The next revolution might not have to be televised after all. Bill Madden is a singer / songwriter with an artistic bent akin to Patti Smith, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Midnight Oil and Leonard Cohen who, rather than preach to the choir, sings truth to power. Unfortunately we don’t hear much stuff like this on commercial media anymore - you know the drill. Madden’s weathered delivery fits these modern times all too perfectly as he ruminates over our collective loss of compassion, justice, and humanity among other things. His backing band is quite dexterous as well, rocking hard when necessary (“Unfair”) or gradual ly building to a fever pitch (“Shine On”) when Madden delivers his most riveting libretto - much like Bruce and Patti’s respective ensembles. “Bosko and Admira” - a love story between a Serb and a Muslim is the sort of news we need to see more of on CNN. If you think Bono tells it like it is, wait ‘till you hear Bill Madden.
--Tom Semioli [October 13, 2008]
