By Colleen MacMillan || If you haven’t heard at least one track from Taylor Swift’s latest album “Red,” you’re probably not a teenage girl.
A milestone in the young artist’s career, “Red” represents the next phase in her metamorphosis – not only in musical experimentation with rock and dubstep influences but also in her lyrics and image.
Swift has come a long way from the the all-natural curly haired days of her debut album – where her innocent voice sang of Chevy trucks and summer heartbreak over raw acoustic guitar. We listened to her recount the first days of freshman year in her 2009 track “Fifteen” which ultimately told the story of her BFF, red-headed Abigail who gave it up to the wrong guy on the football team—though a bit more poetically than that of course.
But if the thought of first kisses and teardrop-soaked guitars has your ears prematurely bleeding, fear not. This is an older (and richer) Taylor. On this cover she dons her signature golden locks, long and straight. Scarlet lipstick pops against her pale complexion.
“Red” is comprised of multiple tracks that cross genre lines, shying away from her crystal clear country roots with more mature influence. “Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead end street” she says in her title track—not an image we’d normally get from the cowboy-boot-wearing prude of albums past.
Take her synthesized bass-dropping track “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Critics have speculated and picked apart the new song as yet another tribute to her infamous relationship with John Mayer, whom they also speculate took the young singer’s virginity before dumping her. This would explain the line “a new notch in your belt is all I’ll ever be.”
(The Christian Science Monitor definitely does not approve).
“Flew me to places I’ve never been, now I’m lying on the cold hard ground,” she croons before a head bang worthy chorus—in a hormonal high school parking lot? Fuggedaboutit.
There is one commonality to Taylor’s music through the years and that is her ability to put everyday human emotions into words and harmonies. Swift has always been smart and (after she turned 18) super hot. She’s been “Fearless” she’s told the “Lovestory,” and now she’s “Red.”
Taylor, Taylor—I’ma let you finish but, this is one of your most badass albums of all time.
***
Colleen MacMillan is a reporter/ columnist for FITSNews. Reach her at colleen@fitsnews.com.
22 comments
Her music much like this article sucks! Try a different approach Man-d!!!
Your modus operandi is quite apparent, Double Jap. You obviously are a hater towards everyone who posts here. Kinda’ getting old with the sucker punches, as someone mentioned earlier. You don’t have the intellect to do a real post?
Yeah, well. You know. TATA NANO is a lot like seneseless. Its much easier to get a dig in than actually contemplate something.
Have a Great Day!! :)
Frank Pytel
your welcome judy chopsticks
take a bath you stinking Indian Pytel
Like I said. Having to think is not your greatest strength. You and T still go to school together?
Have a Great Day!! :)
Frank Pytel
But she has some really really long legs!
Fits, please post another picture. I just threw up in my mouth.
She does look cute but I cannot evaluate without additional photographs.
I think I saw her in playboy or somewhere with her private part shaved, which happens to gross me out. But she is totally cool — I heard a recent interview about her living and writing music, and buying a house in Nashville. She is totally independent and self-made, riding the coat-tails of nobody. And about her new album — like Joni Mitchell, she writes her own lyrics and music. The new album is wonderful.
AAA, you are confused and a dumb ass as well. Taylor Swift is about as squeaky clean as you can get. Never posed for any magazine. There are a couple alleged cell phone pics floating around, but can’t be proved. (Only from waist up) You be smoking crack….
Then they must have been doctored pictures. I have no idea. I have a good impression of this girl, as stated above. I don’t smoke crack. I am just not a photo expert, and I am not a “dumb ass.”
@ AAA. Then I apologize. Sorry.
Taylor’s parents named her after James Taylor, one of their favorite balladeers. Very appropriate. When James first heard her play he said he was “blown away.”
Since then, they’ve performed together twice — at Madison Square Gardens and at Tanglewood:
Taylor Swift joins James Taylor at Tanglewood
Monday, July 02, 2012, 11:44 PM
By Donnie Moorhouse, The Republican
[PHOTO]
James Taylor and Taylor Swift perform together at Madison Square Garden in November. Swift returned the favor by appearing at James Taylor’s Tanglewood show on Monday night.
———-
LENOX — There are few concert experiences as authentic as seeing James Taylor at Tanglewood. Taylor’s iconic voice, the storied shed, and summer nights on the lawn are a two-decade long tradition that every music fan should take in just once if at all possible.
Taylor performed a two-set, two and half hour show on Monday night at the venue, stirring things up for the sold out crowd as part of his three-day stint (he plays July 3 and July 4 as well) in the Berkshires.
He stirred things up with his song selection, some fine playing by his crack band, and by inviting a “surprise guest” to the stage to close out the first half.
The fact that country-pop mega-star Taylor Swift was in attendance may have been the worst kept secret in Western Mass by the time the singer sauntered on the stage to join Taylor in a version of “Fire and Rain.” The ushers knew it, some fans in the front rows knew it, and even the cops directing traffic on Rt. 183 had an idea the pop star was in town.
That did not lessen the impact when Swift touched down in the spotlight. Her appearance sent a buzz through the shed and out across the lawn and the duet created a stir that could only be quelled by a 20 minute intermission.
The break came after an as-expected near perfect set by Taylor that featured hits like “Carolina In My Mind,” “Sweet Baby James,” and “Handy Man.” He lifted the crowd with a searing version of “Steamroller Blues,” with inspired solos from band members Larry Goldings (keyboard) and Dean Parks (pedal steel).
Taylor returned to the stage for the second set and after songs like “Lighthouse” and the crowd-favorite “Mexico” he invited Swift out for an encore. This time out, the young star took center stage for her hits “Ours” and “Love Story.”
James Taylor gleefully became the acoustic guitar player and backing vocalist (he harmonized on the choruses) for the best band Taylor Swift has ever fronted. She revealed the plan for this “surprise” was hatched last November at Madison Square Garden when James Taylor was a guest at the closing show of her tour.
She left to a standing ovation and the headliner immediately reclaimed his audience with a rowdy version of “Your Smiling Face.”
He rolled on with an extended version of “How Sweet it Is,” as a set closer and opened the encore with “You’ve Got a Friend.”
Published: Monday, July 02, 2012, 11:44 PM
Taylor Swift was dating Tim Tebow last year when he was with the Broncos.
Tebow is a good judge of character.
Taylor’s the sort of girl you’d want as a daughter.
Tebow’s the sort of fellow you’d want as a son-in-law.
She might write her own lyrics and music,but any comparisons to Joni Mitchell stop there.Taylor Swift is a lightweight at best. James Taylor lost his muse about forty years ago,but his voice has improved,which makes listening to his handful of great songs a pleasurable diversion for the baby boomer retirement-set.
Taylor and James are extremely thin gruel.
As disgusting as it might be,I’d rather look at Swift’s shaved private parts than listen to her music,or better yet,watch her blow JT.
Sad, you’re such a negative soul.
I’d like to watch your mother blow a mule.
Interesting connection?
Joni Mitchell’s very personal 1971 recording “Blue” has been called one of the best albums ever made.
— “The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (Blue is listed at No. 30)”.
Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
[I Could Drink] A Case Of You, by Joni Mitchell:
Just before our love got lost you said,
“I am as constant as a northern star.”
And I said, “Constantly in the darkness
Where’s that at?
If you want me I’ll be in the bar.”
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh, you’re in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you, darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet
Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I’m frightened by the devil
And I’m drawn to those ones that ain’t afraid
I remember that time you told me, you said,
“Love is touching souls”
Surely you touched mine
‘Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, you’re in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you, darling
Still, I’d be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said,
“Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed”
Oh but you are in my blood
You’re my holy wine
You’re so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
Still I’d be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
Fits, time for some new Gynch.
I agree. Roll ’em.
Taylor’s songs are boring silly teenage songs…..even the CMA must think the same because she did not win Entertainer of the Year like she thought she was……did anyone see the look on her face as she thought she had ii in the bag. Maybe now she will come down off her high horse and remember there are far greater singers than her…….no awards for her this time so watch out CMA there will be a song about you……
Come on Fits, let’s have some new material!