Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Mad Mad World

 
Album Review: Mad Mad World

  • Artist: Tom Cochrane
  • Rating: StarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: February 17, 1992
  • Total Time: 63:49
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Rock

Review

In the U.S.,Red Rider never matched the level of success they had achieved in their native Canada. They had several AOR hits, including the brooding, now-staple "Lunatic Fringe," but mainstream attention eluded them. Lead singer Tom Cochrane broke through in a major way with "Life Is a Highway" from his solo debut, Mad Mad World. The song was a driving rocker with an insistent hook. Dominating the airwaves, the song reached the Top Five on the pop charts (Red Rider had never managed to even break into the Top 50). There seems to be a little more fire in Cochrane's belly than on the final Red Rider record. Mad Mad World is some of his strongest work. Literate lyrics and infectious melodies abound on songs like the Don Henley-like title track, the resiliently rousing "No Regrets," the chugging love song "Sinking Like a Sunset," and the chiming, big-beat ballad "Friendly Advice." There's a bit of filler near the end (save for the elegant closer "All The King's Men"), but it's a small complaint. Members of Red Rider play on most of the tracks and Mad Mad World should be met with delight from longtime fans. For unfamiliar listeners, it's worth checking out if you're into Mellencamp or Petty. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Life Is a Highway (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (4:24)
Mad Mad World (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (4:56)
No Regrets (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (4:38)
Sinking Like a Sunset (Lyrics) Annette Ducharme Tom Cochrane (5:45)
Washed Away (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (5:20)
Everything Comes Around (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (4:32)
The Secret Is to Know When to Stop Tom Cochrane, John Cody Tom Cochrane (4:19)
Brave and Crazy (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (5:51)
Bigger Man (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (4:26)
Friendly Advice (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (4:27)
Get Back Up (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (4:39)
Emotional Truth (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (5:59)
All the King's Men (Lyrics) Tom Cochrane Tom Cochrane (4:33)

Credits

Tom Cochrane (Keyboards), John Webster (Organ), Martin Beaver (Violin), Spider Sinnaeve (Bass), Tom Cochrane (Bass), Tom Cochrane (Guitar), Tom Cochrane (Guitar (Electric)), Joe Hardy (Producer), Peter Schenkman (Cello), John Cody (Vocals (Background)), Jeffery Fey (Art Direction), John Webster (Keyboards), Brian Carson (Vocals (Background)), Tom Cochrane (Arranger), Joe Hardy (Mixing), David Storey (Photography), Tom Cochrane (Vocals), John "Beetle" Bailey (Engineer), Joe Hardy (Percussion), Mickey Curry (Drums), Bob Shindle (Engineer), Tom Cochrane (Percussion), Tom Cochrane (?), Jeffery Fey (Design), Tom Cochrane (Producer), Mladen (Guitar), John Webster (Percussion), Noel Golden (Engineer), Dave Harding (Viola), Tom Cochrane (Vocals (Background)), Marc-Andre Savoie (Violin), Sue Holiday (Vocals (Background)), Tom Cochrane (Slide Guitar), Tom Cochrane (Piano), Spider Sinnaeve (Fretless Bass), Memphis Poh' Boys (Vocals (Background)), Joe Hardy (Engineer), Tom Cochrane (Guitar (Acoustic)), Molly Johnson (Vocals (Background)), Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve (Bass), David Gogo (Guitar), Kathy Cochrane (Vocals (Background)), Kim Mitchell (Guitar), Bob Ludwig (Mastering), Tom Cochrane (Harmonica), Annette Ducharme (Vocals (Background)), Tommy Steele (Art Direction), Great Southern Memphis Section (Horn)
Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics
Wikipedia: Mad Mad World
Top
Mad Mad World
Studio album by Tom Cochrane
Released 1991 (Canada)
February 17, 1992 (U.S.)
Recorded 1991
Genre Rock
Length 64:20
Label Capitol
Producer Tom Cochrane, Joe Hardy
Professional reviews
Tom Cochrane chronology
Hang on to Your Resistance
(1974)
Mad Mad World
(1991)
Ragged Ass Road
(1995)
Alternate Cover

Mad Mad World is the first solo album by Canadian singer Tom Cochrane, originally released in 1991. The first single from the album, "Life Is a Highway", became a hit in late 1991, reaching #1 in Canada and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.[1]

The album earned Cochrane four Juno Awards including Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. In addition, Cochrane won two SOCAN Awards and an ASCAP Award. Mad Mad World achieved a Diamond sales award in Canada for selling more than 1 million copies in Cochrane's native Canada.

The album also included the hits "No Regrets" (#3 RPM Canadian Charts), "Sinking Like a Sunset" (#2 RPM Canadian Charts), "Washed Away" (#7 RPM Canadian Charts), "Bigger Man" and the title track "Mad Mad World". The album was produced by Joe Hardy and was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee and at three different Ontario studios: Metalworks in Mississauga, Hungry Hollow Studio in Georgetown and at Cochran's cabin in Oakville.

Track listing

All songs were written by Tom Cochrane except where noted.

  1. "Life Is a Highway" – 4:24
  2. "Mad Mad World" – 4:56
  3. "No Regrets" – 4:38
  4. "Sinking Like a Sunset" (Annette Ducharme) – 5:45
  5. "Washed Away" – 5:20
  6. "Everything Comes Around" – 4:32
  7. "The Secret is to Know When to Stop" (Cochrane, John Cody) – 4:19
  8. "Brave and Crazy" – 5:51
  9. "Bigger Man" – 4:26
  10. "Friendly Advice" – 4:27
  11. "Get Back Up" – 4:39
  12. "Emotional Truth" – 5:59
  13. "All the King's Men" – 4:33

Personnel

  • Tom Cochrane - vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, harmonica, percussion, bass, keyboards, slide guitar
  • John Webster - percussion, piano, organ
  • Spider Sinnaeve - bass
  • Mickey Curry - drums
  • Kim Mitchell - lead guitar on "Brave and Crazy"
  • Mladen - guitar
  • Keith Scott - guitar on "Sinking Like a Sunset"
  • David Gogo - guitar
  • Joe Hardy - percussion
  • Dave Harding - viola
  • Molly Johnson - backing vocals
  • John Cody - backing vocals
  • Annette Ducharme - backing vocals
  • Kathy Cochrane - backing vocals
  • Joe Hardy - producer (except "All the King's Men")
  • Noel Golden - Engineer
  • Joe Hardy - Production, Engineering, Mixing, Percussion
  • Bob Shindle - Engineer
  • John Bailey - Engineer
  • Bob Ludwig - Mastering
  • Great Southern Memphis Section - Horns, Horn Arrangements
  • Peter Schenkman - Cello

References


 
 
Learn More
Kurosawa, Akiro (Quotes By)
MGM & Rykodisc Present Sneak Preview (1997 Album by Original Soundtrack)
Carlton Johnson (Actor, Comedy/Musical)

He is mad at you what to do? Read answer...
Who made the song mad world? Read answer...
What Is Everything In The World Mad Up Of? Read answer...

Help us answer these
Where was It's a mad mad mad mad world filmed?
Is there a tween version of ''It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World''?
What is mad world about?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

 

Copyrights:

Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mad Mad World" Read more