Madness - Wings Of A Dove (Stiff)

The one we've all been waiting for, yes? The new improved Maddy Boys soar off on a delightful tangent, crossing over their Camden Town roots to accommodate Afro horns, a Pentecostal church choir and some delirious Trini steel drums. They said this was going to be uplifting and it is - religious even. How the Born Again Soul Boys have prospered. Good old Madness, they'll be socking it to the Yanks when this is number one at home. (Max Bell, No 1, August 13, 1983)

With their loony ranks swollen by a steel band and a gospel choir, the "chasps" (as they call themselves on the sleeve) charge along regardless and a good time is had by all. Bags of jollity and, no matter what they throw into the mix, the end result is always distinctively Madness. Can't help but like it. Best Of The Bunch though it's definitely not one of their most memorable songs. (Johnny Black, Smash Hits, August 18, 1983)

Madness - Sun And The Rain (Stiff)

After their calypso outing on the "Wings Of A Dove", this is more typical Madness. The song trundles along merrily, carried by a jaunty pub piano that gives the song a slightly off-beat, lighthearted feel. There's also a touch of a Beatles-ish string section thrown in for good measure. A belter. (Peter Martin, Smash Hits, October 27, 1983)

It's raining nuttiness again. This is a shade more traditional than some of their previous works, boasting some particularly plaintive vocals and a neat shuffling back-up. This looks set to thunder up the charts to floods of appaws. but that's quite enough of that.* (Robin Smith, Record Mirror, October 29, 1983)

* Lots of cat jokes from Robin Smith this particularly week. See also "The Love Cats".

Madness - House Of Fun (Stiff)

With Thommo providing lusty impetus from the horn department and Barso weaving his customary keyboard magic, Suggs only has to knock out the lyric in the usual tongue-in-cheek fashion to make this slice of fairground reggae a worthy addition to the Madness catalogue and a definite hit. No fuss, no bother. (David Hepworth, Smash Hits, May 27, 1982)