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At first, I wasn't really into her album, but over time, I started to enjoy it more. My favourites include 'Tim McGraw', 'Teardrops on My Guitar', 'Tied Together with a Smile', 'Should've Said No' and 'Our Song' - most of the songs on the album, in fact. Her album is different from 'Fearless' but that's alright, because she has proved she is a talented singer who is a good songwriter. Definitely recommended.
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Taylor Swift is a superstar in the making. This debut proves it. The album is one of substance - half being solid pop-country tracks that are artistically fantastic, the other half streaming the words `filler' and `bland'. A vocalist, Swift is not, but her vocal style is distinctly singer-songwriter - her writing style being very emotional, and not pretentious. She accepts her youth, and bathes in it lyrically - much to the delight of her demographic, much to the annoyance of country purists.
Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of 16 with this album, Swift has stirred up country music. Purists outright reject her, country radio have embraced her fully - as have her peers, and the awards shows seem to land somewhere in the middle of the 2 extremes. The songs she writes are truly `teen' in themes, and this is what seems to split people. The arrangements are country/pop through and through - some melodies being country, others pop, each balanced out with the arrangements.
`Tim McGraw' is a sincere song about young love in the summer. In vein with Deana Carter's `Strawberry Wine', but on a more innocent level; the theme is honest, and the lyrics are really good. The melody is stirring, and rightfully the lead single of this album. `Picture To Burn' is serious country kiss-off, but with the twist of being in the vein of teen. The song is killer, and one of the best on the album. The instrumentation is fantastic, and the lyrics are strong: although on the re-issue a line in the first verse seems to have been censored and changed - unfortunate as the original would be perfect for country radio.
`Teardrops on My Guitar' is Swift's best composition on this album. The theme is teen, but completely transcends. The lyrics are the best on the album, and the chord progression is amazing. Touching and heartbreaking, the song is pure genius. Even purists like Alan Jackson have shown their respect for this song, acknowledging Swift as one of the best songwriters of the new breed. `Cold As You' is a great track that channels singer/songwriter flair, with a great arrangement. The lyrics are very mature, and possess a theme that has levels to it. Very impressive.
`Should've Said No' is another kiss-off song, but leans heavy on the heartache of the kiss-off. Fantastic arrangement, and the lyrics are quite stirring, although they are again very teen. This went to #1 on country radio, and it is very commercially appealing. `Mary's Song' is a nice melody that talks of small-town love and transience - a genuine good feel track that you'll want to listen to again. `Our Song' was another #1 smash for Swift, spending 6 weeks atop the Country charts. A cute love song with a great melody, the arrangement is perfect for the song's theme. Swift wrote this for one of her high-school talent contests, and really shows how mature of a songwriter she is for her age.
`I'm Only Me When I'm With You' is a driving melody with small-town themes, and an adorable hook. The song talks of spending most of the narrator's days with their best friend, and that they can't be happy without that person. The lyrics are gorgeous and the song is very likeable. Now that I've mentioned the gems on this album, it's time to summarise the not so great. `A Place In this World' is weak melodically, and pales to the three tracks before it. Tackling the theme of identity, the lyrics are somewhat bland, and lack an actual sense of identity. It's an odd affair. `The Outside' is a forgettable track. So-so melodically, snap for the lyrics. A track that you won't really have an opinion on ultimately. `Tied Together With A Smile' is a frustrating track. The concept and lyrics are perfect; you can't fault them - so mature and insightful: boasting flair. But the melody is terrible. It's very frustrating because the words deserve so much better.
`Stay Beautiful' is in vein with `Tied Together..' also. The lyrics are strong and creative, but the melody is weak. It doesn't spark the same response as `Tied..', but deserves better. The youth of Swift could explain the lack of melody to these two songs - perhaps if she explores music even further, and with age, her chord progressions and melody work will improve. `Invisible' tackles the same theme as `Teardrops..' but is so inferior that it leaves no impression. The lyrics are weak, and shouldn't have been included. `A Perfectly Good Heart' addresses the theme of youthful heartbreak, which has been battered throughout the album, and with a weak melody, it becomes kind of annoying.
Overall, this album is a good offering from Swift. Alright, her vocals are weak, and some of the melodies and lyrics are poor, but there are several tracks here that show she is a seriously good writer, with a distinct, interesting point of narration. If she can maintain the better half of this CD, she'll be a superstar. Both in country, and pop. Maybe a more rootsy offering will set her voice at a better steadfast, but I'm sure she'll improve with age and training. Overall, solid.
3 Stars.
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