Red - An Album Review

I'm going to start doing reviews of different albums, starting with this one: Red. Red is the fourth album that Taylor Swift has released and is the first album where she really collaborated with different artists to write and record her songs. This is my personal favorite album by her so far. I'll review each song on the album separately and rate each song with a number between 1-5: 1 being "I hated it," 2 being "I didn't like it," 3 being "It was okay," 4 being "I liked it," and 5 being "I loved it."

State of Grace

State of Grace is an unusual song for Taylor Swift. It's very upbeat and big and has more of a movie soundtrack sound rather than a country one. It's a great first song for Red since it really shows that she's branching out in this album. I would give State of Grace a 5.

Red

Red is Taylor Swift all the way. She tells a story in only three minutes and forty-three seconds by using colors to describe her emotions in a country-pop style. This song is very much like many of her other songs in Fearless and Speak Now. I would give Red a 4.

Treacherous

Treacherous is very different from State of Grace and Red, showing, yet again, the diversity of Taylor Swift's latest album. This song is calm and lyrical and fairly simple compared to her other songs. I would give Treacherous a 4.

I Knew You Were Trouble

The fourth song in Red is as different from the first three songs as those three songs are different from each other. I Knew You Were Trouble has that same sort of beat and feel as many of the songs on the radio today, but with better lyrics and without a heavy beat. This is actually one of the few songs that my brother really likes by Taylor Swift. Rather than singing about something that was someone else's fault, Taylor sings about her being to blame. Hence the lyrics, "I knew you were trouble when you walked in. So shame on me now." I would give I Knew You Were Trouble a 4.

All Too Well

All Too Well is a bit like Treacherous in its lyrical style and its detail, but this song is more country than Treacherous. It reminds me of the song Dear John even though they are very different. Most people think it's about Jake Gyllenhaal since Taylor spent Thanksgiving with his family once in 2010 and left her scarf there, as the song states in the first verse. I would give All Too Well a 4.

22  

22 is very upbeat, catchy, and fun. It's easy to dance to and easy to memorize. My best friend said that 22 is one of her favorite songs from Red. One of the funny things about this song, as my BFF pointed out one time, is that while Taylor Swift is on tour, she will be singing 22 while she is 23, since Taylor's birthday is on December 13. I would give 22 a 4.

I Almost Do

I Almost Do is very similar to All Too Well and Treacherous. Mellow, simple, and detailed. Not one of my personal favorites. Though it's not one of the stronger tracks on Red, it's still good. I would give I Almost Do a 3.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

I bet most of you have heard this song at least once or twice on the radio. This single and popular track is extremely popular and I've seen Taylor perform this song countless times on multiple talk shows. Fun, extremely catchy, and easy to dance to, just like 22, this song is a hit. I also recommend watching the hilarious music video. I would give We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together a 5.

Stay Stay Stay 

This tune is upbeat and fun. I've danced to it many times in my bedroom whenever it comes up on my iPod. It could easily be in a movie and is one of my favorite tracks from Red. I would give Stay Stay Stay a 5.

The Last Time 

The Last Time is a song that is not only sung by Taylor Swift, but by Snow Patrol, too. These two sound great together in this wonderful song. The first word that comes to mind when trying to describe this track is big. It's big and makes you feel good. I would give The Last Time a 4.

Holy Ground

Whenever this song starts I get it mixed up with State of Grace. They sound so similar. This song also sounds like it could be in a movie. This is another one of my favorites from Red. I would give Holy Ground a 5.

Sad Beautiful Tragic 

This song should be called Sad Beautiful Haunting, because that's exactly what it is. One of the most calm and beautiful songs I've heard Taylor sing since Never Grow Up and Safe and Sound. I would give Sad Beautiful Tragic a 5.

The Lucky One 

The Lucky One is a simple but lyrical song about what life is really like behind closed doors for the big movie stars and singers. It shows how it looks glamorous on the outside but really isn't so great on the inside. Some people think it's about Taylor's personal life or Joni Mitchell and others think it's about Lynn Anderson or Lana Del Rey. I would give The Lucky One a 5.

Everything Has Changed 

Everything Has Changed is sung by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. The two together are fantastic with amazing harmony and great chemistry. Everything Has Changed is a lot like Sad Beautiful Tragic, but a bit faster and louder. I would give Everything Has Changed a 5.

Starlight 

Starlight is similar to I Knew You Were Trouble and 22. Starlight is fun and fairly simple, but not one of my favorites. It's good, just not as good as it could be, in my opinion. I would give Starlight a 4.

Begin Again 

Begin Again is a great last track for Red. It's strong, beautiful, and is a perfect happy ending for an amazing album. I would give Begin Again a 5.

Taylor was very smart to start collaborating with other people to help write and sing her songs for this album. It helped her branch out from her normal country style into a more pop and indie sort of sound. This is my favorite album by her so far and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! My overall rating for Red is a 5. And the best part is?

(Drumroll please).

I'm going to see her in concert!!!! :D