Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Madison Paige
Title
Famous Last Words
Type
LP/EP
Company
Independent
YOR
2004
Style
Hard Rock
6/4/2004 - Review by: Frank Hill
Madison Paige - Famous Last Words - indy - 2004 Reviewed by: Nailer

Track Listing
1. bind
2. hold me over
3. the one that got away
4. nothing denied
5. heaven in hand
6. any day now
7. fear and storm
8. ella sabe solamente
9. breakin' my heart
10. stay this way
11. next to you
12. when I'm gone
13. restrained
Been quite a while since I've listened to anything that was fairly happy outside of the German power metal scene and the occasional white metal CD. Madison Paige are as sunny as the California area they come from with a "metal-lite" sound that is nicely melodic and female-attracting. Think of the "sweeter" numbers from groups like Bon Jovi, White Lion or even the AOR work of Styx.

The guitar work from Damon Valley is straight from the late 80's and essentially supportive of the vocal-driven songs, but "Bind" has some nice trill leads that give the guitars a bit of the spotlight and "Any Day Now" is at a randy pace that lets him show off a little quickness. "Fear and Storm" is a bit more experimental than the others and it didn't fit in for me. After 13 songs I did start to get a little weary of the sugary stuff. The 10 best songs would've been plenty.

If we were to see a market return to 1987's rock ballads, which the new millennium generation mainly missed, then I do think this band could have a some hits. Two things need to happen in the mean time--production and image. "Famous Last Words" is held back by the production which understandably was made on a small budget. A good producer could really get the sound up. Rarely do I comment on a band's look, but the mall stuff needs to be turned into something more consistent and rock worthy.

Bottom Line: Catchy, pretty-boy rock from the West coast with hit potential.


--Nailer 06.04.04
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: MADISON PAIGE
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Famous Last Words
2004
Independent
Frank Hill6/4/2004
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: MADISON PAIGE
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
Richie RiveraFrank Hill6/21/2004


<< back >>