The Fink Brothers - Mutants In Mega-City One (Zarjazz)

A fantasy piece based on the 2000 A.D. comic (see page 16) which finds Suggs and Carl from Madness being very indulgent. Not being au fait with 'the story so far', I find it all a bit confusing - amidst lots of chaotic funkiness we meet about 137 characters in 3 minutes. Nevertheless I can't stop singing the bit which goes 'When mutants are waiting on every corner/ Remember to call for Judge Dredd', much to the amusement of my friends. (Chris Heath, Smash Hits, January 31, 1985)

The strange world of The Fink Brothers is dominated by Judge Dredd. He's the enemy who, along with the other norms, won't allow mutants like The Brothers into Mega-City One. They're so upset they've written a song about it. Confused? You won't be if you're a fan of the comic strip in 2000AD. You might be if you're a Madness fan though, because in amongst the garbled funk are Suggs and Carl as you've never heard them before. This is a truly weird record, which you'd do well to learn to love.. . mutes can do very nasty things to norms. (Karen Swayne, No 1, February 2, 1985)

Carl and Suggs leave the mature mellow of Madness for a real tour into teen takeaway. Thus you get a pleasingly ham exposition of hip hop cliches set in praise of their favourite comic, 2000 AD. Everything but the kitchen sink and not bad on it, save the, laboured chorus. (Jim Reid, Record Mirror, February 2, 1985)

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".