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Old 27-10-2007, 11:55
Terrence Chant
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Just wondered if there were any other fans out there......I've been digging out some of their old songs and was surprised at how many have stood the test of time..........

I think, critically, they were very under-rated.......musically, there was a lot more to them than funny videos and 'Baggy Trousers'.........songs like 'Overdone', 'One Better Day', 'When Dawn Arrives' to name but three off the top of my head show a depth that perhaps one or two of their most popular hits didn't always convey.......

Suggs was a pretty good lyricist at times too........some wry social observations........and the syllable busting chorus of 'On The Beat Pete' was pretty much genius........

Finally, I wondered if any fans knew of a Madness biography worth checking out? Been looking on the net and not uncovered anything...........
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Old 28-10-2007, 16:24
angeleyes71
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hi hun i love madness though confess to only listening to their main songs and not really getting into the old albums, though i know my OH has them somewhere!

have you ever been to see them live? they only tour every other year dont they? everytime i say im gonna get tickets and end up not going. really gotta do it one of these days before its too late , wont be able to forgive myself if i miss out on that!!!

one of my faves of theirs is yesterdays men. dont know why that one over the rest but i love it! I'm not a big reader so i cant help you with the biog im afraid! x
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Old 28-10-2007, 20:14
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Just wondered if there were any other fans out there......I've been digging out some of their old songs and was surprised at how many have stood the test of time..........

I think, critically, they were very under-rated.......musically, there was a lot more to them than funny videos and 'Baggy Trousers'.........songs like 'Overdone', 'One Better Day', 'When Dawn Arrives' to name but three off the top of my head show a depth that perhaps one or two of their most popular hits didn't always convey.......

Suggs was a pretty good lyricist at times too........some wry social observations........and the syllable busting chorus of 'On The Beat Pete' was pretty much genius........

Finally, I wondered if any fans knew of a Madness biography worth checking out? Been looking on the net and not uncovered anything...........

Could not agree more with your comments.Madness are one of the most underated bands of all times.There was so much more to their music than funny videos.Songs like 'Embarrassment' 'One Better Day' and 'Michael Caine' prove that. I heard that Suggs has a book coming out next year.They also have a new single called 'NW5' out at the end of the year.
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Old 28-10-2007, 20:29
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I love Madness and have been a fan since way back . Been lucky enough to see them live twice , last time being last year in Glasgow and they defo still have it . The cd currently playing in the car is a mixture but mainly Madness tracks
Some of the album tracks are works of art and you would probably struggle to find a bad track on the first 2 albums .
101cd.com are currently selling THE LOT for only £18 which is more or less everything they did until they reformed in 99 to do Lovestruck then the wonderful album . I definitely would love to see them live again before they pack it in . If you get the chance to see them DONT miss out you won't regret it .

Last edited by wigs7 : 28-10-2007 at 20:30. Reason: typo
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Old 28-10-2007, 21:38
Terrence Chant
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Wahey, some posts!

Will have to check out Suggs' book next year when it's published.........might skip the karaoke 'Night Fever' chapter though..........

I was a bit too young to see Madness when they were in their pomp and haven't seen one of their Madstock concerts (well, only on telly)........maybe there's still time though........

It's funny, when I was a kid I didn't really like their 'Rise And Fall' album.......in retrospect, it was probably too mature a piece of work for me.......but listening to it now I can appreciate great tracks like 'Tiptoes', 'Blue Skinned Beast' and 'Calling Cards'........I think it's a concept album........

Some other early album tracks that stand out for me:

In The Middle Of The Night
Believe Me
ERNIE
On The Beat Pete
Overdone
Tomorrow's Dream
Pac-A-Mac
When Dawn Arrives

But of course, there's loads......could waffle on all night...........
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Old 28-10-2007, 21:49
MadSmiths
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Their b-sides were also of a high standard
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Old 28-10-2007, 23:23
googleking
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The "Our House" musical that was comprised of Madness hit after hit was fantastic entertainment.
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Old 28-10-2007, 23:31
mr. mustard
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Only five odd replies? Disgraceful!

Madness were one of the last great British bands - I loved their early ska style, but they developed into something much more interesting as others have said; their lyrical range was exceptional - Michael Caine and Grey Day were seminal pop gems the like of which we don't see much of these days. My personal favourite is The Sun And The Rain, a superb single.

They always remind me of another north London band, the Kinks. And sometimes they matched them for genius too.
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Old 28-10-2007, 23:56
Terrence Chant
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Their b-sides were also of a high standard
Trying to remember some now........what was the b-side of 'It Must Be Love'? Think it was 'Memories', that was a corker.........

'Shadow On The House' was another good one, as I recall......'Deceives The Eye' was catchy too.........
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Old 29-10-2007, 00:16
iamme
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I also like madness they where and still are very underated. Ive also got the musical on dvd feturing there hits and it is very good. So to the people havent seen it, its worth checking out.
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Old 29-10-2007, 07:25
twassington
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Madness are complete legends, I still listen to their music very regularly and watch the amazing videos on Youtube. Suggs is one of the coolest men on earth. I live very close to where they all come from and in fact, when I was younger, the local butcher had a signed photo of Suggs cos he went in there for his sossies and steaks!!!! There sadly no longer IS a local butcher due to the advent of Tescos......but Madness rock. They did then, and they do now.
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Old 29-10-2007, 10:19
Terrence Chant
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...when I was younger, the local butcher had a signed photo of Suggs cos he went in there for his sossies and steaks!!!! There sadly no longer IS a local butcher due to the advent of Tescos......but Madness rock. They did then, and they do now.
LOL, I love that kind of anecdotal stuff...........

Sad to hear of the demise of the local butchers in favour of faceless corporate monsters.........but then Suggs is no stranger to pecuniary advantage over artistic integrity......have to laugh scornfully at him banging the table with his knife and fork to the tune of 'Our House' on that advert........

Don't do it Suggs! You're better than that!
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Old 29-10-2007, 11:14
brunolover
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Cool to see there are still some Madness fans out there that really appreciate them.

Been a fan since 1992 when I was a little 15 year old. Think I've seen them live about 10 times now and they do just get better each time.

Love all their albums but I think my favourite is either Seven or Absolutely.

One Better Day, Embarrassment and Tomorrow's Just Another Day, are just a few of my favourite singles.

Wish I was going to see them at the O2 at Xmas but just too much effort to get too.

Looking forward to Lucky Number Seven lp and single, NW5 in the New Year (Jan 14th for the single)
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Old 29-10-2007, 18:18
Gillian1
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I saw Madness back in 1982 at Birmingham NEC it was a christmas special and UB40 were also on the bill and Elvis Castello. All my male mates were big fans always got the roof rocking
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Old 29-10-2007, 18:45
twassington
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LOL, I love that kind of anecdotal stuff...........

Sad to hear of the demise of the local butchers in favour of faceless corporate monsters.........but then Suggs is no stranger to pecuniary advantage over artistic integrity......have to laugh scornfully at him banging the table with his knife and fork to the tune of 'Our House' on that advert........

Don't do it Suggs! You're better than that!
I quite agree! But I love him anyway.
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Old 29-10-2007, 19:55
Zen_Dog
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Madness are my favourite group ever. I'm 40 now and I grew up through my early teens watching and listening to Madness mature as songwriters and musicians.

I saw them at the Liverpool Empire on the "Rise And Fall" tour when I was still at school, and I can still remember it very clearly now. I've seen them twice since and there's always a great atmosphere at their gigs because everyone just goes for a great time. There's no atttiude off anyone.

It's difficult to pick a favourite LP, so I'll have 2 -"Absolutely" and "Mad Not Mad". All of their LP's have been excellent though.

I can pick one favourite Madness song though, as it's also my favourite song of all time - "Keep Moving".
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Old 29-10-2007, 20:08
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Just another point about Madness...I think it's a disgrace how they've never won 'lifetime achievement' at the BRITS .Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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Old 29-10-2007, 20:11
Zen_Dog
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Just another point about Madness...I think it's a disgrace how they've never won 'lifetime achievement' at the BRITS .Grrrrrrrrrrrr
Yes, that's a good point, but their time will come.

Just look how long it took Paul Weller to get it......
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Old 29-10-2007, 21:45
SILLY SUE
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Only five odd replies? Disgraceful!

Madness were one of the last great British bands - I loved their early ska style, but they developed into something much more interesting as others have said; their lyrical range was exceptional - Michael Caine and Grey Day were seminal pop gems the like of which we don't see much of these days. My personal favourite is The Sun And The Rain, a superb single.

They always remind me of another north London band, the Kinks. And sometimes they matched them for genius too.
Two fab bands you've mentioned there. I love the Englishness of both Ray Davies' lyrics and the lyrics of the boys from Madness. Excellent songs, lyrics and music - what more could you ask for from two brilliant English bands.

On the 'Wonderful' album by Madness, I've noticed 'Terry and Julie' make an appearance on the song 4am. Aww - Terry and Julie should get back together so they can meet at Waterloo Station. Then cross over the river and gaze at the sunset (making sure they wear sunglasses of course!).
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Old 29-10-2007, 22:22
mr. mustard
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Two fab bands you've mentioned there. I love the Englishness of both Ray Davies' lyrics and the lyrics of the boys from Madness. Excellent songs, lyrics and music - what more could you ask for from two brilliant English bands.

On the 'Wonderful' album by Madness, I've noticed 'Terry and Julie' make an appearance on the song 4am. Aww - Terry and Julie should get back together so they can meet at Waterloo Station. Then cross over the river and gaze at the sunset (making sure they wear sunglasses of course!).
Genius loves genius

Sue, you are not silly
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Old 02-11-2007, 09:42
Neil_B
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Madness were my favourite band between the ages of 9 and about 13. It annoys me when people think of them as just a comedy ska band as there was so much more to them than that as many people have already pointed out in this thread.

They were unique in that every member was a songwriter so you never knew what they were going to come up with next! I could happily live without hearing the likes of "One Step Beyond" and "Night Boat To Cairo" again, but that was the style that got them noticed in the first place so you can't really knock it. They were just a great pop band as proved with such classics as "Embarrassment", "Grey Day" and "One Better Day" (all of which sound like a completely different band!).

Looking forward to the new album (their first album of original material since 1999) but of course they will never reach the heights of "The Rise & Fall" (their best album in my opinion) again.

Marks out of 10 for each (proper) album :

"One Step Beyond" (7)
"Absolutely" (9)
"Seven" (9)
"The Rise & Fall" (10)
"Keep Moving" (8)
"Mad Not Mad" (7)
"Wonderful" (6)
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Old 02-11-2007, 09:47
Neil_B
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Trying to remember some now........what was the b-side of 'It Must Be Love'? Think it was 'Memories', that was a corker.........

'Shadow On The House' was another good one, as I recall......'Deceives The Eye' was catchy too.........
B-side of "It Must Be Love" was "Shadow On The House".

"Memories" was the B-side of "Grey Day".

Most of the B-sides up to around 1983 were classics
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Old 02-11-2007, 09:51
Neil_B
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The "Our House" musical that was comprised of Madness hit after hit was fantastic entertainment.
I disagree - I thought that was an embarrassment.

Pardon the pun
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