|
|
Post by Elliot Kane on May 29, 2009 0:35:34 GMT
I would tend to agree - but then I would say that, of course  I know there are also plenty of people out there who would agree with Larry, though. What constitutes 'good' is always down to opinion, really. If Taylor was deeply UNpopular, I'd still hold the same opinion of her, for example. I listen to a lot of really obscure singers and bands that I prefer to most of the mainstream, so I can even prove that  If people went by objective talent over subjective opinion, Hayley would be the most popular female singer on the planet, wouldn't she? And yet... So it's all good Whether anyone else loves Taylor or hates her, I think she's awesome and that's all that matters to me *** Steve - you might want to check out White Horse which is rather less romantic, or A Place In This World which deals with trying to find out where you belong, but if you're looking for deep, philosophical and world weary lyrics, you're right that you won't find them in anything written by a happy 19 year old girl. On the other hand, lyrics are only half of the equation. I happen to think Taylor is a pretty good lyricist, yes, but her songwriting skills include the composing part, too |
|
|
|
Post by stevemacdonald on May 29, 2009 0:58:58 GMT
... Steve - you might want to check out White Horse which is rather less romantic, or A Place In This World which deals with trying to find out where you belong, but if you're looking for deep, philosophical and world weary lyrics, you're right that you won't find them in anything written by a happy 19 year old girl. ... Of course I've heard White Horse (about 600 times). It's my favourite song by her. Problem is, Elliot, Taylor Swift has engendered so much good will and warm fuzzies by now that no one is ever going to be mean to her again. Yeah, she went through some anguish in middle school and was dumped via text by a Jonas brother, but that's about the extent of her cred as an introspective Cinderella. I just don't buy her attempts to sing about real heartache and pain because, as you say, she's too darned happy all the time. |
|
|
|
Post by Elliot Kane on May 29, 2009 1:32:48 GMT
Steve... I have to admit, I hope no-one will ever be mean to her again, but then I am a fan, so that goes without saying, I guess I'm not sure why one has to know misery to write good songs, though. Surely happy and uplifting songs can be just as good as songs about heartbreak and loss? |
|
|
|
Post by socalboy on May 29, 2009 18:23:16 GMT
Problem is, Elliot, Taylor Swift has engendered so much good will and warm fuzzies by now that no one is ever going to be mean to her again. Yeah, she went through some anguish in middle school and was dumped via text by a Jonas brother, but that's about the extent of her cred as an introspective Cinderella. I just don't buy her attempts to sing about real heartache and pain because, as you say, she's too darned happy all the time. Now for a reality check: She’s under constant attack from the country music hardcore establishment who say she’s not really country at all, but a pop singer with a banjo and fiddle for good measure. Based on a couple of TV appearances, a sizable contingent of viewers constantly repeat that she can’t sing live and has no talent. You see this in the comment section of virtually every article written about her. The pop culture press calls her a whiner and uncouth for airing her relationship troubles in her music, and for naming names. Some claim that the only reason she’s successful is because she’s hot. (I think you can relate to this one, Steve) She’s been accused of accelerating the demise of the music industry as we know it for refusing to sign with a big label and for permanently harming the established methods of music distribution. She’s been called a sellout for signing on with Wal-Mart to sell a line of clothing. And your accusation that she’s just too darn happy is echoed all the time. I mean, how can you be a “real” artist if you’re not tortured by the burdens of modern consciousness? So actually Steve, far from engendering nothing but good will and warm fuzzies, she’s quite a divisive figure in the music industry. But yes, she does put on a generally happy face and she hasn’t yet checked in to rehab or trashed a hotel room. So if that means she has no cred, as you say, I’ll take it. She’s 19 Steve. For some reason she doesn’t write about the heartache and romance of middle-aged men. Still, plenty of people relate to what she is writing about, and for them her credibility is impeccable - and they also seem to be the only ones left buying records. I assume you’ve listened to “Mary’s Song” from her first album or “The Best Day” and “Change” from Fearless. I think these pieces evoke something quite different from her romantic tracks, and hint at the potential of an evolving Taylor whose music and lyrics are bound to mature as she does. But like Hayley, she has a steely resolve not to compromise her true nature, and that’s why she’s going to be around for a long time. |
|
|
|
Post by stevemacdonald on Jul 4, 2009 5:33:52 GMT
Now for a reality check: She’s under constant attack from the country music hardcore establishment who say she’s not really country at all, but a pop singer with a banjo and fiddle for good measure. Not sure who this "country music hardcore establishment" is, but at the recent CMA awards all the major Nashville stars were seemingly ecstatic at Taylor's many triumphs. This event felt like a coronation of Taylor as the new queen of country music. If the old school folks are upset with her they sure didn't let on. |
|
|
|
Post by Elliot Kane on Jul 6, 2009 1:53:05 GMT
Now for a reality check: She’s under constant attack from the country music hardcore establishment who say she’s not really country at all, but a pop singer with a banjo and fiddle for good measure. Not sure who this "country music hardcore establishment" is, but at the recent CMA awards all the major Nashville stars were seemingly ecstatic at Taylor's many triumphs. This event felt like a coronation of Taylor as the new queen of country music. If the old school folks are upset with her they sure didn't let on. I think it's more some of the fans who only like old style Country who dislike Taylor, honestly. My impression is that the establishment totally adore her, as she's bringing huge amounts of interest into the genre again and giving them a chance to reach out through her to a new audience. |
|
|
|
Post by socalboy on Jul 20, 2009 19:27:35 GMT
Not sure who this "country music hardcore establishment" is, but at the recent CMA awards all the major Nashville stars were seemingly ecstatic at Taylor's many triumphs. This event felt like a coronation of Taylor as the new queen of country music. If the old school folks are upset with her they sure didn't let on. Hi Steve: Are you referring to the CMA Awards in April where Carrie Underwood won Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year (though Swift’s Fearless won album of the year), or the more recent CMT Awards at which Taylor was indeed the Belle of the Ball? Either way, it’s the same thing. The hardcore establishment I’m referring to includes traditional country music radio stations, a contingent of the country music press and the devoted followers of both. As an example, I googled today and found this entry from July 18 from the Associate Editor at Talahassee.com: “But on WGWD, I have enjoyed hours of Conway Twitty and Tanya Tucker without being subjected to a single minute of Taylor Swift.” The problem has more to do with the self-appointed custodians of country music than with Taylor. These folks announce the imminent demise of country music every couple of months, and they’ve been doing it for decades. Taylor’s just their latest culprit. The stars appearing on the award shows are far more generous – as fellow artists they recognize Taylor’s creative gifts. It’s always the folks behind the scenes who cause the trouble. In fact, if the hardcores could have their way they’d run CMT out of town along with Taylor since it’s a baby of MTV Networks, which is the devil incarnate south of the Mason-Dixon. Taylor’s on top of the world right now and I don’t mean to suggest otherwise. There are always partisans and naysayers, and the greater your success the more anxious they are to see you fall. But she’s so darn good at everything she does that they don’t have a chance in hell of stopping her. |
|
|
|
Post by larryhauck on Jul 20, 2009 23:26:05 GMT
The country music crowd has so many awards shows a year that at some point in time they all receive awards. I think the shows are inane at best and boorish at worst.
In my opinion Taylor Swift is a sweet, pretty girl who has not a scintilla of talent.
Larry
|
|
|
|
Post by larryhauck on Jul 21, 2009 13:40:30 GMT
To all Taylor Swift fans------I would like to apologize for the very unkind post regarding Taylor. Although she's not one of my favs she certainly isn't as bad as I alluded.
My only excuse is that in the U S I think the new stars get way too much attention and the primary new stars are country artists. I just don't want the U S to be perceived around the world as country bumkins.
Larry
|
|
|
|
Post by Elliot Kane on Jul 29, 2009 22:46:49 GMT
Larry... It's all opinions I think you would do well to look into Taylor a little more, though. Whether you like her as an artist or not, she IS very talented. She is certainly a sweet, pretty girl, though, so we can agree, there Right now I think a far greater problem for US music is the state of your Pop (pretty moribund) and your Rock (Far too homogenous. I refer to a lot of it as GARS - the Generic American Rock Sound - and everyone knows what I mean. It's that bad!). A lot of your musicians seem afraid to experiment, which is a shame as you have a tradition of producing a lot of very talented people in all fields of music. Anyone who really looks at the US music scene, though, will not by any means think that Country is all there is, I assure you |
|
|
|
Post by larryhauck on Jul 30, 2009 0:18:35 GMT
Larry... It's all opinions I think you would do well to look into Taylor a little more, though. Whether you like her as an artist or not, she IS very talented. She is certainly a sweet, pretty girl, though, so we can agree, there Right now I think a far greater problem for US music is the state of your Pop (pretty moribund) and your Rock (Far too homogeneous. I refer to a lot of it as GARS - the Generic American Rock Sound - and everyone knows what I mean. It's that bad!). A lot of your musicians seem afraid to experiment, which is a shame as you have a tradition of producing a lot of very talented people in all fields of music. Anyone who really looks at the US music scene, though, will not by any means think that Country is all there is, I assure you I agree the music in the U S leaves a lot to be desired right now. (That include Taylor Swift). The U S has produced the likes of Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Miles Davis, etc. The fact is that rock music doesn't suit your taste is a matter of personal choice. Larry |
|
|
|
Post by Elliot Kane on Jul 30, 2009 1:18:45 GMT
Don't get me wrong, I love Rock. Always have. I just prefer it to not all sound the same |
|
|
|
Post by BenCMitchell on Jul 30, 2009 15:24:59 GMT
Don't get me wrong, I love Rock. Always have. I just prefer it to not all sound the same I agree. Rock is very limited..... Ben |
|
|
|
Post by Jono on Jul 31, 2009 0:07:39 GMT
Don't get me wrong, I love Rock. Always have. I just prefer it to not all sound the same I agree. Rock is very limited..... Ben Rock is as limited as any genre... actually it is probably less limited. Think about the amount of sub-genres...it's hard to define 'rock'. On topic: My little sister loves Taylor Swift...I haven't really listened to her more than once... |
|
|
|
Post by milewalker on Jul 31, 2009 21:07:15 GMT
I can take or leave Taylor in terms of her singing....her talent perse is not an issue however. I would ask one simple question. How many people in America have charted with their own material at age 16?
Jon
|
|
