Nowadays in the music industry, the majority of songs either fall into two categories – horrible pseudo cover bands with three word names who try to imitate the heyday of the ’80s metal movement or rappers who keep on writing about their life in the streets as dealers (except it gets repetitive the third or fourth time), but when you find yourself listening to a song titled “Love Story” at 2 a.m. during the weekend, only two possibilities come to mind:
Either you need to lay off the sappy songs and get over your last break up (they just really weren’t into you) or it’s a damn good song.
Pennsylvania-born country pop star Taylor Swift’s sophomore album, “Fearless,” is the latter – extraordinarily damn good and infectiously catchy.
From music label Big Machine Records, Swift’s latest album was released on Nov. 11. Having debuted at number one across the music charts, “Fearless” has already moved 619,000 plus copies.
Swift, 18, has had her fair share of lost and found love, and “Fearless” reflects that. From the universally relatable “Forever and Always” to the break up ballads “White Horse” and “You’re Not Sorry”, Swift gets her point across simply.
She shouldn’t need to cry any more tears on her guitar; Swift has a gift. The vocals are full of emotion and go along perfectly with the melodies. Its almost as if Swift’s music is the very standard the majority of the industry tries to imitate but fails at.
“Love Story” is arguably the best song on the record. Detailing a love affair like Romeo and Juliet’s, Swift stand outs out with this song – you just can’t stop listening to it.
“You Belong With Me” shows Swift’s brash honesty – “She wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts/She’s cheer captain, and I’m on the bleachers.”
“Hey Stephen” is Swift’s personal song about an unrequited love who was named (you guessed it) Stephen. Swift has no problem naming names, as she sings about her best friend Abigail in the coming of age “Fifteen.”
“Breathe” and “The Way I Loved You” are collaborations on the album, the first being with Colbie Caillat and the latter with John Rich.
“Change” is the only forgettable song on the album. It just sounds like filler and quite frankly, has no appeal.
Whatever Swift lives, Swift writes – and the material turns out to be amazing music that doesn’t hole her into the just country category. Her vocal chops shine through this album.
Ladies and gentlemen, give “Fearless” a chance. At the very least, you will have a catchy CD to listen to when driving, and guys can impress chicks with their “sensitivity” (and learn a lesson or two from Swift’s songs).
Retail Price: $9.99
Availability: Retail stores
and online
Genre: Country
Label: Big Machine Records
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
