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Total Madness

by Madness band

Released: September 21, 2009

Ska, pop

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Total Madness" is a 2009 compilation album by the British band Madness, released by Union Square Music. This collection primarily features their singles, along with two tracks from their debut album, One Step Beyond.... Notably, the compilation does not include any of the four singles the band released on Zarjazz Records in 1985-86 due to licensing issues.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Total Madness effectively replaces the previously available Divine…

Total Madness effectively replaces the previously available Divine Madness collection and should not be confused with the earlier US-only release, Total Madness — The Very Best of Madness.

Union Square put significant effort into promoting Total…

Union Square put significant effort into promoting Total Madness, making it one of the most heavily advertised albums for the band since their 1992 reunion.

During the band's performance at the Regent Street…

During the band's performance at the Regent Street festival, a flyering campaign helped spread the word.

Additionally, an old AEC Routemaster bus was refurbished…

Additionally, an old AEC Routemaster bus was refurbished to match the vehicle on the album cover and made appearances during Madness's 2009 Christmas Tour, further enhancing the album's visibility.

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Explore the Album

Madness band - Total Madness

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Then

Reception

Upon its release, it reached #11 in the UK Official Album Charts, marking Madness's second hit album of 2009, following The Liberty of Norton Folgate, which peaked at #5. The promotion included a TV advertising campaign and a large billboard featuring the album's cover on Hanger Lane in London.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Total Madness" is a 2009 compilation album by the British band Madness, released by Union Square Music. This collection primarily features their singles, along with two tracks from their debut album, One Step Beyond.... Upon its release, it reached #11 in the UK Official Album Charts, marking Madness's second hit album of 2009, following The Liberty of Norton Folgate, which peaked at #5.

Notably, the compilation does not include any of the four singles the band released on Zarjazz Records in 1985-86 due to licensing issues. Total Madness effectively replaces the previously available Divine Madness collection and should not be confused with the earlier US-only release, Total Madness — The Very Best of Madness.

Union Square put significant effort into promoting Total Madness, making it one of the most heavily advertised albums for the band since their 1992 reunion. The promotion included a TV advertising campaign and a large billboard featuring the album's cover on Hanger Lane in London. During the band's performance at the Regent Street festival, a flyering campaign helped spread the word. Additionally, an old AEC Routemaster bus was refurbished to match the vehicle on the album cover and made appearances during Madness's 2009 Christmas Tour, further enhancing the album's visibility.