Fearless [Enhanced]

Taylor Swift | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Big Machine Records
• ASIN: B001EYGOEM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (273 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #70 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

  #4 in	Music > Pop > Adult Contemporary
  #3 in	Music > Country > Today's Country

Editorial Reviews

St. Petersburg Times, November 2008

Why we care: There's never been a more cynical time in pop music, at least from a critic's point of view. Not only do we assume most Top 40 tartlets aren't doing their own singing -- we've accepted it, grading on cultural impact, art and integrity be damned. The 18-year-old Swift's pop-country pirouettes have all the weight of a dandelion crown, but she can sing and write a bit and flash a genuine smile. Ultimately, though, the Pennsylvania gal is one of the hottest things in music more for what she's not. Why we like it: With feet-on-dashboard beats and innocent guitar strums, Swift's sophomore helping of country fluff (see first single Love Story) details the kind of drama and heartbreak crescendo that can devastate a kid...at least until after recess. Her voice is strong when it has to be, wispy and lilty in those quiet times. She knows catchy, that's for sure.

Reminds us of: The star pupil at Faith Hill's Camp for Exceptional Blonds

Grade: B

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.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ~brilliant songwriter~, November 11, 2008

By	Joey Sciarra (Connecticut) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fearless (Audio CD)

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 ~

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure country-pop cotton candy sprinkled with hearts and rainbows, December 1, 2008

By	Deanna in Cali "DJ" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fearless (Audio CD)

Ironically, I thought the first Taylor Swift album was terrible [I got it for free, thankfully], but I heard her sing "Love Story" on the Country Music Awards, and although her vocals were weak, I found the song very catchy, so I picked up "Fearless" on sale. As cheesy and girly as it is, I LOVE this album, and have been listening to nothing else for the 2 weeks since I got it. The title track ("Fearless") is the first song on the album, and it's a strong opener. Though I must say, "Fairy Tale" would have been a much better title for this album since these lightweight tunes are about as 'fearless' as a puppy dog on a stormy night, and have tons of prince/princess/horses/hand-holding/standing outside of bedroom windows type references.

"Fearless" is a collection of songs that any teeenaged girl can relate to. Are the lyrics profound? Nah. The music innovative and brilliant? Nope. But nor does it need to be. The beauty of this album is in it's simplicity, and the best way to enjoy this cd is to take it for exactly what it is: the romantic musings of a young girl in [and sometimes out] of love, set to catchy melodies with memorable hooks. For a little old lady like myself [I'm 29], this is a pleasant throwback to high school; a time when you want so badly to fit in, and whether or not your crush smiled at you could make or break your day. It's fun to revisist those days through the eyes of a young singer for whom this stuff is recent reality.

I had every reason not to like this cd [not a *huge* country fan, not 18, never known "small town" life, etc.], but like a plain ol' peanut butter and jelly sandwhich, it just hits the spot.


Favorite tracks:

Fearless
Breathe
Fifteen
Love Story

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous songwriter, December 23, 2009

By	Thomas C. Carey (Boston) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fearless (Audio CD)

I am a 61 year-old man, a child of the 60s. Nonetheless, I love this CD enough to bother writing this, my first ever Amazon review.

Taylor Swift has an adequate singing voice, but nothing special. What is very special, however, is the clarity, simplicity, honesty and accuracy of her songwriting. And although it took me awhile to realize it, the backup musicians on this CD are also very good.

Taylor was only 19 (or was it 18?) when these songs were written. Her life experience was limited, and so is the scope of what she writes about. There are one or two too many references to kissing in the rain (it must have been some kiss). Nonetheless, she sticks to what she knows, and she portrays it very very well.

Last night I surveyed this CD, putting the songs into categories of (1) excellent, (2) very good, (3) OK and (4) not good. Here's my take: 4 excellent, 8 very good, 1 OK. I am a tough grader, and I would have to go way back to find another record this good. Being a bit of a country fan, I would think of Garth Brooks or Rodney Crowell. Beyond that, maybe a Joni Mitchell or Beatles album. (Joni was an even bigger talent in my mind -- more poetic, better voice).

Taylor Swift is fresh, genuine, spunky, sincere and a very talented writer. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD, if you haven't already.