Maddie & Tae - "Start Here"

[Daryl the Beryl]

87 on Metacritic! That's higher than Kacey's latest album.

[dm2081]

Solid album. They absolutely need to release "Shut Up And Fish" as the next single, that's a hit waiting to happen. "Waitin' On A Plane" and "Downside Of Growing Up" are both standouts as well. Honestly, "Fly" is one of the worst songs on the album. I'd say they have a bright future, but single selection will be key to them. "Shut Up And Fish" seems like it would be a big hit, and actually might appeal the male demographic that we all know country radio tries to hard to appease sometimes. It features the sass but also has a good sense of humor and awareness to it, and doesn't allow it to be taken too seriously.

[Deleted]

This is an absolutely terrific album! I would be happy with any of these being released as singles, the exception "Right Here, Right Now", only because it's so generic, but still it's not bad. I really Loved "Shut Up and Fish", hoping for that one.

[Deleted]

This album may be more country than some of the stuff coming out of the big names down in Texas right now...

[carriekins]

You're doing something right when Trigger over at Saving Country Music likes your album. Super excited by all the great reviews this is getting!

[anafan]

Great debut!

[Deleted]

I picked this up at Target today. I love that the album booklet has song lyrics.

[wonderstruck]

Maddie and Tae's gift to a radio station.

[kw9461]

All I have to say is did Dann Huff seriously produce this??? Kudos to these girls for sticking to their guns and making the record they wanted to make, because Huff has lead many an artist down the path to mediocrity. This album is fantastic start to finish, hands down my favorite of 2015 so far. Not really a skip worthy track on the whole thing. Shut Up And Fish needs to be the next single in the worst way. It's not just the fantastic instrumentation, but the genuine wit and great three-act country story. I've only listened to the album twice, but here's how I'd rank them.

1. Shut Up And Fish
2. Downside Of Growing Up (such pretty music, would make a great album closer)
3. After The Storm Blows Through (great lyrics, absolutely blissful fiddle solo near before the last chorus)

4. Your Side Of Town
5. Waitin' On A Plane
6. Girl In A Country Song
7. Sierra
8. No Place Like You

9. Fly (why on earth was this chosen over Sierra as the second single?)
10. Right Here, Right Now (don't care for the drum loops or Dann Huff's signature wall of sound chorus)
11. Smoke

[.indulgecountry]

I knew that this album was fantastic and the moment I heard that beautiful steel guitar (!!!!) solo on the opening track when I popped this into my CD player in my car upon buying it verified that immediately. What an incredible album full of beautiful songwriting, stunning harmonies, tight melodies, and flawless country instrumentation. I am so glad that these young girls aren't afraid to be exactly who they are and unashamed to make pure country music even in a time when few are. Start Here is just absolutely incredible. I am so glad that I bought this and know now that it was well worth the long wait.

[carriekins]

kw9461 "Smoke" last? Really?

[Deleted]

Mine:

Outstanding
1. Sierra
2. Downside of Growing Up
3. Shut Up and Fish

Like It
4. Your Side of Town
5. Smoke
6. After the Storm Blows Through
7. No Place Like You
8. Girl in a Country Song
9. Waitin' on a Plane

Meh
10. Fly
11. Right Here, Right Now

Dislike
None

8.5/10

[sabre14]

[carriekins]

They got so many tweets like that yesterday! :) Kelsea, Mickey Guyton, Chuck Wicks, Canaan Smith and a lot of others I can't think of off the top of my head.

I was going to be pretty disappointed in Dierks if he didn't because M&T have been singing his praises in every interview they've had this week. Glad he came through for me, haha.

[Deleted]

Did any artist that Maddie & Tae call out on Girl In A Country Song tweeted about the album.

[Deleted]

According to Windmills on Twitter, this album is only projected to sell about 20-23K in its first week. Not enough to top Luke unfortunately..... :( not horrible numbers I guess, but I think it could have had better sales if they took advantage of the "Girl In A Country Song" impact....

[sabre14]

Maddie & Tae talked with Rolling Stone about their debut album Start Here.

This is one part that stood out -- referring to the country instrumentation on this album:

"And we wanted the instruments to reflect what we were saying. Because we grew up on traditional country music, and we wanted steel [guitar], we wanted fiddle, we wanted all those instruments that we loved listening to growing up."

"That music has always evoked emotion. That steel guitar and that fiddle really complement [us] lyrically, whether it's a fast song or a slow song. That's really important to both of us to have that element. There's a song called "Right Here Right Now" that's probably the closest to a pop-country vibe, and there's pedal steel all over that thing. [Our producer] Dann Huff, when we would call him — we were on the road when we were trying to finalize the tracks — we would say, "Turn up the steel." He was like, "It's gonna bleed into your vocal if it goes any louder." And we were like, "But we want it to stand out!"

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2015 16:36:52 GMT -5 zack97 said:

According to Windmills on Twitter, this album is only projected to sell about 20-23K in its first week. Not enough to top Luke unfortunately..... :( not horrible numbers I guess, but I think it could have had better sales if they took advantage of the "Girl In A Country Song" impact....

I agree that it probably would have sold a little better if it had been released when GIACS peaked, but I don't think the album was done yet at that time.

Anyway, I think 20-23k is a great first-week number for them. That's way better than the opening sales for Canaan Smith, Michael Ray, Kelsea Ballerini, and a few others, and it's right in line with what Easton Corbin recently debuted with (20k).

[M&TSwiftie]

Aug 29, 2015 14:59:40 GMT -5 raylatch98 said:

Did any artist that Maddie & Tae call out on Girl In A Country Song tweeted about the album.

I wish they had did so that could help its sales and publicity but today show Monday is good enough for now.

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2015 14:59:40 GMT -5 raylatch98 said:

Did any artist that Maddie & Tae call out on Girl In A Country Song tweeted about the album.

I don't follow many "bros", but I saw on my timeline that Tyler Farr has given them a shoutout, and they reference "redneck crazy" so...yeah

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2015 19:53:59 GMT -5 zack97 said:

Aug 29, 2015 14:59:40 GMT -5 raylatch98 said:

Did any artist that Maddie & Tae call out on Girl In A Country Song tweeted about the album.

I don't follow many "bros", but I saw on my timeline that Tyler Farr has given them a shoutout, and they reference "redneck crazy" so...yeah

FGL, Luke Blake those are the ones in particular I want know.

[defying gravity]

Listened to the album several times, and I give it an A+++.
UPDATE: Changed the order after listening more
Love all the songs (in this order):
1. Fly
2. Shut Up and Fish
3. Girl in a Country Song
4. Downside of Growing Up
5. Smoke
6. Waitin' on a Plane
7. Sierra
8. After the Storm Blows Through
9. No Place Like You
10. Your Side of Town
11. Right Here, Right Now

[carriekins]

Aug 29, 2015 20:02:47 GMT -5 raylatch98 said:

Aug 29, 2015 19:53:59 GMT -5 zack97 said:

I don't follow many "bros", but I saw on my timeline that Tyler Farr has given them a shoutout, and they reference "redneck crazy" so...yeah

FGL, Luke Blake those are the ones in particular I want know.

They won't. Of the 3, Luke is the only one who I could see doing it. FGL all but declared their contempt and disgust for GIACS when it was out, and Blake is Blake so unless it has to do with Raelynn, he's clueless. Heh.

Chris Young, Tyler Farr, Eric Paslay, Dustin Lynch, Kristian Bush, Canaan Smith, and Dierks are the country men that have tweeted their support.

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2015 21:13:49 GMT -5 carriekins said:

Aug 29, 2015 20:02:47 GMT -5 raylatch98 said:

FGL, Luke Blake those are the ones in particular I want know.

They won't. Of the 3, Luke is the only one who I could see doing it. FGL all but declared their contempt and disgust for GIACS when it was out, and Blake is Blake so unless it has to do with Raelynn, he's clueless. Heh.

Chris Young, Tyler Farr, Eric Paslay, Dustin Lynch, Kristian Bush, Canaan Smith, and Dierks are the country men that have tweeted their support.

Wow I didn't know FGL hated Girl In A Country Song when did they ever go public. Blake yeah scratch that unless it's a voice contestant or Ashley Monroe (not complaining) he won't. I just figured FGL and Maddie & Tae got along since their 2 of the hottest duos in country music.

Oh yeah people in related news I heard a rumor that Shut Up & Fish is going to be getting a video.

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2015 21:19:14 GMT -5 raylatch98 said:

Aug 29, 2015 21:13:49 GMT -5 carriekins said:

They won't. Of the 3, Luke is the only one who I could see doing it. FGL all but declared their contempt and disgust for GIACS when it was out, and Blake is Blake so unless it has to do with Raelynn, he's clueless. Heh.

Chris Young, Tyler Farr, Eric Paslay, Dustin Lynch, Kristian Bush, Canaan Smith, and Dierks are the country men that have tweeted their support.

Oh yeah people in related news I heard a rumor that Shut Up & Fish is going to be getting a video.

Yay! Maybe we can get Chase Rice to be the guy who gets dumped in the river!

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2015 21:24:04 GMT -5 zack97 said:

Aug 29, 2015 21:19:14 GMT -5 raylatch98 said:

Oh yeah people in related news I heard a rumor that Shut Up & Fish is going to be getting a video.

Yay! Maybe we can get Chase Rice to be the guy who gets dumped in the river!

I was thinking Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett or for duo wise FGL.

[carriekins]

Aug 29, 2015 21:24:04 GMT -5 zack97 said:

Aug 29, 2015 21:19:14 GMT -5 raylatch98 said:

Oh yeah people in related news I heard a rumor that Shut Up & Fish is going to be getting a video.

Yay! Maybe we can get Chase Rice to be the guy who gets dumped in the river!

Chase would probably agree to it - he and the girls are actually really close. (Yes, I know.)

[ant]

Great album, but I find Maddie's voice to be really annoying and screechy at times. Especially on "After The Storm Blows Through". Could've been a great song, but her voice on that track ruins it for me.

[The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷]

Aug 27, 2015 21:10:41 GMT -5 Daryl the Beryl said:

87 on Metacritic! That's higher than Kacey's latest album.

Can we really compare??

Kacey has almost 5 times the amount of reviews... 23 reviews against only 5 from Maddie & Tae. And they are actually at 82 (the same Kacey had before MAGNET gave the album a 40 grade, making the album total drop to 78, still an amazing score.) Overall, Pageant Material reviews are much stronger.

Not saying their reviews aren't great either! I very happy for them (and I loved the album)! All I'm saying is that Metacritic scores can be deceiving

[Daryl the Beryl]

Sorry guys but MT rating is now down to 82 but that's stilla very solid number