Album Details

• Artist: Taylor Swift
• Album: Speak Now World Tour Live
• Label: Big Machine Records
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: carlita on 2012-11-24

Believe it or not, I really love country pop. It might come as a surprise to some that I occasionally tune into the CMT network, CMAs and even watch cheesy country "let's go to Mama's house and play with an adorable puppy in the snow and roaring fire, Home for the Holidays" specials. In having an affinity for this subgenre of music, try as you may, it's impossible to ignore one of its biggest superstars at the moment-Taylor Swift. If you weren't aware, she sold over a million copies of her latest album, Red, in its first week, which is no small feat, in this day and age where the average music listener may not want to buy whole albums anymore.

That being said, that doesn't mean I have to like her. Besides being forced to see her "Omg?! I won AGAIN?!?!" face on every televised music award show possible (was surprised not to see her at the BET or Soul Train Music Awards), I admit I'd never heard a full album of hers. Until now.  Perhaps my face-value distaste and instinctual eye roll was too premature and misinformed? Did I want to put hot pokers in my ears while listening to her live album, Speak Now World Tour Live?

Although I join the chorus of people who think her voice is pretty weak (call me "Mean") compared to other country females like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Pickler, Miranda Lambert and Joy Williams from The Civil Wars, her songs are legitimately catchy. Clearly not tackling
any serious world issues, she wisely focuses on turning her heartbreak from dating superstars (boohoo) into easily relatable anthems that connect with her teen female fanbase. Not being a member of this target audience, I still appreciated "Ours", "Mine" and exceedingly-obvious woman-scorned "Dear John" for the light pop songs they are. Did "sparks fly"? No, but I'll "speak now" and say the live album was better than expected.

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