At this stage of the game Taylor Swift can do whatever she wants. She is one of the world’s biggest pop stars. She is also one of the few artists who can still sell a million albums in one week. Her third album, “Speak Now,” was released on October 26, 2010.
Swift is known for her songs about cheesy fairy tales and horrible break ups. Her music is perfect for singing in the car with girlfriends or on long car rides. While that has not changed, her music on “Speak Now” seems to be different.
The country part of her “pop/country” title seems to have faded. Any trace of a fiddle or banjo in the music is hard to find. She seems to have traded in her twang and cowgirl style for a a little more punch in the lyrics.
There are still the typical “Taylor” songs like “Mine” and “Sparks Fly” but there are two songs which blew me away…not exactly for their musical genius, but for edge they had that seems so uncharacteristic for Swift.
One in particular, “Better Than Revenge,” was the most surprising song on the entire album. The song is rumored to be aimed at Camilla Belle, the girl who was the reason behind Swift’s breakup with Joe Jonas, of famous boy band The Jonas Brothers. Belle and Jonas’ romance began when they were filming the Jonas Brother’s music video, “Lovebug” in 2008. Jonas broke up with Swift almost immediately after he met Belle.
The pointed lyrics at Belle start off “She took him faster than you can say sabotage.” Followed by the chorus where Swift sings:
“She’s not a saint
And she’s not what you think
She’s an actress, whoa
But she’s better known
For the things that she does
On the mattress”.
After her Romeo and Juliet love story songs that were borderline gag-worthy, it seems like Swift is finally writing songs to match her age.
Another song on the album that is almost as surprising is the song “Haunted”. The lyrics in the song are do not nearly stick out as much as the overall tone. She is accompanied by what sounds like an entire orchestra opposed to her usual lone guitar and her voice sounds strangely unfamiliar. I had to recheck my iTunes to make sure the “Speak Now” album was still playing because her auto-tuned voice sounds identical to Haley Williams of Paramore.
While it is not a typical Swift song, I do enjoy the change of pace.
“Speak Now” is available in stores or on iTunes for $13.99. Overall it is a good pop album. But, if one of your friends has already bought the CD I recommend you burn it because in a few weeks the shiny luster of new Taylor Swift music will blend into the mix of your iTunes and be quickly forgotten.
