Madness - It Must Be Love (1981)

What a brilliant song from a brilliant band. So melodic and well produced. One of Madness's best! When this came out I was, meh, okay, I like the two-tone ska stuff better. Madness was a nutty fun band that had that unique sound. When I got older and I embrace more music, this one made the light go on!

Give It A Listen!

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Madness - 7 (1981)

DISCOVERED

I am only familiar with their hits and never dove in their musical arsenal. This isn't as iconic as some of their other recordings after this release but definitely worth a listen. To me it lacks the energy and fun that they we are accustomed to, but Sugg's vocals never fail to deliver. It wasn't until the seventh song on this album named seven that I found something Madness worthy.

GREY DAY

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Gruppo Sportivo - Copy Copy (1980)

DISCOVERED

This is the third time I have added this group to the blog. This is another solid Two-Tone release. The vocals are split similar to The Rezillos where some songs feature a female vocal and other a male vocal. On this release the female vocal remind me more of Pauline Black from The Selector.

WATCH YOUR BOY

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The Selecter - Celebrate the Bullet (1981)

DISCOVERED

One of the hardest things for me to find is a decent Two Tone band. I didn't know of the album until after it was released. I wish this was a little bit better, but it's Two Tone, so I'll allow it.

BOMBSCARE

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Bad Manners - Bad Manners (1981)

DISCOVERED

There is good Ska, and bad ska, this is more towards the good Ska. To me some Ska is more Reggae than Two-Tone. This one has that Two-Tone flavor. This band is silly, and fun, which just adds to that Ska/Two-Tone mix.

TEQUILA

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Madness - Absolutely (1980)

MEMORY

Madness! There was this sub-genre of Two-Tone that was a bit of Ska and and bit of New Wave that overall was just plain fun. My younger brother enjoys the nutty mambo like ska dance

That psuedo-harmonica solo in between the verses is the most memorable part of the song for me.

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