Album Review – Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now”
I know some were insulted when they rolled up to their beloved Saving Country Music and merely saw the title of this article, and those people can feel free to navigate to the comments section and voice their displeasure. But the simple fact is that Taylor Swift’s Speak Now is already the biggest album in all of music in the last five years, and on its way to being the biggest in a decade whose album sales overall look like an inversion of The Price Is Right’s mountain climber game. And since Taylor flies the “country” flag, right or wrong, it is my duty to address it.
The first thing you need to know about this album is that it is not country, period. This is not an opinion. There’s no need to spurn a debate about what the term “country” means or not. This is fact. Only one song on the entire album can be construed as country, and that can only be construed as being pop country. There’s not even the buried mandolin, banjo, or steel guitar tracks; not even an attempt to cover up the fact that this is straightforward pop rock.
And for this infraction, which is the mother of all infractions, it deserves two guns down, 0 of 5 stars, and disqualification for even being considered as a legitimate work for review. If you had a restaurant serving the greatest Italian food ever known to man, but your sign out front said “Chinese,” with Chinese names for the entrees that were truly Italian fare, the Chinese food critic would walk into the restaurant, don a confused look, and fail your ass.
But since that conclusion leaves this review a little thin, I will try and rally by donning the “pop critic” cap, and give this album my HONEST opinion based solely on its merit as music, regardless of genre. Some may see this as a heroic waste of time, but the simple fact is Taylor Swift is the biggest threat to the stultification of the term “country” that has ever existed. She may have very little natural talent, but I caution labeling Taylor as pathetic nothingness. Her fame is not accidental, or a trick of smoke and mirrors, and to assert so is giving her an advantage of being underestimated, and her handlers no credit for being wickedly shrewd. However woefully mediocre or average at best she may be, she is above the Sugarlands and Jason Aldeans and Colt Fords of the world.
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
Speak Now starts off with three horrifically transparent pop songs with little redeeming value. Songwriters: Never, and I mean NEVER use the words “In the pouring rain” in a song like Taylor does in “Sparks Fly.” It was old in 1980, and is the quickest way to get someone with half a music brain to punch out and never return. The lilting “Back to December” sounds like something off the Never Ending Story soundtrack until the formulaic chorus kicks in that sounds like every other pop song, ever. And somebody tell me how with a six, maybe seven figure budget for this album they couldn’t figure out how to clean up Taylor’s vocal failings during the acrobatic line at the end of “Back to December’s” verses. Taylor is a weak singer. Don’t set her up to fail by forcing her to switch from falsetto and back so quickly.
The worst track of the album is the title track “Speak Now.” This is one of those songs that can drag a whole album down by exposing it’s inner workings. Taylor is touted as such a marvelous songwriter, but the theme of this song is tired and rehashed, the perspective and voice is so predictable, and even worse, it doesn’t fit Taylor’s style. All these things combine to illustrate an obvious stretch by industry-trained producers to draw up a hit, and make you wonder how much of the music on this album is actually Taylor, and how much of it is heavy-handed handlers working their magic based on marketing data. Taylor should be above being puppetmastered with a song like this, and the ridiculously scatterbrained changes in the melody are so transparently formulated for mass catchiness, that they are much more fit for a hip-hop diva who can actually sing them with style while wagging a finger in the air instead of trying with all her heart just to stay in tune. Dreadful.
After that the album does get better at times, and I dare say there are some songs that are actually bearable, if not presentable. The fourth song “Dear John” I may have to admit is even good. Clocking in at nearly 7 minutes, this is the song that brings some substance to this album, and even some soul. No, it’s nothing groundbreaking and at its heart is a cheesy pop love song, but unlike many of the other songs here, it works. The lyrics don’t make you feel stupid, and it does a great job at setting tension and buildup in the music. It also stays within Taylor’s very limited vocal range, unlike the horrible “Enchanted” which takes Taylor back and forth to uncomfortable places for her voice while re-introducing the lilting, “Never Ending Story” feel.
“The Story Of Us” could have been left off the album entirely, settling somewhere between Bon Jovi and just bad, and with all the pop tools used up in the other songs on this album, this track comes across as completely empty. But another up-tempo track “Better Than Revenge” is devilishly catchy, and though as rehashed and transparent as the rest of the album, I can see it inspiring millions of glitter-faced teens to grab their shampoo bottles like a microphones, cranking it to 10.
“Never Grow Up” is another decent one, and though I would disagree with the message and use it as evidence of why the human gestation period is now commonly reaching into the 3o’s, the song has some good originality, and Taylor gives this song substance by being unafraid to show a vulnerable side.
The way I feel about this album and about Taylor Swift in general, can be summed up in the way I feel about the song “Mean.” As a critic, and one who has been openly critical of Taylor in the past, this song is directed right at me. This is the one song that has any semblance of “country” feel. I like the idea behind this song, and if she had used it to admit her faults, and simplify the arguments against her by simply calling her critics “mean,” then it might have worked. But just like in so many of these songs, Taylor shows that she lacks substance and wisdom.
When I write critical articles about pop country figures, the fans regularly call me “mean” and “pathetic” and “jealous” etc. That is what inspired my sarcastic remarks on the About Page for this website. Instead of arguing the merits of the criticism, they descend into attacking me personally, and make wild-eyed assumptions that are never correct. A line from this song is “Someday I’ll be living in a big old city. And all your ever gonna be is mean.”
If I wanted to live in a big city Taylor, that is exactly where I would be.
In this line, and in this song, Taylor tries to create envy and resentment in her critics, instead of trying to resolve that human conflict by admitting her faults. She does admit that she “sees” her faults, but then calls anyone else that sees those faults “pathetic” for pointing them out. This song could have been so much more, her one chance to add something deep, a lasting lesson or bit of wisdom or understanding, and Taylor fails, again. We don’t criticize Taylor to be “mean,” we criticize Taylor because her success is an injustice to the truly talented musicians who are mired in obscurity who actually can sing, and impart fulfilling elements through their music.
Taylor Swift’s Speak Now is an exercise in lowered expectations.
This album does not give me the same pukey feeling I get when I hear Jason Aldean rapping or Sugarland doing a reggae breakdown, but that doesn’t make it good. Yes, Taylor Swift is a better role model than someone like Miley Cyrus, but don’t we want our role models to actually be good at what they do, instead of marginally effective with a tendency to fail? Even during her performance on the 2010 CMA’s, Swift fans wanted to rub it in critic’s faces that Taylor sung on key, but Taylor didn’t at the beginning (see performance), and had the same problem with the ending of the verse of “Back to December” that I described above. And even if she had sung on key, now we’re putting her on a pedestal for accomplishing what should be the most mundane of tasks for a vocal performer?
We’ve lowered expectations in all of music, and throughout society to the point where we celebrate mediocrity. Even the cheesy pop singers of the past, even these American Idol products can sing. But Taylor can’t, and that is her ultimate failing, that cannot be explained away by anything else, or glossed over.
But don’t worry Swift fans, I have no doubt that her CMA snub this year was just a retooling for 2011 when she will sweep the awards again, and was likely orchestrated by her management that has been vocal about how they are worried about overexposure and want to ensure longevity with their product. And don’t think for a second anti-Swift people that Taylor is going anywhere. Taylor is the biggest thing in music in the last decade, which speaks a lot about who we are, and what we’ve become.
BlueRibbonRadio
November 14, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
I’ll just never understand the appeal of Taylor Swift. Even as a straight bubblegum pop star, she’s nothing special.
People flock to mediocrity, and pretty blondes in shiny dresses.
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
The appeal of Taylor is very simple. If you measure this distance between her eyes in proportion with the rest of her head, her eyes are unusually farther apart which makes her interesting and appealing to look at.
Add singing, playing guitar, and writing songs at an introductory level, and you have our generation’s superstar.
BlueRibbonRadio
November 14, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
She’s like a hammerhead shark
cathy
November 14, 2010 @ 3:06 pm
eyes set far apart are also a sign of fetal alcohol syndrome…
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 3:28 pm
How about tone deafness?
cathy
November 14, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
pitiful…
Nicole
November 14, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
Dear John and Last Kiss are good, but they’re so long. I feel like the entire CD was in need of some editing. She does some clever things with the music in this though (the guitar part in DJ sounding like a John Mayer song, Enchanted sounding like Owl City, etc.) I just don’t see how it’s country at all.
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 3:22 pm
I was astounded by the length of these songs. Usually pop songs have to keep it under 3 1/2 minutes for radio play purposes, and there’s only one off the album that is. The radio edits could be shorter, or maybe 1) Taylor Swift commands such attention she doesn’t have to cow tow to radio or 2) radio is less relevant these days so they didn’t concern themselves with it.
Either way, song length was something I definitely recognized when listening to this album, and I applaud them for it. One of the reasons I usually don’t like pop songs is they’re never given enough time to develop, but “Dear John” is. It’s a slow song with lots of buildup and resolution. It wouldn’t work shorter.
And just so it’s said, I’ve said it here many times, but there’s nothing wrong with pop music in general. Somebody has to sing songs for 14-year-old girls to lip sync into their shampoo bottles to. But pop is not country.
Nicole
November 14, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
The length definitely worked better on Dear John that it did on, say, Enchanted.
I wish more people would understand that pop and country really aren’t the same. The grown-ass people who get mad at anyone who dares to say she’s not country confuse me. You could just as easily classify the Jonas Brothers’ last album as country (and by Taylor’s definition of “country music is when you write about your life”, it is). Why is she country and not them? The only truly country thing I can see about her is the way she relates to her fans. She should be allowed to make her music the way she wants, but she seems out of place in this genre, even by Nashville’s standards. I understand why she chooses to classify herself as country. It’s a smart move on her part, frustrating for the rest of us.
Jahshie P
November 14, 2010 @ 4:35 pm
The guitar part which sounds like John Mayer was no accident. Dear John is about how John Mayer fucker her and left her last year. Yes, a 30-something man felt the need to take advantage of a 19 year old. This is why I like this song, because it takes a direct jab at a weird fucking dude.
Nicole
November 14, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
John Mayer has some issues for sure. I can’t remember where it was, but I heard him say a while back that therapists “don’t understand” him because his precious songwriting soul is so unique. Yeah…………
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
I purposely avoided any information about what songs were about what heartthrob, because I wanted to judge the songs on their own merit. In fact I was gonna add a snide comment about having to use a People Magazine to navigate your way through this album, as there’s numerous celeb relationship tie ins with songs that happen to work very well from a marketing standpoint, which after all is a reason that a lot of celebrities date/marry other celebrities, to keep their brand going even when there’s nothing new.
All that said, “Dear John” is a good song and it wouldn’t be fair to say otherwise. And if it was inspired by a deep heartbreak after a relationship, that makes a lot of sense. And yeah, regardless of what I think of her music, 19-year-old girls don’t deserve to be screwed over by 30-year-olds. And if that’s the case, fuck that guy.
If Taylor could write more songs like that, she would go a long way to courting “music snobs” like me.
BlueRibbonRadio
November 14, 2010 @ 5:51 pm
Maybe people should stop fucking John Mayer. It doesn’t seem to end well for anybody other than him.
Jahshie P
November 14, 2010 @ 6:13 pm
Yeah, dude is a creep.
Carla
November 23, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
“My dick is sort of like a white supremacist,” Mayer went on. “I’ve got a Benetton heart and a fuckin David Duke cock. I’m going to start dating separately from my dick.”
– John “That’s why black people love me” Mayer to Playboy in Feb 2010
Six Gun Britt
November 14, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
I’m a blond… wonder if the shinny dress thing would work for me? No, that thought did not cross my mind. I think that Taylor probably needs to experience more in her life than the gourmets and the bright lights. She’s probably been spoon fed with a silver spoon and has not a clue about hard times. It’s singers with no story, no understanding of “working hard” to get where you are, and given everything in their lives that put country music to shame. Singing songs about living when they haven’t really lived. It’s a shame. Look at where all of our country heroes, the real ones, came from. Most of it begins with hard times. Those are true musicians and song writers. They weren’t petty blonds that sing about things they have no clue about, these people wrote from their hearts and the wisdom that they’ve gained through experience. Taylor needs to be cut off. And maybe then… she might be able to write a great album. But until then I guess we’ll have to keep avoiding the shitty music.
SGB
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
The song “Never Grow Up” is about her moving into a posh million-dollar penthouse and feeling alone. She does sing about what she knows. Problem is, what she knows, and what shes always known is privilege, and this is not something universally relate-able to people. Great songs and songwriters touch universal themes.
Ojaioan
November 14, 2010 @ 6:00 pm
…satin sheets to “lie” on!
Aran
November 14, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
You’re just jealous because you can’t fit into your shiny dress anymore, the Triggerman! Taylor is a great role-model for youngsters who want to slave themselves to pimps in the music industry, sacrifice all creativity and self-respect, make a pile of money (and mountains of it for the pimps), and retire to a “big old city” (i.e. the OPPOSITE of “country”.
Thank god for the underground.
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
Great role models instill in youngsters that they should find what their one true talent is and build dreams around it. Taylor’s one true talent is not singing.
Kay
November 22, 2010 @ 4:35 pm
Exactly. You hit the nail when you said we are celebrating mediocrity and what it says about us. I have been screaming that the bar has been lowered for years and that young kids are being taught that they can just look cute and have instant stardom on shows like American Idol, instead of working hard and studying music and learning to play instruments and sing properly. I am not a fan of C. Underwood. Yes, she can carry a tune but her squeezed out notes and limited skills do not appeal to me. She sells her music with her legs and overdone sex appeal.
I can’t thank you enough for this website. I had no where to go to vent before because my daughter in law loves Taylor and one of my best friends is tone deaf and wrote and published a children’s book about Taylor and thinks she is wonderful. Now I don’t have to bust a gasket by keeping quiet 🙂
Robinannhunt
November 15, 2010 @ 3:49 pm
Nicely said. Sums up my feelings very well. This girl is not a good role mode!
Steve G
November 14, 2010 @ 3:58 pm
I’m not gonna lie, I listen to a few of her songs now and again because they’re so damn catchy. But, I downloaded “Speak Now” and I couldn’t make it past 3 songs. I don’t know if this is because she’s gotten worse or because I’ve been listening to more proper stuff recently.
Anyway you’ve done a good review man.
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
Like I said up above, the first three songs are the worst. Very little if any redeeming value in them, even for pop songs. And they will all probably be mega hits. That’s why they were put there.
musiclover45
November 14, 2010 @ 4:28 pm
Oh, Triggerman, I love you…
Will you be at Gruene next Sunday — Ruby Jane will be there. And as we know, she is one of the greatest examples of that real talent of which you so often speak…
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 5:12 pm
I’m planning to.
Denise
November 14, 2010 @ 4:53 pm
You summed it up in one word: dreadful.
Travis
November 14, 2010 @ 4:53 pm
If you want to feel like your at the zoo, watching monkeys throw crap at each other…. read this http://www.amazon.com/tag/country%20music/forum/ref=cm_cd_dp_rft_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx1TC20JRDTX86E&cdThread=Tx3IRSU1MZPOQRD
Ojaioan
November 14, 2010 @ 6:20 pm
Country Music IS COUNTRY MUSIC! It isn’t the Archies or some other record label forced feed. The girl can not sing and you have to be totaly brainwashed to think she can hold a key! Bob Dylan was not forced down our ear drums as “country”…he was a folk musician! All “True Country” music lovers are asking for is…”COUNTRY MUSIC”! We are sick of hearing pop music labeled as “country”!
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
Bob Dylan does not have a pretty voice, but he can sing on pitch. There is a difference.
Trobs
November 14, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
“I like the idea behind this song, and if she had used it to admit her faults, and simplify the arguments against her by simply calling her critics “mean,” then it might have worked. But just like in so many of these songs, Taylor shows that she lacks substance and wisdom.”
Uh, perhaps your grammar is wrong, because that’s exactly what she did, recognize her faults and simplify the arguments against her by simply calling her critics mean, which shows so clearly in the comments. To say someone has no talent, that’s an opinion you’re entitled to, but to make long winded angry attacks on her voice and the distance between her eyes? Well that’s just unnecessary ad hominem, and MEAN. You people should work on your character and being less obsessively vicious towards a girl you don’t truly know.
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 6:22 pm
That’s exactly what she did, and then she called me a “liar” and “pathetic” and “alone in life.” And went off on how I’d be drunk in a bar watching football games years from now still bitching about her. Assumptions without any merit.
No need to go back and forth with name calling, or to say who threw the first punches. Simple fact is she was on the right path with this song, and then descended into name calling.
Read my review. I thought I gave Taylor credit where credit was due. Where does she gives critics any credit? If I’m “alone in life” why doesn’t she show some sympathy for that? Such a wasted opportunity by taking a childish approach.
It is a fact that Taylor’s eyes are unusually far apart, not being mean. It is also a fact that she can’t sing on the recognized pitch scales of Western music. Taylor also said “nobody is listening.” to me. That seems to be untrue.
In the end, I will look like Taylor Swift’s best friend. Because I’m one of the few being honest to her about her talents and shortcomings from the beginning.
Every artist should hunger for criticism. And the good ones do.
Denise
November 15, 2010 @ 6:57 am
Bravo Triggerman.
Ojaioan
November 14, 2010 @ 6:03 pm
“Mean, As a critic, and one who has been openly critical of Taylor in the past, this song is directed right at me.” THAT is some funny shit Triggerman! When I read her description of this song in Entertainment (Weakly)…YOU were the first person that came to mind…LMAO! Not because you deserve the title but because you don’t pull any punches! Trashville will do all in their powers to promote their next “TOOL”…and that includes downgrading the reviewers who are calling the crap for what it is. Taylor Twit needs to grow up before she can expect any regard for her writing or her music. GREAT REVIEW, tHANKS!!!
Jahshie P
November 14, 2010 @ 6:15 pm
I thought of Trig as well when I read her intention of that song.
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 6:36 pm
Back in February, I wrote an article called “I Told You Taylor Swift Can’t Sing.”
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/i-told-you-taylor-swift-cant-sing
Everybody thought it was just another roasting, but in it I talked about the viscous “pop” cycle, where average people are made into super celebrities just to be torn down like dogs when society is through with them. It happens all the time, and it might happen with Taylor.
In “Mean” Taylor says, “The cycle stops here” and a few other things that make me think she at least read that article, which if I were her, I would have done to get inspiration for the song. When I first published that article, if you went to google or another search engine and typed “Taylor Swift Can’t Sing” it would come up first. Now there is http://www.taylorswiftcantsing.com and such, but it still comes up fifth. I do think Taylor was specifically talking to me, and least in some sense. Or at least to the small handful of her most staunch, long term critics, who I’d like to think I’m a part of.
From that blog:
People across the board are now tearing down Taylor because she can”™t sing, but this is the same public that made her the biggest artist in country this year, and now in ALL of music with her “Album of the Year” Grammy win. This is the vicious pop CYCLE, and sorry, but FUCK YOU, I won”™t participate.
Well the pop CYCLE has started, and soon the words “Taylor Swift” will be a punch line to jokes,
his is how it works: the mass public overly glorifies an otherwise average talent to make themselves feel “inspired,” and then when the fall starts for their starlet, it is meteoric, and fueled by the jealous, narcissistic hunger of the pop public, tearing that person down with all their spite, sinking their nails into their flesh and feeding like animals off their destruction to fill their vacuous egos. It is a sick, pathetic, and all too predictable CYCLE that I will not participate in.
Probably going to write a formal response to “Mean” in the future.
Gillian
November 14, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
I’m pretty sure there’s a South Park episode that depicts that pretty spot on. IMHO I don’t think your intent is meanspirited . The name of this website is Saving Country Music afterall.
David Lee
November 14, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
Those comments about being “mean” remind me of those mentally immature people who taut the shirts and stickers with the “Mean People Suck” campaign. Haaa…..completely devoid of reality. Like you said, there is a lot of immaturity behind Taylor Swift and the people who defend her atrociousness and I like your theory about music listeners embracing mediocracy. It’s true.
The fact that explains her popularity as a “country” star is that her parents GAVE NASHVILLE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ‘MAKE HER A STAR’. This isn’t a rumor or joke. A family member and former Nashville RCA recording artist/songwriter told me…..(The old country singers and established songwriters hate Swift too).
Trailer
November 14, 2010 @ 8:46 pm
Excellent review and write. How many shots did it take to make it through the album??
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 11:03 pm
None. It was not nearly as bad as Eric Church, Josh Thompson, Sugarland, or Jason Aldean. Compared to those, it was a cake walk, which is why Taylor scares me so. The accessibility of her music is astounding.
BlueRibbonRadio
November 14, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
See, I don’t find her music accessible in the least. I can’t relate to anything she sings about, nor do I find anything she puts out to be catchy. It’s like nails on a chalk board.
I’m know I’m in the minority. We all are obviously. Like I said before, I just don’t get it.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 9:19 am
I think for me, like I said at the end of the article, it is a product of lowered expectations. When I used to hear music off of Taylor’s first album, it felt like nails on a chalkboard. Then I heard Sugarland and Jason Aldean, etc., and that stuff takes it to such another awful level, that when you listen to this stuff you can almost convince yourself it is alright comparatively. But it’s not. It’s still awful. I’ve been desensitized, and so has the American public. But just like with a project that I love, I’m still gong to try to find things to be critical about, and with one I hate, I’m going to try to find any good things to remark on. That’s just my dumb chivalrous streak acting up. And though I know for people like you and many other loyal SCM readers, accessibility will not be a trait with this music, I think with most Americans, it will be extremely accessible. It’s accessibility is scary from the perspective of someone trying to convince people that the music is no good.
CJ
November 15, 2010 @ 10:08 am
That phrase “product of lowered expectations” is so appropriate. It frustrates me that people celebrate whenever Taylor manages to stay on pitch during her live performances and phrase her to the high heavens when she manages to do so. The bar has been set so low so that Taylor can reach it.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 10:31 am
Was just thinking, Taylor would never make it in pop music. Those black diva singers may not be very enjoyable to listen to, but they would sing Taylor under the table. Maybe that’s why they call her country. She fits right in with the lowered expectations.
ChevyTruck
November 14, 2010 @ 10:32 pm
I don’t understand the point of publishing this article. We all know she’s not country even if she claims to be so why bother putting on your “pop critic” hat when this is a country site? Besides that ridiculousness I think you missed the point. As a pop critic you would understand that Swift’s singing ability or lack the of, isn’t the point. She sells and her songs are catchy so from a pop point of view this album is a perfect 10. Also fire your proofreader, no one likes reading your typing errors.
The Triggerman
November 14, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
I’m sorry if some typing errors offend you. Please point them out and I’d be more than happy to correct them.
Because I run a country website, and because this album is pop calling itself country, I think there is nothing more important for me to do than give it a thorough review and try to be as honest as I can about it. But like I said above, if you or anybody else thinks this is ignorant and out of place, by all means please pass it up. I will be on to more positive stuff shortly.
CJ
November 15, 2010 @ 12:44 am
Her diehard fans defend her meager vocal skills by arguing that she makes up for that by being n excellent songwriter. I don’t get that at all. If you’re being promoted as singer/songwriter, wouldn’t it make sense that you’re competent in BOTH areas? I don’t think it’s too much to ask for a sing to be able to sing competently, right?
And I don’t understand the statement had Triggerman been a pop critic, then he would understand that Taylor’s singing ability is not the point. So if you’re a pop singer you can be as off-key as you want and people will still call you a singer? Wow, I never realized pop’s standards are this low. And as this album is being pimped out as a country album and Taylor is being promoted as primarily a country artist, then country music sites can review this to their heart’s content.
CJ
November 15, 2010 @ 12:46 am
Sorry for my typo errors – I don”™t think it”™s too much to ask for a singER to be able to sing competently, right? – lol. Thanks
Denise
November 15, 2010 @ 6:09 am
Obviously not a requirement for pop country. That’s the point, CJ, that real country music fans are driving home. She has less than adequate singing skills. Her songwriting is deliberately “catchy” She leans on privilegde, like Triggerman stated, she targets the teenybopper population which is supported by loving parents who say It all reeks of marketing, money, and manipulation and left it’s soul lying on Music Row. I seen so much bullshit as the country music industry continues to destroy what is real and replace it with what? Taylor Swift? Didn’t buy it yesterday, won’t buy it today.
Reinstate Hank.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 9:27 am
It’s been said by me and many others that Taylor would never make it on American Idol, because on American Idol you have to be able to sing. I understand the sentiment that Chevy Truck has about pop music, and though I agree with the premise, in practical terms its incorrect. Pop singers DO have to be able to sing. And if I were a pop singer and saw all the attention Taylor is getting, I would be pissed. There are TONS of pop fans screaming that Taylor can’t sing as well, this isn’t just happening in country. But Chevy was just trying to make the point that all pop is bullshit, and so I can’t fault him too much for taking that approach.
CJ
November 15, 2010 @ 10:04 am
Before Lee DeWyze’s win I would have agreed that singing ability is a requirement on American Idol, but now they seemed to have forgotten that requirement. That DeWyze had so many pitch problems.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 10:32 am
I’ll have to take your word for that.
Denise
November 15, 2010 @ 6:11 am
Correction: supported by loving parents who say ” If little susie loves Taylor, than so do I “
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 9:29 am
If parents were a little more attentive to what they feed their childeren’s minds, Taylor and many others would not be where they are. I will say, if i had a daughter, I’d much rather her being into Taylor than Miley, but again, like i said above, this is a product of lowered expectations. I’d really rather have her listening to Ruby Jane.
Conor
November 15, 2010 @ 8:37 am
YES YOU SEE THE TRUTH!!! I 100% AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID!! i just wished you continued on to critique Long Live, Haunted and Last Kiss
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 9:30 am
Yeah, I felt I’d said everything that needed to be said without talking about each individual song. This review was probably longer than it needed to be already.
Jahshie P
November 15, 2010 @ 11:54 am
Yeah, those last three tracks are odd to say the least. I think she is trying out different types of styles there at the end the disc. Also, apparently, Taylor is a huge fan of vinyl, and “Speak Now” will be released as a record in the coming weeks. Also strange.
Waylon4ever
November 15, 2010 @ 9:06 am
Why do we argue this so much. Taylor isn’t the problem. She will go the ways of the money. I suspect her “country” stay is losing steam and she will be full on pop very soon.
Taylor isn’t the problem right now. The problem is outfits like Sugarland and Lady Ante-awful. Guys like Luke Bryant, Jason Aldean and Rodney Atkins, etc…
Gotta hitch your wagons to something else besides “Taylor can’t sing” to get people’s attention. ( I know this post is about Taylor’s album, but in general, that argument is not working) And, although I am a fan of his country stuff, HankIII ain’t gonna save anything.
Who seriously has a legit shot a breaking into the Nashville scene? Who can make some noise from within? Jamey Johnson, Gary Allan, Zac Brown are trying.
I recently saw Sunny Sweeny got packaged in a “new country” road show with some “pop country acts”. That is promising that she might be able to work over that crowd.
It is going to take some time. Taylor may continue her popularity, but people are taking notice, she is not country. That argument is over.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 9:35 am
I understand what you’re saying, but honestly my goal here was to try and write a truly honest review about how I felt about this album, and it was not as much about creating a vehicle to say Taylor Swift can’t sing again, it just happens to be that it was relevant to the conversation.
Zac Brown was nominated for Entertainer of the Year? Hasn’t he already broken in?
BTW, I will review his latest album if someone can get me a copy. I heard it is more real and more engaging than Jamey Johnson’s from someone whose opinion I appreciate.
Jahshie P
November 15, 2010 @ 11:56 am
I’ll get you that Zac Brown disc. I forgot all about that. I’ll email you the tracks now.
Waylon4ever
November 15, 2010 @ 1:57 pm
I guess I worded that wrong… I didn’t mean for it to sound like Zac Brown hadn’t broken in yet. They have. As have the others I mentioned.
Was more meaning that Taylor is Taylor, but who is coming with the Zac Brown’s, Jamey Johnson’s, Gary Allan’s to fight of the Sugarland’s and Jason Aldean’s?
Denise
November 15, 2010 @ 10:23 am
I’m sorry , but you’re wrong. Taylor is the problem. Pop Country Music is the problem. Music Row is the problem. The Taylor Swift’s of the world have set a precedent . . . tarnished the commonality that Hank, Johnny and Waylon set. Triggerman, a song about John Mayer is her best contribution to this album? She stated publicly she was sorry for the song. What message is that conveying? I will make millions of dollars from a song I shouldn’t have written ? Give John Mayer the money then, darlin’, so you really have an apology.
The argument will never be over. She can’t sing as a superstar should be able to sing. She is not the world’s best songwriter as the industry wants you to believe. She is a nineteen year old who to date has been very lucky to be where she is. But then again, she must not feel too lucky. According to Never Grow Up, she is lonely and unhappy with all those franklins to keep her company.
Jahshie P
November 15, 2010 @ 11:59 am
she’s 20 now, almost 21.
Waylon4ever
November 15, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
I am not a fan of hers, but to say something like…
“The Taylor Swift”™s of the world have set a precedent . . . tarnished the commonality that Hank, Johnny and Waylon set.”
There are no other “Taylor Swift’s” for one thing. There is a bunch of shit behind her, but she is well ahead of others.
And jesus, you think that she has tarnished Hank, Johnny, Waylon???? Man you give her more power than she has. Taylor isn’t tarnishing any kind of country music history. She certainly isn’t the golden age, but she isn’t re-writing the history books.
Seriously, some poeple on this board make the dumbest comments/arguments, that I find myself defending the wrong side.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
Oh jeez. You and Denise are fighting for the same thing.
I understand what she is saying. If people growing up right now think that Taylor Swift is country, they may never put out the effort to discover the oldtimers. It may not mean that they will be erased from the history books. But if nobody has the desire to learn about them, isn’t this almost the same thing?
Waylon4ever
November 15, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
I “think” I know what Denise meant, but wasn’t going to assume.
And I get what your saying here, but that argument is weak.
To say that because people don’t know the oldtimers or Taylor and pop country will bury them and we will lose that “music/sound” because youngsters will think not look for it and simply think “Taylor is country” ???
When I was younger I was drawn to that 1989-ish group of singers that came in. Why, because that was “in”. As I grew, I learned more about the old timers. I didn’t put a lot of effort into it, I just heard a song here or there and it took over. They never will fade. Girls listening to Taylor right now who are 13-15. I can promise some will be Patsy, Loretta, Tammy, etc… fans when they hit 25-30. If they aren’t, our cause didn’t lose any fans worth while.
I think this boils down to all of us hating the fact that award shows that are deemed “country”, that when our friends that are not country fans on any level see it, they say to us “you like that shit I saw on the CMA’s?” and we are left having to explain that shit is different than the REAL shit.
Aran
November 15, 2010 @ 6:45 pm
Speaking for myself, I thought I hated country music entirely until not even four years ago. Why? Because all I’d ever HEARD was the crap that was on the radio. The country radio I had to listen to in the early 90s was so bad that I avoided country for years and years. Maybe I heard a little Johnny Cash and Willie here and there, but I don’t think I’d EVER heard Hank, Waylon, Merle or so many others that I now love. When I tell people I play country music, I have to explain that it’s “real” country music. I almost feel like I’m defending myself sometimes. That’s why for me it’s personal with pop country. Call pop music pop music and let country be country.
Carla
November 23, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
I agree with Waylon4ever. I think people overestimate the ‘power’ of this young girl. She’s not selling a kazillion albums because she’s a great pop/country or musical artist, she’s just wearing the golden undies at this particular moment in time. She’s expendable and she’ll be replaced. She’s been brilliantly marketed – jeez I don’t even live in America but she’s everywhere I look – on the telly, on billboards, on David Letterman, on commercial radio etc etc. I think of her music as pop music, and not even a particularly good example of it. I’d take Gwen Stefani, Rhianna, Katy Perry or Lady Gaga any day of the week. I haven’t had to listen to an entire Taylor Swift album (poor Triggerman) but I don’t think I’m her target demo. Heck, maybe if I was 12 I would be a fan of hers? Like Waylon4ever says we are products of the ‘era’ we grow up in. When I was 12 it was all about the Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, G n R and Def Leppard as that’s what was on the radio at the time.
PS What have you done with the album since your review Triggerman? Some suggestions: an ashtray, coaster, means to break into your truck if you lock your keys inside.
Kay
November 23, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
I got so tired of Ernest Tubb and Hank and the gang as a kid because my DAD liked them so it couldn’t possibly be good. Love them now.
I have posted my thoughts about Taylor all over the place but one more thing.
I liken her to someone who cheats all the way through collegel and gets the diploma, recognition and the job. They then can’t do the job and inside they know it and then they fail, really fail. Her world is gonna come crashing down soon. I blame her Dad and people around her who have put her on a musical pedestal when they should be telling her the truth and guiding her to something that she really is good at.
Otis Lee Miller
November 16, 2010 @ 3:43 pm
I am a fan of The Zac Brown Band, but I don’t understand why they are at all relevent to this debate. Zac himself has said many times that they are not a country band. Though, he does greatly appreciate the help that country radio has given them with record sales.
The Triggerman
November 16, 2010 @ 5:07 pm
So they were nominated at the CMA’s for Artist of the Year and THEY don’t even consider themselves country?
I don’t know which way is up any more.
Otis Lee Miller
November 16, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
I know, man. I quit trying to figure it out a long time ago.
Googlina
November 15, 2010 @ 10:13 am
I didn’t ready anything but the last paragraph of this “review”. But even a taylor hater KNOW’s she isn’t going ANYWHERE. She’s here to stay and most of the reviews for her current album have been positive. She can’t have every review positive and everyone is entitled to their opinions.
I also agree that she will likely win CMA’s next year but I don’t think her not winning this year had anything to do with her “team”. Fearless had won everything out there so why continue to load awards on that album? Not to mention, Miranda Lambert was just too critically acclaimed to ignore. But anyway her not winning hasn’t stopped her haters so they may has well have given her awards….LOL!
BTW, Taylor’s performance at the CMA’s were EXCELLENT and when you look at the ratings great down she had to most viewers during her performances of over 17.4 millions ( the most tuned in at anytime during the telecast) and her CMA performance on you tube has also been viewed the most (next to “country strong”).
So someone is liking when your haters can’t help but follow you around and even admit that you’re here to stay, you are doing just fine.
BTW, if folks have a problem with Taylor’s music and whether it’s “Pop” or “Country” how about it’s a mixture of both. And if you have a problem with it, take it up with someone who can make a difference. Don’t fault Taylor for being successful.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 10:48 am
I don”™t feel comfortable with you labeling me a Taylor “hater.” Taylor “critic” I think would be more fair, because I don”™t know Taylor personally, and try to keep my criticism about her music and the public identify surrounding it.
And viewers or popularity is not really an accurate measurement of quality, it”™s simply a marker of appeal. I”™m sure a lot of those viewers tuned in to see if she would bomb.
I would encourage you to read the rest of the article. You might be surprised by what you read from this “hater.”
I’ll say it again, in the end I will look like Taylor’s best friend.
Aran
November 15, 2010 @ 6:49 pm
I’m sure there are plenty of “haters” out there, even on this site. But frankly I was surprised how nice you were in your review Triggerman!
Denise
November 15, 2010 @ 10:54 am
Oh goodness, where to begin? You really think that just puttin’ up and shuttin’ up is the answer to the destuction of real country music? Folks do have a problem with her music, obviously, and who’s gonna make the difference? Music Row? Now that is something to laugh at. Taylor will be faulted for being successrful when it is unmerited and unsubstantiated.
BTW. This is Saving Country Music. Not saving pop country and accepting the downfall of good music because Taylor Swift is a successful manufactured star. Thank you anyway, Googlina.
CJ
November 15, 2010 @ 12:40 pm
I’m so tired of people labeling others who are critical of Taylor as “haters” simply because they are honest enough to point out Taylor’s lack of talent in the vocal department.
Kunzy
November 15, 2010 @ 10:58 am
Havent listened to it. Don’t plan on it.
Ted
November 15, 2010 @ 11:26 am
LOL I think you must appreciate all kinds of genres before you critique this. All you say is how fucking horrible and how apparently she is the downfall of country music. God, I may not be a fan but I can recognize when the credit are due. This girl is talented and has a good head on her shoulders.
Whether you like her or not, she’s here to stay.
Because of her many people check out country music. It’s a win-win situation.
I enjoy her album.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 12:08 pm
Believe it or not Ted, I listen to all kinds of music. Another wrong assumption, yet again.
ALL I say is how fucking horrible it is???
From the review:
I caution labeling Taylor as pathetic nothingness. Her fame is not accidental, or a trick of smoke and mirrors, and to assert so is giving her an advantage of being underestimated
she is above the Sugarlands and Jason Aldeans and Colt Fords of the world.
The fourth song “Dear John” I may have to admit is even good. Clocking in at nearly 7 minutes, this is the song that brings some substance to this album, and even some soul. . . it does a great job at setting tension and buildup in the music.
“Never Grow Up” is another decent one . . .the song has some good originality, and Taylor gives this song substance by being unafraid to show a vulnerable side.
another up-tempo track “Better Than Revenge” is devilishly catchy,
This album does not give me the same pukey feeling I get when I hear Jason Aldean rapping or Sugarland doing a reggae breakdown
Yes, Taylor Swift is a better role model than someone like Miley Cyrus
Next . . .
Chris Lewis
November 15, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
Thanks for your honest review Triggerman! To tell you the truth I’m over the whole Taylor drama. I think we all have our opinions and aren’t gonna change them. We all know Taylor is here to stay no matter what due to her mass appeal to a younger generation even though we all don’t approve such as myself. Personally I hope that she’s just a fad that will descend into obscurity just like the Jonas Brothers and other Disney favorites. I believe it will to an extent because the younger generation has such a short attention span and will move on eventually to the next “hot” thing at the time. They aren’t interested in the history and integrity of the genre of country music. I can almost guarantee you ask any of Taylor’s young fan base and no more than 1% would know that Kris Kristofferson is a country singer, that Waylon used to play for Buddy Holly, that Merle Haggard was in prison, know that Hank Williams learned music from a bluesman, etc etc etc.
That’s the problem with country music these days in my opinion. There’s not enough emphasize in the music or movie industry in my opinion to showcase country music roots. The other problem I have is that artists aren’t willing to help promote their fellow musicians whether it be in the mainstream or not. Rally the troops!
Jahshie P
November 15, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
Actually, he gave a really fair review of the album. Is anybody reading the full review but me? I don’t think the review bashes her at all, except her obvious lack of staying on key. She is a good song writer at times, I will give her that. And, she certainly knows how to write a catch as good as anyone out there. But, again Ted, the point is, this is NOT a country album, it is a pop album, and Triggerman reviewed it as a pop album, which made it very fair.
BlueRibbonRadio
November 15, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
I’m with Jahshie on this one. I don’t think this was an unfair review at all.
Where does he say how awful she is? I missed that part. He points out that she straight up cannot sing, but that’s not bashing. That’s stating the obvious.
Read the whole thing, not just the headline, before you fill with rage and spill glitter all over your Disney sticker book.
…and stop using the term “haters.” It’s retarded.
The Triggerman
November 15, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
Just like when a referee in sports makes a questionable call, the fans of the two different teams are going to see it the way they want to see it. I’m pretty critical of Taylor, but I’d like to think I’m fair. It’s the job of Taylor fans to come here and defend her, and I applaud and encourage them to do so. But it would be wise for them to think before they leap, or at least read the review.
Carla
November 23, 2010 @ 5:14 pm
I personally find all the Taylor Swift fans swamping the site to defend her painful. If I thought they were here to actually read some of your other articles/reviews and actually educate themselves about real country music, I wouldn’t mind. However I reckon they just come over here to put in their two cents, put up really feeble arguments and in doing so don’t convince any of us that she’s anything other than what your review has pointed out. Do they not realise that Taylor Swift doesn’t actually need them to waste their time coming over to a site like this to defend her? She doesn’t care, she doesn’t need them. Oh yes wait, she does. She please needs them to keep buying her albums and merch so she can pay the housekeepers and butlers in her new mansion on the hill. The one she gets so lonely in.
Aran
November 15, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
Thanks JashieP, that’s what I’d been thinking all along. Very fair review from Trigg.
Waylon4ever
November 15, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
FACTS:
She can’t sing well.
She isn’t country.
She came on the scene with a song called “Tim McGraw” so they put her in the country genre, when country labels needed a young star.
She is a pop idol to millions of young girls/women. (those fans weren’t going to buy Waylon albums with our without Taylor)
She won’t be mistaken for Loretta or Tanya Tucker in the history books.
John Heston
November 15, 2010 @ 3:04 pm
All quotes except one by The Triggerman
“we criticize Taylor because her success is an injustice to the truly talented musicians who are mired in obscurity who actually can sing, and impart fulfilling elements through their music”
Speaking as a non-American who has followed Real Country Music for 35yrs, you appear to fall into the usual critic trap of blaming the innocent. In reality Taylor is only important as a dipstick for how far the music industry has fallen. True Country has not fallen as far as most genres but fron outside looking I see it catching up fast.
Yes I agree with all your comments on music industry so how about? “we criticize Music Row for destroying the value of Albums in favour of forcing low quality promo singles it is an injustice to the truly talented musicians who are mired in obscurity who actually can sing, and impart fulfilling elements through their music” It says everything where a poor singer having fun, with a great management, easily puts in fantastic sales figures.
Take a look at the winners of CMA, Miranda Lambert praised for taking greater control of their own output & taking risks. The others are having their careers destroyed by increaingly poor songwriting & unsuitable songs forced on talented musicians.
Turn the volume off to avoid Taylor’s singing, what is she getting right?
Songwriting for her audience, not treating her audience as shit, or idiots, outside America we are often asked to pay $50+ for a CD Album when same in US is $7.99 or less. Wonder why theft is so popular? Taylor engages her audience and she relies on peer pressure to get sales & reduce theft!
Marketing her Albums as complete collections & items that don’t go out of date!!!
A Management that places live stock in Supermarkets, Coffeehouses & is not scared to create new promotion methods.
Lastly take a look at Taylor’s band who are fantastic individuals & musicians who have fun offering a different backing mix for each and every TV show performance. Each bandmember engages as an individual/personality with the audience, via, Meet&G, videos & all use twitter massively more than Taylor who seldom makes tweets herself.
“But don”™t worry Swift fans, I have no doubt that her CMA snub this year was just a retooling for 2011 when she will sweep the awards again”
What? Taylor wasn’t snubbed at any recent award show! She didn’t release an album for 2yrs… “Speak Now” only becomes eligable for CMA, CMT, ACM etc in 2011 & I believe Grammy’s in 2012.
ROFL I think you’re well behind the times “Was just thinking, Taylor would never make it in pop music. Those black diva singers may not be very enjoyable to listen to, but they would sing Taylor under the table.” Unfortunately in my experience black diva’s brought up in Gospel Churches are being pushed to Independents or own record labels…because big record labels no longer support R&B. Nowdays it seems the successful Soul + R&B divas act only as backing fodder for HipHop folks on Autotune or used for ElectroDance for 18-30 age group.
Just like Real Country both Real Soul + Real R&B are being swept out of sight!
Big A
November 15, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
This reminds me of a story I heard Bocephus tell. Before Waylon died, Jr. had a conversation with him that went something like this:
Waylon:
I don’t like the music nowadays. Music can’t get on the radio unless it’s got bubblegum on it, Hoss.
Bocephus:
That’s true, but if you think like that you just might miss a good song here or there.
I see this review as very much in line with Bocephus’ thinking. Is the industry healthy? No. Is the artist good? No. Are most of the songs good? No. However, if you take a song at face value and admit there is a little bubblegum on it, you can still enjoy it. That doesn’t make it country music, but it just might make an enjoyable song. I’ve been afraid to admit that I do actually like some songs by pop country artists. Not that I support their career or their image or their sound, but there are still some songs that transcend my hate. I think everyone has a few “secret” songs that they would never admit to liking publicly.
Also, first article on SCM with a six comment chain about someone fucking John Mayer. I love to see how fast the comments devolve on article like this. It is like the newscaster fight scene in Anchorman.
Steve G
November 15, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
Is John’s song “Assassin” on his “Battle Studies” album about him doing her?
Rev.Nix
November 15, 2010 @ 5:50 pm
Im so sick of people bashing this beautiful goddess of Country Music….Im making a “Leave Taylor Alone” video to go viral on YouTube. You guys disgust me. “Our Song” is MY song…. jeez leave Taylor alone. And F John he pulled the old pump and dump on my girl!
Nlindsay
November 15, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
I’m with Rev Nix on this one. You GO Taylor Swift, and you go HARD!
Denise
November 16, 2010 @ 7:10 am
I hope she writes a song about me next. I’ll even co-pen it.
Goes something like this . . .
Ryan Lawson
November 16, 2010 @ 11:57 am
Good article.
*Typo, you said “dawn a confused look…” Methinks, it should be “don a confused look…”
The Triggerman
November 16, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
Ah, now I see. That was the simple, innocent typo that Chevy Truck saw, rendering this whole article irreconcilably illegible.
Fixed. Thank you.
Ryan Lawson
November 16, 2010 @ 1:25 pm
Hahahah
joe
November 16, 2010 @ 2:08 pm
Big giant fck you to the dumbass who wrote this crap. You know nothing about this girl. She will be a pain in you arse for a long time. And i am glad. Keep bringing joy to your fans,Taylor. btw did you listen “Long Live” too? I can so picture you yelling “this is absurd” in that song.
The Triggerman
November 16, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
Awesome Joe, thanks for bringing such substance to the discussion.
By the way, no need to edit your cuss words, censorship is prohibited around here.
joe
November 16, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
Sorry for that…just had to get it out of the system. It is very irritating to read how not country she is, yet most of the big names today in country have a pop sound to their record. Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum so on and so on. My question is: will you be doing a not-country-rant-reviews with those artists too? Or are they out already?
The Triggerman
November 16, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
I agree Joe, but there is no double standard here. Yes, I’ve gotten on Keith Urban and Lady A specifically for not being country, as well as Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, and many other pop country artists. I’ve been doing this for a few years now. The name of the website says it all.
joe
November 16, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
and oh yes…be very careful with a word manufactured, when you talk about Taylor Swift (about comments). If there is a completely selfmade young artist in the business right now, that would be her. Big Machine records was a noname small label in Nashville before they hit the jackpot by signing Taylor. This girl made them huge with her music. And she is a very smart young lady…she had a chance to sign earlier at the age of 15, but turned down, because they wanted to put her on a Artist Development Deal (no right to write her songs). As far as her singing goes…i guess her voice is not pleasant to vocal coaches and such, but to a regular listener and supporter it sounds raw, honest, beautiful. It`s about emotion…just like Chris Robinson said, trying to bash Taylor, ironically pointing out her strong point.
The Triggerman
November 16, 2010 @ 4:40 pm
You’re totally right. Big Machine was a small independent label . . .until Taylor Swift. Now they’ve signed Rascal Flatts and Jack Ingram and have distribution deals with Universal. They were also co-founded by Toby Keith, which I think says a lot.
Just came out today that Taylor Swift has made $45 million dollars this year, and counting. Hard to call that small and independent.
I have no doubt that Taylor has more latitude with her music than most Music Row artists, and for that, I applaud her and Big Machine. It doesn’t change the fact that SOME of the songs on this album, in particular “Speak Now” sound manufactured. Whether it was truly manufactured in the Music Row mold, I can’t say for sure, but the results are the same in the music.
And I have no doubt that Taylor Swift, and her peeps, are VERY very smart, and as I said in the review, “wickedly shrewd.” Wise? Well, that’s another story.
We will not agree in total about Taylor’s music Joe, but I think you should go back and re-read the entire review. I think I give Taylor’s music more credit than you’re giving me for.
Believe it or not, I have respect for Taylor Swift, always have, and i have much more respect for her than many others than can be found on country radio these days.
Steve G
November 16, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
You’re a mentalist joe
joe
November 16, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
thanks. have a good day too.
Rev.Nix
November 16, 2010 @ 4:29 pm
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/scm-live Tomorrow night be there to hear REAL Country Music Blues at 8 and Outlaw Radio Chicago at 9 pm est. Thats Country as Fuck.
Rev.Nix
November 16, 2010 @ 4:26 pm
Joe has no idea what Saving Country Music is about. Trig can we get a good old bashing of Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum to feed the need to talk shit we all have about POP country.
The Triggerman
November 16, 2010 @ 9:16 pm
Looks like Lady Antebellum can’t get out of their own way.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/lady-antebellums-cma-single-rips-off-alan-parsons
A good old fashioned roasting is probably in the offing.
BlueRibbonRadio
November 16, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Something tells me Joe is a creepy old man.
The Triggerman
November 16, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
Joe is just a fan fighting for an artist he believes in, and there is nothing wrong with that.
I just wish people would stop reacting and really read what I have written about this album to make for better discussion. I could have taken a much more comical/mean approach to this review, but I see the significance of this album, and tried to be as fair and straight-laced as I could.
You want to see a tough review, check out my takes on Josh Thompson and Eric Church.
Aran
November 16, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
That’s what I keep thinking too Trigg. I’m sure there was a desire to tear this album apart (or maybe I’m projecting), but you gave a very fair review. Keep up the good work my friend.
joe
November 16, 2010 @ 10:37 pm
No. I am not old-did my writing style suggest that? I tend to overreact at times,when it comes to miss swift. She does get a lot of s…it for nothing in my opinion. I read the review once again,and i see you giving her some credit too,but it is wellhidden. Do not get me wrong,i think you are a great writer, but we just have to agree to disagree on this matter.All the best.
dstate1
November 19, 2010 @ 5:57 am
The good news is there is now a mega selling album that is not rap….
There have always been singer/songwriters who couldn’t sing….if the material sells the voice is secondary in those situations. If Taylor Swift was a dog she would probably get more respect from the Tracy Chapman crowd.
If my 19 year old kid was able to write music that millions of people liked I’d be pretty impressed…Hell, if anyone on this forum could write a hit song I’d be impressed. Anyone?
Waylon4ever
November 22, 2010 @ 10:26 am
Beyond the country vs. not country arguments, the the does she have talent or not… fact is she is the top thing right now but it won’t last.
She is singing to kids. I don’t care if she is 20, she is singing to kids about their teenage years. That isn’t going to fly forever. And as she becomes an adult, the kids that grow to adults won’t be buying into her whining about what multimillion dollar celebrity boy messed up her year and she writes a song about it.
Teenagers buy into that, but “normal” adults don’t want to hear how your heart is confused over Taylor Lautner or Joe Jonas. Women in their 20’s don’t want to hear you heart is broken because “it just didn’t work out with all the pressure of the celeb. life.”
Her writing will never translate to the real world of adults, which she is growing into. She will never sing herself out of this. She is now like a child actor growing up.
This album is final lap for her.
The Triggerman
November 26, 2010 @ 10:40 pm
Don’t underestimate her.
Rob
November 26, 2010 @ 8:44 pm
I can understand why Swift appeals to teens and preteens but it frustrates me that many adults don’t seem to be able to see her music for what it is. And it frustrates me even further that most critics don’t seem to have the wherewithall to call her on the carpet for misrepresenting her bad pop music as country. I don’t know if it’s political correctness due to her age or some other reason, but most critics don’t seem to want to even discuss the issue of whether or not she is country. I applaud you, Triggerman, for having the courage to stand up and say what hardly anyone else will — that the Empress has no clothes.
The Triggerman
November 26, 2010 @ 10:40 pm
Thanks Rob.
Waylon4ever
November 29, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
Money is why they aren’t calling her out.
She isn’t re-shaping music. She is riding a cashflow.
Mainstream means “money”. Teens love her. I don’t know that many adults that consider her a “must see” or “must hear” that don’t have children listening to her. Or certainly no one saying her music is ground breaking or moving. It has some nice melodies that get in your head.
Again, Taylor isn’t the problem.
Bea
November 28, 2010 @ 6:04 pm
I DON’T GET THIS?!
she’s virtually UNKNOWN over here (europe), but i remember hearing her song ‘romeo’ on the radio and laughing out loud, thinking this must be a joke; who would try to pass this of as music? the lyrics… oh the lyrics.. it was like.. someone had made a song of everything disney in the shape of a blonde 7 feet anorexic with the face of an insect. later i learned that’s how she roll. her appeal? in the u.s it might be the blonde frail virgin thing. here it’s her latest red beenie (soooo cuuute) and brown booties (trend waaaarniiing!!). it is like everyone is under some kind of a spell.
BUT HOW IS THIS GIRL EVEN FAMOUS?!?
Zach
March 16, 2011 @ 10:13 pm
I think you are honestly the worst critic I have ever had the misfortune of running across- not only are your comments offensive to millions of people by claiming they don’t have any taste of music but your remarks are childish at best. You are both narrow minded and bias in a horrible way. This is not being mean but totally honest! Or is it? Swift’s point is that there are lines that are crossed when criticizing and not only have you crossed the line in this review by being “mean” to Taylor and anyone who has ever enjoyed a song by her.
The Triggerman
March 16, 2011 @ 11:10 pm
My comments are “offensive” because there’s a difference of taste? Please. Disagree on merits, but that’s a shallow argument.
And yeah, maybe I am mean. Just like a school teacher, or a parent may be considered mean when they are trying to do the best for a child. I just say what’s in my heart, and if that makes me “mean”, so be it. I didn’t call Taylor a “Liar” or “Pathetic” or “Alone in Life”. I simply disagree that her music is good. But if you read this review, I actually say some nice things as well.
Denise
March 17, 2011 @ 1:52 am
Oh you big meanie!! How dare you not like her pop country fare autotuned and shoved down your throat! I mean really! I bet Taylor is sitting in her mansion crying! AWWWW.
Go buy her album NOW!
Artie
March 26, 2011 @ 2:42 am
There’s so many reasons why I loved and respect Taylor and her music. And I can see where you all are coming from. But I don’t think she’s ruining country music. I admit I’m not a hardcore country fan so I can’t really elaborate more to that, but that’s just my opinion. I myself don’t care anything about her until I saw her headlining concert 2 years ago. I must say I converted after that concert and I’m glad I have. The integrity, hard work, love and passion she gives every time she hits on stage is insane. I just can’t really describe how I felt that night, but one thing I’m sure….I’m privileged to be on the same place as her. I could go on and on but…..
How do you exactly define “country”? I mean is it the songwriting, the instruments or what? I’m just asking, I’m not arguing or whatsoever. Cause I think she writes and tell stories like any country songwriter out there….or even a lot better than most (i’m not sure if i’m being biased…but whatever). And why can’t she be both? Pop and country.
Again, just stating my opinion. and btw, I checked out and bought albums from other country artists because of her. I just don’t get the “hate” (not all but some die-hard country people).
And I forgot about her singing, yes her range is limited but she can sing. Her voice cannot be compared to the various country divas but that doesn’t mean she can’t sing. And to me, I can feel the emotions that she portrays…and I think that’s more important (i know people will jump on me saying that but that’s just my opinion). Heard her so many times live in her concerts and acoustic settings and she can sing.
And to the people who commented that she has no chance of relevancy for a long period of time, please don’t underestimate her. Her fans will grow with her.
So yeah, that’s my long rant. LOL sorry i’m kind of rambling for the most part. 🙂
Denise
March 26, 2011 @ 8:30 am
Artie
It’s the prefabrication, the manufacturing, the nonsense of it all. I don’t know your age but if you want to know real country music, check out the heroes. Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynnette. Loretta.
Go to a real show, not an arena where the tickets are jacked up (bullshit) the “star” isn’t running around, doing costume changes and having her pop country friends jump on stage.
It sounds to me like you just have an infatuation for Miss Swift and think that she is hardworking. That may be true to a degree, BUT if money and fame is her business, then she is a SELL OUT. You’re talking to people here who are true blue music lovers. It don’t get any more real than a Joe Buck show. Rachel Brooke was handed her talent from above, not from Music Row. The real emotion and hardwork from the circuit players is right in your face. They don’t fly in from their vacation homes and get gussied up for the big show that is overpriced and overrated. They are true blue musicians.
I don’t get what you don’t get.
I
July 18, 2011 @ 8:01 pm
I so want to slap you right now. Though it might just be a product of my sleep deprivation, I think it’s pretty normal for me as a Swifty to react like this. And I do not doubt that Mean could be about you. Really, this isn’t just constructive critisim, don’t even try to deny it. Some of what you have written is just plain Mean.
Taylor truly does write amazing lyrics, the reason people love them so much is the fact that they speak to them. I have no count on how many of Tay’s songs that I can relate to. Taylor tell’s me things about myself and people around me that I didn’t realize, until I sit on the bathroom floor crying because the lyrics are just so damn true. Also, she has incerdibly catchy melodies. And her voice just stuns me. I truly think her voice is absolutely amazing. Even if I hadn’t been a fan, even if I had disliked her as much as I dislike glamour models turned singers I would have said she’s got a pretty voice. I’ve seen her live and I’ve heard some really old and raw songs of her. She’s gotten a lot better with the years, but she’s always been good. And last but not least, the way she shows emotion in her songs. I love the breathing in Last Kiss, especially the ponit in the bridge where she draws her breath in a way that you can hear she’s crying and the perfect way her voice occaisonally breaks throught the song. She does those little things in so many of her songs and that’s what makes her uniqe. Taylor is anything but mainstream and that’s part of why I love her so much.
Taylor Ton
March 20, 2012 @ 8:25 am
Huh! I even don’t care if she’s Country or Not? but, for sure, I Bought All hers albums and I enjoy Her Unique music. Thanks taylor. you help me so much. with your song “MEAN”, My Jobs is more Easier now. can’t wait for your next album.
🙂
CountryKnight
May 2, 2021 @ 1:13 pm
Back when SCM rightly bashed Taylor.
The good old days!