Madness Essentials

There is so much to love about Madness. Although they were one-hit wonders in the U.S., their long U.K. career is a testament to their songwriting prowess and infectious humour. Debuting in 1979 with a Prince Buster tribute, the self-styled "Nutty Boys" were key figures on the 2 Tone ska revival scene. Their run of hit singles and albums between 1980 and '86 might have been unmatched by any of their peers, but it was their astute chronicles of everyday life that impressed the most. After a long hiatus, the band returned in the '00s with one of their best LPs, The Liberty of Norton Folgate.