For Madmen Only

Waxwing | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 16, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Second Nature
• ASIN: B000065T31
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,604 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Held Like Sound

Waxwing rocks out dynamically, yet retains the mix of hope and melancholy and the evidence of superior songwriting.

Intricate songs with building intensity, discordant guitars, softly sung vocals, and an overall emotionally-driven rock sound. A beautiful surprise.

I can't say enough about this band. Their first full-length and believe me when I say this record rocks.

Product Description

Seattle-based Waxwing's debut full length, For Madmen Only, is a beautifully involved album of contrasting emotions set against the musical contradictions of both lush acoustic movements and propulsive dramatic rock. Musically, For Madmen Only's nine tracks transverse myriad rock landscapes (be it traditional rock, indie, folk or Americana), but with a sullen, repentant quality that stains these tracks with a morose, languid atmosphere perfectly echoed in singer/guitarist Rocky Votolato's brooding vocals and lyrics. One of For Madmen Only's greatest strengths is Votolato's golden crooning, which serves as both focal point and background for Waxwing's music, slipping into the foreground and back again with ease, as it's required. Waxwing's lilting dynamics takes the music from tender acoustic folk to somnambulant indie rock to restrained melodies that build to emotional climaxes and rock spasms, but always with a faltering push-pull theme laced throughout For Madmen Only. Sharing its members with The Blood Brothers, Bugs In Amber, as well as Votolato's solo endeavors has done nothing to diminish Waxwing's dramatic focus, and For Madmen Only is an exquisite, effecting debut.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, January 3, 2000

By 

Kerry (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Madmen Only (Audio CD)

This cd is awesome. There is so much variety; the songs range from hard, powerful guitar to soft and acoustic maudlin stuff. There are screams and sighs, and climaxes in all the strange places. Waxwing has an incredible grasp of music and composition paying close attention to dynamics- keeping the songs interesting. I can't recommend this cd strongly enough.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another great album, October 21, 2004

By 

Jason Persson (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Madmen Only (Audio CD)

Rocky Votolato is absolutely amazing. Waxwing is a remarkeable composition of extremeley talented music. If you have ever considered buying this album, DO IT. Definitely 5 stars for its quality from beginning of the album to the very end. Good lyrics, good instruments, and great voice. What more could you ask for?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intricate & Excellent, November 15, 1999

By 

Ben King ([e-mail]) (Sandy Eggo, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Madmen Only (Audio CD)

Waxwing's music is as moody and moving as the rugged reaches of Northwest Washington from which they hail. Emotions pour out of the lyrics as they tackle love, loss, death ... the works. Don't get me wrong now people -- it's not depressing, just expressive.

Perhaps more so than the emotional lyrics, a visit should be made to Waxwing's exceptional music. Madmen has some of the most complex guitar riffs I have heard in a long while - at times bordering on math rock the likes of Slint's Spiderland. The songs are climactic and intricate, building and driving to peaks then crashing down to do it over again. The great guitar and rhythm work is offset by the expressive and off-key vocals that add legitimacy to that indie rock sound that the kids love these days Standout songs include: Deadly Wisdom, Spanish Quartet, and Cemeteries.

Just to warn you, there's a bit of the loudness and the screaming but I guarantee you will feel everything that Waxwing feel. Check this one out.