Taylor Swift - Red (4th Album) (1 Viewer)

She is a bit dour isn't she?

After months of bounding brash and blameless among the virtuous, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have been condemned to Hell, banished to lie gurgling beneath the black, sullen surface of the River Styx for the unpardonable sin of being sort of mean to Taylor Swift. Their fate, scrawled in blood and glitter in the book of Vanity Fair, was sealed at this year’s Golden Globes, where—appropriately among the graven idols—Fey and Poehler cracked their slanted, accursed mouths and screeched theeir slanderous suggestion that Swift should stay away from Michael J. Fox’s son, a cruel jest that committed the blasphemy of presupposing godly authority over love, as well as making Taylor Swift go, “Whaaaaat?”
As Swift spake to Vanity Fair, “You know, Katie Couric is one of my favorite people, because she said to me she had heard a quote that she loved, that said, ‘There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.’” (The quote—originating from Madeline Albright, passed through her vessel Katie Couric—falls in line with another quote Taylor Swift once heard from her other favorite person, God, who said, “Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” a quote He picked up from Dick Cavett.) For the sin of not having helped Taylor Swift—having in fact deeply hurt her by suggesting she has a history of dating famous men, then writing songs about them as part of her carefully marketed image—Taylor Swift has helped Fey and Poehler by letting them know what the afterlife has in store for them, so they may enjoy all the time they have left here, setting feminism back.
For all those others who may be gloating that they have so far escaped Swift damnation, let them be forewarned that the widespread mocking of “something that potentially should be celebrated—a woman writing about her feelings in a confessional way,” then setting those confessions to music for clowns and bunnies to dance to, is in Swift’s all-seeing eye, “frankly a little sexist.” She also doesn’t appreciate the immature, oh-so-high-school gossip about her relationship with people like One Direction singer Harry Styles (which is why she instead “authorized someone to discuss them” in comprehensive detail with the magazine). Nor is she okay with the rampant insinuation that she bought a house near her ex Conor Kennedy (even though Vanity Fair confirms she actually did). Those who continue to spread such rumors will similarly be imprisoned within the flaming tombs reserved for heretics and people who check real estate records.
There is also this line: “As she sits drinking lavender lemonade in her ‘Tim Burton—Alice in Wonderland—pirate ship—Peter Pan’ apartment, Swift continues, ‘It’s why I have to avoid the tabloid part of our culture, because they turn you into a fictional character,’” the writing of which no doubt caused Vanity Fair reporter Nancy Jo Sales to be cast immediately into the eternal abyss.
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Both Fey and Poehler responded to Swift's comments in the VF interview:

When The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Poehler for a reaction, the comedian didn't deny that she might be facing some consequences in the afterlife. However, she's pretty sure that it won't be because of her humor:

"Aw, I feel bad if she was upset. I am a feminist, and she is a young and talented girl. That being said, I do agree I am going to hell. But for other reasons. Mostly boring tax stuff," Poehler said.

UPDATE: Entertainment Tonight spoke to Tina Fey at the premiere of her new film "Admission" about Swift's comment. Like Poehler, she brushed off the rebuttal with another joke.

"If anyone was going to get mad at us, I thought it would be James Cameron," Fey said. "I did not see that one coming. It was a joke. It was a lighthearted joke."
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I think Taylor has a point. She's definitely targeted more than a Megan Fox or Rihanna would be for dating around simply because of how it doesn't correlate with her innocent, girl next door image. But her comments were misdirected, if she articulated differently and avoided criticism of Tina and Amy's harmless joke then she would've made a very valid point.
 
I think the joke was that she dates famous guys and then writes angsty songs about them when they break up. I mean people have the right to wonder after the third or fourth one.
 
The Vanity Fair article really illustrates why she's such a dick. She acts like she's above the showbiz thing, then authorises someone to paint her as a victim in her relationship with Harry Styles, she ridicules the claims that she brought a house next to her ex boyfriend, and then the journalist proves that she actually did, and then she accuses Tina Fey and Amy Poehler of setting back feminism for making a small jibe towards her when pretty much everyone at those award shows is fair game... Plus, she has a tendency of insulting 'slutty' girls and blaming them when she's cheated on in her music. She's a hypocrite.
 
The "22" video is now out there:

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She comes across very awkward doing the whole generic pop star in a video shtick. And I can't say I'm a fan of the song at all, it's so FLAT and there's nothing vaguely interesting or striking about it as an MM production. "Red" would've been a better choice and has much broader appeal.
 
I can totally see why they've gone with '22', you can't really fault the logic on an international level - the last two pop singles have been massive hits and properly established her over here. It sounds like the fourth release from an Avril Lavigne album, but it's really catchy. It'll be interesting to see where they go next - the three singles so far all stuck out as sounding similar on my first listen to 'Red' but there isn't really anything else left on there to continue that. Much as I love the title track, 'State Of Grace' seems like the most likely fourth release as they seem intent on moving her away from the country sound.
 
I bet Red is the next single, just WATCH

with State Of Grace going to something ridiculously OTT like Adult Country Pop Contemporary/Christian
 
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As much as I adore "State of Grace", it does seem like another great album opener kept as a non-single. I don't think it's necessarily an essential release but rather just a refreshing change of pace for her albeit not an instant hit.
 
22 had to be a single at one point. Totally disagree that it's flat; it's the song everyone who has heard the album (but isn't necessarily a massive obsessive fan) goes on about. It's just so fun and catchy and yet stands alone without falling into generic territory.

It's anthemic and I predict that in a few months everyone and their dog will be uttering the words 'Who's Taylor Swift anyway? Ewwwwwww.' (totally ironically)
 
"Red" is the fourth pop single and it looks like "All Too Well" is the next Country one.
 
She and Ed Sheeran are performing together on the Britain's Got Talent final so I presume the UK will be getting that...
 
POP! said:
"Red" is the fourth pop single and it looks like "All Too Well" is the next Country one.
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so she's the ditching the Ed Sheeran duet?? I saw pics of them filming a video for that already

I love RED, what a FABULOUS run of singles so far! (If you take out 22 and put State Of Grace instead it would have been much much better)
 
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Pipo said:
so she's the ditching the Ed Sheeran duet?? I saw pics of them filming a video for that already
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And it was released today!

[video=youtube;w1oM3kQpXRo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1oM3kQpXRo[/video]
 
Britain's Got Talent:

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she finally releases Red as a single and she decides to go with the HALF-ARSED concert footage video :(

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Where the hell is State of Grace? Release now! Though I also see why they went with the Ed Sheeran track. I can't believe how strong the songs are, this is how you do a pop crossover.
 
I didn't know loomer was a T-Swift fan! "State of Grace" is an essential release, I agree. But I have a feeling it'll be cast aside at this point. The moment they release a tour video, the album campaign is pretty much buried- usually.
 
Oh yes! :disco: You know I'd be all over that "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" shit. I did like "You Belong To Me" before and the video with Justin Gaston as the fairytale prince but it's a more recent thing with this album and her pop crossover. She's done an Adele and got some really strong songs with the whole album good.

It's quite a 360 to go from country pop to a Kesha impersonation.. and though the "lets make fun of our exes" line is a bit much to swallow from her it's all good. The Rihanna meets U2 "State of Grace" gets the album off to a great start.

And if she's a bad live singer (apparently some musicians refuse to work with her she's so bad) this proves she may have those songwriting chops after all. Look at what Max Martin and Shellback came up with for poor tragic Christina with "Your Body" compared to "We Are Never Ever...", Swift must be the secret recipe.
 
I've had this on all day. Best bit is Siobhan's 'put your guitar back down.'

Why are they holding off releasing until the 1st Sep?
 
album r8 upd8

11 State Of Grace
09 Red
10 Treacherous
08 I Knew You Were Trouble.
11 All Too Well
11 22
08 I Almost Do
10 We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
08 Stay Stay Stay
06 The Last Time
10 Holy Ground
05 Sad Beautiful Tragic
08 The Lucky One
09 Everything Has Changed
09 Starlight
09 Begin Again

08 The Moment I Knew
09 Come Back... Be Here
08 Girl At Home
09 Treacherous (Demo)
07 Red (Demo)
07 State Of Grace (acoustic version)

A more realistic rate this time now that I've had a year to take it all in! I held back on 12s although you know State of Grace would still be up there if I was using them. That and All Too Well are just life affirming to me, in different ways, as is 22.

At the bottom of the pile are The Last Time and SBT, which I always skip when I listen to the album, but who knows, maybe one day. I don't hate SOF (acoustic) anymore; it has nothing on the proper version which hurts it slightly, but when I'm in the mood it's very good.
 
22 is wank Chlammy, Red is one of her best songs lyrically (as ridiculous as that sounds) but songs where FEELINGS and EMOTIONS are compared to COLO( U )RS get me everytime
 
It's a very nice album but I find the mid section a bit of a chore. Overall it is neck and neck with the Fearless rerelease
 
I still think it's her weakest album bar the debut. Very little I've played in the last 6 months bar the title track and State of Grace plus the very odd play of WANEGBT and IKYWT.
 
Wooop

11 State of Grace - epic, pulsing, every element combined creates the perfect song.
Lyric of choice: So you were never a saint, but I love these shades of wrong

10 Red - It puzzles me that people see this as one of the country songs of the album, banjo notwithstanding. But it's a great track and follows SOG perfectly in establishing this era as Taylor as slightly left of centre.
Lyric of choice: Moving on from him is impossible when I still see it all in my head... in burning red

10 Treacherous - Very nearly an 11 but it isn't quite on par with the two big songs and I don't want to bust out 12s (yes I do). Music and delivery perfectly draw out the tension and tightrope effect outlined in the words.
Lyric of choice: I'll do anything you say if you say it with your hands

08 I Knew You Were Trouble - I like this a lot and think it was the perfect single to veer away from the bubblegum image created by previous big tracks and showcase what else she has to offer. I just don't care for it as much as certain other tracks.
Lyric of choice: No apologies, he'll never see you cry / Pretends he doesn't know that he's the reason why / You're drowning / You're drowning / You're drowning

11 All Too Well - What else is there to say about it? The greatest skill Taylor has on hand is her storytelling and this is her finest moment.
Lyric of choice: Now time won't fly, it's like I'm paralysed by it / I'd like to be my old self again but I'm still trying to find it / After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own / Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone

10 22 - Could run the risk of sounding like a throwaway pop song from someone else, but even though this was far and away her poppiest turn at this point, it's perfectly in line with her brand and accentuates the flow of the album rather than disrupting it. I'm so glad it seems to have become a memorable song in the public consciousness despite not technically being a big hit.
Lyric of choice: We're happy, free, confused and lonely in the best way

09 I Almost Do - This one has grown on me a lot. I don't think that initially it has a standout melody, and there are no flourishes to distract from the fact that it's a bit plain, but it needs to be plain. It's a simple address to the guy that she wishes she could get in touch with explaining that she needs to be mature about it for the sake of both of them.
Lyric of choice: We made quite a mess nave, it's probably better off this way

10 We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - It is what it is. Everything people hate about Taylor Swift and yet her way of coming out with all guns blazing. Haters gonna hate etc.
Lyric of choice: And you would hide away and find your peace of mind with some indie record that's MUCH cooler than mine...

10 Stay Stay Stay - "that was so fun!" Simple, sugary sweet, honest. Nice to know she found a healthy relationship for however brief a time.
Lyric of choice: That's when you came in wearing a football helmet and said "Okay let's talk!"

08 The Last Time - I used to just skip it but the brief push last year made me give it a chance. Still one of the weaker tracks without a doubt and probably a waste of a performance but oh well. Actually I'm listening now and enjoying it so I'm boosting it up a point.
Lyric of choice: You wear your best apology but I was there to watch you leave

10 Holy Ground - I think lyrically I felt it was lacking something by comparison to State of Grace which I see as it's big sister, but not so much nowadays because it's the younger one for a reason. I can forgive the opening rhyme therfore. The song is fantastic.
Lyric of choice: Tonight I wanna dance for all that we've been through / But I don't wanna dance if I'm not dancing with you

06 Sad Beautiful Tragic - It isn't bad, it just pales in comparison to the bulk of the album. I like what she's aiming for but the continuous lower octave singing and spare backing doesn't work on what simply isn't a very interesting song. It plods. I enjoy the guitar.
Lyric of choice: And you've got your demons and darling they all look like me

08 The Lucky One - Loved this initially. Certainly one of the album's most instant tracks. It's in the same boat as IKYWT for me though. Thematically it's a nice change of pace and harkens back to Never Grow Up from the previous album. Interestingly she's yet to fall from the 'lucky' position but at least she acknowledges the reality of pop culture.
Lyric of choice: Now it's big black cars and riviera views and your lover in the foyer doesn't even know you

08 Everything Has Changed - Very pretty. Some lyrics sound a little too Ed Sheeran but they work well together and I admit to fantasising about dueting with Taylor to this on X Factor (before seguing into Long Live).
Lyric of choice: All I know is you held the door

10 Starlight - The song that should so clearly have been a single to me. The title is apt, it's bursting with light and energy. You can tell she's singing with a smile, it makes you want to dance and the nostalgia of the narrator plays through in the music.
Lyric of choice: He was trying to skip rocks on the ocean saying to me: / Don't you see the starlight starlight? Don't you dream impossible things?

09 Begin Again - It's a lovely way to close the main album. Another one that's fallen a little down the list for me but it's undoubtedly a beautiful ballad that thankfully doesn't end in regret.
Lyric of choice: I've been spending the last eight months thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end / But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again

09 The Moment I Knew
Lyric of choice: What do you say when tears are streaming down your face in front of everyone you know?

09 Come Back... Be Here
Lyric of choice: And now that I can't put this down / If I had known what I know now / I never would have played so nonchalant

09 Girl At Home
Lyric of choice: I just wanna make sure you understand perfectly you're the kinda man that makes me sad

09 Treacherous (Demo)
08 Red (Demo)
08 State Of Grace (acoustic version)
 
'I Knew You Were Trouble' was easily as bubblegum as the other singles from the album.
 
Well - I gave this a spin this week after all the raves on here. Let's just say that 1989 was a HUGE step forward in quality.
 
"State of Grace" is probably my favorite T-Swift song when I really think deep down
 
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