AMG Review of 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Madness

James Christopher Monger
All Music Guide

There have been numerous gigantic Madness anthologies -- 1999's Lot box, 2000's Ultimate Collection, and 2002's Our House: Best of Madness -- but none as concise as Hip-O's 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Madness. The group had so many excellent singles -- "House of Fun," "Bed & Breakfast Man," and "Our House" -- that there's not a bad track to be found. However, fans will no doubt be wondering where staples like "Baggy Trousers," "Michael Caine," and "My Girl" are, just to name a few. For a comprehensive look at one of the new wave\\ska revival's most beloved acts, check out one of the aforementioned greatest-hits packages, but for a simple entry point that requires little in the way of laborious study, The Millennium Collection is a sure bet.