TAYLOR SWIFT, THE COUNTRY-POP PRINCESS + FEARLESS ALBUM REVIEW
Taylor Swift
Fearless
Big Machine Records
Release Date: Nov. 11, 2008
9.5 / 10
7 The number of songs written solely by Taylor Swift on her new album, Fearless. The other six songs were co-written by Swift’s friend and 2007 SESAC songwriter of the year, Liz Rose.
7 The number of charted Fearless singles in one week on the Billboard Hot 100. The most ever by a female artist.
11 (out of 13) The total number of songs from Fearless that have charted on Billboard Hot 100.
6 The total Top 20 songs for Swift this year. The most by any artist in the 50-year history of the Hot 100 List.
Taylor Swift has never stepped foot into an American Idol audition nor has she needed to. At the young age of 18, she is slowly becoming one of the most important artists in the history of country music. As Shania Twain defined the term “crossover” in the 90s, Taylor Swift is not only carrying the torch, she’s turning a whole new generation of pop fans into country fanatics.
Her latest album, Fearless, has set the bar for any artist attempting to make the trans-genre leap. She seems to be the perfect storm in a fading music industry that has been overtaken by contest winners and pre-packaged products.
Not only is Taylor Swift highly talented and gorgeous, she’s well-behaved in a paparazzi-driven society where celebrities are (almost purposely) transforming their fame into infamy. Outside of her innocent and public breakup with rocker Joe Jonas, Swift has been relatively quiet. Gossip websites and trash magazines are practically begging for a Taylor Swift slip-up.
Fearless is a sign of maturation and an improvement over her debut album, Taylor Swift. It has a few tracks with really no country twang and songs that almost lean into a “singer-songwriter” label. “Hey Stephen” wouldn’t feel misplaced on any Sheryl Crow record and “Breathe” is undoubtedly a legitimate pop song. This album is a step in the right direction for an artist who is extremely dynamic and is almost single-handedly molding a new country/pop fan base. Fearless is a magnificent piece of pop music. It’s one of the best pop albums released since Michael Jackson’s Thriller and without-a-doubt the best female country album I have ever heard.
One thing we must remember when listening to any artist is the intended target audience. Just as a 60-year-old woman isn’t going to love Metallica, a 30-year-old man is most likely not going to love Taylor Swift. Fearless is for high school to twenty-something aged females. If you listen to her music and compare it to Abbey Road, then you’re not in the right frame of mind. Fearless isn’t trying to be Abbey Road or Let It Bleed, just as Hannah Montana isn’t trying to be Seinfeld. With any form of art, you must understand the intended audience before determining your affinity for the work.
My favorite songs on this album, with the exception of “You Belong With Me”, were solely written by Taylor Swift. “Fifteen”, “Love Story”, “Hey Stephen”, and “You’re Not Sorry” are all perfectly written songs of love and heartbreak. It’s absolutely astonishing that an 18-year-old is responsible for this music.
TRACK ORDER + STARS OUT OF 5:
1. FEARLESS (4.5/5)
One of the best songs on the album with one of the best hooks.
2. FIFTEEN (4.5/5)
The best writing for the target audience on the album. Great bridge.
3. LOVE STORY (5/5)
Probably the best overall song and the most marketable.
4. HEY STEPHEN (5/5)
A stripped-down singer/songwriter song. Great hook and melody.
5. WHITE HORSE (4.5/5)
Great ballad with a lot of emotion.
6. YOU BELONG WITH ME (5/5)
Probably my favorite song on the album. Everything about it is perfect.
7. BREATHE (3/5)
Co-written by Colbie Caillat. Good, slow tempo song.
8. TELL ME WHY (3.5/5)
A pretty straight-forward country song. Similar to the first album.
9. YOU’RE NOT SORRY (5/5)
Incredibly written song. A great ballad.
10. THE WAY I LOVED YOU (4/5)
Co-written by John Rich. Great hook.
11. FOREVER & ALWAYS (3.5/5)
Good up-tempo pop song.
12. THE BEST DAY (4/5)
A candid look into her childhood. Very personal and likable song.
13. CHANGE (4.5/5)
The first single. Although not the best, still a very good song.
YOU SHOULD DOWNLOAD THESE SONGS:
HEY STEPHEN, YOU BELONG WITH ME, YOU’RE NOT SORRY, FIFTEEN
3 Comments so far
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I feel compelled to tell you that I had a dream out of nowhere last night that I was dating Taylor Swift. I’m disturbed for a couple of reasons:
1. She’s only 18 and I’m 30
2. In my dream I was walking around with a stupid grin on my face. My friends noticed and asked me what was up and I replied “I’m smitten”. WTF?
3. I haven’t been able to shake the dream off all day
I don’t have any of her records, and I don’t have any pictures so I’m going to blame your blog. On the otherhand I suppose there could be worse dreams than dating a cute country/pop starlett…
OMG!!!!
i absolutely LOVE taylor swift!!!
shes an awsome singer!!!!!!!!!!!!
xx Chelsea xx
P.S I especially love love story and tear drops on my guitar!!!! =] x
cory, your comment is hilarious.