La Madness

With a sound rooted in ska, but also showing the influence of classic British pop, Madness have enjoyed a long career full of hit singles, influential albums, and satisfied concert audiences. They were known initially for blending ska rhythms with catchy melodies and a nutty sense of humor on their 1979 debut album One Step Beyond, one of the seminal works of the 2-Tone era. As their career progressed, they folded touches of Motown, soul, and on 1982's Madness Presents the Rise & Fall, British pop, into their formula. A single from that album, the jaunty, Kinks-influenced "Our...