One Step Beyond [Import]

Madness | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 21, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Phantom Sound & Visi
• ASIN: B0000071RL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,587 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #42 in Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative > British Ska

Track Listings

1. One Step Beyond

2. In The Middle Of The Night

3. Bed & Breakfast Man

4. Razor Blade Alley

5. Swan Lake

6. Rockin' In A

7. Mummy's Boy

8. Chipmunks Are Go!

9. My Girl

10. Night Boat To Cairo

11. Believe Me

12. Land Of Hope And Glory

13. The Prince

14. Tarzan's Nuts

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Fuelled by the ska of Prince Buster ("Madness"), and inspired by the insanity of British music, right from the start Madness were a quintessentially English band. Two-tone more by association than fact, they came to the fore at the same time as the Specials, with a ska beat, a pop heart, and a lunatic smile (who else would update "Swan Lake" in such an unorthodox way?). While the title track lives on beyond them, there were plenty of other gems here, including "Night Boat to Cairo" and "My Girl." The Nutty Sound was infectious as measles, but a lot more fun. Chris Nickson

Product Description

Digitally remastered edition of the 1979 debut album from the British Pop/Ska band. While One Step Beyond may have been one of the biggest selling albums released during the Ska/2-Tone craze of 1979-1980, the album still sounds fresh and exciting three decades after its original release. There are many Ska influences on the album, but the band dabbles in all sorts of musical genres on One Step Beyond, creating their own unique brand of Pop. Salvo. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't get any better than this, November 7, 2001

By 

D. Christen "dan_chris" (Rushville, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Step Beyond (Audio CD)

This is a timeless album ! There are several 'Greatest Hits' CDs available from 'Madness' but this, their debut CD, is the real deal. There is not a dull moment, from the very first note of the title track to the final (goofy) track 'Chipmunks are go'. Their first single 'One Step Beyond' hit the music scene like a rocket back in 1979 and is still their concert opener. 'My Girl' shows the true musical skills of the band and is followed by 'Night Boat to Cairo', which is a fantastic, fun little SKA piece. But things are still getting better: 'Believe me' and 'Land of Hope and Glory' build up to my all time favorite Madness (and even SKA) song 'The Prince'. And 'Madness' are able to keep this high level all the way to the end of the album. This is a must have CD - whether you are a SKA fan or you just enjoy great music played by a truly great band.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is THE Madness to get!, November 28, 2002

By 

K. Brown "El Rudo Lucky Pierre!" (Walnut, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Step Beyond (Audio CD)

Madness did it best the first time around. Their first album has, so far, outdone any "best of" collection. "One Step Beyond," simply put, will keep the lamest party awake and hopping. Starting with the instrumental title tune, even the slowest paced tunes (My Girl, Razor Blade Alley), is a Ska-Based jolt of pep.

What I enjoy about Madness above most other Ska bands is that their early music is sheer fun spirited song & dance, written in an era where it was becoming much cooler to throw a lot of social commentary into the lyrics. My favorite examples are a little 60s pop-culture with "Tarzan's Nuts" (one of the TV Tarzan theme songs), "Rockin' In A Flat" (if you have trouble waking up in the morning, spin this tune first thing after you creak out of bed); and "Night Boat To Cairo."

"One Step Beyond" is worth the extra money spent over their various compilations. A very good second place is their second album "Absolutely," but their debut CD rocks above them all!

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing, June 18, 2004

By 

mr spillsy (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Step Beyond (Audio CD)

I bought this album (maybe my Dad paid for it as I was only 9!!!) soon after its release. I saw them do One Step Beyond on Top Of The Pops and immediately began contemplating starting my serious music collection. The only other records I had at the time were Gary Glitter (wahha hahahahah hahahaha hahahahahahaha) and Elvis Costello's Oliver's Army 7" single.

This band really started it off for me as far as following bands was concerned. I later graduated to The Police then U2 and REM and havent really followed a band so closely since.

This band made me get a crew cut!!!

The sad thing is, the only album I have ever bought on CD is Absolutely which was my all time favourite. The vinyls are gathering dust somewhere. I saw them play at the Manchester Apollo sometime in the early 80's and they were amazing.

Classic memories...