Madness recently spoke to The Word magazine about their upcoming album and tour. which will be their first in seven years. The band is working with Clive Langer and White Stripes producer, Liam Watson and the is due for release in late 2006/early 2007.

According to the story:

Right now it's fair to middling, which isn't bad for us. We've just finished eight tracks at Toe Rag studios. We've gone back to analogue and it's warming every cockle of every man's heart. It's exciting again. Liam Watson is brilliant - a stylish chap who has been getting great performances out of us.

The band is promising new material will be debuted on the tour saying:

Yeah, there will be some new tracks. One's 14 minutes long, so maybe not that one! We're still preparing the groundwork, but there might be a new single by Christmas.

The band will be on the road in the UK beginning in early December.