Taylor Swift's 'Fearless'

By: Charlotte Downes

Posted: 11/19/08

You wouldn't borrow your little sister's Jonas Brothers CD, but you may want to grab Taylor Swift's "Fearless" and take a listen.

While its first single, "Love Story," features romantic Romeo and Juliet song lyrics that have snuck their way onto every Facebook page of any 15- to 20-year-old who is in a relationship or whose crush is currently being nice to her, "Fearless" is packed with break-up songs and mature songwriting.

Swift has often been compared to Dolly Parton, and while this may have older Parton fans looking like they swallowed a lemon and 14-year-old girls everywhere looking confused and running to Wikipedia, the comparison may accurately speak to Swift's potential. The 18-year-old singer-songwriter has some chops, writing or co-writing every song on the album.

In "Fifteen," where Swift moans, "When you're 15 and somebody tells you they love you, you're gonna believe them," Swift advises young girls to be wary of boys promising big things and only turning their poor little hearts into freshman-year roadkill, reassuring them that "in your life, you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team." From the sound of the rest of the album, not only is Swift is speaking from experience, but she has undergone some serious growing pains and carnage since her triple-platinum self-titled debut in 2006.

Capturing the heartbreaking period when na've perceptions of romance are shattered and reality begins to set in before adolescents are able to reconcile the conflict between idealism and real life, "White Horse" could be an anthem for every disillusioned and frustrated girl. Singing "I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairy tale, I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet," Swift can dig up painful memories of not only your high school crush, but maybe even the jerk you were seeing over the summer.

In the arresting song "Breathe," Swift sings, "you're the only thing I know like the back of my hand, and I can't breathe without you." "Breathe" features some lovely strings that compliment Swift's acoustic guitar very well. Other than "Breathe" and a few other songs, instrumentation is pretty practical and standard, focusing mostly on typical pop-country acoustics with light production. Lyrics and Swift's voice take center stage on this album.

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"You're Not Sorry," a more mature, less passive-aggressive version of Swift's 2006 popular break up song "Picture to Burn," is also an exception. Swift uses strings in this song as well, but teams with electric guitar to form a unique sound. Yet again, Swift's voice steals the show. Swift also expresses more grown-up sentiments in this song, singing about protecting her heart by refusing to answer the phone and allow a nameless heartbreaker back into her life, saying, "you can tell me that you're sorry, but I don't believe you baby … you're not sorry anymore."

"Tell Me Why" also is about getting over an unworthy partner, about boys who can "write a book about how to ruin someone's perfect day."

"Hey Stephen," one of the few songs that aren't bone-crushing heartache, Swift taunts, "those other girls, well they're beautiful, but will they write a song for you?" The instrumentation isn't much to brag about here, but it serves its purpose.

It is refreshing to hear an 18-year-old girl singing for other young girls. The songs may be somewhat na've, but they are age-appropriate. Aside from her blonde hair, striking looks and early success, Swift couldn't be more different from her other blonde teen counterparts. This isn't just another Britney Spears.

Take Swift's Christmas album for example - Swift's version of "Santa Baby" is actually cute and sweet, rather than the more obvious route that most singers take "Santa Baby."

While the songs are written for teenagers, they are still relatable and accessible for people of all ages. Swift hits a broad range with more than her voice.

If you need a fun CD to drive home to this Friday or you just had a breakup but aren't depressed enough to bust out any serious sulking music, you may want to consider picking up "Fearless." Don't be embarrassed - sometimes 15-year-olds have great taste.