Album: Speak Now
Tracks: 14
Released: 2010
"Mine" opens the album nicely with a mild country pop; simple and cute lyrics with a vocal flair that adds greatly to their meaning. The instrumentals are appealing yet not overcrowded and compliment the visually engaging lyrics perfectly. "Sparks Fly" is a pop-versed ballad that is calming in the only way that country can be. Its rhyming lyrics keep you waiting for the next part of the story, and add a heartwarming touch to the album. Swift's vocals succeed with the performance of the lyrics, hitting all the right notes. "Back to December" tells the story of a girl that realizes she'd made a wrong decision and broken the right one's heart in the past. This is an emotion-packed apology for past wrongdoings, but it isn't overbearing or appear whiny. The instrumentals subtly glide through the background, while Swift's easy vocals take center stage. The poetic lyrics easily carry the song, and add just the right touch to the track. "Speak Now" expresses the unique situation of a girl looking in on her true love--marrying the wrong girl. The instrumentals keep a steady pace throughout the song, the lyrics made to bring a smile to your face. The title track impresses, both sweet and spicy at the same time. "Dear John" carries a light guitar melody that establishes its presence among the melancholy lyrics that illustrate a relationship that's gone down the wrong path at the fork in the road. Though at first it seems to be a heavy song, it's actually uplifting in an odd way. The pure poetry expressed by this song surpassed any expectations of this 6 minute treasure. "Mean" is a peppy anti-tribute to a bully that's never quite managed to get under Swift's skin. The moral of the song is that someday, Swift planned to become great, while the bully would stray down the same path they'd always been on. It's a cute, almost storybook expression of all the feelings anyone wanted to let out in that situation. "The Story of Us" blends pop and country elements to tell a tale of a relationship that's lost its spark. A girl is trying to cling to a relationship because it seemed so perfect, but at the same time realizes that it's not going to be happily ever after, after all. "Never Grow Up" expresses the feeling parents have wishing their children could stay safe and happy forever, and the desire for independence that children want from this feeling as they eventually grow. The nostalgic-toned song floats effortlessly through illustrative verses and choruses that are both touching and simply universal in their subject. "Enchanted" contains rhythmic verses about the discovery of a new love. The mood drifts from laid back to mildly intense as verses transition into choruses, and display Swift's easy vocal switching. "Better Than Revenge" immediately jumps into a fast paced pop rock track that you can't help but wanting to sing along to. The lyrics are unbelievably catchy, and the instrumentals create the perfect complimentary impact. "Innocent" combines almost coffee-shop-toned beats with mellow vocals that create an impeccable blend. "Haunted" uses an intriguing alternation of intense instrumentals and hints of almost classic horror soundtracks to create the overall feeling of the track title. Swift demonstrates a constantly powerful performance that adds even more depth to the track. "Last Kiss" masterfully weaves background elements and instrumentals with Swift's soft toned vocals and poetic lyrics. A calm descends over this song, allowing you to fully appreciate the story it has to tell. "Long Live" appropriately ends the album with a great toss of graduation hats. A class is graduating and knows that they have their whole future's stretched out in front of them, and still remembers the years that came before. The song builds up to a well formed peak, the whole song demonstrating the smoothness of transition and complimentary elements. It's an inspirational song and undeniably great track.
Swift's album definitely impresses, containing elements from every part of a relationship and every part of a life. There's inspiring, go-get-em' tracks, balanced by the ballads and more emotional songs that situate themselves throughout the album. The lyrics always strike home, and the instrumentals go along perfectly. If there's anything else to say about this album, it's "long live".
