2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A return to form - ska baby ska, August 11, 2003
This review is from: Nutty Boys (Audio CD)
After a decade of whittling away at the band, Madness longtimers Lee "Kix" Thompson and Chris "Chrissy Boy" Thompson were all that remained of the original seven members by the time this album originally hit the stands in 1990 in the UK. While some of that nutty groove is underlying, Crunch! is much more ska-based than most Madness albums, save their opening album One Step Beyond, a back to basics approach that works well.
Too bad it took over a decade for this album to get a US pressing, for Chris and Lee missed out on the California ska-revival by a few years and this album could have benefited from the third wave propelled by The Aquabats, No Doubt, Save Ferris, Dance Hall Crashers, et al. Still, it's never too late, and not having to buy this album ... on import should interest skeptics.
The US pressing includes a superb remix of the main track from the album (Magic Carpet, co-penned by Madness lead Suggs), as well as the UK only single It's Okay I'm A Policeman (probably their strongest outing, samples and all.)
In two words: Buy it. If you're a Madfan, you'll appreciate the two words all the more. Just check your 12" UK singles.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Happy Days..., February 19, 2012
This review is from: Nutty Boys (Audio CD)
After Madness split, I was minding my own business as a sad and depressed ;) 18 year old waiting for Madstock when this lot came to town. Wow! for two years I followed them on the gig circuit around the South of England, and wish they and I'd gone it for longer.
Great tracks, more ska, more like early Madness and more like it altogether.
Come back Nutty Boys / Crunch, your public needs you.
PS having a pee next to Lee J Thompson in the After Dark Club in Reading remains my biggest claim to fame
PPS yes that was in the gents.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Unusual but Fun!, June 2, 2007
This review is from: Nutty Boys (Audio CD)
At first listen, Madness fans might be put off by the unusual vocalizations of Lee "El Thommo" Thompson, but once you leave behind their "Nutty Boys" past, Crunch proves to be an extremely entertaining and enjoyable cd...Definitely a MUST-HAVE for Madness fans!
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