While they were never strictly a ska band, Madness had more than their share of skanky moments, many of which can be found on this 24-track compilation from Salvo. Forever Young: The Ska Collection spans the beloved English outfit's entire career, from the manic thump of early hits like "One Step Beyond" and "Baggy Trousers" to "Dust Devil" from 2009's Liberty of Norton Folgate. The overview also includes a pair of previously unreleased cuts (a spirited cover of Jimmy Cliff's "Vietnam" and a typically manic rendition of Edvard Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King"), as well as a handful of EP tracks. While longtime Madness fans will appreciate The Ska Collection's quirky set list, listeners who are just looking for something with "Our House" on it (it doesn't appear here) would be better off with 2002's excellent Our House: The Best of Madness. ~ James Christopher Monger
Professional Reviews
Q (Magazine) (p.118) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]remendous fun. In between the singles are choice early obscurities..."
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