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- Play.com Review
Combining the energy, wit and humour of their early releases, 'One Step Beyond' and 'Absolutely', with the maturing pop of their 1982 classic, `The Rise and Fall', Britain's favourite nutty boys return with their first concept album, The Liberty Of Norton Folgate.
Preparing us for the musical adventure that awaits, the album opens with a brief, but fitting 'Overture' before the proud, patriotic 'We Are London' kicks in with a lyrical tour of the capital. "You can it make your own hell or heaven," frontman Suggs informs us about the city he and his bandmates are evidently proud of, before positively asking: "Can we make it if we all live together as one big family?" Laden with trademark brass bursts, a loose reggae groove and rousing chorus, 'Forever Young' is instantly enjoyable, whilst the domestic romance of 'Sugar and Spice' is a perfectly constructed three minutes of pop storytelling that fellow quintessential British songwriters The Kinks and Squeeze would be proud of. With legendary producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley back behind the desk (the duo responsible for producing classic albums by The Teardrop Explodes, Morrissey and virtually all of the Madness back catalogue), their distinctive polished pop sound is evident throughout, particularly on new single 'Dust Devil' and the stompy, catchy 'Rainbows'. 'On The Town' is another triumphant tale of suburban romance, told over a sweeping, majestic cascade of piano and strings, but the album's highlight comes in the form of the epic title track. Written by all seven members of the band, 'The Liberty Of Norton Folgate' is a ten minute, mini-musical in which the band express their pride in the multi-cultural, atmospheric vibrancy their home town has to offer, in what is a stunning conclusion to a frantic, often mesmerising album.
Three years in the making, The Liberty Of Norton Folgate is an overwhelmingly magnificent album defying all expectation. Influenced by everyone from Ian Dury to Charles Dickens, Madness have never lost the ability to entertain, but combined with the maturity of a band keen to take a step or two out of their musical comfort zone, they have released a record that might be their finest work yet.
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- Overture
- We Are London
- Sugar And Spice
- Forever Young
- Dust Devil
- Rainbows
- That Close
- Mk 11
- On The Town
- Bingo
- Idiot Child
- Africa
- NW5
- Clerkenwell Polka
- The Liberty Of Norton Folgate
Average rating (17 reviews)
Now Where's that Brit Award?
Pete79Joe | 24/09/2009 | See all Pete79Joe's reviews (2) »
A truly astonishing album, filled with catchy choruses and witty lyrics that were Madness's trademark in the early 1980's.
What is remarkable is that this is the best album Madness have ever produced, surpassing both their earlier classics - 1980's Absolutely (probably the fans' choice) and 1982's Rise and Fall (the critics' choice).
All the tracks are great, with at least 5 or 6 surely destined to become classics. The title track is simply breathtaking.
It's time Madness were recognised for what they are - quite simply the best British band of the last 30 years. This album confirms that. They should receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music at the next Brits (with Album of the Year thrown in too!).
Bravo Madness. Bravo.
Golly now Madness own the rights to their back catalogue this is now the only CD you can get your hands on at the moment. However this is a joy, full of great lyrics and the traditinal Madness sound. Dust Devil and NW5 are great tracks. This is a concept album (their first) and it works very well. If your a Madness fan I think you will enjoy it. Oh its very London and very English and so reffreshing to hear.
masterpiece... pure & simple
stuagu | 04/07/2009 | See all stuagu's reviews (1) »
madness always lacked respect from certain parts of the music press for perhaps being silly & lightweight or a perhaps the old chesnut of a just being a singles band .
never again, this cd has seen to that. this is an album, even as a long time fan i wouldnt have thought they were capable of, at least not 30 years after they began. a seminal release.
it is their pet sounds, forever changes, marquee moon, ogdens nut gone flake or even sgt pepper.
yes, really... it is that good.
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