Review: Taylor Swift

Photos by Mike Ransdall/The Star 

The genie she unleashed at this year's Grammy awards show -- the naked truth about her singing voice -- remains out of the bottle, but it was overshadowed at the Sprint Center on Friday night by everything else about Taylor Swift and her live shows: the fashion, the costumes, the pageantry, the stage settings and the umpteen Top 10 hits she has to her name despite her relatively young age (20) and her short discography (two albums).

Swift is one of the biggest acts in country music, a headliner with a staunch, loyal and homogeneous demographic. The overwhelming majority of the sold-out crowd on Friday was females and a large majority of them were 14 and younger -- as young, it appeared, as 4 years old.

They all got what they came for: a set list stacked with hits and a show that has been rehearsed and performed for more than a year. If you saw Swift open for Urban last August, you saw a large chunk of Friday's show. This version, which lasted about two hours, had more songs, more effects, more wardrobe changes. more cameo appearances via video and more focus on the reigning princess of country music.

She did not change any perceptions about her voice. It never came close to sounding like it did during her duet at the Grammys -- so bad it made Stevie Nicks wince. But even with whatever outside fortifications or corrections she may have been getting, it is her weakest trait: reedy, one-dimensional and without a fleck of heart or soul. Her stage personae, too, could use some polish. Swift performed several short skits, reciting scripted lines she has said a hundred times. Yet most sounded forced and slightly awkward. 

She also likes to throw around her mane of blond hair by rocking forward and back at the waist, as if she were air-guitaring a Soundgarden song. And when she dances or even just  moves about the stage, she does so at times with the self-consciousness of a teenager growing accustomed to her changing body. Except Swift is 20. 

So in the face of all that, you ask: How does she sell 6 million records and sell-out arenas? And the answer is in the songs: in her keen pop craft-work; and in the lyrics, which speak to girls just old enough to understand puppy love, to teenagers in the throes of adolescence and even to 20- and 30-something women or moms in their 40s. And there were plenty of them in attendance on Friday, many without children in tow. And for most of the show, the place remained at a fever-pitch.

What Swift gives them all is affirmation: that love is both a fairytale and a risk; that romance is bliss; and --- the big bell-ringer -- that boys/men can be two-faced scoundrels who only want one thing and who need to be called out on it. 

So she scolds them, in songs like "Tell Me Why," and she warns them, in songs like "Forever and Always": "If you play these games, we're both going to lose." Or she mourns the end of something good, as in "Forever and Always": "Where is this going? Thought I knew for a minute / Now I don't anymore." And sex? It's there, ambiguously, if you want it to be, as in "Love Story": "Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone ..."

But Swift's ace are the songs in which she gets personal, and none is more personal than "Fifteen," which she wrote for her hometown friend Abigail Anderson, now a KU student, who was in the front row on Friday night. Swift pointed her out before singing the song, which is about her friend's high school romance and surrender to an older guy:  "And Abigail gave everything she had to a boy / Who changed his mind / And we both cried ..." There was at least one father of teenage daughters in the place who winced when she sang that, and not because of her voice.

 
"Fifteen" was one of 16 songs in a show that was full of theatrics and visual treats -- enough to fill at least a half-dozen  semis, which were parked outside the Sprint Center.

For the opener, "You Belong With Me," Swift emerged dressed as a majorette, surrounded by dancing cheerleaders (in Mizzou colors). During "Love Story," the stage was set in Shakespearean times, with a castle, and Swift was dressed as a princess or maiden. During the closer, "Should Have Said No," she was drenched by a rainstorm from above. And there was confetti, video cameos (including Tim McGraw) and several performances from satellite platforms around the arena. When she walked from one to another, into a sea of fans and signs, Swift was mobbed, like Obama on the campaign trail.

Her finale was one of her signature songs, a warning to any guy who dates her that he could end up in one of her songs. I suppose it's also a warning to anyone who wonders why she's so popular and whether it will last. She will write more songs, and they will be heard, by lots of girls and ladies who will hear something beyond her phrasing and pitch.

Kelly Pickler: Most of the crowd was in place to hear the former "American Idol" runner-up deliver a 30-plus minute set of modern country songs, including "Best Days of Your Life," "Girls Like Me," "I Wonder" and "Red High Heels."

Taylor Swift setlist: You Belong With Me; Our Song; Tell Me Why; Teardrops On My Guitar; Fearless; Forever and Always; Hey, Stephen; Tim McGraw; White Horse; The Way I Loved You; You're Not Sorry; Picture To Burn. Encore: Today Was A Fairytale; Should Have Said No.

Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[N. Cognito]

OK, there will be a lot of naysayers here bashing Taylor who weren't even at the show. I even knew If our beloved Tim went, he would find fault. Lord knows I have posted many Back-To-Rockville thoughts from a hipper-than-thou stance, but at the risk of being ridiculed by the usual music aficionados here, who I USUALLY respect deeply, last night's show was pretty entertaining. Someone said Taylor was as "manufactured" as Miley Cyrus, and I think that's just silly. I said it before the show and I'm saying it after. Taylor seems to have a good head on her shoulders (and possibly one of the finest manes in music history) and despite what her detractors think, she does indeed possess a talent that will only mature and increase with time. I'll take Taylor and her embarrassingly infectious songs over the Beyonce's, Pink's, Lady Gaga's, and Britney's of the world any day.

As for the show, in which most of the sold-out crowd were in their seats before the first note was even played, newbies Gloriana kicked things off five minutes early (!) and in their brief 20 minute set, incorporated nods to Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin into their songs and despite the fact that the sublimely gorgeous lefty-mandolin player looks like she stepped out of the pages of Playboy, these guys (and gals) sounded pretty darn good. In fact, about a dozen concerts in at the Sprint Center, last's night's show suffered from no sound problems all night from where I sat. As for Kellie Pickler, who came on next with yet another brief set (35 minutes), her songs don't really set the world on fire, but she can truly sing. She has a lovely voice and if she ever gets the right batch of songs, she might even make an impact in the Country Music game.

The two openers came and went quicker than I have ever seen at a show. There was very little break between sets, which is always good. Taylor's set, which clocked in at just under two hours, proves that she can entertain a crowd and has a growing musical talent that will only get stronger. Sure, she isn't the world's best vocalist, but she did indeed sing the songs live last night and ran into zero cringe-worthy moments. She also can play a fine 12-string acoustic and yes, navigate all 12 strings with aplomb, plus play some fine piano (can MILEY do that??). There were times when the show was stretched out in length, like her 10+ minute excursion through the Sprint Center crowd during one of the songs. But the production was wonderful and she had a pretty solid band. The dancers were a bit much, sure, but overall, a good, solid performance last night.

Her legion of KC fans were sent away satisfied last night and although I consider Taylor a guilty pleasure, she does show real potential on an artistic level (no, Really!), as opposed to this hit-making machine that she has proven to be. OK, Taylor Swift will never really convince anyone that she is a TRUE Country performer, but as a practitioner of good Pop music, Taylor connects with fans better than many performers I have seen live, and at such a young age, that's kinda admirable. Give her some time to mature and for her fame to die down a little, and I'll go as far as to say that several years down the line, Taylor has the capability of producing a great record (seriously) that stands on it's own musical feet. Scoff at that all ya want, hipsters, but just remember you heard it here first......savvy?

[JJ]

I like her hair.

[Barbie]

It was the best show.
It was the show of the year. I have seen all of the great performers like Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Borthers and the Spice girls so you can trust me when I tell you Taylor Swift is better than all of them. She is the best of all time. I wish all performers were just like her, then everyone would be happy. Singers like Taylor are all we need.

[onthemark]

Thanks to N Cognito and Tim Finn for taking a bullet for us. Appreciate the reviews. And I agree with JJ, I like her hair too!

[Facts]

""Give her some time to mature and for her fame to die down a little, and I'll go as far as to say that several years down the line, Taylor has the capability of producing a great record (seriously) that stands on it's own musical feet.""
===================
===================
===================
SORRY PAL.....
NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

The main problem with these lil plastic fantastic, great hair, manufactured "widget performers" is they have no soul, no heart.

They are backed by money men who produce them and make sure they all make a lot of money and then they are GOOOONNNEEE!!

GONE WITH THE WOND.

GONE LIKE THE SPICE GIRLS.

This is the future of music, it is owned and operated by big business. From the TV show owners to the Record producers to ticket outlets to arenas themselves, it is all bought and paid for.

The money being spent is mommy and daddy's money. Where do you think kids get money?

In 5-10 years taylor will be GONE WITH THE WIND.

How many time do you have to see the same crap?

From the Monkees to the Back street boys to Mylie to Jonas, it is all manufactured, packaged, marketed and sold with NO SOUL

Sure it makes money, but so do mercury contaminated toys from China.

[sounds like Axel doesn't it?]

It was the best show.
It was the show of the year. I have seen all of the great performers like Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Borthers and the Spice girls so you can trust me when I tell you Taylor Swift is better than all of them. She is the best of all time. I wish all performers were just like her, then everyone would be happy. Singers like Taylor are all we need.

Posted by: Barbie | April 03, 2010 at 11:14 AM

Axel, was that you???

[Reltih Floda]

Just appoint taylor the president of the world order so all problems would go away. It wouild be perfect.

Make a law that everyone has to be blonde, skinny and pretty, and EVERYONE has to throw around their manes of blond hair and rock forward and back at the waist, and if you dont have a mane, sorry, you have to go.

If everyone could conform and become one homgenous demopgraphic, then things would be so much easier. Just dispose of people who dont fit in.

Start doing genetic tests to make sure everyone fits will fit into the mold. You could develop a happier, blonder, smarter superior race of perfect people.

[Tim Finn]

or like what you like and let others like what they like and live with it. it's only music. her fans don't conform to what i like (and i don't care). i can't think of one way her success has affected my life or the music i like.

[Mike Unt]

Taylor Swift - I'd do her!! Burp!

[WhatUp]

I offer one way her "bought and sold" success might affect you. It creates an expectation of what it takes to be considered a success, and then the people who are in charge of finding new bands / artists fit the plug to the hole, and they cast aside artists who do not / will not conform. A new artist better sell 6 million copies in the first week, or into the dumpster.

For instance;
Disney owns such a large entertainment marketing base that they can manufacture and market clones to millions of young viewers. I predicted this years ago, and it is coming to fruitation. You can blame investors who demand stock goes UP UP UP, and Winnie the Pooh can only do so much for that. ( btw-That same investor BS murdered Budwesier, and we see the continuing fallout from that )

In 10-15 years will these kids have any real artist still playing? I doubt it.

The result is broken people ( e.g. Britney ) disappeared acts ( the spice girls) and crappy music.

OPEN UP AND SAY lady
gagagagagagaaaaaah

Do you think Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell would have even been allowed in a trial session, let alone be on TV for AI?

If a new band can not duplicate the instant success of these plastic fantastics then they are cut loose. It stifles growth and new music.

The end result is less and less new and innovative music being created.

The heart and soul is restained and natural growth suffers, and that affects us all.

[mankvill]

If anyone was there or interested, I have a review of the Weedeater show last night on my blog. :D Hopefully the people just getting out from Taylor Swift heard it all the way at the Sprint Center.

[WhatUp]

A huge cog in the plastic fantastic music manufacturing process was created when they "persuaded" congress to pass the law droping ownership rules on radio stations. Before 1997 there was a 50 year old law limiting the number of radio stations which one company could own, seven. The clear channel law dropped that limit, and now one company can pump pump pump the same "PRODUCT" (aka music to you and I) nation wide nation wide.

~~LOOK IT UP~~

It used to be that different pockets of America would play certain artist, and other parts of the country played other types of artists, it made a nice mix to pick from.

Today it is one big strip center of homogenous music across America.

If you are an up and coming artist you better not get cross wise with the BIG DOGS of radio ownership, or bye bye Birdie.

If you add to that the monopoly on ticket sales, well, you see what we have.

[Tim Finn]

i'm pretty sure disney would never be interested in the low anthem or band of horses or arcade fire or flaming lips. and even if disney and radio did get behind them and they became big, they'd be accused of selling out and all the hipsters would resent them and turn on them, like they have kings of leon. so let her get as big as she wants. it doesn't affect my music in the least. good bands can get heard if they work other parts of the system hard. look at wilco. big, without radio or disney. and not the least bit affected by taylor swift or nickelback or ... etc. if you get rid of the mainstream, there is no alternative or underground.

[Mo' facts]

'Facts' sez: "In 5-10 years taylor will be GONE WITH THE WIND."

You're prediction has been duly noted, but I'd bet my paycheck AND yours that you're wrong about that.......Hey, and no hatin' on The Monkees! Have you ever seen their trippy film, HEAD (co-written by Jack Nicholson), or heard it's awesome soundtrack?? But I digress. If you hate Taylor, fine. Her brand of Pop isn't hurting anyone and I have a feeling she doesn't really care what her detractors think. In that, she's already one step ahead of the pack.

Also, what gives with, "From the Monkees to the Back street boys to Mylie to Jonas, it is all manufactured, packaged, marketed and sold with NO SOUL." So YOU are the expert on what constitutes "Soul?" How arrogant, and as far as Mizz Swift being 'manufactured,' she writes songs and actually plays instruments, unlike these other acts you named. Your "facts" are weak and a little choppy, my friend.

[Facts]

I made the same prediction about the Spice Girls, PAYUP.

Feel however you want.
If you wanna love the crap, go ahead. I understand it feels comforable to be in the majority, it is just not my cup of tea.

I can see through the crap.

[Facts]

and i am NOT the only commenting about lack of "soul"

======================
QUOTE-from above...
======================

""But even with whatever outside fortifications or corrections she may have been getting, it is her weakest trait: reedy, one-dimensional and without a fleck of heart or soul. Her stage personae, too, could use some polish.""

[Color me impressed, O' mighty hipster!]

Well, Good for you!

[Let's hear from some who were at the show]

"and i am NOT the only commenting about lack of "soul""

Uh, were you there? If not, you opinion doesn't amount to squat here....NEXT!

[#9]

tim was there, he spotted it, and he knows of which he speaks.

[Dexter Morgan]

Swift needs to buy some boobs

[Steve]

Once she cuts off her hair, the career goes downhill. I call it the "Faith Hill" effect.

[Peter]

I used to have faith but then I jumped for joy but then she left when I felt mary.

[who-fan]

FYI... Taylor Swift is actually signed to a small record label called Big Machine Records. They have a total of four artists (T.S., Jack Ingram, Trisha Yearwood and Steel Magnolia). Big Machine Records took a chance on her at a young age and it payed huge dividends. She is not a contrived Disney product. She is a talented songwriter who has a mediocre voice. My daughters are crazy about her and I like her just fine. In fact, I would much rather listen to her in the car than Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber or the Jonas Brothers.

[Facts]

Although her label may seem small(only 4 acts ) it is no small time opperation.

The CEO is from Dreamworks, and they distribute through Universal.

I am not wanting to argue, I am just pointing out, again, that the music industry is sewn up, bought and sold. BUT, as the everwise tim finn points outs, this may not matter to small groups NOT wanting to launch big.

My problem comes form the fact that it takes the same effort to perform 2 hours on stage in a bar vs 2 hours in an arena, but the pay off is $500.00 per night versus the $1,000,000++++ MILLION++++++ dollars++++ that Swift and her money men made the other night, plus the fact that her popularity is not based on talent, it based on being wired into "rigged system". She did not spend years honing her skills. She did not develop naturaly. She was found and packaged. I understand she may get better with time, but what about people with more talent and awesome stage precense who are shut out, beacues they are not wired in to the music machine?
I am just sayin....

anyway...
Dont kid yourself, Swift's lable is no small time operation.
================
================
The following is from wiki, but from a quick searches it appears fairly accurate.
====================
Big Machine Records is an American independent record label specializing in country music artists. It was launched in 2005 by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta. The label was part of a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith, although Keith dropped his affiliation in 2006. Big Machine is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and its records are distributed by Universal Music Group.

[Dan T]

If you read industry people like Bob Lefsetz or some of the Nashville music blogs, you'll learn that Swift's father made his money in the financial industry and has an ownership stake in Big Machine. At best, she writes her songs with other writers. At worst she does not write he own songs. Hit songwriters are hired to write the songs, and she gets a co-writing credit (or gets to claim the credit outright).

Big Machine/Daddy have spent $5 million on Taylor, and their investment has paid off handsomely. With $5 million, I think you could make my dog a huge star.

At least Disney is somewhat honest. They don't try to pass off their contrived product as authentic.

Don't be fooled. Taylor Swift is a triumph of marketing.

[Nancy]

Taylor Swift is a song writer, guitar and piano musician and she sings like a young lady still developing. Why does society hate on the good that people do? Taylor is a wonderful example of a young lady to millions of pre-teen and teen girls in the world. She talks the talk and walks the walk. You will never see her on the cover of any of the tabloid magazines in a drunken, drugging messs. SHE holds herself to a higher standard and it shows. I was in the 15th (floor) row Friday night and I think it is one of the best concerts I have ever seen. My 9 year old daughters excitement when Taylor took the time to come down the aisle was unexplainable. I think she has made a remarkable effort to change the way concerts are conducted. Having themes and theatrical performances makes the songs come to life. Much better than watching someone walk back and forth on a stage. Taylor knows her audience and she cares about her image. I wish there were more artist like Taylor that my daughter and millions of young girls could look up to. Taylor deserves her millions for caring enough about her fans to make a difference. She spent 20 minutes giving out personal hugs and autographs to hundreds of young girls and that is not your average musician. She wears her heart on her sleeve and thats why she is what she is. People seem to think that 20 is old but actually its just the beginning of maturity and life lessons. Taylor is off to a great start. She won't let her fans down. Friday nights concert was one of the highlights of I and my daughters life and a memory we will cherish forever. Thank You Taylor.

[Facts]

Nancy,
I hope you are correct. I hope Taylor sticks around for 30-40 years and sends the message to young girls to have morals and standards. We will see.

I am not sure writing threatening songs about boys is a good start. "Be good to me, or I will write a nasty song about you" ... wtf?

I do not like much Country music, but I respect the quality ladies like Reba and one or two others.

btw-
I actually think Jenny Lewis is one of the new quality up and coming, paying her dues artist. Check her out.

As far as Taylor, lets hope this is not just another cash grab, like so many before her.

I recall watching all the lil girls LOVING the spice girls and LOVING the way they preached "GIRL POWER", but then the S.G.s grabbed the money and ran. GONE WITH THE WIND, and they left a whole lot of pissed off girls.

They lied to those girls. Things are NOT like they said, and now the girls are pissed that they ever believed the BS.

There is no "girl power" or for that matter "boy power", it is all rigged, and the sooner young people understand that, the the faster they can adapt and do the correct things.

I am NOT saying be pissed off and sad. I am saying things are the way they are, and it is never too soon to start getting ready for the real world, and how it works.

I do hope Taylor makes it 30-40 years, but I can not think of one other recent artist who has? All I have seen in the last 15 years is "flash in the pan" and gone with the money.

Teach you kids well and good luck to them.

[Steve]

Your assuming a lot from her. She is 20. Many good people have fallen victim to the vices of stardom. Sudden fame is sometimes a killer. I hope this does not happen to Swift, she seems like a nice person, even if I don't care for her music.

[What's yer point?]

"Taylor Swift is a triumph of marketing."

Yep, Dan T., and so were The Beatles, and Elvis, and Kiss, and David Bowie, and The Sex Pistols, and Blondie, and Cheap Trick, and Alice Cooper, and AC/DC, and The Who, and Guns N' Roses, and Madonna, and The Beach Boys, and T. Rex, and Motley Crue, and Queen, and Destiny's Child, and The Jackson 5, and..................etc., etc.

[pellboy]

Facts, one of the reason I see a long career for Swift as opposed to some of the others you mentioned is that although very poppy, her music and act are firmly rooted in what these days passes for the country music genre and nowhere are there fans more loyal. Many of the female preteens and teens who are enamored with her now will growup with her as she continues to mature because without a doubt, country music is the preferred music for most females between 20-50.

[The DLC]

True, country does seem to be one of the few genres in which you can be older than 25 and still have a following.

[fiddler]

what's your point... you lump a "marketing triumph" like taylor swift in with some true legends who had enormous talent and broke new ground? you're freakin' delusional, my friend.

[Da point]

....but the artists named were ALL promoted by heavy marketing by Record Companies in the past. Same difference, right?

[NIMPH]

you can not argue with a lab rat, esp a cuntry lab rat.

[NEW]

"but the artists named were ALL promoted by heavy marketing by Record Companies in the past. Same difference, right"

I wouldn't sayior all of them, Da Point. For example, The Who worked their asses off in railroad taverns for a few years before working their asses off on the concert circuit for years. Their first few albums were not exactly mega hits either. They had a few top 40 hits in the US Tommy was really their first big commercial breakthrough. That was 5 years after their inception.

[diff]

NEW, you are correct, and you could REtell a similar story for most of those bands, but would it make a difference to the infected?

[NEW]

Well Diff, not to take away from Taylor Swift since her bevy of managers, producers, publicists, PR and A&R people, writers, arrangers, etc, seem to have her working very hard. But it's not the same as living out of van.

[Great work, bashers!!]

Wow, for so many hipsters that claim they don't give a $#!+ about the whole Taylor Swift phenomenon, y'all sure seem to CARE enough about her to openly bash her. You could just ignore her and this topic, but as all publicity is good publicity, Taylor will continue on, selling records and concert tickets, all THANKS to you. So at least you accomplished THAT today!

[NEW]

Oh brother..so now anyone who knows a little something about the business and how it churns out megastars like your precious Taylor Swift makes one a hipster? Did it occur to you that some people, even though they may not like Taylor Switft as much as you do may wish to use this forum and the topic at hand as a springboard to discuss what is wrong with the bus iness in general?

Besides, I doubt a few people commenting on how the industry can mold and hype a marginally talented but hard working artist is going to tip the scales in terms of her popularity. Nuff said.

[Ellen K.]

Good songs, not so good singing... reminds me of Bob Dylan.