release date: May 3, 1988
format: cd
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,38]
producer: 'The Three Eyes'
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK
Studio debut album by The Madness, or [rather] the 7th studio album by Madness, who had come together as a quartet consisting of the two vocalists Suggs (Graham McPherson) and Chas Smash (Cathal Smyth) together with guitarist Chris Foreman and Lee Thompson on saxophones and backing vocals. Founding member pianist Mike Barson had already left the band after Keep Moving (1984), and the remaining members bassist Mark Bedford and drummer Daniel Woodgate don't participate in this incarnation of the band. Actually, it could've been released under a completely different name as the members discussed other band names before settling on the smallest possible name change, which makes it easier to file... The album is produced by 'The Three Eyes' - unofficially credited the band, although, it seems certain that it's the first album without the Langer-Winstanley producer duo. As a natural consequence of the absence of both a band keyboardist, drummer and bassist - the quartet is sided by the necessity of a handful of additional musicians. Steve Nieve, who had replaced Barson on Mad Not Mad, is one of several additional keyboardists, which also includes Jerry Dammers (of The Specials), and also bassists Bruce Thomas (of The Attractions) and Earl Falconer (of UB40) take part as additional musicians. As drummer, only Simon Phillips is credited on two tracks, and the remaining songs are recorded using drum machines only.
The style is difficult to narrow in, but it's mainly mainstream pop / rock with sophisti-pop, new wave / synth pop influences.
The album peaked at a low #65 on the national charts list (historical low compared to other albums by the band), and the first single "I Pronounce You" (Feb. '88) reached #44 on the singles charts list and "What's That" the second and last single release from the album just made it into top 100 peaking at #92.
The Madness wasn't met by critical acclaim but rather negative reviews sums the picture of what remains a sole album as The Madness, which was a shelved project later that year in the aftermath of poor sales numbers.
Musically, it's not poor as such, it just doesn't contain any fine or valuable compositions. The sound is overall ruined by (cheap) drum machines, synths, strings / horn sections and 1980s guitar & bass sound when it's worst. Some tracks touch on musical styles and a production sound embraced by UB40 (later albums) and pop funk band Level42, which is really unheard of before considering previous albums by Madness, and this doesn't add anything worthwhile to an album that seems made more out of interests more than artistic drive.
In my mind, this is together with Mad Not Mad the low-point in the career of Madness, and of the two this is easily at the very bottom.
[ almusic.com 2 / 5 stars ]
