Written by Tom Bedding
The empowerment and inspiration showed by Taylor Swift to rerecord her first 6 albums (due to the ownership of her songs saga), is commendable and a hoot for a lot of fans. We have seen the mighty pop star go from Nashville sweetheart to pop icon to songwriting icon, since the original release of her debut album ‘Fearless’. Granted that album was not for me with regards to its lyrical content and aesthetic but the talent shown in these teen country pop tunes, was apparent. With the help of new friends such as Aaron Dessner (producer of ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’), Swift gives us a maturer and more assured takes on the songs that started her incredible career. (PS Review of The Original Track List).
The new arrangements takes the lightness of the melody to a more assured place on the title track. 'Fearless' offers us a really bold start to an album that was written by a teenager back in the day, it just feels like we are going to be left swinging our hair about, while appreciating the artistry of it all. Straight away on this new version you can hear how much Swift has improved vocally, which I have to say does make this record a lot more enjoyable for many.
For anyone who wants to relive this record, you will enjoy the song ‘Fifteen’ so, so, so, so much. The lyrics go hard with the teenage girl life and the infatuation of boys in your high school, which does not take away anything from the song believe it or not. It feels basic but it is pretty decent, capturing a tone and relatable plot that left so many girls feel less alone, happier and inspired.
We were given ‘Love Story’ as the first glimpse of what Swift had planned for revisiting ‘Fearless’, which was the perfect choice in my opinion. This track was one of the first signs of what Taylor Swift was and now with a more experienced artist at the helm, this reinterpretation goes to new heights. It’s overindulging with its instrumentation and lyrical content of wanting your own Romeo but hey…it takes a lot of fans back, while also showing how cheesiness can still be mega fantastic!
Straight off the bat, we hear the level up in assurance on ‘Hey Stephen’. The melody itself is a bit bland and the song may not be a highlight, however it does show where this collection of music has got to in terms of execution and craftsmanship. ‘White Horse’ includes some lovely production though with the guitar and strings, which backs up the maturer sounding Swift nicely. Taking it back to the original version for a second, the effectiveness of the sparse nature of the song was impressive and is now enhanced brilliantly by Aaron Dessner’s gentle production style.
Can we have Uncle Bryn dressed up in his Cowboy outfit for this one? ‘You Belong With Me’ takes you on a dance that is covered in country vibes, which feels so much better now (mainly down to the better vocal performance). The songs lyrics looks at the dreamy nature of the what you think is the perfect boy, finally realising that the average gal (us, well you the listener) is the one for him and not the classic popular girl at school…..still yearn for Johathon ngl.
Next is ‘Breathe’ which lost out to a Grammy to Jason Mraz back in the day. The collaborator on this song, Colbie Caillat, does a lovely performance with the backing vocals, which enhances the song to feel so eloquently dreamy. Soon after we have ’ While Tell Me Why' and despite it not offering a lot, the sophistication of the new delivery helps it become a lot better.
credit: billboard
The ballad track of ‘You’re Not Sorry’ becomes something I actually enjoy more this time, which surprises me but doesn’t at the same time! The musicianship shown with the little touches of guitars and bass is great, which all in all, elevates the track to be an impressive moment on the record.
Following on, there is no fireworks in her new relationship, not wait…..this is in the past….well….. ‘The Way I Loved You’ may not be my cup of tea but again, yet it feels a lot better and the dramatic nature of it is more enjoyable now, which thankfully allows the chorus to be appreciated a lot more.
credit: Todd Plitt
Taylor’s passion and enjoyment of going through these songs again can be heard on, ‘Forever & Always’. It is not an interesting song for the most part but it does show off how worth while (from a musical standpoint) these new versions are. ‘The Best Day’ again has the elements of what made ‘Fearless’ but the boldness in the fuller vocal delivery and the lovely guitars, offers a new angle that will welcome a wider audience for the album.
Taylor Swift must of been feeling so proud and reflective when recording the last song of the original track list. ‘Change’ has some swell sounding country rock guitars, it comes across as a big celebration in going through the past and enriching them with more talent and confidence. Overall, this ‘Taylor Version’ debut is a success, allowing us to revel and be more positive at looking back to when a great songwriter, was riding the waves of teenage life and ambition.
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