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Hello.
Taken from yesterday's Daily Mail
newspaper:
Madness: Wonderful (Virgin)
Madness and Eurythmics, two of the most
successful British pop groups of the Eighties, return with excellent albums that
exceed expectations. Wonderful, released on November 1, reunites the seven
original members of Madness for the first time since 1984's Keep Moving. A
resourceful album, Wonderful blends rousing choruses, sweeping strings and
solid, punchy rhythms. There was a lot more to Madness than their 'nutty
boy' image. They were at their best when they tackled serious topics in
catchy pop songs, and the same applies to the first two numbers here.
Lovestruck, beneath its jaunty exterior, is about the dangers of alcohol, while
Johnny The Horse tells of the death of a homeless drifter. The sinister
lyrical thread continues into the reggae-tinged Drip Fed Fred which also
features a commanding vocal contribution from the band's hero, Ian Dury, to whom
the album is affectionately dedicated 'for his inspiration'. Madness'
lighter side is evident on The Communicator. Fuelled by Lee Thompson's
sax, it harks back to singles, such as One Step Beyond, and the band's ska
roots. their poppier side also surfaces on Saturday night, Sunday Morning,
which mixes a Motown beat with Mike Barson's near-classical keyboards.
Verdict: Rousing return by North London's
finest. 4/5. Review by Adrian Thrills.
Chris
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