| features in: Album Chart of 1981 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1980s |
In October, 1981, the nutty seven got another long-player in the shops for the third consecutive Autumn. It was preceded by another two hit 45s - “Grey Day” (#4) and “Shut Up” (#7) - whilst a third single, “Cardiac Arrest” (#14), would be a hit early in the new year. Depression, crime and death - and these were the showcase choices! By now, they were incorporating a healthy dose of grey British miserablism which only served to make their underlying nuttiness all the more endearing. Reasoned thinkers would have to conclude that the British Ska revival of the late 70s and early 80s would be a passing fad, and Madness were one group who would not be left behind when the dust had settled. With “7”, they continued to subtly reinvent themselves as they had done on every LP so far. Whilst reggae flavours are never too distant, a sophisticated brand of pop with occasional flourishes from the jazz and classical worlds is the main play. Remarkably, they never lose the essense of Madness, which is key to their success. The storytelling nature of Suggs delivery remains interesting, thought-provoking and never too far away from a humourous line, even in the greyest of moments, of which there are many. With the delivery of “7” there was a sense that Madness could be in it for the long haul; they were well on their way to becoming a national institution to love and cherish.
The Jukebox Rebel
27–Jun–2007
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [02:52]  Madness - Cardiac Arrest (Cathal Smyth, Chris Foreman) Ska / Rocksteady |
| A2 | [04:07]  Madness - Shut Up (Graham McPherson, Chris Foreman) Pop |
| A3 | [02:43]  Madness - Sign Of The Times (Graham McPherson, Mike Barson) Pop |
| A4 | [02:32]  Madness - Missing You (Graham McPherson, Mike Barson) Cerebral Pop |
| A5 | [02:17] Madness - Mrs. Hutchinson (Mike Barson) Caribbean |
| A6 | [03:54]  Madness - Tomorrow’s Dream (Lee Thompson, Mike Barson) Reggae |
| B1 | [03:40]  Madness - Grey Day (Mike Barson) Reggae |
| B2 | [02:37]  Madness - Pac-A-Mac (Lee Thompson, Mike Barson) Pop |
| B3 | [02:52]  Madness - Promises Promises (Lee Thompson, Mike Barson) Ska / Rocksteady |
| B4 | [01:51]  Madness - Benny Bullfrog (Lee Thompson, Chris Foreman) Pop |
| B5 | [02:43]  Madness - When Dawn Arrives (Lee Thompson, Mike Barson) Jazz |
| B6 | [03:03]  Madness - The Opium Eaters (Mike Barson) Cerebral Pop |
| B7 | [03:24] Madness - Day On The Town (Graham McPherson, Chris Foreman) Reggae |
