Madness Discography (1979 2005) [mp3@VBR]: A Complete Guide to the Music of the Ska Legends
Madness Discography (1979 2005) [mp3@VBR]
Introduction
If you are a fan of ska, pop or new wave music, you have probably heard of Madness, one of the most successful and influential bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Madness have released twelve studio albums, four live albums, two soundtrack albums, sixteen compilation albums, two extended plays, four box sets and forty-three singles in their career. They have sold over 10 million records worldwide and have been certified platinum and gold multiple times by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). They have also won numerous awards and accolades, including two Ivor Novello Awards, a Brit Award, a MOJO Award and a Q Award.
Madness Discography (1979 2005) [mp3@VBR]
In this article, we will explore the discography of Madness from 1979 to 2005, focusing on their studio albums. We will also briefly mention their other releases, such as live albums, soundtrack albums and compilation albums. We will provide some background information, critical reception and highlights for each album. We will also explain what mp3@VBR means and why you should listen to Madness discography in this format.
Studio albums
One Step Beyond... (1979)
One Step Beyond... is the debut album by Madness, released on 19 October 1979 by Stiff Records. It is considered one of the best ska albums of all time and a landmark of the 2 Tone ska revival movement. The album features the hit singles "One Step Beyond", "My Girl" and "The Prince". The album peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and number 128 on the US Billboard 200. It was certified platinum by the BPI and gold by the SNEP.
One Step Beyond... showcases the energetic and humorous style of Madness, blending ska rhythms with pop melodies and witty lyrics. The album is full of catchy hooks, infectious choruses and danceable beats. Some of the highlights include the title track, which is a cover of a Prince Buster song and features a saxophone solo by Lee Thompson; "My Girl", which is a sweet love song sung by Mike Barson; "Night Boat to Cairo", which is a fun tune with an Egyptian theme; and "Bed and Breakfast Man", which is a humorous story about a womanizer.
Absolutely (1980)
Absolutely is the second album by Madness, released on 26 September 1980 by Stiff Records. It is another classic ska album that cemented the band's popularity and reputation. The album features the hit singles "Baggy Trousers", "Embarrassment" and "The Return of the Los Palmas 7". The album peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and number 146 on the US Billboard 200. It was certified platinum by the BPI.
Absolutely continues the formula of One Step Beyond..., but with more variety and maturity. The album explores different themes and genres, such as school life, social issues, reggae, rockabilly and jazz. Some of the highlights include "Baggy Trousers", which is a nostalgic song about school days; "Embarrassment", which is a poignant song about teenage pregnancy; "Take It or Leave It", which is a rockabilly-inspired song about moving out; and "The Return of the Los Palmas 7", which is a jazzy instrumental that showcases the band's musical skills.
7 (1981)
7 is the third album by Madness, released on 2 October 1981 by Stiff Records. It is another successful ska album that expanded the band's sound and scope. The album features the hit singles "Grey Day", "Shut Up" and "Cardiac Arrest". The album peaked at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart. It was certified gold by the BPI.
7 shows more sophistication and experimentation from Madness, incorporating elements of pop, soul, funk and psychedelia. The album deals with darker and more serious topics, such as depression, violence, death and politics. Some of the highlights include "Grey Day", which is a gloomy song about mental illness; "Shut Up", which is an angry song about crime and justice; "Cardiac Arrest", which is a catchy song about stress and heart attack; and "Tomorrow's Dream", which is a psychedelic song about dreams and reality.
The Rise & Fall (1982)
The Rise & Fall is the fourth album by Madness, released on 5 November 1982 by Stiff Records. It is widely regarded as their masterpiece and one of the best albums of the 1980s. The album features the hit singles "House of Fun", "Driving in My Car" and "Our House". The album peaked at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart and number 109 on the US Billboard 200. It was certified gold by the BPI.
The Rise & Fall marks a significant departure from Madness' previous ska albums, adopting a more pop-oriented and concept-driven approach. The album tells stories about various characters and situations in British society, such as childhood memories, family life, social class, fame and fortune. The album showcases the band's musical diversity and creativity, blending influences from pop, rock, music hall, vaudeville and Broadway. Some of the highlights include "House of Fun", which is a humorous song about buying condoms; "Driving in My Car", which is a playful song about owning a car; "Our House", which is a nostalgic song about domestic bliss; and "Tomorrow's Just Another Day", which is a melancholic song about loneliness.
Keep Moving (1984)
Keep Moving is the fifth album by Madness, released on 20 February 1984 by Stiff Records. It is their final album on the Stiff label and their last studio album to feature their keyboardist and founding member Mike Barson, before the band split in 1986. The album features the hit singles "Michael Caine", "One Better Day" and "Keep Moving". The album peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and number 109 on the US Billboard 200. It was certified silver by the BPI.
Keep Moving shows a more polished and sophisticated side of Madness, moving away from their ska roots and incorporating more pop, soul and reggae influences. The album reflects the band's personal and social changes, such as Barson's departure, fame and fortune, love and loss, and political awareness. Some of the highlights include "Michael Caine", which is a tribute to the British actor and features his voice samples; "One Better Day", which is a touching song about homelessness; "Keep Moving", which is an upbeat song about optimism and resilience; and "Victoria Gardens", which is a romantic song about a park in Brighton.
Mad Not Mad (1985)
Mad Not Mad is the sixth album by Madness, released on 30 September 1985 by Zarjazz Records. It is their first album without Mike Barson, who was replaced by various session musicians, including Steve Nieve of Elvis Costello's Attractions. The album features the hit singles "Yesterday's Men", "Uncle Sam" and "Sweetest Girl". The album peaked at number 16 on the UK Albums Chart. It was certified silver by the BPI.
Mad Not Mad is a darker and more introspective album than their previous ones, dealing with themes such as nostalgia, alienation, paranoia and mental health. The album has a more somber and subdued tone, with less humor and more emotion. Some of the highlights include "Yesterday's Men", which is a melancholic song about aging and fading glory; "Uncle Sam", which is a critical song about American influence and intervention; "Sweetest Girl", which is a cover of a Scritti Politti song and features guest vocals by Tracey Thorn of Everything but the Girl; and "Burning the Boats", which is a dramatic song about betrayal and revenge.
The Madness (1988)
The Madness is the seventh album by Madness, released on 3 May 1988 by Virgin Records. It is their only album under the name The Madness, as they had to change their name due to legal issues with their former label Stiff Records. It is also their only album to feature only four members of the original line-up: Suggs, Chas Smash, Chris Foreman and Lee Thompson. The other members had left or been sacked during the recording sessions. The album features the singles "I Pronounce You", "What's That" and "Nightmare Nightmare". The album peaked at number 65 on the UK Albums Chart.
The Madness is a more rock-oriented and experimental album than their previous ones, influenced by bands such as The Beatles, The Kinks and The Who. The album has a more diverse and eclectic sound, ranging from hard rock to psychedelic pop to country rock. Some of the highlights include "I Pronounce You", which is a sarcastic song about marriage; "What's That", which is a catchy song with a horn section; "Nightmare Nightmare", which is a spooky song with a theremin; and "Beat the Bride", which is a country rock song with a banjo.
Wonderful (1999)
Wonderful is the eighth album by Madness, released on 1 November 1999 by Virgin Records. It is their first studio album in eleven years and their first with all seven original members since 1984. The album features the singles "Lovestruck", "Johnny the Horse" and "Drip Fed Fred". The album peaked at number 17 on the UK Albums Chart.
Wonderful marks a return to form for Madness, recapturing their classic ska-pop sound and sense of humor. The album also shows some maturity and reflection from the band, who had reunited after years of solo projects and side bands. Some of the highlights include "Lovestruck", which is a lively song about falling in love; "Johnny the Horse", which is a tragicomic song about a homeless man; "Drip Fed Fred", which is a sinister song about a gangster and features guest vocals by Ian Dury; and "Elysium", which is a dreamy song about heaven.
The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1 (2005)
The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1 is the ninth album by Madness, released on 1 August 2005 by V2 Records. It is an album of cover versions of songs that influenced or inspired them, recorded under their alter ego The Dangermen. The album features songs by artists such as Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley, Max Romeo and Lord Tanamo. The album peaked at number 11 on the UK Albums Chart.
The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1 showcases Madness' love for ska, reggae and rocksteady music, as well as their ability to reinterpret them in their own style. The album also pays tribute to some of their musical heroes who had passed away, such as Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker and Ian Dury. Some of the highlights include "Shame & Scandal", which is a fun song about family secrets; "Girl Why Don't You?", which is a smooth song about unrequited love; "You Keep Me Hanging On", which is a soulful song about breaking up; and "Lola", which is a cheeky version of The Kinks' classic.
Live albums, soundtrack albums and compilation albums
the Edge of the Universe and Beyond (2006). These albums capture the band's live energy and performance skills, featuring songs from their studio albums as well as some covers and rarities. They also document the band's reunion and comeback after their hiatus in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Madness have also released two soundtrack albums: Our House (2002) and Take It Or Leave It (2013). Our House is the soundtrack to the musical of the same name, based on the songs of Madness. The album features re-recorded versions of some of their classic hits, as well as some new songs written for the show. Take It Or Leave It is the soundtrack to the film of the same name, which is a biopic of Madness. The album features remastered versions of some of their early songs, as well as some demos and live tracks.
Madness have also released sixteen compilation albums, which collect their singles, B-sides, album tracks and other material. Some of their most notable compilation albums are Complete Madness (1982), which is their first and best-selling compilation album; Divine Madness (1992), which is their second and most comprehensive compilation album; Total Madness (2009), which is their third and most updated compilation album; and A Guided Tour of Madness (2011), which is their first box set and contains four CDs and a DVD.
Conclusion
Madness discography (1979 2005) [mp3@VBR] is a great way to enjoy the music of one of the most iconic and influential bands of British pop culture. Madness have created a rich and diverse catalogue of songs that span various genres, styles and themes. They have also evolved and adapted over time, while staying true to their original spirit and identity. Their discography showcases their musical talent, creativity, humor and charm.
But what does mp3@VBR mean? Mp3 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer III, which is a common format for digital audio compression. VBR stands for Variable Bit Rate, which means that the bit rate of the audio varies depending on the complexity of the sound. This allows for better sound quality and smaller file size than Constant Bit Rate (CBR), which uses a fixed bit rate throughout. Mp3@VBR is therefore a preferred format for music lovers who want to enjoy high-quality audio without sacrificing storage space.
So why should you listen to Madness discography [mp3@VBR]? Because it offers you the best of both worlds: high-quality sound and low file size. You can listen to all the albums, singles and rarities of Madness in one convenient format that preserves their original sound and atmosphere. You can also save space on your device or storage media, as mp3@VBR files are smaller than other formats such as WAV or FLAC. You can also easily transfer them to other devices or share them with others.
If you are a fan of Madness, or if you want to discover their music for the first time, you should definitely check out Madness discography [mp3@VBR]. You will not regret it!
FAQs
Q: How many songs are in Madness discography [mp3@VBR]?
A: There are 243 songs in Madness discography [mp3@VBR], including 143 album tracks, 43 singles, 37 B-sides, 12 live tracks, 4 soundtrack tracks and 4 new tracks.
Q: How long does it take to listen to Madness discography [mp3@VBR]?
A: It takes about 14 hours and 45 minutes to listen to Madness discography [mp3@VBR], assuming an average song length of 3 minutes and 39 seconds.
Q: How much space does Madness discography [mp3@VBR] take up?
A: Madness discography [mp3@VBR] takes up about 1.5 GB of space, assuming an average bit rate of 192 kbps.
Q: Where can I get Madness discography [mp3@VBR]?
A: You can get Madness discography [mp3@VBR] from various online sources, such as torrent sites, file-sharing platforms or streaming services. However, you should be careful about the legality and safety of these sources, as they may contain viruses or malware. You should also respect the rights of the artists and pay for their music if possible.
Q: What are some other bands similar to Madness?
A: Some other bands similar to Madness are The Specials, The Beat, Bad Manners, The Selecter, Squeeze, The Jam and Dexys Midnight Runners.