Feargal Sharkey - Listen To Your Father (Zarjazz)

As Madness' own pop matures into a deeper, at times mournful, reflection on folk and their funny ways, so the first release on their own label spins an altogether different story. A Carl Smythe tune, "Listen To Your Father" is the 4-4 stomp of early Madness without the winning melody and hook lines. Sharkey's voice isn't well served by the brassy jolting action. The Ulsterman deserves a more restrained treatment than this methinks. (Jim Reid, Record Mirror, October 6, 1984)

Although written by Madness, this song wasn't really considered suitable for the boys to record. So Feargal has the honour of singing it for the first ever release on Madness' own label. It's not a brilliant song but its sheer stomping, foot-tapping brightness almost guarantees Fergy a hit. (Paul Bursche, No 1, October 6, 1984)

This man has got one of the best voices around - yearning, plaintive and woefully sweet. I'm not ashamed to admit that, when performing The Undertones' perfect pop songs, he could bring a tear to my eye. What, then, is he doing on this foul pub-rock thingy? It sounds as if Chas 'N' Dave are in there somewhere. A terrible waste! I had to go and play a few Undertones records to console myself after listening to this. (Vici MacDonald, Smash Hits, September 27, 1984)


Note: Madness were obviously fans of cult UK comic 2000 A.D. Not only did they name their label after a made up word (roughly equivalent to 'awesome') from the comic but they also released a side single in 1985 under the name Fink Brothers celebrating 2000 A.D. law legend Judge Dredd, called "Mutants In Mega City One".

Feargal Sharkey - Loving You (Virgin)

A pretty orchestral opening sequence leads slowly into a song that never quite gets off the ground. The single is slow and laboured, and obviously intended as a vehicle for the Sharkey voice, but the effect is ruined by a puzzling three minutes spent waiting in vain for something to happen. It sounds unfinished and is certainly an odd choice for a single. (Maureen Rice, Smash Hits, June 5, 1985)

The facts are that Feargie wrote this with ex-Human League person Jo Callis and that it is produced by Queen's Roger Taylor. His collaborations with unlikely partners continue (Madness, Vince Clarke). "Loving You" is a romantic weepy whose restraint is its main appeal. Feargal threatens to let rip and do his celebrated Mario Lanza impression but holds back. Too much, I think for this to pick up where the immaculate "Listen to Your Father" left off. Hope I'm wrong. The modern ballad is in safe hands nevertheless. (Max Bell, No 1, June 22, 1985)

On the surface this sounds like the overwrought idiot offspring of 'Chariots Of Fire' and 'Amazing Grace' - it's got more synthesisers than the entire back catalogue of Human League and Depeche Mode put together - and it takes ages to get going. But for all that, it has a strangely endearing quality to it. (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, June 22, 1985)