Madness

Vinyl Records and Rare LPs:

	7 New Import - SEEZ 39 Sealed 1981 UK original. "7," the third studio album by British band Madness, released in 1981, is a testament to the group's ability to effortlessly blend ska, pop, and new wave influences into a coherent and engaging sound. As the name suggests, the album was the band’s seventh release when including singles and EPs. It marked a point of maturity for the band, moving slightly away from the overtly fun and youthful exuberance of their earlier work without losing their signature charm and wit. The album includes hits like "Cardiac Arrest" and "Shut Up," which reflect the band's knack for storytelling through music, often drawing on themes of everyday life and working-class struggles. The production, handled by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, plays a crucial role in maintaining the vibrancy and energy that fans had come to expect from Madness, while also allowing for more refined arrangements and instrumentation. What sets "7" apart from its predecessors is its subtle complexity and the darker undertones that underpin many of the tracks. For instance, the single "Grey Day" juxtaposes a catchy melody with lyrics that delve into the monotony and challenges of daily life, showcasing the band's growing lyrical depth. The album's ability to tackle such themes while remaining irresistibly danceable is a testament to Madness's unique position within the early '80s music scene. The band's lineup—Suggs on vocals, supported by Mike Barson's keyboards and the tight rhythm section of Chris Foreman and Lee Thompson—brings a distinct dynamism to the record. Critics have noted that while "7" maintains the humor and playfulness associated with Madness, it also offers listeners a glimpse into more introspective and nuanced territories, marking it as a significant chapter in the band's evolving discography. more
	Absolutely Used - LP - SRK 6094 Beautiful 1980 US repressing still in shrink; Rim text shows Burbank address. Crisp copy! ":A classic example of a second album delivering more of the same, at least on the surface, Absolutely does benefit from the kinetic energy of being recorded quickly in the aftermath of Madness’ immediate success with One Step Beyond. Absolutely does motor ahead on breakneck ska rhythms, but it never quite feels as raw as its predecessor, and that hint of gloss serves the three big hit singles very well: the schoolyard nostalgia of “Baggy Trousers” has a bit of a sepia-toned lilt with this extra dose or production, the terrific “Embarrassment” slides by so smoothly it’s possible to not realize what an expertly crafted piece of pop it is, and “The Return of the Los Palmas 7” has a nice element of swinging ‘60s lounge cinema. As it happens, these hits are the moments that are a tangible progression from the nutty sound of One Step Beyond, with the rest of the record riding that rollicking beat -- sometimes dipping into silly straight-ahead boogie (“Solid Gone”), sometimes slowing down (“Close Escape”) -- but usually delivering more of the same in a highly appealing fashion. Madness perform with such high energy and such a big grin, it’s hard not to get swept up in the good times even if, after the party dies down, the memory of Absolutely just winds up seeming a shade familiar." All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine more
	Absolutely New - LP - SEEZ 29 NP Sealed Portugese Original. more
	Absolutely New - LP - SRK 6094 Sealed 1980 Original. Small Cut Out Hole. “A Classic Example Of A Second Album Delivering More Of The Same, At Least On The Surface, Absolutely Does Benefit From The Kinetic Energy Of Being Recorded Quickly In The Aftermath Of Madness’ Immediate Success With One Step Beyond. Absolutely Does Motor Ahead On Breakneck Ska Rhythms, But It Never Quite Feels As Raw As Its Predecessor, And That Hint Of Gloss Serves The Three Big Hit Singles Very Well: The Schoolyard Nostalgia Of “Baggy Trousers” Has A Bit Of A Sepia-Toned Lilt With This Extra Dose Or Production, The Terrific “Embarrassment” Slides By So Smoothly It’s Possible To Not Realize What An Expertly Crafted Piece Of Pop It Is, And “The Return Of The Los Palmas 7” Has A Nice Element Of Swinging ‘60s Lounge Cinema. As It Happens, These Hits Are The Moments That Are A Tangible Progression From The Nutty Sound Of One Step Beyond, With The Rest Of The Record Riding That Rollicking Beat -- Sometimes Dipping Into Silly Straight-Ahead Boogie (“Solid Gone”), Sometimes Slowing Down (“Close Escape”) -- But Usually Delivering More Of The Same In A Highly Appealing Fashion. Madness Perform With Such High Energy And Such A Big Grin, It’s Hard Not To Get Swept Up In The Good Times Even If, After The Party Dies Down, The Memory Of Absolutely Just Winds Up Seeming A Shade Familiar.” Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG. more
	Can't Touch Us Now New - LP - 5710906 Sealed 2016 Original. "While The Music On The Album Is Primarily Considered Ska, There Are Also Subtle Influences Of Pop, Jazz, Reggae, And Soul. The Title Track “Can’t Touch Us Now” Opens The Album Perfectly. Beginning With A Distorted Synthesizer, The Sound Slowly Crescendos And The Beat Builds From There. A Good Portion Of The Song Is Instrumental And There Is Almost An Upbeat Jazz Feel To It. The Lyrics Are Fairly Simple But With An Undeniable Attitude And Cheek… Each Song On The 16-Album Track Features Something Distinct, A Little Quirk That Sets It Apart From The Others. Overall, Madness’ Can’t Touch Us Now Is A Fun Ride Full Of Humour, Distinct Themes, And Thoughtful Allusions. The Perfect Album To Mark This Legendary Band’s Move Into The Future Of Music." Samantha Stevens, Spill Magazine. more
	Can't Touch Us Now New Import - 5710906 Sealed 2016 Original. Barcode Has Had Marker/Ball Point Pen Scribbled Over It Under The Shrink. "While The Music On The Album Is Primarily Considered Ska, There Are Also Subtle Influences Of Pop, Jazz, Reggae, And Soul. The Title Track “Can’t Touch Us Now” Opens The Album Perfectly. Beginning With A Distorted Synthesizer, The Sound Slowly Crescendos And The Beat Builds From There. A Good Portion Of The Song Is Instrumental And There Is Almost An Upbeat Jazz Feel To It. The Lyrics Are Fairly Simple But With An Undeniable Attitude And Cheek… Each Song On The 16-Album Track Features Something Distinct, A Little Quirk That Sets It Apart From The Others. Overall, Madness’ Can’t Touch Us Now Is A Fun Ride Full Of Humour, Distinct Themes, And Thoughtful Allusions. The Perfect Album To Mark This Legendary Band’s Move Into The Future Of Music." Samantha Stevens, Spill Magazine. more
	Keep Moving New - LP - GHS 4022 Sealed 1984 Original. Saw-Cut. (Looks Like Crystal Palace In The Background). more
	Keep Moving Used - LP - GHS 4022 1984 Original. (Looks Like Crystal Palace In The Background). Gentle Spine Creasing And Some Small Crease Marks At Bottom Edge Front And Back. more
	Mad Not Mad Used - LP - GHS 24079 1985 Original With Gold Promo Stamp On Cover. Appears Glossy, Unplayed. Underrated, Tough To Find And Featuring Some Great Songs: "Tears You Can't Hide" And 'Time' Deserve A Special Mention, As Do The Singles "Yesterday's Men" And 'Uncle Sam." Their Final Stduio Album. more
	Madness New - LP - GHS 4003 Sealed 1983 First Pressing Of This Compilation With Custom "Our House" Hype Sticker On The Shrink Wrap. more
	Madness New - LP - VIL 6060 New, Unplayed Japanese Pressing With Obi And Insert. Includes "Our House." more
	Madness New - LP - GHS 4003 Sealed 1983 Original, Small Saw Notch. more
	Madness Used - LP - GHS 4003 1983 First Pressing Of This Compilation With Custom "Our House" Hype Sticker. "Madness" by Madness, released in 1983, is a compilation album by the British ska band known for their distinctive blend of lively instrumentals and witty lyrics. The album encapsulates the band's early career, featuring hits that defined the British ska revival of the late '70s and early '80s. With tracks like "Baggy Trousers," "It Must Be Love," and "Our House," the album highlights the band's ability to fuse pop sensibilities with ska rhythms, creating infectious tunes that appeal to a wide audience. "Our House" became particularly emblematic, earning international acclaim and securing a spot in the US Top 10. The compilation not only captures the band's signature sound but also reflects the socio-political landscape of the time, offering listeners a glimpse into British working-class life. Madness is renowned for their engaging live performances and the playful yet poignant storytelling in their music, which this album exemplifies. For those new to Madness or fans looking to revisit their early work, this compilation provides an essential overview of the band's groundbreaking contributions to the ska genre. more
	Nutty Boys In The Return Of Los Palmas 7 Used - 12 - BUY-IT 108 1979 UK 45rpm 12 Inch. more
	One Step Beyond Used - LP - SRK 6085 Beautiful 1979 Original. Appears Glossy, Unplayed. One Of The Seminal Ska Albums Of The 80's. Boy, Do The Memories Come Flooding Back After Listening To All Of The Great Songs On This Record. Tiny COH. more
	One Step Beyond Used - 12 - PRO-A-852 1979 Three Track Promotional 12" Single In Generic White Die Cut Sleeve With Custom Hype Sticker. Features The Title Track B/W "My Girl" And "Madness." more
	One Step Beyond Used - LP - SRK 6085 1979 Original From The Second Wave Ska Band. more
	One Step Beyond 186995 Used - LP - SRK 6085 1979 Original. more
	Our House Used - LP - 9 29667-0 A Used LP on WHATNOT more
	Our House Used - 12 - buy it 163 1982 UK 12" EP. All the D.J.s are doing it. The EP notably features the hit single "Our House." Known for its blend of ska, pop, and new wave influences, the album marked a departure from the band's earlier, more overtly upbeat "nutty" sound, exploring more reflective and sometimes melancholic themes. The track "Our House" became one of Madness’s most recognizable songs, achieving significant chart success internationally and earning the group a place in pop culture history. The album as a whole is often seen as a concept album, loosely reflecting on childhood, growing up, and British life in the early 1980s, with songwriting that was both personal and socially observant. B-side is "Walking With Mr. Wheeze). more
	Presents The Rise & Fall Used - LP - SEEZ 46 1982 UK Embossed Gatefold Original. Appears Unplayed. more
	Presents The Rise & Fall Used - LP - SEEZ 46 Beautiful 1982 UK Gatefold Original With Custom "Our House" Sticker On Embossed Jacket. more
	The Sun And The Rain Used - 12 - BUYIT 192 1983 UK 12" EP. Also includes "Fire Ball XL5" and "My Girl" (Live Version). more
	Work Rest & Play Used - 12 - ZPGSF 33402 Super Rare & Beautiful 1979 Four-Track Italian Q-Disc 12" Single In Picture Sleeve. Songs Are "Un Passo Avanti" (Italian Version Of "One Step Beyond"), "Night Boat To Cairo," "The Young And The Old" And "Don't Quote Me On That." more
	Work Rest & Play Used - 12 - ZPGSF 33402 1979 Four-Track 12" Single In Picture Sleeve. Songs Are "Un Passo Avanti" (Italian Version Of "One Step Beyond"), "Night Boat To Cairo," "The Young And The Old" And "Don't Quote Me On That." more