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Editorial Reviews
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, December 28, 2008
Swift Fearless, taking the spotlight away from Rose BY WERNER TRIESCHMANN
This is so old-school pop star.
Three days before Christmas and a stop at west Little Rock's Best Buy to snag Taylor Swift's Fearless turns up empty - that's right, not a single copy to be had in the whole store. Boxes of Guitar Hero and gleaming iNanos were still waiting to be bought. Then there were the well-stocked displays for a certain new album by Guns 'N Roses.
Taylor Alison Swift, who turned 19 on Dec. 19, was only 4 years old when Axl Rose started working on Chinese Democracy. Today, however, Swift, the cat-eyed, curly-haired singersongwriter, is the most popular music act in the country. Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers have the power of the 'tween marketplace and the mighty Disney behind them, but only two full-length albums into her career, Swift is challenging the rule that nobody makes rock stars anymore.
Swift is, of course, slotted as a country act and her first big hit, "Tim McGraw," reinforced that label. Among the many things that Fearless confirms, the foremost might be that the Pennsylvania-native Swift is navigating the broad waters of pop music. There's a banjo and fiddle here and there on Fearless, but the symphonic strings and general guitar uplift dominate.
You already know what Fearless is about - or maybe your favorite/closest teenager informed you in a breathless text message filled with exclamation points and all caps. Romance! Doomed romance! Being 15 and being crazy in love with Romeo even though of course it can't work out because he's a vampire - oh wait, that's something else.
Maybe you also already know that Swift's name is on all of these songs and that there are only five or so where the teenager shares credit with John Rich (of Big & Rich fame) and others. Maybe you've already decided that you love or hate this young, beautiful and now-rich singer-songwriter because of what you already know.
It's not likely that even Swift's biggest fans could tell from her low-key, mostly-acoustic, happy-to-be-here debut that the girl has a gift that translates to a bigger stage. That is to say, Fearless is about as tightly constructed and as hook-heavy as any pop record could be. The hits are certainly going to keep on coming after "Love Story" has its run on the charts.
While most of the early praise for the record has focused on Swift's sharp eye for detail (the nervous anticipation that comes with the first day of high school and the insanity that comes with young love), few have spoken about her voice. Although you can take it to the bank that Nashville's most expensive machines were applied to smooth out the edges, Swift is still able to convey the passion - the fragile feelings - that drives so many of these songs.
Taken as a whole, the great sweep of the production elevates Fearless, makes it more than a heartsick diary typed on perfumed resume paper. That's not to say that Swift's obsession over the fickle ways of young men doesn't start to wear.
The last song - the abstract, gospel-ish "Change" - isn't enough of a curve to break up the feel that too many of the tunes here are about the same thing with the same kind of tempo.
But even at 19 years old, Swift is smart enough to play to her strengths and her strengths are enough to make Fearless rich and satisfying in ways that few albums can match. Eat your heart out, Axl Rose.
3 1/2 STARS
Ah, young love. Country sensation Taylor Swift, 18, chronicles her formative years' romantic highs and lows on this stellar follow-up to her triple-platinum self-titled debut. Writing and coproducing all 13 cuts, the recent high school grad from Hendersonville, Tennessee - who just split from teen hunk Joe Jonas, 19 - tells the story of her freshman year on the sweet, midtempo "Fifteen" and ruminates on a deteriorating relationship (hello, Joe!) on the mature "Forever & Always."
Those who thought Taylor Swift was a big deal after the release of her first record should be prepared: She's about to get way bigger. Though they're written by a teenager, Swift's songs have broad appeal, and therein lies the genius and accessibility of her second effort. The insightful "Fifteen" ("In your life you'll do greater things than dating a boy on the football team") will connect with teens looking for hope and with adult women looking back, while the sparse "White Horse" will appeal to anyone who's experienced love lost, which is to say, everyone. "Hey Stephen" ("All those other girls, they're beautiful but would they write a song for you") displays Swift's confident sense of humor, and "Breathe" (written with Colbie Caillat, who sings on the track) is a love-gone-wrong song suitable for women of all ages.
Product Description
Fearless is the 2008 sophomore album from Taylor Swift, the young Country singer/songwriter who charmed the hearts and charts of America beginning with her debut single 'Tim McGraw'. Her triple-platinum self-titled debut release has scanned over 3.4 million units and spent more weeks at #1 than any other Country album this year: 24 weeks! Taylor is the only Country female artist to have five Top 10 singles from a debut album and the only Country female vocalist this decade to reach the Top 5 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart. Needless to say, she's a sensation that has only just begun to show what she is capable of. 13 tracks including the single 'Love Story' and 'Change', first heard during the 2008 Summer Olympics. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
80 of 92 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Taylor Swift is one talented teen! She had a hand again in every song on her highly anticipated sophomore CD - this time she wrote 7, and co-wrote 6. The first single, "Love Story" is a good example of how she can combine great lyrics with a catchy beat - and then produce a smash crossover hit. The most remarkable thing about the album is that it is incredibly balanced...and almost every song is so good that it could be released as a radio single. I think it is now safe to say that she is a rising star who will just keep on rising!
Taylor opens the album with the strong title track "Fearless", and ends the album with the powerful theme song of the summer Olympics, "Change". In the middle is a sure huge hit "The Way I Loved You" - a song that she wrote with John Rich. "Fifteen" is her most personal song, a bittersweet gem where she sings about her freshman year and her best friend for the past 5 years, Abigail. "White Horse" (which has already been featured on Grey's Anatomy) is a well written tearjerker - a heartfelt song that is just waiting to become her next blockbuster hit. A good example of her more acoustic side is "Breathe" - a simple song written with Colbie Caillat who also sings background vocals in the song. Taylor's writing seems to have matured and grown in the past 2 years. Take "The Best Day" for example - which is a completely different but awesome song, which is written about her family. She appeals to a wide audience, and executes this so well here on Fearless.
It's incredible how quickly Taylor crossed over and became not only a big country star, but a huge pop star also. It took only her second single - Teardrops On My Guitar - for her to become amazingly popular in mainstream music! Then she continued to release 3 more hits (two of them #1) off her debut album. Talk about a hard act to follow - but I can't see this trend stopping anytime soon with Fearless - this album is a major home run. She isn't the same country artist who sang "Tim Mcgraw", and I understand that some people will not be happy about that. If there are any flaws here, it would be that many of the songs are pop-country hits which are about the same subject - teens. You can't please everyone, but look for her to just become even bigger and more popular, with more #1's and crossover pop smash hits. Taylor's sophomore CD is very well done...filled with excellent, self-penned, radio-friendly top 40 hits! Overall ~ 9/10 ~
Taylor opens the album with the strong title track "Fearless", and ends the album with the powerful theme song of the summer Olympics, "Change". In the middle is a sure huge hit "The Way I Loved You" - a song that she wrote with John Rich. "Fifteen" is her most personal song, a bittersweet gem where she sings about her freshman year and her best friend for the past 5 years, Abigail. "White Horse" (which has already been featured on Grey's Anatomy) is a well written tearjerker - a heartfelt song that is just waiting to become her next blockbuster hit. A good example of her more acoustic side is "Breathe" - a simple song written with Colbie Caillat who also sings background vocals in the song. Taylor's writing seems to have matured and grown in the past 2 years. Take "The Best Day" for example - which is a completely different but awesome song, which is written about her family. She appeals to a wide audience, and executes this so well here on Fearless.
It's incredible how quickly Taylor crossed over and became not only a big country star, but a huge pop star also. It took only her second single - Teardrops On My Guitar - for her to become amazingly popular in mainstream music! Then she continued to release 3 more hits (two of them #1) off her debut album. Talk about a hard act to follow - but I can't see this trend stopping anytime soon with Fearless - this album is a major home run. She isn't the same country artist who sang "Tim Mcgraw", and I understand that some people will not be happy about that. If there are any flaws here, it would be that many of the songs are pop-country hits which are about the same subject - teens. You can't please everyone, but look for her to just become even bigger and more popular, with more #1's and crossover pop smash hits. Taylor's sophomore CD is very well done...filled with excellent, self-penned, radio-friendly top 40 hits! Overall ~ 9/10 ~
48 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After the success of Fearless, Taylor Swift and her label decided to re-release it. With some re-releases, you get shoddy remixes or re-toolings of the big hits, perhaps an acoustic version or two and a live track. Not so with the platinum edition. This is more of an extended version of the original album than the simple run-of-the-mill repackaged original version. The platinum edition has five entirely new tracks, plus a piano/acoustic version of the original release's "Forever and Always". What makes the new tracks and re-release worth purchasing is that you're definitely getting an improved and superior version of 'Fearless'; the new tracks are mixed in with the originals and you can't really tell that they were produced any differently than the original tracks. They are of the same quality and caliber, enhancing the experience of listening to Taylor Swift. They aren't much different from the originals; these new songs are mostly about young love, ambivalence, optimism (even in the face of heartache or tarnished relationships).
The Good: This isn't the typical 'country' music many are familiar with. Taylor Swift, having written most of the songs herself, brings a lot of her personal experiences and reflections into the music and the songs feel more authentic. While she's in the genre of country there's also a heavy presence of pop running throughout the tracks. 'Fearless' has a theme to it; songs about young experience and "fearlessness" in the face of many obstacles and new experience; on the track "Fifteen" she sings about school and not exactly fitting in, an experience everyone can relate to in some way. On "Hey Stephen" and "You Belong To Me" she sings of crushes and young love. "Jump Then Fall" is all about taking a chance on love. The mass appeal of Taylor Swift is probably how relatable her music and persona is. Unlike many artists her age who are singing about partying in clubs or trying to make 'country music' that's either too stereotypical or too dance-orientated, she's singing about life and things she and everyone experiences and goes through. Another good thing about this edition is that it comes with a DVD of the music videos from the singles released as well as some behind-the-scenes footage. For me, this enhances the experience because you're able to see and hear the creative process and witness how involved she is. It helps to also get the point across that there's a real person behind the music and lyrics and she's not just a puppet or product of her music label and the industry. Also, the video of her CMA performance of 'Thug Story' with T-Pain, a definite fan-favorite moment of the past year, is included and makes the DVD a true must-have. Sure, it's silly and definitely not country but it shows the versatility of Swift and her willingness to make fun of herself and have fun.
The Bad: There's not a lot to complain of. If there's a flaw to the album is that it can be a bit light and upbeat. The tone of the album, even when she sings of unpleasant feelings and of insecurities or unfulfilled loves, she never truly goes 'deep' or to a pure unhappy place. It gets a bit annoying that emotionally the album feels a little heavy on the positive and optimistic vibes, but again, that's a personal criticism. "You're Not Sorry" is probably the least 'happy' song with the new track "Untouchable" following close behind. Also, a minor nit-pick but the cover artwork doesn't reflect that this is really a new product. All that it looks like is the designer or label being lazy and short on time and sticking a black background behind the same photo from the first released. Perhaps the thought was that the black background and 'platinum edition' added in would give the impression of newness but the black background and her expression change the vibe or tone of the album from upbeat and optimistic to slightly moodier and depressing, which the album and music are not. Minor critique that doesn't detract much from the music. The new tracks are good but it would have been nice if the label also included many 'pop' versions of her singles that have been released through iTunes and other online venues over the course of the year. The pop versions "You're Not Sorry" and "Love Story" give both songs a different vibe and the variety would have made the release a bit more interesting.
In the end, if you haven't purchased 'Fearless' yet, this is the edition to get. Even so, the new tracks and the DVD with the music videos together account for a mini EP and is worth purchasing.
Listen to These: "Come In With the Rain", "Forever and Always" (Piano Version), "You're Not Sorry"
The Good: This isn't the typical 'country' music many are familiar with. Taylor Swift, having written most of the songs herself, brings a lot of her personal experiences and reflections into the music and the songs feel more authentic. While she's in the genre of country there's also a heavy presence of pop running throughout the tracks. 'Fearless' has a theme to it; songs about young experience and "fearlessness" in the face of many obstacles and new experience; on the track "Fifteen" she sings about school and not exactly fitting in, an experience everyone can relate to in some way. On "Hey Stephen" and "You Belong To Me" she sings of crushes and young love. "Jump Then Fall" is all about taking a chance on love. The mass appeal of Taylor Swift is probably how relatable her music and persona is. Unlike many artists her age who are singing about partying in clubs or trying to make 'country music' that's either too stereotypical or too dance-orientated, she's singing about life and things she and everyone experiences and goes through. Another good thing about this edition is that it comes with a DVD of the music videos from the singles released as well as some behind-the-scenes footage. For me, this enhances the experience because you're able to see and hear the creative process and witness how involved she is. It helps to also get the point across that there's a real person behind the music and lyrics and she's not just a puppet or product of her music label and the industry. Also, the video of her CMA performance of 'Thug Story' with T-Pain, a definite fan-favorite moment of the past year, is included and makes the DVD a true must-have. Sure, it's silly and definitely not country but it shows the versatility of Swift and her willingness to make fun of herself and have fun.
The Bad: There's not a lot to complain of. If there's a flaw to the album is that it can be a bit light and upbeat. The tone of the album, even when she sings of unpleasant feelings and of insecurities or unfulfilled loves, she never truly goes 'deep' or to a pure unhappy place. It gets a bit annoying that emotionally the album feels a little heavy on the positive and optimistic vibes, but again, that's a personal criticism. "You're Not Sorry" is probably the least 'happy' song with the new track "Untouchable" following close behind. Also, a minor nit-pick but the cover artwork doesn't reflect that this is really a new product. All that it looks like is the designer or label being lazy and short on time and sticking a black background behind the same photo from the first released. Perhaps the thought was that the black background and 'platinum edition' added in would give the impression of newness but the black background and her expression change the vibe or tone of the album from upbeat and optimistic to slightly moodier and depressing, which the album and music are not. Minor critique that doesn't detract much from the music. The new tracks are good but it would have been nice if the label also included many 'pop' versions of her singles that have been released through iTunes and other online venues over the course of the year. The pop versions "You're Not Sorry" and "Love Story" give both songs a different vibe and the variety would have made the release a bit more interesting.
In the end, if you haven't purchased 'Fearless' yet, this is the edition to get. Even so, the new tracks and the DVD with the music videos together account for a mini EP and is worth purchasing.
Listen to These: "Come In With the Rain", "Forever and Always" (Piano Version), "You're Not Sorry"
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Like her self-titled debut album Taylor has re-released Fearless in a Platinum Edition, due to the original 13 track 2008 release which has been certified 5 times Platinum. This re-release like her Deluxe Edition of her self-titled album features new songs and a DVD.
The CD contains 5 new songs and a piano version of Forever & Always (previously released on Fearless) & the original 13 tracks on the Fearless album. The new songs include, "Jump Then Fall", "Untouchable", "Come in With the Rain", "Superstar", & "The Other Side of the Door." "Untouchable" was performed prior to it's release on the Clear Channel Stripped site by Taylor as a big promotion for the 2008 release of Fearless. "Come in With the Rain" has been available as a digital download since 2007. I rate the new songs 5/5 because they are all very good and well done. "Jump Then Fall" is currently my favorite new song.
The DVD that comes with Fearless Platinum Edition contains the 5 music videos that have been released prior to it's release, this includes, "Change", "The Best Day", "Love Story", "White Horse", & "You Belong with Me", 3 "on the set" behind the scenes making of the music videos ("Love Story", "White Horse" & "You Belong with Me"), a photo gallery of the 2009 Fearless Tour, A behind the scenes of the first show of the Fearless Tour in Evansville, Indiana. and the parody video of "Thug Story" with T. Pain that Taylor did for the 2009 CMT Music Awards. There is also 2 different exclusives, one done by Wal-Mart and one done Target. The Wal-Mart exclusive version of Fearless Platinum Edition contains 2 DVD exclusive bonus content of the V-Fest UK: Live performances of "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me" and the Target exclusive version also contains 2 DVD exclusive bonus content of the Clear Channel Stripped performances of "Untouchable" and "Fearless"
All together the album is great and you won't be disappointed. Please note that there is only 5 new songs, not 6 as advertised seeing as the "Forever & Always (Piano Version) is just that, a piano mix of it's previously release. So if you are a Taylor Swift fan, you don't wanna be without Fearless Platinum Edition
The CD contains 5 new songs and a piano version of Forever & Always (previously released on Fearless) & the original 13 tracks on the Fearless album. The new songs include, "Jump Then Fall", "Untouchable", "Come in With the Rain", "Superstar", & "The Other Side of the Door." "Untouchable" was performed prior to it's release on the Clear Channel Stripped site by Taylor as a big promotion for the 2008 release of Fearless. "Come in With the Rain" has been available as a digital download since 2007. I rate the new songs 5/5 because they are all very good and well done. "Jump Then Fall" is currently my favorite new song.
The DVD that comes with Fearless Platinum Edition contains the 5 music videos that have been released prior to it's release, this includes, "Change", "The Best Day", "Love Story", "White Horse", & "You Belong with Me", 3 "on the set" behind the scenes making of the music videos ("Love Story", "White Horse" & "You Belong with Me"), a photo gallery of the 2009 Fearless Tour, A behind the scenes of the first show of the Fearless Tour in Evansville, Indiana. and the parody video of "Thug Story" with T. Pain that Taylor did for the 2009 CMT Music Awards. There is also 2 different exclusives, one done by Wal-Mart and one done Target. The Wal-Mart exclusive version of Fearless Platinum Edition contains 2 DVD exclusive bonus content of the V-Fest UK: Live performances of "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me" and the Target exclusive version also contains 2 DVD exclusive bonus content of the Clear Channel Stripped performances of "Untouchable" and "Fearless"
All together the album is great and you won't be disappointed. Please note that there is only 5 new songs, not 6 as advertised seeing as the "Forever & Always (Piano Version) is just that, a piano mix of it's previously release. So if you are a Taylor Swift fan, you don't wanna be without Fearless Platinum Edition
Most Recent Customer Reviews
AMAZING
I love this album, it includes so many new songs and they are different and good!!!
it's amazing, and that's what you expect with a Taylor album.
it's amazing, and that's what you expect with a Taylor album.
Published 1 month ago by jswiftie
OK album
This was a OK ablum but it is Taylor Swift so you know what you are going to get. I liked it but not as much as some of her other efforts. Read more
Published 2 months ago by oldbluecat
Even better than I anticipated!
I'm not a teenager...in fact, I am 48 and I love Taylor! This is a killer CD. You won't be sorry if you buy it!
Published 3 months ago by CatmommySherri
taylor swift fearless
My grandaughter loves this cd and so do i. taylor has a great voice and great lyrics. i would buy this again.
Published 3 months ago by ahma t
bad singer
Taylor swift is overrated. She can't sing at all. She should not be getting all of those awards. She's a good songwriter, but singing she's needs work. Big time.
Published 6 months ago by Stevie
LOVED THESE SONGS!!!!
I don't have a favorite song on this album. All the songs were just incredible. They all create a story in your mind. Read more
Published 6 months ago by DREAM BIG:)
Good CD
I purchased this CD for my sister and she loved it... to be expected. I listened to some of it as well, and I have to admit it was not too bad. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Polcha
so good
I Taylor Swift she is the best. I love how she always has good music and this is something everyone would love.You get good cd with Taylor Swift!!!!
Published 8 months ago by kristenstewartfan
TAYLOR is TAYLOR
I'm one of the very first fan from Italy of this country pop artisti, I discovered her music in the 2008 thanx to PICTURE TO BURN single song and I started following this lady step... Read more
Published 8 months ago by CARLOS
Fantastic And Amazing.
This Is One Of The Best Albums Ever, For Any Kind Of Music This Is Great. Fans Will Not Be Unhappy With This. Everyone Will LIke It. Its A Mix Of Country And More "Popish" Songs. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Squrriel Girl
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