Day 0503 - the Rise and Fall

Madness "the Rise and Fall" (1982)

 
By this stage Madness had released 3 albums, a greatest hits collection, and (most importantly) had made the first of their two appearances on 'the Young Ones'.  Their fourth album is suitably sonically interesting.  Still working within their ska framework, but pushing that sound to its very limits with songs that alternatively bounce, cajole, swing, wallow, and reminisce.

'The Rise and Fall' was designed to be a concept album of sorts, looking at aspects of the band's childhood and upbringing, but that concept fell slightly by the wayside with tracks about New Delhi, and Margaret Thatcher ('Blue skinned beast') being included.  The latter of these two would signal a slightly more political bent in Madness' future albums.

At the moment I have a greatest hits album by Madness, but listening to this one has convinced me that I should probably explore their discography a bit more!

Day 0384 - Heroes

David Bowie ""Heroes"" (1977)

A continuation of Bowie's 'Berlin Trilogy' (started with "Low") and another mix of avant-pop and atmospheric instrumentals.  While the songs on the first half are musically busy, vocally Bowie engages in some melodic minimalism.  I mean the title track vocal melody largely sits between two notes while the music gives it mood and context. "Sons of the silent age" is a bit more exploratory.

The instrumental tracks move even further into Eno/Krautrock territory and away from Bowie-the-popstar, with no obvious vocal tracks (lyrical or otherwise) featured.