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Madness first rose to fame as the biggest stars of the U.K. ska revival, but with time their approach evolved into a very British mixture of pop, rock, and R&B, and the shift suited their lyrical approach. At their best, Madness always had a keen but loving appreciation of the foibles of British life, like a more playful version of Village Green Preservation Society-era Ray Davies, and the consistency and strength of their songwriting was as much a part of their success as their purposefully goofy showmanship. In 2016, Madness are still a going concern after several breakups and reunions, and if Can't Touch Us Now isn't up to the level of their triumph, 1982's Madness Presents the Rise & Fall, it shows they've found a way to mature without abandoning their playful side, and it features some of their strongest songwriting in years. With "You Are My Everything" and the title track, Madness reveal they've learned to deliver a convincing love song without sounding stiff or self-conscious. Elsewhere, "Mr. Apples" is a sly portrait of a small-town authority figure with some skeletons in his closet, "Good Times" and "Another Version of Me" are bittersweet tales of the victories and defeats of ordinary life, and "Mumbo Jumbo" melds social commentary with a goofy groove that can make you dance. And "Herbert" is truly one of the best songs Ian Dury never found the time to write; it's a loving tribute to the band's former labelmate and fellow British institution. Madness don't kick up as much dust in 2016 as they did in the '80s, but the melodies are strong and the performances are excellent. The honking sax and up-front piano work are clear ties to the band's golden era, but this music sounds fresh, smart, and confident, clearly the work of Madness but not a bland replay of their past. Madness' willingness to act "nutty" for their fans often disguised how intelligent and tuneful they could be; on Can't Touch Us Now, the smarts and the songwriting are closer to the forefront, and it's a fine showcase of what they still do well.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
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The London Community Gospel Choir, Backing Vocals - Lee Thompson, Composer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Brass Arranger, Trombone - Madness, Composer, Producer, MainArtist - Christopher Foreman, Composer - Amy May, Viola - Jo Archard, Violin - Kirsty Mangan, String Arranger, Violin - Steve Hamilton, Brass Arranger, Baritone Saxophone - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Rachael Lander, Cello - Joe Auckland, Brass Arranger, Trumpet - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Brass Arranger, Guitar, Mellotron - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Brass Arranger, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 Lucky 7, under exclusive licence to UMC, a division of Universal Music Operations Ltd.
CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Brass Arranger, Trombone - Daniel Woodgate, Composer, Writer - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Steve Hamilton, Brass Arranger, Baritone Saxophone - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Ade Omotayo, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Joe Auckland, Brass Arranger, Trumpet - Mez Clough, Percussion - Nick Woodgate, Composer, Writer - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Graham McPherson, Composer - Madness, Composer, Producer, MainArtist - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Tambourine, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 Lucky 7, under exclusive licence to UMC, a division of Universal Music Operations Ltd.
Lee Thompson, Composer, Writer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Brass Arranger, Trombone - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Michael Barson, Composer, Writer - Steve Hamilton, Baritone Saxophone - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Ade Omotayo, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Joe Auckland, Trumpet - Mez Clough, Backing Vocals - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Brass Arranger, Saxophone, Backing Vocals - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Brass Arranger, Harpsichord, Keyboards, Wurlitzer
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Brass Arranger, Trombone - Graham McPherson, Composer, Writer - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Christopher Foreman, Composer, Writer - Steve Hamilton, Brass Arranger, Baritone Saxophone - Foreman, Composer, Writer - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Joe Auckland, Brass Arranger, Trumpet - Mez Clough, Percussion - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Brass Arranger, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Brass Arranger, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
The London Community Gospel Choir, Backing Vocals - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Brass Arranger, Trombone - Graham McPherson, Composer, Writer - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Christopher Foreman, Composer, Writer - Steve Hamilton, Brass Arranger, Baritone Saxophone - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Ade Omotayo, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Joe Auckland, Brass Arranger, Trumpet - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Brass Arranger, Guitar, Mellotron - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Brass Arranger, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Amy May, Viola - Michael Barson, Composer, Writer - Jo Archard, Violin - Sarah Chapman, Viola - Kirsty Mangan, String Arranger, Violin - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Ade Omotayo, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Rachael Lander, Cello - Mez Clough, Percussion - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, String Arranger, Glockenspiel, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Daniel Woodgate, Composer - Madness, Composer, Producer, MainArtist - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Ade Omotayo, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Mez Clough, Percussion - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards - Nicholas Woodgate, Composer
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 Lucky 7, under exclusive licence to UMC, a division of Universal Music Operations Ltd.
Lee Thompson, Composer, Writer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Trombone - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Steve Hamilton, Baritone Saxophone - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Keith Finch, Composer, Writer - Ade Omotayo, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Joe Auckland, Brass Arranger, Banjo, Trumpet - Mez Clough, Percussion - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Backing Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Brass Arranger, Harp, Saxophone, Lead Vocals - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Trombone - Graham McPherson, Composer, Writer - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Amy May, Viola - Michael Barson, Composer, Writer - Jo Archard, Violin - Kirsty Mangan, String Arranger, Violin - Steve Hamilton, Baritone Saxophone - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Rachael Lander, Cello - Joe Auckland, Trumpet - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Double Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Brass Arranger, String Arranger, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Trombone - Daniel Woodgate, Composer, Brass Arranger, Writer - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Steve Hamilton, Baritone Saxophone - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Joe Auckland, Trumpet - Nick Woodgate, Composer, Writer - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
Lee Thompson, Composer, Writer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Christopher Foreman, Composer, Writer - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Ade Omotayo, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Mez Clough, Percussion - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
CLIVE LANGER, Producer, String Arranger - John Davis, Engineer - Graham McPherson, Composer, Writer - Madness, Producer, MainArtist - Amy May, Viola - Michael Barson, Composer, Writer - Jo Archard, Violin - Kirsty Mangan, String Arranger, Violin - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Rachael Lander, Cello - Mez Clough, Percussion - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Double Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards, Wurlitzer
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
Lee Thompson, Composer, Writer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Madness, Producer, String Arranger, MainArtist - Christopher Foreman, Composer, Writer - Amy May, Viola - Jo Archard, Violin - Sarah Chapman, Viola - Kirsty Mangan, String Arranger, Violin - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Rachael Lander, Cello - Mez Clough, Percussion - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
The London Community Gospel Choir, Backing Vocals - Lee Thompson, Composer, Writer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Mike Kearsey, Trombone - Madness, Producer, String Arranger, MainArtist - Amy May, Viola - Michael Barson, Composer, Writer - Jo Archard, Violin - Kirsty Mangan, String Arranger, Violin - Steve Hamilton, Baritone Saxophone - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Ade Omotayo, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Rachael Lander, Cello - Joe Auckland, Trumpet - Mez Clough, Percussion - Katie Earl, Engineer - Elise De Villaine, Backing Vocals - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Brass Arranger, Saxophone - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, Keyboards
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
Lee Thompson, Composer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - John Davis, Engineer - Madness, Composer, Producer, MainArtist - Amy May, Viola - Michael Barson, Composer - Jo Archard, Violin - Kirsty Mangan, String Arranger, Violin - Charlie Andrew, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Spider J, Backing Vocals - Liam Watson, Producer - Rachael Lander, Cello - Katie Earl, Engineer - Chris 'Chrissy Boy' Foreman, Guitar - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Lead Vocals - Lee 'Kix' Thomson, Saxophone, Backing Vocals - Mark 'Bedders' Bedford, Bass - Mike 'Barzo' Barson, String Arranger, Glockenspiel, Guitar, Keyboards, Saw
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 Lucky 7 Records, under exclusive licence to Universal Music Group, licensed courtesy of Universal Licensing Division
Album review
Madness first rose to fame as the biggest stars of the U.K. ska revival, but with time their approach evolved into a very British mixture of pop, rock, and R&B, and the shift suited their lyrical approach. At their best, Madness always had a keen but loving appreciation of the foibles of British life, like a more playful version of Village Green Preservation Society-era Ray Davies, and the consistency and strength of their songwriting was as much a part of their success as their purposefully goofy showmanship. In 2016, Madness are still a going concern after several breakups and reunions, and if Can't Touch Us Now isn't up to the level of their triumph, 1982's Madness Presents the Rise & Fall, it shows they've found a way to mature without abandoning their playful side, and it features some of their strongest songwriting in years. With "You Are My Everything" and the title track, Madness reveal they've learned to deliver a convincing love song without sounding stiff or self-conscious. Elsewhere, "Mr. Apples" is a sly portrait of a small-town authority figure with some skeletons in his closet, "Good Times" and "Another Version of Me" are bittersweet tales of the victories and defeats of ordinary life, and "Mumbo Jumbo" melds social commentary with a goofy groove that can make you dance. And "Herbert" is truly one of the best songs Ian Dury never found the time to write; it's a loving tribute to the band's former labelmate and fellow British institution. Madness don't kick up as much dust in 2016 as they did in the '80s, but the melodies are strong and the performances are excellent. The honking sax and up-front piano work are clear ties to the band's golden era, but this music sounds fresh, smart, and confident, clearly the work of Madness but not a bland replay of their past. Madness' willingness to act "nutty" for their fans often disguised how intelligent and tuneful they could be; on Can't Touch Us Now, the smarts and the songwriting are closer to the forefront, and it's a fine showcase of what they still do well.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 00:59:02
- Main artists: Madness
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Union Square
- Genre: Reggae Ska & Rocksteady
© 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company ℗ 2016 CTUN LLP under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
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