CD

The Liberty Of Norton Folgate

Madness

( 18 customer ratings )

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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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Track List

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

Customer Reviews

Average rating (18 reviews)

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A Masterpiece

rastatimelord | 21/01/2010 | See all rastatimelord's reviews (2) »

YOU NEED THIS ALBUM - If you are uming and ahing over whether or not to get this album, take it from me - you will not regret buying it!!

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.

Great stuff

dickiep | 14/07/2009 | See all dickiep's reviews (64) »

Top 100 Music Reviewer

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.