2013 Grammy Nomination Record of the Year for "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"
I guess they didn't release this on Spotify for a little while, or else I just miss fit entirely. I've been waiting to find it online to review. Sorry, but my desire to actually buy Taylor's albums just doesn't rank high enough on my expense list. I do like her though. I met her a few years back, and she's one of the nicest artists ever. She even remembered my name as she was leaving the office. Totally cool gal.
Anywhos, this is Taylor's latest one, and the one we seem to be hearing a ton of pop break-up songs coming out of. Granted, she's not nearly as rooted in country as her original released music, but she's managed to make a heck of a career in the industry.
Alright, let's do this!! "State of Grace" kicks us off here with a looming rock beat, just waiting to launch. She comes in with… how do I put this. Okay, she legitimately sounds like she popped into the studio and just pressed go to start recording her album. I sort of get the concept, but the words used for it aren't hitting me right to understand it.
"Red" - title track! I think I've heard this. Wait, wait, no. I heard this on a Target commercial, but I haven't heard the song in full yet. You know what I do miss about her old music? The lack of odd wispy sounds in the verses, and a time when I could understand anything she went on about. (I promise there are songs I really like on this album.) Cut the "na na na" crap in the background; this concept could stand on its own. It's interesting to take on colors and make things work like this. It's musically that I can't get into this one either. | |
| "I Knew You Were Trouble." No, seriously, there's a period at the end of the title. It's a statement. This took a while to grow on me. I mean, it's like freakin' popcorn. But once you put a face to the song, well, it's real easy to get into. Plus, those dang goat videos may have helped in the hilarity of it all. You love to love it, and you love to hate it. Okay, musically though, that "Oh" part is downright annoying. And really heard on the voice. Otherwise, this one's just plain fun. Anywhos, here's the dramatic video - for the first two minutes… yeah, hi there "Twilight." |
"22" is… UGH it's just obnoxiously catchy! And when you're a girl who doesn't get out much but had a fantastic time at 22, this is actually a really fucking awesome track. And just try not to role down the windows and blast in down a highway in the summer. Stupid commercial-bility. I grudgingly love this song a lot. I've got no defense whatsoever. | |
| Okay, more confessions - I smiled as soon as "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" came on. Yes, I can relate. But beyond that, this song is so damn clever, and I admire that. Hell, I wish i would have written it! It makes for a great yelling song when out with the girls, or just along dancing around your room. It's a pop song for sure, but she hit on something awesome here. And minority hilarious. |
Working with other artists always seems to bring our Taylor's serious side. Just look at her work with John Mayer and Tim McGraw. "The Last Time" (w/ Gary Lightbody) definitely follows that rule. Here we get strings - as in violins and cellos, not guitars. They're singing a tragic song of asking to be the top priority to each other. It's a now-or-never situation. And actually, as you delve farther into the song, it can really take a hold of your heart.
"Holy Ground" continues to prove that Taylor Swift has made a career out of fast talking, literally, in her songs. She comes up with fantastic rhythms for this, don't get me wrong, but if you really listen to her over time, there's a pattern for sure. Yes, most people laugh at her because she's the queen of breakup songs these days. But look beyond that, and you're going to see intense similarities between so many of her songs.
Ah, well, she can border on more serious with her own music too. "Sad Beautiful Tragic" is very slow, very solemn, and full of sad whispers. It's the acceptance after the breakup. There's very few instruments in the studio, though the effects on the vocals fill the room much more than expected. It really is just a sad, beautiful, tragic song.
"The Lucky One" sort of flew right by me, so sorry. But overall, it's a fairly simply moving piece. The drums drive the whole thing, and she's got a general up sound to her voice. I know there was an inherent sadness to the whole thing, but it made for decent background music.
Okay, so this is the one I've been hearing a lot about. "Everything Has Changed" (w/ Ed Sheeran) of course takes more of a simple, serious sound. Oh wait, 0:30 in there's an actual beat. Ha, I love when I speak too soon. It's a really sweet song, though I'm not sure I get it the whole time. Generally, I think it's a realization you might like a person more than you thought you did yesterday. I mean, it's when you realize the relationship will never be the same. Also, this might be the cutest video in the world right now. | |
| We end with a clever title, "Begin Again." Mostly clever because of the placement on the album. Give me a break, I notice things like this. Wait… wait, I've heard this, but where? (additional note after seeing the video… right, the radio. That's where I heard this before… it was a single.) I've never seen the title before. But I know that chorus. It's quiet and sweet, because you realize you're able to fall in love again, and that's really tough. I guess after an album of breakups, it's nice to have this end be the re-start of life. |
- "Treacherous"
- "I Know You Were Trouble."
- "All Too Well"
- "22"
- "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"
- "The Last Time" (w/ Gery Lightbody)
- "Begin Again"
Okay T-Swift, you've done it again. I never expect to like anything you put out, and I always find some real gems amongst it all. The girl has a knack for songwriting geared toward her primary audience, and you can't fault her there. Plus, again, nicest person ever.