Alright.
We knew this was coming, the album was recently released on October 22nd, and Taylor Swift has been all over the media. Between her infamous songs (in which the lyrics not only spotlight her ex-lovers, but highlight each and every one of their mistakes) and her disgusting, failed relationship with Connor Kennedy, Taylor Swift just loves attention.
Her album, Red, is filled with dance-inspired songs (a new addition to her Wikipedia "Genre," section), reminiscent ballads, and annoyingly screechy anthems. Her first single, "We Are Never Getting Back Together," not only rattles through the depths of your mind, but brings you to the conclusion that at 22, Swift really shouldn't be focusing on juvenile relationships. These kinds of relationships, however, seem to be the only thing keeping her from being another lost country star.
Red is a poppier, more repetitive side of Swift's musical career. "22," and "I Knew You Were Trouble." are quite a jump from her previous singles. Personally, I don't like this new sound Swift has experimented with; her songwriting abilities seem to be lacking throughout the album, with uninspired beats and immature choruses. Expect the usual pining for her ex-lovers on each track.
"Starlight," is one of my personal favorites, despite the ho-hum tracks on Red. Although the painfully raw lyrics we're used to hearing from Swift are not present throughout the album (at least not as much as I'd like them to be), "Starlight," and "Everything Has Changed," (a duet with Ed Sheeran) really stand out on Red. "The Last Time," (a duet with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol) is a beautiful ballad between Lightbody's rugged voice and Swift's haunted notes.
Because the majority of Swift's songs revolve around her unsuccesful relationships, her tracks are the perfect remedy for a bad breakup. Red switches things up a little, replacing yearning verses with "mainstreamed," whoa-oh-oh chants.
All in all, Red is not a total blow. The album is not as insightful as her previous album's, the lyrics seeming a bit forced and repetitive, and the guitar is evidently missing throughout Red. It isn't Swift's usual sound, and she should probably go back to her folksy Speak Now jingles. For you die hard Swift fans, try not to be too disappointed. But who knows, you might just like it.
Verdict: 3 out of 5 stars
View Red HERE.
Be sure to check out Swift's bonus track, "Come Back.. Be Here."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pines, by A Fine Frenzy, takes Alison Sudol's voice to an entirely new level. Sudol's previous hits include "Almost Lover," a daunting, reminiscent ballad, and a personal favorite of mine, "What I Wouldn't Do." Pines, however, is not quite the case. As reviewers on iTunes have speculated, Pines seems to be more of a self-indlugent album, rather than the long awaited masterpiece that her fans anticipated.
As a long time fan of A Fine Frenzy, I approached the album with an open mind. Sudol's opening track jumps into a peaceful, yoga-esque, beach soundtrack. For the first minute or so, Sudol entrances her fans, as always, with her soothing melodies. This, however, is not at all short lived, as the album continues at the same pace for the first third of the album.The first six tracks are solemn, calming, and all together boring.
If it is Sudol's signature, upbeat tunes you are looking for, promptly skip to the seventh track, "Sailingsong," before switching to, "It's Alive." "Now Is The Start," concludes Sudol's uplifting tracks on the album Pines.
Pines is nothing more than a disappointment, as her fans have waited a total of two years for her next release. The songs are more meant for background eulogy music, rather than a sing-along in your room playlist.
Sudol, ultimately, should stick to heart warming ballads paired with poetic verses, rather than the strained, upsetting record she has presented us. Unless you enjoy aching for the lover you never really had or watching paint dry, Pines is not for you.
Verdict: 2 out of 5 stars View Pines HERE.
Xx
Shelby Alice
No comments:
Post a Comment