Maddie & Tae seemed to blow up overnight. These two girls from Texas and Oklahoma wrote a song about how unfair it was that girls weren't fairly represented on radio. and it ended up being a No. 1 hit and rocketing the girls into country music stardom. The girls released their debut EP last year, as a preview to this record. While that EP was good, it did not represent the power and maturity of this album at all. Maddie & Tae were able to incorporate traditional country instrumentals along with some of their modern influences to create one of the best country records of the year.
Maddie & Tae have fully embraced the fact that they are a country music duo. Maddie Marlow commented:
"People forget how great country music is, and we haven’t. It’s nice knowing we’re putting the banjo, the fiddle, the steel and the mandolin back out front."
Despite the fact that they are with Dot Records, under Big Machine Label Group, run by Scott Borchetta, the king of pop-country artists, this album really is a country album. There is pop appeal in most of the tracks, but it is country music, or as close you can get to true country music these days. To have two young female country singers making real country music is somewhat of a miracle. Kelsea Ballerini and RaeLynn have gone the pop country route, and Danielle Bradbery is threatening to go that way as well with her new single "Friend Zone." But Maddie & Tae are country. Even the most pop oriented track "Right Here Right Now" is some quality pop-country, not a throwaway track like "Looking At Stars" or "Yeah Boy" on Kelsea Ballerini's record.
Another remarkable thing about this album is how little the girls sing about love. Love is such a big topic in country music, and all music in general. But Maddie & Tae only occasionally broach the topic. "Right Here Right Now," "No Place Like You," "Smoke" and "Your Side of Town" are the only tracks truly about love. And in this day and age, to have an 11 track album that's less than half about love is such an amazing thing.
Another remarkable thing about this album is how little the girls sing about love. Love is such a big topic in country music, and all music in general. But Maddie & Tae only occasionally broach the topic. "Right Here Right Now," "No Place Like You," "Smoke" and "Your Side of Town" are the only tracks truly about love. And in this day and age, to have an 11 track album that's less than half about love is such an amazing thing.
As Maddie & Tae have been writing for this record since they were 15 years old, there are quite a few songs about growing up. Some include "Waitin' On A Plane," "Fly" and "Downside of Growing Up." Although the third track is the only one that specifically mentions growing up, these all are about getting older and facing different challenges in life. The first track is about leaving home and being ready to start adult life, and in Maddie & Tae's case, start working on their dream of becoming recording artists. This song is one of the highlights of the record, with it's upbeat production and beautiful vocals from both of the girls. The second track, "Fly," also the second single from this album, is a song about not being afraid of failure, which is a lesson that every teenager has to learn as they grow up. The track continues to climb up the charts. "Downside of Growing Up" is Marlow's favorite song on the record, as it does truly describe what it is like to grow up perfectly. Although not a highlight, because of it's slightly cliche and aimed at pre-teens lyrics, this song is a must listen for every teenager.
Vocally, this album is a a masterpiece. Marlow kills the vocals in every single song, ranging from angry to emotional, to comforting. Dye is prominent in every song, and sings beautifully as well. Many fans have complained that Taylor Dye never gets to sing lead, but her harmonies are part of what makes this record so incredible. Harmonies are something that the Dixie Chicks had down so well, and since them, there hasn't been a group to fill that hole. Maddie & Tae fill that harmonies hole beautifully with this record.
Vocally, this album is a a masterpiece. Marlow kills the vocals in every single song, ranging from angry to emotional, to comforting. Dye is prominent in every song, and sings beautifully as well. Many fans have complained that Taylor Dye never gets to sing lead, but her harmonies are part of what makes this record so incredible. Harmonies are something that the Dixie Chicks had down so well, and since them, there hasn't been a group to fill that hole. Maddie & Tae fill that harmonies hole beautifully with this record.
Two highlights of this record are both ballads. "After the Storm Blows Through" and "Smoke" are two of the best songs released this year in country music. The girls played both of these songs acoustic on radio tour and they sound even better recorded than they did live, if that is even possible. The former track, "After the Storm Blows Through" displays an incredible amount of maturity for two women that are barely twenty years old. (Taylor Dye turns 20 in a month.) Marked as one of our 10 Songs that Ensure the Future of Country Music is in Good Hands, this song is such a gem. "Smoke" is a ballad as well, but a love song, somewhat reminiscent of older Taylor Swift, but way more country than she ever was. The harmonies on this song are pitch perfect. This song is definitely a repeat-worthy track.
Along with creating amazing ballads, Maddie & Tae also have a few funny bones in their bodies. There are three comical tracks on this album, including the smash hit debut single "Girl In A Country Song" along with "Shut Up and Fish" and "Sierra." The best of these is "Sierra," the more country pop oriented track that plays with words so much you have to listen to the song multiple times so get all of them. This is an example of masterful and well thought out songwriting, something that Maddie & Tae have mentioned that they want to be known for. This, or "Shut Up and Fish," a song telling the tale of a boy who had "more than bass on his mind" could be viable options for the third single. And since the girls recently played "Shut Up and Fish" on the Bobby Bones Show, they could be thinking that as well.
As a recent Wide Open Country article noted, female duos in recent years have not tended to stay around very long. The Wreckers, the JaneDear Girls and others only lasted a song or two before they were no longer relevant in country music. Hopefully, this will not happen to Maddie & Tae. In the pop filled, hip hop influenced world of country radio right now, this duo is a breath of fresh air. They are traditional yet contemporary, and pay their respects to the classic parts of country music as well as adding their own flair. Not to mention that Maddie & Tae have some of the most breathtaking vocals and harmonies around. They are a duo that country music really needs right now, and hopefully that will be enough to make them stay, and become as big as their male equivalents Florida Georgia Line. But they'll be a whole lot better, and a whole lot more country.
Best tracks: Waitin' On A Plane, Smoke, After the Storm Blows Through, Sierra
Throwaway tracks:
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
Along with creating amazing ballads, Maddie & Tae also have a few funny bones in their bodies. There are three comical tracks on this album, including the smash hit debut single "Girl In A Country Song" along with "Shut Up and Fish" and "Sierra." The best of these is "Sierra," the more country pop oriented track that plays with words so much you have to listen to the song multiple times so get all of them. This is an example of masterful and well thought out songwriting, something that Maddie & Tae have mentioned that they want to be known for. This, or "Shut Up and Fish," a song telling the tale of a boy who had "more than bass on his mind" could be viable options for the third single. And since the girls recently played "Shut Up and Fish" on the Bobby Bones Show, they could be thinking that as well.
As a recent Wide Open Country article noted, female duos in recent years have not tended to stay around very long. The Wreckers, the JaneDear Girls and others only lasted a song or two before they were no longer relevant in country music. Hopefully, this will not happen to Maddie & Tae. In the pop filled, hip hop influenced world of country radio right now, this duo is a breath of fresh air. They are traditional yet contemporary, and pay their respects to the classic parts of country music as well as adding their own flair. Not to mention that Maddie & Tae have some of the most breathtaking vocals and harmonies around. They are a duo that country music really needs right now, and hopefully that will be enough to make them stay, and become as big as their male equivalents Florida Georgia Line. But they'll be a whole lot better, and a whole lot more country.
Best tracks: Waitin' On A Plane, Smoke, After the Storm Blows Through, Sierra
Throwaway tracks:
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
Buy "Start Here" on iTunes and Amazon Music, or at your local Target for two bonus tracks (acoustic versions of "Downside" and "After the Storm Blows Through")
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