incursionar en el new wave y formar su propio sonido, pero la busqueda no está terminada en este proyecto. Muestran sensaciones interesantes pero solamente quedan en eso... 6/10
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.
It’s madness, I’ll come back in 10 years when I’m a 40 year old dad and see if I like it then
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
pretty bad
One sing-a-long after another. I think the kindergarten listener demographic is sufficiently accounted for with this album. 2 juice boxes out of 5 🧃🧃
Hey - turns out these dudes are more than just "Our House" - I actually really liked this one. It had a fun energy.
Some different sounds as well as some classic on here - I enjoyed!
the big singles are ok pero ehh
3.6 - “Our House” is a favorite radio hit. The rest is a carnivalesque swirl of bouncy brass fills, unexpected chord structures and general British goofiness, tempered with nostalgia.
I was looking forward to this. I was also disappointed by this. I was expecting more ska or at the very least more interesting songs. It feels ambitious but very little of it landed for me.
Good for a madness album.
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.
Quintessential English pop by everyone's second favourite band. If you grew up in the eighties. Its difficult to not like Madness, they are fun, release great singles and appeal to a wide range of music fans. If you've ever seen them live, which I have, then you will know it ain't easy to keep still. However, over a whole album I lose the love and its the same with this. Great singles band, a bit like Queen.
I'm just really confused. It's okay, but nothing really sticks out to you.
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.
Yea this was on, hoped for more
First time hearing more than Our House. I had to listen to a best of as this wasn’t on my streaming services.
Another one of those “Oh hey! It’s that one song!” albums. The rest of it is kinda fun too tho. 6/10
Madness is only good in small and infrequent doses.
Not the best madness album, seems to lack some of their trademark energy. The two singles of this are 2 of their better songs however. Also definitely loses points for the brownface on the album cover. Blegh
First off, this album is not on Amazon Music, so I checked out their greatest hits. Our House is a great song. And every other song sounds just like it.
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
As an album, The Rise & Fall is a bit of bouncy and boppy new wave pop, yet distinctly British. Madness have a recognisable sound and whilst I have never listened to the album, they sounded familiar, and wasn't until it got to "Our House" where it all clicked. Best: Our House Worst: New Dehli Note: Deluxe album is only available on Spotify, I listened to the original 13 tracks only.
I’ve never liked them…silly lyrics and stolen reggae sounds
There were only a couple of songs on Spotify and I couldn't be bothered to find the rest. With over 750 days of this grumpiness is setting in.
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.
Admittedly Our House is a great song but the rest of the album is very repetitive. I prefer their earlier material that had a harder ska edge TBH
Our House is the only song I was familiar with and of course it’s a classic. Otherwise I think my opinion on the album varied based on the song. I think all in all it was a good album but some songs were strange? I would say 7/10.
(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
Always enjoy a little Madness, though not big on Ska overall. Another one here where Google Music failed me, maybe because it never had a U.S. release? These digital rights issues perpetually baffle me.
Dreadful
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
One of the most overplayed songs in the British radio! It's still a great track, but listening to it at least twice a day is unbearable. But it's a nice experience to witness the full album that the song is coming from. The everlasting tune I'm talking about is of course "Our House". In smaller doses, a great track for every type of mood. Some of the album fits the same mould. Two songs to start "The Rise & Fall" are pretty comparable, with a high energy, ska-like funk and good vocal. Afterwards, we are greeted by 10 songs that are trying too much. Very polyrythmic beats, broken in few places to make it more interesting, probably, but making it really hard to listen. There is no more flow, and even the vocal stagnates, like the whole band just stopped caring all of a sudden. In general, it's a very average album with few great exceptions, and it helped me make a decision, that Madness is probably not a band I would like to listen to in the future.
I get that it's an iconic album with most of the hits...and I was surprised at the diverse sounds, lots of styles going on here...but Suggs' voice really starts to grate after a while. I wouldn't want to listen to the whole album again!
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.
det har nåt, det har det. men kanske inte man behöver ha på vinyl
A stylistically varied semi-concept album about childhood memory (and one random song about New Delhi). A good chunk of this is great, but a little inconsistent overall. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Our House Date listened: 30/04/23
it was eh
Cool. Enjoyed
Sounds pretty much how I expected for the band behind Our House. And it rocks.
The singles were fun but nothing else interest me on this album.
Banger
Highlights: Rise and Fall, Our House 3,5/5
Bardzo zróżnicowany album, tytuł dobrze odzwierciedla przebieg słuchania kolejnych utworów. Our house to klasyczek, że hej.
Despite the track, 'Our House,' the album was okay.
I wasn't sure I'd heard of these guys but then I recognized "Our House." All in all, though, I was underwhelmed.
Big bold sax, vaudeville, Pythonesque, campy in its own way. The musical embodiment of walking through a carnival hall of mirrors
Always found this band a little creepy. Their skinhead fans and the guy in blackface on the cover double down on that. Not for me.
Listen
Köpte den när den kom ut och blev besviken. Och fortfarande en aning så. Käckt sorglig och låtarna håller inte måttet.
A train wreck of noise, only saving grace is that it has character. Sounds dated even for the 80s. I HATE the pianos though. Atrociously tinny and soulless.
I found it difficult to enjoy
80s ska Lahhhndahhhntown
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
Couldn’t hear the whole album but I liked what was avail
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.
A cool find! I have to say, this puts the 80s classic “Our House” into a whole context. Hearing it here, it’s so much darker, stranger, madder. And it is mad! More circus music than ska, practically. But the Rise and Fall—a pseudo concept album on nostalgia, memory, and childhood in the modern age (in a way that’s reminiscent of Arcade Fire’s “Suburbs” and a lot of what Blur did in the following decade)—might best be described as a Ska Odyssey. Which I love. Honestly. There’s a lot going on musically. A very unique record. Surprised this came out as early in the decade as it did. I really enjoyed this listen. Feel like there’s even more to sink my teeth into than I did with it today, but not sure I’m quite ready for whatever jelly lies within. Today I found it a pleasant-enough listen even while it seemed to hide deeper, darker truths. I think this will grow on me. It is an enigma, a maze. Surprised it was never released in the US of A and that it remains a sort of buried treasure by a band assumed to be a one-hit wonder. Not so! If I ever see this in a used CD bin at a record store I will surely buy it and dig deeper into whatever madness Madness had on its mind.