Taylor Swift - Fearless

[Blake Solomon]

Taylor Swift - Fearless
Record Label: Big Machine Records
Release Date: November 11, 2008

As one of the few and brave, the witty and daring, the pale and pimply, I (insert name) do solemnly swear to go tell it on the mountain about every musician I have ever heard or ever will hear. Be they big, small, hip, unwieldy, drug-addicted, smelly, hip, popular, underground, hopelessly drug-addicted, sexy or super sexy, I promise to espouse every belief I hold about such performers. If I fail to do this, if I fail to pontificate any of my bountiful opinions, be they positive, negative, neutral, or really negative, may I be not only fired, but also may my fingers be cut off and sold to the highest bidder in the Classifieds Forum. I am now the property of Jason Tate and I have no choice but to obey the aforementioned rules if I have any hope of keeping a single shred of E-dignity. Lastly, I pledge to never forget Mr. Tate's birthday. He likes red velvet cake.

E-Signed,
(Insert Name), Esq.

------

This was the lovely email I awoke to one glorious day in 2006. After peeing my pants a little, I E-signed the document and resigned my life to a series of petty arguments and astronomical view counts. (Hi mom!) I simply can’t disregard such a hallowed document, which is why I knew exactly what I had to do with Fearless. A pop album, or excuse me, a pop-country album, shouldn’t sound this pleasant. Expectations of boredom and trite vanity were out of my mind by the end of “Fifteen,” a softly strummed ballad about growing up and growing (kinda) wise. How did 19-year old Taylor Swift find the poise to co-write so many of these songs? Now I’ll admit, in Radio-Pop music, “co-write” could mean she was simply texting in the same room as the writers, but it may also imply an active stance in the making of her second album. I truly believe in the latter, for Fearless very much reeks of teenage innocence. It’s simple and safe, but it’s also fulfilling and fun-as-all-get-out.

By now you’ve heard “Love Story,” and by now you’ve learned the words. How could you not? My boyish excitement for the track hasn’t waned one bit. Fearless’ pleasant mix of down-home melodies and wings-soaring pop music is, by design, universally likable. For instance, right when “Love Story” blossoms into its gigantic finale, a faint but determined fiddle joins the fray. If pop-country music is contingent on selling out, at least Taylor Swift is using her money to visit Jack Daniels’ distillery and the Fort Worth Stockyards.

However, Swift’s ballads are her forte. “White Horse” makes use of strings and their relentless ability to convey lovelorn moods. But mostly what the song does is prove Ms. Swift’s considerable vocal ability. She can wail, sure, look no further than Haley Williams-esque rocker “Forever and Always”, but she can also lament with the heartbreak of a person twice her age (“Fearless”). Lots of the talk about mainstream music is the disability of pop singers to create complete albums. This is simply not the case with Fearless. “Tell Me Why” is a fun-loving hoe-down destined for the single treatment, “The Best Day” is a Vanessa Carlton b-side dressed in cute red boots and “Change” is anthem rock at its carefree finest. You won’t find any filler here.

Music needs Taylor Swift. Growing up in front of a country that wants you to be pregnant just so they can throw tomatoes at you later must be tough. Negative media portrayals and an utter lack of privacy are no ways to create role models. My little Jasmine is going to be 8 next month, and I can only hope she begins idolizing someone like Taylor Swift. Mainstream music doesn’t have to be a clichéd Internet joke, and I think Ms. Swift can easily restore some dignity to teen-marketed music. As long as your pedestal isn’t too tall and your horse isn’t too high, you may just find Fearless to be another album deserving of your praise.


Recommended If You Like: Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson, idk The Cheetah Girls?, Faith Hill, idk Miley Cyrus?


www.myspace.com/taylorswift

[iwasahero]

I'm not ashamed to say I love this album.

[Jumpoff]

Well, I know I will not listen to this, but a good review.

[Blake Solomon]

Well, I know I will not listen to this, but a good review.
That saddens me. It really is quite good.

[Blake Solomon]

I'm not ashamed to say I love this album.
If there's one thing I've learned to never be ashamed of, it's musical tastes. Be proud!

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

great album.

[newfoundmichael]

I don't get the hype honestly. I'm definitely not going to bash on her because she has a pretty good voice, but I don't see what sets her above other acts of this kind.

[batmannj]

i found this review to be extremely well written.

[MusicTalks]

My little Jasmine is going to be 8 next month

Blake, I truly enjoy your sarcasm and back-handedness, but I must assume you are joking with the statement above?

[c_rob2700]

- Sees Blake has written a new review

- Sees that it's Taylor Swift.

- Prepares to laugh

[Uwe Blab]

I like red velvet cake, too.

[Anton Djamoos]

omg i thought this wuz absolutePUNK

[Heart-A-Tact]

I've been meaning to check this out.

[Blake Solomon]

My little Jasmine is going to be 8 next month

Blake, I truly enjoy your sarcasm and back-handedness, but I must assume you are joking with the statement above?
everything i post on the internet is true.

[codypayne]

id give it more of an 80%

the melodys on this album are genious and i think it has a ton of lasting value.

i think your "recomemmded if you like" section is horrible too

from what you write you seem like you know it all, but why do you work for absolutepunk and not a real music site?

[MusicTalks]

omg i thought this wuz absolutePUNK

Classic.

everything i post on the internet is true.

Thank you.

[Blake Solomon]

id give it more of an 80%

the melodys on this album are genious and i think it has a ton of lasting value.

i think your "recomemmded if you like" section is horrible too

from what you write you seem like you know it all, but why do you work for absolutepunk and not a real music site?
i think i may put the last statement in my sig. YOU ARE ABOVE US

[Anton Djamoos]

id give it more of an 80%

the melodys on this album are genious and i think it has a ton of lasting value.

i think your "recomemmded if you like" section is horrible too

from what you write you seem like you know it all, but why do you work for absolutepunk and not a real music site?
I'd*

melodies*

genius*

recommended*

Perhaps you're not the best source for judging what's "genius."

[MusicTalks]

i think i may put the last statement in my sig. YOU ARE ABOVE US

I'd*

melodies*

genius*

recommended*

Perhaps you're not the best source for judging what's "genius."

If it was possible to give Baltimore an even worse name, I think that dude just accomplished it.

[joshy hizzle]

Ha.

[Charles777]

Nice review. My sister has this album

[Blake Solomon]

Nice review. My sister has this album
Don't you mean:

Nice review
My sister has
this album
?

[Charles777]

Don't you mean:

Nice review
My sister has
this album
?
Nah, people seem to get upset when I write like that, so I will write like this from now on.

Do
you
like
that
better than
this?

[You Vandal]

I don't listen to the radio very much but the other day I was driving to pick up my buddy and heard Love Story on the radio. I had no idea it was Taylor Swift and thought it was Vanessa Carlton, an artist I really like. I was pretty stoked that she had new material coming out. Then I found out it was Taylor Swift and was severely disappointed. However, I soon realized I still really liked the song and shouldn't be jaded by my prejudice.

I finally downloaded Fearless this morning and from my short time with it, I really enjoy it. And I usually despise country and most pop music.

[Blake Solomon]

Nah, people seem to get upset when I write like that, so I will write like this from now on.

Do
you
like
that
better than
this?
I like what you like. You are a free spirit.

[Broclee]

I'm honestly going to give this record a shot.

[Hagysaurus Rex]

Taylor Swift

hmmm.....nom nom nom nom!

[thebestkylever]

love story is the new since u been gone. i can only hope we get a few decent covers out of the monsoon of them that is on the way.

also, nice review.

[losethegirl]

I guess I can see why you gave everything the rating you did, but this album is definitely higher than a 65% in my opinion. I don't really listen to much country, but particularly if you have ever been a teenage girl this album is for you.

[circa999]

nice review blake ! i just finished cruising around in my car listening to this album on full blast feeling a bit like a closet homo....now you have made me proud ;)

[Posthardcore]

Great album. I actually enjoy her music thanks to my girl

[brandnew21g]

really good album, solid review-- cant really argue with the lack of creativity. I do really enjoy this album though

[Marty_s]

I have a deep respect for you writing this review. Too many people out there and on this site specifically just bash country and pop music (myself not excluded). I have never really liked country music but the second I heard "Should Have Said No" by Taylor Swift I fell in love. This album goes above and beyond all my expectations and honestly is in my top 10 of 2008. Thanks again for this review.

[mcdizzle88]

I have a huge girl crush on Taylor Swift.


One of my top ten albums of 2008, for sure. Great review

[3eb23]

I still haven't got hold of this record. I've been trying to convince my sisters to buy it over the past few weeks, but they're taking too long so i might have to pick it up myself. I really enjoyed Taylo's first album and i expect this to be equally enjoyable. "Love Story" might be my favorite single of the year and I'm not ashamed to admit that. Anyway, good review blake. Thanks for having the guts to admit you like this album. I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of these songs.

[bensATLsummer08]

Taylor Swift = amazing.

This cd is fantastic.

[Broclee]

I'm really really digging this...haha, before reading this review I wouldn't have given this the time of day in a million years. Kudos, Blake.

[hardluck]

I am in love with you for posting this, taylor is my gf

[owiseone35]

You either love or hate this album. I saw her at WMZQ Fest and she has some pipes.

Metro Station<<<<<Taylor Swift

[benryan]

Congrats for putting up something that is outside the normal scope of music here at AP.net. I find it hard to say publicly but I think it's a great album, so much that I actually purchased it (at least Amazon.com's MP3 version). Worth more than the $3.99 I paid for it.

"White Horse" sold me. Give this amazing country ballad a shot.

[sargentlgfuad]

i can't stand her.

[ohh lee]

I hate country music, but I LOVE this album

[Magnus]

I really liked a lot of songs on this album. They were very cute.

[JunkBondTrader]

i have yet to get this album. and being a huge advocate of country music i highly respect this review. fuck yea.

[11:11]

I'm hesitant about giving this a shot, so I'll listen to some clips first.

[joberooni]

i really do enjoy this album... and I don't give a sh*t what my roommates/hallmates think... lol

[caitlinlee]

I love this album.

[iheartmusic043]

I love Taylor Swift. I'm happy to see a talented teenage girl who actually writes her own songs and doesn't just rely on her looks to be popular. Her last cd was great and this one is really good too. Go Taylor!

[GreenJellyBean]

i never usually like country or female singers but i absolutely love this album. nice review.

[hydraulicheart]

I'm addicted to this album.

[my name is bilo]

aoty top 5 for me! of last year

[siimpx]

i really like this record and listen to it frequently. she is going to have some MASSIVE singles that should win over the rest of the pop crowd that didn't get into her the first time around. she's listed as the single writer on a lot of the songs -- so unless she's paying some other teenager tons of cash -- i'm pretty sure she is the main force in the songwriting...which is unbelievably good. she's going to have a very long career in this business.

[mattregan]

she wears shortskirts i wear t-shirts, she's cheer captain and i'm on the bleachers!
--taylor swift

haha... great album...

[BruisedxBroken]

WALIARHHLII

Shhheeeeeeoooooootttttttt. You can't hide redneck, behind cross over pop...

[Charles777]

I like what you like. You are a free spirit.
I like long walks on the beach, and a warm bubble bath

[Nathan Lint]

taylor swift is punx

[DarkBlue13]

I actually like this cd a lot. Great review by the way. One of the best written reviews I've read on this site. Props

[Blake Solomon]

...though i'm a bit confused as to why the lyrics only earned a 3. can you really praise an album that contains lyrics which merit a 3/10?
lyrics aren't that good, as they aren't very relatable or deep to me. But the music and her voice more than make up for it. You don't have to like every aspect of an album to like an album.

[rikfrommf]

Great Review, Great Album.

[smorgy]

she is a guilty pleasure of mine

[sodamnclever]

I very rarely listen to country, this album though has become one of my recent favorites lately. I don't know what it is, but I love it...and what girl doesn't want a love story?

[imtimwhoareyou]

I've been waiting for a country-leaning review since Josh Turner released his last album. Thanks Blake, despite any disagreements we have about the album!

[briewer]

If it was possible to give Baltimore an even worse name, I think that dude just accomplished it.

What's wrong with Baltimore?

[MusicTalks]

What's wrong with Baltimore?

For me personally, nothing. I love visiting the Harbor and Camden Yards for Orioles games (I live not too far way, in VA). My reference was really in regards to the violence, drugs and poverty level in the Inner City. It's the crack capital of the US, of course people will debate that. In general, B'More gets a bad rap/name.

[briewer]

For me personally, nothing. I love visiting the Harbor and Camden Yards for Orioles games (I live not too far way, in VA). My reference was really in regards to the violence, drugs and poverty level in the Inner City. It's the crack capital of the US, of course people will debate that. In general, B'More gets a bad rap/name.

Understood. I'm really into the scene they have going there, and I thought you might be referring to that.

[MusicTalks]

Understood. I'm really into the scene they have going there, and I thought you might be referring to that.

Oh, no. I have seen many a show at Recher, Ottobar and Sonar. Definitely seen some great shows in Baltimore, with hometown Baltimore bands.

[RelientMayday]

I don't like this kind of music generally. I probably like this the most out of any kind of country music. But it's still not my first choice. Especially since I have to listen to it in the car with my sister every day. Great review though

[3eb23]

i saw a show in baltimore a few weeks ago at Rams Head Live. good god that place (and concert) was awesome.

[uglystar03]

I love this album. And by the way, she has full writing credit for 7 out of the 13 songs. and co-writing credit on the rest.

[3eb23]

I love this album. And by the way, she has full writing credit for 7 out of the 13 songs. and co-writing credit on the rest.
that says a lot actually. co-writing is the thing to do in nashville and country music in general, it's cool she writes most of her stuff.

[stonecoldfox]

Taylor Swift....actually went to school with her a few years back when she lived on a "farm" in pennsylvania

[iheartmusic043]

i suppose i see where you're coming from. but at the same time i just feel like in terms of the demographic the album was intended for, the lyrics are stronger than a 3/10. trust me...as a teenage girl i can confirm this. almost every girl from 10 to 20 can relate to taylor swift. lately that hasn't been the case for mainstream artists at all. it's pretty neat, actually.
Totally agree. Her song white horse can describe any time a guy has breaks a girls heart. Also her song change could be about anything a person overcomes

[CellarGhosts]

Not a fan of her at all, but well written review.

[Ryzenfall]

Great review. Screw the haters, i love this album.

At first I thought i had a problem. Now i figured out it's because it's good.

[Drew Beringer]

I dig Taylor Swift so much.

[You Vandal]

Man, this album is goooood.

[thisisnotsteph]

it is such a good album

[Broden Terry]

I actually really like it... It's got a certain charm about it. :shrug:

[Big_Guy]

nothing is wrong with Taylor Swift. I will not buy this, but that girl is smoking hot and very talented.

[shimmyshakes]

I'm not gonna lie, I play this CD everyday

[sodamnclever]

I don't know if this was mentioned yet, but has anybody heard her live? Whenever I have seen her perform on a talk show, I have never been impressed.

[Prophecy]

What happened to good music?

[live4music]

I can't stand the majority of what she puts out, nonetheless, she is a fantastic artist. I have much respect.

[xJesusFreakx]

It is sad, but not surprising, that this album has such an absurdly low user rating. I'd personally give this album a score in the 80s at least. She's a great songwriter and will (hopefully) be a major player in pop music for years. The title track and "Love Story" are so good. "Change" is cheesy, but it's far too uplifting for me to mind.

[Piss]

holy shit, shes hot

[on a frequency]

come on... at LEAST a 70. 75? it's not excellent, but it's better than 65, i think.

[sheslostcontrol]

I am not ashamed to say that I love Taylor Swift and I love this album.
She is amazing. Infact, amazing doesn't cover what she is!

What is UP with the user rating??
I'd give it 80s/90s, hell it's faultless in my mind! Stop being prejudice raters, this is good music, never mind the genre!

[ChrisCanberg]

this is a fantastic review. very very good album made by a charming young girl. that's all it is. she's just doing what she does.

[BadAcidVacation]

Actually really awesome, i think I'm in love! All thanks to Kanye! Thanks douchebag

[rickbarrera]

wow loved your review I found it hard to believe back when a friend of mine lend me the record but by now i listen to it A LOT i don't even consider it a guilty pleasure

[runtoescape94]

I don't get the hype honestly. I'm definitely not going to bash on her because she has a pretty good voice, but I don't see what sets her above other acts of this kind.
I agree.

[runtoescape94]

I think shes okay. Not very creative however.

[SingMeInsomnia]

ppfffttttttt

[PlatformAwesome]

...I got this album for my birthday regrading that my friend knew we were taylor swift fans, and i absolutely loved it...one of my "featured" albums...:)