Very Swift!

Some recipes are reliable and satisfying but never make you say ‘wow!’ Macaroni and cheese, chicken noodle soup, corn flakes, peanut butter and jelly…you just can’t miss. Tried and true and all for you. Music is no different. Round up some of Nashville’s finest musicians, insert some guaranteed hooks, add some predictable youthful innocence to the lyrics and front your product with a pretty face. You’ll be all set.

Hold on! Here it comes again! No, it’s not Shania Twain. This generation’s Hostess Twinkie is named Taylor Swift. Don’t get me wrong. Although a lot of people obviously like this stuff (and probably don’t admit it publicly,) there is only so much sugar you can take. The proficiency of all involved is undeniable. These people know how to make records that cook. Sadly, this city livin’ woman ain’t got no soul. Am I wrong? Squeeze the lemon hard! Release the album once, meter your audience, remix the album and more than double your sales. Big Machine Records is turning every stone!

Take a listen. Taylor’s two biggest songs hit the 12 to 25 year old demographic with a bull’s eye arrow. “Our Song” is catchy but pushes the sugar-is-sweet button really hard. The third time Taylor flips her voice singing ‘and you talk real slow, ‘cause it’s late and your mama don’t know…’ you really want to reach for the ‘way too cute’ switch. Want to really overdose? Watch the video. Get ready because here it comes!

“Teardrops on My Guitar” is just slightly more palatable. I don’t know who Drew is, but he really should re-think his dating choices. Taylor and her friend Liz Rose nailed this one. It’s all here in one song: Everything a teenage girl can lament to and relate to. You have to admit it is brilliant, but is it genuine? My standards may be really high, but when I listen to a song I have to buy the fact that the performer feels something about what they are singing. Just a little. C’mon!

I’m looking forward to Taylor’s brand new fall release. She is teaming up with ultra-hot Colbie Caillat and Big and Rich’s John Rich to write the songs. You know the production will be first rate. Let’s hope she can mature and season her act to compliment her potential. I don’t want Wonder Bread. I want the real thing. Let’s hope Nashville’s oven bakes Taylor’s next one well. They’re making me really hungry for something good.