Madness continue their incredible return to national prominence with the release of a single from their recent critically acclaimed album, ‘The Liberty Of Norton Folgate’, now showing it’s worth in a host of Best Albums Of The Year placings.
‘Forever Young’ has been a firm fan favourite since the album release and is a worthy addition to the canon of classic singles that remains one of British pop’s most astounding back catalogues.
2009 has been the year of Madness. Whether pulling huge crowds to Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, stopping the traffic in Regent Street or stepping up for a second set at Rock En Seine when Oasis combusted, the band have been an ever present throughout the year.
With a new greatest hits in the form of ‘Total Madness’ and the 30th anniversary reissue of ‘One Step Beyond’ which has seen critics re-assess the band and rightfully acclaim them for being ‘as acutely observed as The Kinks, as saucy as Ian Dury and as raucously tuneful as The Jam’ in their earliest years, a whole new generation are discovering one of the country’s finest ever acts.
Meanwhile, the band’s first new album for ten years has been the real revelation. ‘The Liberty Of Norton Folgate’ scored the band yet another Top 5 album placing and saw a host of critical acclaim from the Evening Standard (‘a work of great craft and charm’), Uncut (‘Ambitious, tuneful, exciting, wise’), The Daily Mirrror (An impassioned, tender and troubled ode’) and beyond.
Little wonder that the album is now past gold certification. For those who saw the recent BBC 4 Madness takeover, the special ‘silver’ edition of the album that is now available will be an extra treat.
In addition to the album itself the package also contains Julien Temple’s wonderful film of ‘The Liberty Of Norton Folgate’, featuring live versions of all tracks shot at Hackney’s Empire Theatre alongside interludes with Suggs and Chas Smash returning the Victorian London of Norton Folgate itself to introduce the sights, smells and sounds that underpin the record.
Tagged in Madness