Madness announce new album ‘Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie’
The iconic British band share news of their 13th album.
Photo: Press
Formed some 46 years ago in the throws of Camden, a hub for music and a home for budding musicians, Madness have gone on to reach iconic status, with notable tracks everyone and their great-grandad knows. You’d be surprised to hear they’ve only had one song reach the top of the charts in the UK: House of Fun, with sixteen others joining the top ten but never reaching that sweet spot.
Today brings the news we’ve been waiting for (and expecting). If Madness are anything, they are consistent. I’m not sure I can name another band that works as hard to bring out quality albums time after time as the sextet do. Their thirteenth album follows 2016’s Can’t Touch Us Now and will be released later this year.
Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie strips Madness back to its bare, wacky bones and is true to its name. Expect a running prologue from lifelong fan Martin Freeman, star of The Hobbit, Sherlock and The Office, who the band’s manager spotted in a meet and greet queue and introduced him to the band, unknowingly being the reason behind a future collaboration.
Lead single and sort-of titular track C’est La Vie is Madness being Madness. All six members share the stage, classic brass mixing with alluring keys, with Suggs’ notable vocals taking centre stage, joined by fitting backing vocals.
Alongside the single release, the band have shared an accompanying video of Dame Helen Mirren reading the lyrics. Why? Who knows, but they can do what they want, and why not have acting royalty along for the ride?
Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie is out on November 17th via BMG.
