Search - Madness :: Divine Madness

Fun ska-pop music with depth

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Superficially, Madness seemed to be a lightweight pop group who had a lot of fun, but some of their songs had a lot of depth. I've seen them compared to the Kinks - both groups having (in their different eras) offered interesting insights into London life. This is high praise indeed so although I wouldn't quite put Madness on the same level as the Kinks, their music has far more to offer than you might think.



Between 1979 and 1983, Madness had fifteen UK top ten hits and two UK top twenty hits. Taking their group name from a Prince Buster song, their first hit (The Prince) was a tribute to him and their second hit (One step beyond) was a cover of one of Prince Buster's songs. They later had another cover hit with It must be love (Labi Siffre) but wrote most of their own material.



Their biggest UK hits were House of fun (UK number one) and Wings of a dove (UK number two - an original song, not a cover of the old gospel standard), but they also made the UK top five with My girl, Baggy trousers, Embarrassment, Grey day, It must be love, Driving in my car, Our house and The sun and the rain.



After one of their members quit in 1983, the hits generally became smaller although Madness continued to make great music. They disbanded in 1986 but have re-formed intermittently since then. One such reunion (with the original line-up) recorded a new album in 1999, which yielded the UK top ten hit Lovestruck and another great song, Johnny the horse, both featured here.



Their first hits compilation was titled Complete Madness and their second was called Utter Madness. Between them, these two volumes (both available on CD) contain every UK hit of the eighties, however minor, but do not cover their 1999 comeback. This compilation covers their whole career and contains all the essentials and some of the minor hits. If you just want one Madness CD, make it this one."

Complete Madness

gnagfloW | Rosa Barks | 07/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This edition is a combined version of the Greatest Hits packages that were available a few years back. Divine Madness was originally released almost 15 years ago but a few years ago it was updated with re-mastered sound and two extra tracks, Love Struck and Johnny the Horse from their come-back album in 1999. Also included is a separate DVD with all the hits but this one now includes all the videos in addition to Sweetest Girl, I Pronounce You (from their ill-fated The Madness), Drip Fed Fred and Bed and Breakfast Man.



A Madness collection really could hardly be any more complete. All the hits are here and sounding remarkably fresh, being more than 20 years old. The sound of the CD is much better than the original version of Divine Madness. The DVD though does not include the same sound quality as some other DVDs with limited surround sound. It does still include subtitles which is great for those who like to sing-a-long.



This is one of my son's favourite with Baggy Trousers and Shut Up being constant requests. Only the most die hard Madness fans need any more than this collection, with the possible exception of their brilliant (but commercial flop) Mad Not Mad. This is classic Madness in one perfect package.

"

Legendary band

James Forsyth | Melbourne, Australia | 11/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In short, this CD is a great value for money collection of all the best Madness tunes.



We wouldn't all know the names of all the Madness members (first 7 then 6 - see previous reviewer), perhaps unless you're a real hardcore fan. One great thing about Madness, though, is that they all collectively are true to their name. There's not just half of them mucking around with the others just standing around - they all get in on the act. Why were all these UK ska bands all so huge? Check out Selector, The Specials, Bad Manners, etc... they're all like that!



Also, with an original fan base of skinheads & rudeboys/girls, it's not like some of the more recent ska bands, half of whom look like hippies.



Made me wonder what all the fellas are doing now.



If you're new to Ska as a genre, don't miss out on listening to some good low down Jamaican ska. Believe me, you'd really be missing out. So - Derrick Morgan, Toots & the Maytals, Laurel Aitken, Skatalites, Prince Buster or just about anyone on the Pama collection of labels (mostly 7" singles).



I really miss the old ska days. In my opinion there's very little new music around with any soul.



Highly recommended - 5 stars. If you're a Madness fan this is indispensible."