Ask almost any girl at Whitman who her favorite artist is, and she’ll respond enthusiastically: Taylor Swift. But as a member of the testosterone team, I’m not fervent about the country star who’s captivated our generation of double-x chromosomes.
Taylor Swift's latest album, "Speak Now," wasn't a show stopper for senior columnist Andrew Wyner. Photo courtesy justjared.buzznet.com.
Don’t get me wrong—I didn’t set out to write this review with the intention of hating on Swift, and of course, I haven’t listened to nearly enough of her music to reach a fair conclusion. But after seeing several of her performances at awards shows and listening to her most recent CD, “Speak Now,” at my editors’ request, I’m truly perplexed as to Swift’s popularity.
The Taylor Swift monsoon swept over me a few weeks ago when my freshman sister wouldn’t stop singing Swift’s recent hits, “Mine” and “Speak Now.” And, as if the omnipresent singing wasn’t enough for her poor brother to endure, my sister constantly begs to go to the country starlet’s concert.
So when my editors forcefully encouraged me to listen and review Swift’s latest album, I decided to examine the CD and stand up for us teenage males who aren’t head over cowboy-boot heels for it. Despite the critical success the album continues to receive, it’s filled with a repetitive country sound and overused motifs.
One problem with Swift’s latest album is its whiny, gossipy, shallow and overall weak themes. In the title track, Swift urges a boy to “run away” from his fiancé during his marriage ceremony to pursue her. The song seems trivial, considering the closest Swift ever got to marriage was a Jonas brother.
Another of the album’s setbacks was that all the songs have a common, trite motif: romance. While I don’t automatically hate a simple love song, Swift’s stories of love on virtually every track quickly become banal and meaningless.
But ultimately, I didn’t like Swift’s album because I just don’t think the music is that good. The sound becomes as repetitive as the themes, characterized by bright guitar chords and steady drumbeats. There’s nothing musically gripping or interesting; rather, most of the tracks serve only to rehash her older material.
Taylor Swift’s shallow lyrics and repetitive musical themes on “Speak Now” make it hard for me to understand what brought fame to the most popular singer of our generation.
sup
Friday, November 19, 2010
taylorFAN speaks as taylor was her neighbor and she actually knew her
pragmatist
Friday, November 19, 2010
i completely agree with what you wrote.
being one of the only girls who actually despises taylor swift (but thats irrelevant),
it doesnt take much “homework” to realize there are many WAY more talented artists that deserve the adoration and cash of millions of teenagers everywhere.
i simply cant understand why taylor swift is such an icon. her voice is bland, her lyrics unmoving and completely shallow, and her style overall redundant.
TaylorFAN
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I didnt mean to attack him, but seriously if you are going to write a criticism, do your homework
Swag
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Team you takes a stand against Taylor Swift…
anonymoose
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
hello andrew. im not going to attack you like TaylorFAN. But i <3 taylor. really i do, i know everything about her. i just wanted to kinndddlly say that her "whiny, gossipy, shallow and overall weak themes" are some real life stuff- honestly what else do you recommend she sings about? and speak now isnt nearly as repetitive as the last album, her guitar is her instrument so i guess she uses the some of the same chords or something. we cant all play the flute andrew…
Anonymous
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
1. Andrew, you clearly did NOT do your homework
2. Speaking of hw, what was the Physics B homework for tonight (11/18/10)?
TaylorFAN
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
OK while I understand you can not like taylor swift, its clear you didnt do your homework.
One of the biggest criticism’s of the “Speak Now” album was that she strayed from her country roots, it was not “filled with a repetitive country sound”
Also, Taylor has said in multiple interviews that she is fascinated by love, hence the reason she writes all her songs about it.
The story of the title track Speak Now was not malicious. Her friend told her about a high school boyfriend who was supposed to reunite with her after college, but then she got an invitation to his wedding to a bridezilla, Taylor asked her if she was going to speak now, as in speak now or forever hold your piece, then taylor decided to write a song about it.
Next, Taylor dated Joe Jonas when she was 16… they were not close to marriage. She is one of the few celebrities with real values. She is not off partying, she dresses modestly, and she is truly appreciative of her fans.
Finally, Taylor is a real artist. She doesnt change names, and you know who she is singing about. At 20 years old, she wrote every song on the album, and has won 70 awards, including 4 grammys, and has gotten over 100 nominations in her short career.
Despite whether or not you like her, she is undeniably talented.