"Red"--Taylor Swift

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)

It's been six years since a teenager named Taylor Swift hit country music airwaves with "Tim McGraw".

Fast forward to 2012, Taylor is almost 23 years old and has just released her fourth studio album, "Red".

While many have always felt that Swift is too "pop" for country, others have embraced her music as "new country".  Either way, Swift has always had the reputation of writing about what she experiences in life, especially when it comes to her former boyfriends.

With "Red", Swift hasn't strayed too far from the subject of love gained and lost.  What's the most noticeable on her most recent offering is just how "pop" it is, even in comparison to her previous CD's.

For instance, "We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together" was released to country radio, and almost immediately listeners were saying it was too pop to be played on a country station.  Some country stations are still playing the tune, though KUPL and some other stations began playing "Begin Again",  instead.  Of the sixteen regular tracks on "Red", "Begin Again" is probably the most country.

Not that Swift's new CD isn't good, it is.  For those wanting more country from Taylor however, they really won't find it on "Red".  Track one, "State of Grace", definitely sets the tone for the rest of the "Red".  It starts with a hard driving, almost techno dance beat; and plows straight into the listener's ears.

On the deluxe edition of "Red", (exclusively at Target), the bonus CD offers six extra songs, including a stripped down, acoustic version of  "State of Grace". This acoustic version would be excellent for country radio, and sets a different tone than it's counterpart on the regular CD.  It wouldn't be surprising if pop stations picked up the regular track, while country played the alternate version.  Might just be a great marketing ploy in there somewhere.

Another bonus track, "The Moment I Knew" is a true heartbreaker of a song.  As with most of Swift's songs, it's about a former boyfriend.  Though no names are mentioned, the timeline of the tune gives the listener a good idea of who it's about.

The heartbreak of the song comes from how she found out the relationship was really over; when the boyfriend didn't show up at her 21st birthday party.  Swift exudes anguish in the song; showing fully the pain that was caused on what should have been a milestone birthday for her.

Probably the best track on the regular CD is "The Lucky One".  Not so much a love story as telling the story of someone who's become famous, then lost the fame, and how the singer feels this person is the real "lucky one".  Quite interesting to listen to.

Though some may be tired of Taylor Swift's songs about her love life, etc; she writes about what she knows, and how she feels; and her writing shows it.   "Red" does at least prove Swift has matured in the last six years both in singing and writing; while still letting her be her 22 year-old self.