Madness have always been about fun -- for themselves and for their audience -- earning the title "The Nutty Boys" early in their career. Their upbeat, humorous sound helped revitalize Ska in the late 1970s and early '80s. The album One Step Beyond is a certifiable classic, drawing on the early Ska and Rock Steady of Jamaica's Prince Buster and adding a distinct British stamp. Though they were always loved in the U.K., it took the hit "Our House" to win a significant American audience. That single exemplified the way Madness departed from traditional Ska, adding bits of soul and Brit Pop to their sound. Madness reunite here and there in different forms for an eager fan base that remains supportive.
