The Madness

★★★ The Madness BMG. LP

Having made Woody and Bedders walk the plank, and with Mike Barson already gone, the rump Madness’s ’88 unsuccessful, questionable semi-makeover signified their renouncing of nuttiness for supposed gravity and nuance. Songs aren’t helped by antiseptic drumbox-crazy production, but it’s better than its reputation allows. IH