Madness ‎– Utter Madness

Madness – Utter Madness

Originally released in November 1986, Utter Madness is a retrospective collection documenting an important later chapter in the career of one of Britain's most distinctive and enduring pop groups. Released on the band's own Zarjazz label through Virgin Records, the compilation brings together a selection of singles and album tracks from 1982 to 1986, capturing Madness as they developed beyond their early 2 Tone ska beginnings into a more expansive and sophisticated pop sound.

Emerging from the late-1970s London ska revival, Madness became synonymous with an infectious blend of Jamaican ska and reggae influences, British music hall humour, punchy pop melodies and sharply observed songwriting. Their distinctive sound, driven by infectious keyboard lines, energetic rhythms, brass arrangements and Suggs' unmistakable vocal delivery, helped establish them as one of the defining British bands of the era.

Utter Madness picks up where the earlier Complete Madness compilation left off, bringing together some of the group's most recognisable recordings from their subsequent years. The collection includes major favourites such as 'Our House', the internationally successful portrait of everyday British family life, the exuberant 'Driving In My Car', the memorable 'Michael Caine' and the uplifting 'Wings Of A Dove'. Elsewhere, 'Uncle Sam', 'The Sun And The Rain' and 'One Better Day' demonstrate the band's increasingly varied songwriting, balancing their trademark playfulness with more reflective and melodic material.

There is also plenty here for the dedicated Madness fan beyond the familiar hits. 'I'll Compete' and 'Victoria Gardens' offer a glimpse of the group's album material, while 'Sweetest Girl', their interpretation of the song by Green Gartside's Scritti Politti, highlights their willingness to explore more unusual musical territory. The closing-period single '(Waiting For The) Ghost Train' is particularly significant, having been released shortly before the original line-up's split in 1986.

An entertaining snapshot of Madness during the second half of their original run, Utter Madness is an excellent collection of British ska-pop, new wave and classic 1980s songwriting. A worthwhile addition for fans of the band, followers of the 2 Tone movement and collectors of essential British pop and ska compilations.

Tracklist

Side A
A1. Our House
A2. Driving In My Car
A3. Michael Caine
A4. Wings Of A Dove
A5. Yesterday's Men
A6. Tomorrow's Just Another Day
A7. I'll Compete

Side B
B1. (Waiting For The) Ghost Train
B2. Uncle Sam
B3. The Sun And The Rain
B4. Sweetest Girl
B5. One Better Day
B6. Victoria Gardens