Madness – Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da

Releasedate: 29-10-2012; Label: Cooking Vinyl
By: Thorsten Hendriks

Please welcome back the boys of old – they have been going since 1976, albeit since 1979 as Madness.This new album uses the word ‘Yes’ in French (x2), Italian/Spanish (x2), Dutch/German (x2) and Polish/Russian (x2) so the CD title would be “Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes” – but unfortunately this new album doesn’t have the ‘fun’ factor as some of their previous well known hits – so personally not too sure about the 8 ‘Yes’s’. The sound is somewhat nostalgic and melancholic in places whilst maintaining that characteristic ska rhythm.

Madness’ 10th album (not counting greatest hits compilations) seems a bit downbeat and even depressing at times. Some of the songs sound familiar and have recognisable sounds and riffs. The album contains 3 Bonus Tracks where the last one is a remix of the first song of the CD “My Girl 2” – which in itself is a ‘sequal’ to the song “My Girl” from 1979.
Overall a very pleasant album to listen to whilst enjoying a quiet night in or to listen to on your journey. The album is laced with lots of piano/keyboard, brass and saxophone which makes it very easy to listen to. The singing is as good as it always have been; Suggs is still at the peak of his voice and the backing vocals of Chas complete the whole package.
A few songs are upbeat tempo (“My Girl 2” and “Misery”), some even bordering on depressing (“Powder Blue” and “Never Knew Your Name”). “How can I tell you”, “So Alive” and “Black and Blue” (bonus track) have that typical ska feeling to it, where others tend to go towards a more ballad type of song (“Small World”) or even hinting towards reggae and the song “La Luna” has got a bit or a Mariachi feel to it. A lot of Madness fans might not like “Circus Freaks” as it sounds like a Pop/Rock ballad. “Kitchen Floor” starts with that typical 60’s keyboard sound, which is marvellous and the saxophone adds to the atmosphere the song wants to create. “Leon” tells of a person’s view, possibly living in solitude. My personal favourite is “Death of a Rude Boy”; fantastic sound and feel to it.

The band are preparing themselves for the Charge Of The Mad Brigade Winter Tour 2012. The tour, which is the band’s biggest to date, will see the them showcase tracks from the new album as well as all the fans favorite hits. Their music is not a style for the masses but I am sure this CD will reignite the fire with older fans of Madness and maybe spur others to become fans.

Line Up:
Graham McPherson ‘Suggs’ – Singer
Mike Barson ‘Monsieur Barso’ – Keyboards
Lee Jay Thompson ‘Kix’ or ‘El Thommo’ – Saxophone
Chris Foreman ‘Chrissy Boy’ – Guitars
Mark Bedford ‘Bedders’ – Bass Guitars
Daniel Woodgate ‘Woody’ – Drums
Cathal Joseph Patrick Smyth ‘Chas Smash’ – Backing Singer/Dancer

Tracklist: 01. My Girl 2 02. Never Knew Your Name 03. La Luna 04. How Can I Tell You? 05. Kitchen Floor 06. Misery 07. Leon 08. Circus Freaks 09. So Alive 10. Small World 11. Death of a Rude Boy Bonus tracks 12. Powder Blue 13. Black and Blue 14. My Girl 2 (Clive Langer and Charlie Andrew Mix)

Links:
Madness Official
Madness Facebook