Album Review: Taylor Swift; "Taylor Swift"

I’ve always been inspired by artists, particularly those who use their creative gifts to communicate a message to their audience. I’m amazed that an artist will know how to relate to the audience truths about life that affect them in such a way as to dramatically impact their lives. It doesn’t even have to be songs dealing with the hiv epidemic in Africa, some existential exploration, or even a critique on the Administration. It can be as simple as love and the desire to grow up. For me it’s gratifying to see someone accomplish this particularly at a young age and Taylor Swift has done it.

Taylor Swift released her first album, self-entitled; “Taylor Swift” at an age when most girls her age are just trying to survive high school. Though “only” a teen she is aware of her surroundings and life and has articulated that in her songs. She has done a great job of relating to us, her audience, not only what she has gone through but what WE have gone through. She reminds us that although we all go through the same heart aches and life questioning her songs make us feel like they are OUR problems and someone actually cares enough to sing about it.

First off I have to say that I loved almost every song not only for it’s sound and voice but because of the lyrics. “Tim McGraw” is the first track off the album and was the first release. It’s a song about losing a love and hoping that every time he thought about the everyday he would remember her. It’s great because who has not fell in love and wanted to feel so important that our significant other would think of us when anything little thing would trigger an amazing memory.

“Picture to Burn” is more of a “you broke my heart here I am to tear you a new one” type song. Touching. Basically don’t break a gal’s heart unless you want to understand “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

“Teardrops on My Guitar” is my second favorite song on this great album. It was this video (awesome by the way and I highly recommend buying it on itunes) that first introduced me to Ms. Swift and it’s a beauty. “Teardrops” is a song about a girl who loves a boy who loves another girl. The kicker? The boy confides in first girl about his love for the second…all…the…time. We have all been in one of these situations at one time or another in our lives. I’ve been the guy the girl I’ve liked has confided in. I’ve been the guy that was oblivious to the girl! Not always fun. Taylor knows how to paint a picture that may be uniquely her experience but at the same time we can all say is ours as well.

I absolutely love to see people think about something more than their social status or what they have to make them happy. A “Place in this World” and “The Outside” Swift tackles this beautifully. Taylor articulates her existential moment. It’s a peek into her mind more than anything. She feels alone trying to figure out life. Taylor acknowledges she doesn’t have it figured out, that each day is a mystery, and that’s great! “The Outside” could be construed as a follow up to “Place.” She’s screaming to the world she wants to grow and mature but no one is giving her a chance! It’s a critique on us as adults showing how we look down at children, not giving them a chance to experience life. She wants to take chances, she wants to fail, she wants to succeed. She’s not afraid, she’s chomping at the bit!

“Cold As You” is a pretty harsh “hurt by love” song. Comes down to a boy taking a girl for granted and she’s devastated by it. I hope she didn’t have to experience this first hand.

“Should’ve Said No” is along the same vein as “Cold As You” but this time ‘bout a cheatin’ man! Yes, she is a country singer folks.

“Stay Beautiful” is my favorite song by far! And that’s saying a lot! Corey is a boy that all the girls adore. He’s gonna be a success and is pretty humble to boot! Our narrator is one of his admirers and wants him to go out and accomplish all he can accomplish. Her wish, her hope is that if fate would have it, down the road, life would lead Corey to her front door. I love it on a few levels. It sounds great: her voice, music, everything. I love Taylor’s diction to paint such a vivid picture of this great guy and the town who must look up at him with such admiration. Lastly, this is the type of song that every guy would love to have sung about him. Every guy would love to have a girl, let alone girls, not only find him attractive but know that he will make something great of himself. Not only that, they are supportive to not try to hold him back rather encourage him and just hope they will have a chance with him down the road.

“Mary’s Song (My My My)” and “Our Song” are really sentimental love songs. “Mary’s Song…” is about a boy and girl who grow up together that eventually fall in love, marry, and grow old together. Taylor goes through different moments from their childhood through their old age that are romantic but normal enough it could happen to anyone! “Our Song” tells the story of a girl wanting an “our song” but her beau shows her they do but it’s not your typical rhyme and melody. It’s the sound he makes tapping on her window, her whispering on the phone so that her mother doesn’t find out she’s still talking on the phone, and the way she laughs! Yes, that would be considered romantic. Both of these songs have such great details! It’s so story-esque yet so simple. You would think that you have to be lucky to have it happen to you but it could happen effortlessly!

Taylor Swift’s debut album is nothing short of great setting lofty expectations for her sophomore release. Needless to say I love it. Her voice, the music, and her great writing is an awesome combination that the country scene is blessed to possess. Her songs are able to reach out to a broad audience. There is at least one song that everyone can relate to on a very personal level. She has a bright future ahead of her. You stay classy Taylor Swift!