On their debut album, the members of
Waxwing set the standard for melodic punk rock, using the loud/soft dynamic and introspective lyrics to full effect. Though For Madmen Only, on a whole, is not as powerful or multifaceted as One for the Ride or Nobody Can Take What Everybody Owns, the record still highlights
Rocky Votolato's brilliant songwriting and his ability to masterfully combine punk and folk. "Corner Store," for example -- which has both a hushed, ominous feeling and bombastic vibe -- effortlessly outperforms the likes of
Jimmy Eat World or
Further Seems Forever. "Starfish," in its most quiet moments, and the sublime "Keep This Up" (which even mentions
the Palace Brothers singing songs about horses) set the stage for
Votolato's solo work, and "Spanish Quartet" hints at the band's later incorporations of Southwestern music. For Madmen Only finds
Waxwing traveling similar territory to
the Casket Lottery, but originating from a gentler place. It's clear why
Rocky Votolato's work has been such an inspiration on
Dashboard Confessional -- but this record exhibits the original. ~ Charles Spano