Beginners 101

This artwork was originally designed for the sleeve of a complimentary CD and was intended to be included with the 48-page Madzine Special.

Strong promotion and demand, coupled with information from an informant, attracted the attention of Chris Foreman, a founding member of Madness. As a result, Madness/BMG, the band’s record label, issued a cease-and-desist demand against Madzine Magazine at the eleventh hour. Madzine promptly complied, respecting licensing and copyright laws, and withdrew the promotional CD.

Madzine Magazine intended to honour the golden age of physical media and the band’s fans. Madzine offered a complimentary one-track CD, a thoughtful gesture to reignite the nostalgic experience of holding tangible music. This CD, during a digital era dominated by streaming services and digital downloads, is a poignant reminder of the timeless magic of physical music collections. It celebrates the tactile and visual aspects of music ownership, from the meticulously designed album artwork to the ritual of placing a CD in a player. By offering this physical token, Madzine sought to honour the enduring value and personal connection that physical media brings to music lovers.

Fortunately, freedom of the press is legally protected in the United States, ensuring that the issue affected, “C’Est La Vie Expanded Edition,” was published in 2024 as initially planned, unaffected by the band’s legal threat.

From 2023 onward, in a world where digital tunes reign supreme, it’s truly regrettable that Madness hasn’t seized the opportunity to release some of their tracks as 7″ vinyl or CD singles. There’s an undeniable magic in holding a physical copy in your hands. It’s more than just music; it’s about the tangible connection it brings. The fact that Madness has shifted solely to digital releases is somewhat disheartening. However, in the absence of official releases, creativity thrives. Bootlegs emerge as a testament to our unwavering passion for their music, filling the voids and crafting custom releases to grace cherished collections.

“Beginners 101,” crafted by the band’s brilliant keyboardist Mike Barson, is a standout track from their 2023 album, “Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie.” This song spins a captivating story of a group of novices diving headfirst into an adventurous but doomed escapade. The lyrics vividly portray their plunge into peril, where things quickly spiral out of control, showcasing their naivety and lack of preparation. Central themes of impulsiveness and the fallout from inexperience are woven throughout, with the chorus underscoring the initial rush and camaraderie of their reckless endeavors. It’s a gripping anthem that captures the exhilaration and pitfalls of leaping before you look.