[Review] Madness: Seven (1981)

The forecast is gray with continued reign after Seven.

Kronomyth 3.0: A cuppa English grey.

A quintessentially English album, what with its cheery melodies and dreary subjects. No wonder the band’s third album didn’t get an American release, since songs about heart attacks (Cardiac Arrest), criminals (Shut Up) and cancer (Mrs. Hutchinson) aren’t exactly our cup of tea. When the catchiest number on an album is called Grey Day, you’re know you’re in for a long one. And, honestly, despite all the ingenious melodies that Messrs. Langer and Winstanley cram into these tunes, Seven is a bit of a chore to get through. The band’s contagious energy struggles to rise above its surroundings, whether it’s a rainy day (Pac-a-Mac) or sinking marriage (Promises, Promises). Of course, if you enjoy the music of Madness, there’s plenty of that on Seven. Almost too much of it, really, as multi-tracked saxophones, sitars, and vibes clash with Suggs’ fast-running commentary. I had the same impression listening to Elvis Costello’s Goodbye Cruel World, which was also produced by Langer-Winstanley. Having said all that, there are few things in this world as much fun as a Madness record, even one in a melancholy mood. Our British cousins have never been ones to shrink away from life’s ugly truths, which is probably why they don’t spend billions of dollars straightening their teeth, since it’s what comes out of our mouths that’s ugly, not what’s in them. Good on Madness for being true to themselves, just don’t walk into Seven thinking it’s all fun and games. Underneath its silly exterior is a serious commentary on life. Or, put another way, it’s not a game they play.

Original elpee version

A1. Cardiac Arrest (Chas Smash/C.J. Foreman)
A2. Shut Up (Suggs McPherson/C.J. Foreman)
A3. Sign of the Times (Suggs McPherson/Mike Barson)
A4. Missing You (Suggs McPherson/Mike Barson)
A5. Mrs. Hutchinson (Mike Barson)
A6. Tomorrow’s Dream (Lee Thompson/Mike Barson)
B1. Grey Day (Mike Barson)
B2. Pac-a-Mac (Lee Thompson/Mike Barson)
B3. Promises, Promises (Lee Thompson/Mike Barson)
B4. Benny Bullfrog (Lee Thompson/C.J. Foreman)
B5. When Dawn Arrives (Lee Thompson/Mike Barson)
B6. The Opium Eaters (Mike Barson)
B7. Day on the Town (Suggs McPherson/C.J. Foreman)

2CD reissue bonus disc
B1. Missing You (BBC session)
B2. Sign of the Times (BBC session)
B3. Tiptoes (BBC session)
B4. Memories
B5. A Town with No Name
B6. Never Ask twice
B7. It Must Be Love
B8. Shadow on the House
B9. In the City
B10. Shut Up (edit)
B11. Cardiac Arrest (12” extended version)
B12. Grey Day (live)

The Players

Mike Barson (piano, organ, vibes, marimba, tubular bells), Mark Bedford (bassie), C.J. Foreman Esq. (guitars, sitars), Chas Smash (trumpet, vox, steps), Suggs (vocals), Lee Thompson (saxes, burp’s, squeak’s), Woody Woodgate (drums, congos). Produced & engineered by Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley.

The Pictures

Cover by Stella Artwork & C. More. Photographs by Mike Putland.

The Plastic

Released on elpee in September 1981 in the UK (Stiff, SEEZ 39) and Japan (Stiff, VIP-6808).

1. Re-released on elpee in 1984 in Italy (Stiff/Ariston, STLP/1009).
2. Re-issued on 180g vinyl elpee in 2021 in Poland (BMG, SALVOLP07).
3. Re-issued on expanded 2CD in 2023 in the UK (BMG) with 12 bonus tracks.