Maddie & Tae: ‘Start Here’ Album Review

It was approximately 15 months ago when Maddie & Tae took the world by storm with their certified-Platinum single, ‘Girl In A Country Song.’ At first, the world did not know what to expect from Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye, as it was the first exposure to the country music scene and the song was on every country radio station nationwide. But little did we know that this duo had more than just the comical ‘Girl In A Country Song’ up their sleeves! Late last year, they released their self-titled EP which featured four songs and showed that they weren’t going to be a one-hit wonder. With the songs, ‘Fly,’ ‘Sierra,’ and ‘Your Side of Town,’ Maddie & Tae showed that they had long term plans with songwriting based on personal experience and empowering lyrics.

On August 28th, after a couple delays, Maddie & Tae finally released their debut studio album, titled ‘Start Here.’ The album features 11 tracks, all of which both Maddie and Tae had their hands in co-writing. Other songwriters on the album include Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi (‘Smoke’), Jimmy Robbins (‘No Place Like You’), and Frank Rogers (‘Downside of Growing Up’), among others.

1.) ‘Waitin’ On A Plane’ – Written by Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, and Danny Myrick.
Impression: Right off the bat, you get a very traditional country sound from ‘Waitin’ On A Plane’ with a strong steel lap guitar. Couple that sound with Maddie & Tae’s great harmonies, and you have a hit song just waiting to happen. We think that ‘Waitin’ On A Plane’ could be just that. The song is all about chasing your dream and we love the message it gives.
Favorite Lyrics: Cause it’s my time to paint a little streak on a blue sky. Spread my wings and take flight, find mine. Settin’ my sights on a brand new life…

2.) ‘Girl In A Country Song’ – Written by Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, and Aaron Scherz.
Impression: ‘Girl In A Country Song’ has been a hit since it came out last July, as it soared up the charts to the top spot! The song has comical lyrics that take shots at some of the biggest names in country music. The lyrics reference songs from Florida-Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, and many others. The duo even had a little spat with Brian Kelley of FGL at one point, but have since reconciled. These girls have some spitfire, and we love that! The song may have been what got the duo engulfed deep in the country music scene as quickly as they did, but this song is just the tip of the iceberg for Maddie & Tae!
Favorite Lyric: Well shakin’ my moneymaker ain’t ever made me a dime. And there ain’t no sugar for you in this shaker of mine. Tell me one more time, ‘you gotta get you some of that.’ Sure I’ll slide on over, but you’re gonna get slapped…

3.) ‘Smoke’ – Written by Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Aaron Scherz, and Brad Tursi.
Impression: We have heard Maddie & Tae perform ‘Smoke’ live before, and we loved it from the first time we heard it! If you’re a fan of harmonies, this song is a must, especially through the chorus. But the best part of this song is truly the lyrics, as the song is brilliant from a lyric perspective. As we all know, smoke isn’t a good thing and in this song the songwriters liken smoke to someone who isn’t good for them. Hands down, this is our favorite song on the album. You’ll have it on repeat, just like we do!
Favorite Lyrics: Baby, you’re just like smoke, blowing on the wind. One minute, you’re by my side and then you’re gone again. You might be bad for me, but I just wanna breathe you in…

4.) ‘Shut Up And Fish’ – Written by Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Aaron Scherz, and Pete Sallis.
Impression: Don’t ever think that Maddie and Tae are anything but country. Because that’s exactly what they are all the way down to their roots. And one thing they like to do is to fish! The two began to write this song after they took two city boys into the country to fish and the city boys had a little bit more on their minds than fishing! The song is right in the same alley as ‘Girl In A Country Song’ with playful lyrics that will make you laugh. But despite the humor behind the song, it doesn’t take away from the great vocals that the duo demonstrate throughout.
Favorite Lyrics: Oh I was fishing. He was wishing, we were kissing. I was getting madder than a hornet in an old Coke can…

5.) ‘Fly’ – Written by Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, and Tiffany Vartanyan.
Impression: Maddie & Tae slow it down with ‘Fly.’ The song shows a lot of depth in their songwriting with this track. The track is uplifting and empowering as it encourages you to reach and chase for your dreams.
Favorite Lyric: Keep on climbing, though the ground might shake. Keep on reaching through the limb might break. We’ve come this far, don’t be scared now.  Cause you can’t learn to fly on the way down…

6.) ‘Sierra’ – Written by Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, and Aaron Scherz.
Impression: ‘Sierra’ is an uptempo song full of sass and from a sound perspective features some great steel guitar and other instrumentals that match some incredible harmonies from the duo and is super playful that describes a girl named ‘Sierra’ who isn’t a good person at all; she’s that mean girl in high school that picks on other girls. The story is based off a beauty-queen bully in high school that sent Maddie and her friends home in tears at times. And now Maddie is having her final say with Sierra. Based on seeing the duo perform this live, Maddie has admitted that Sierra has heard the song, and wasn’t too happy when she heard it! Oh well, karma’s a…
Favorite Lyric: A heart of pure gold is something very rare. And the only one she has is on that necklace that she wears…

7.) ‘Your Side of Town’ – Written by Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Heather Morgan, and Blair Daly.
Impression: If you’re the type of person who likes a song that will get your foot stomping and your hands clapping, ‘Your Side of Town’ is for you. The beat of the track along with the tempo will make you do just that. The song describes a guy that is simply no good in that small town that we have all come to know from country music, and the girl warns him to stay on his side of town.
Favorite Lyric: There’s a ‘no trespassing’ sign on the county line. And it reads your name…

8.) ‘Right Here, Right Now’ – Written by Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, and Matthew McGinn.
Impression: The song is cute and flirty with a playful sound and lyrics. To sum it up, the song describes the thoughts running through a woman’s head as you are about to share your first kiss with her.
Favorite Lyrics: Don’t just say goodnight. Standing face to face is just too good to waste…

9.) ‘No Place Like You’ – Written by Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Jon Nite, and Jimmy Robbins.
Impression: We’ve seen this concept before. The artist out on the road, living their dream but their loved one is somewhere else and no matter where they go all they want to be is with their loved one. But we can’t recall the last song with this concept that moved us like ‘No Place Like You’ does. We love the Wizard of Oz reference of ‘But sometimes, I wish I could close my eyes and click my shoes.’
Favorite Lyrics: The sun comes up and it sinks back down; on every five-star dream in every two-star town…

10.) ‘After The Storm Blows Through’ – Written by Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Aaron Scherz, and Trent Willmon.
Impression: From what we know, the song was penned after the death of a good friend’s father. And with a listen to the lyrics, you’ll be able to tell how good of people that these young ladies are. Through and through, you see this loyalty to their friend, their willingness to help their friend in any way they can, whether it be just leaving them alone or actively being there. We can only imagine the feeling that their friend must have had after hearing this song. If you have a friend who has lost someone important in their lives, send them this song, let them know you’ll be there for them just like Maddie and Tae were there for their friend.
Favorite Lyrics: I’ll face that wind by your side. Even take on that rain, I don’t mind. Or give you space or give you time, if you need me to…

11.) ‘Downside of Growing Up’ – Written by Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Benjamin Anderson and Frank Rogers.
Impression: Many of us have gotten to the point where we realize we’re no longer kids anymore, and that there’s a ‘Downside of Growing Up.’ And if you haven’t reached that point, you will.  Whether it’s taking more responsibility for your actions or not having you parents there to help you with something or going through a tough breakup, it happens. And that’s what this track is all about. Maddie explains, “I was having a tough night, knowing no one in a new place. It hit me being growing up is hard! I got my guitar to make me feel better, because that’s where I sort this stuff…
Favorite Lyrics: And you’re gonna twist, you’re gonna turn. But it’s how you’re gonna learn. A lot about life, a lot about love. On the downside of growing up…

You can purchase Maddie & Tae’s ‘Start Here‘ on iTunes here.