Disco de Taylor Swift: “Fearless (Platinum Edition)”

After the success of

, Taylor Swift and her label decided to re-release it. With some re-releases, you get shoddy remixes or re-toolings of the big hits, perhaps an acoustic version or two and a live track. Not so with the platinum edition. This is more of an extended version of the original album than the simple run-of-the-mill repackaged original version. The platinum edition has five entirely new tracks, plus a piano/acoustic version of the original release's "Forever and Always". What makes the new tracks and re-release worth purchasing is that you're definitely getting an improved and superior version of 'Fearless'; the new tracks are mixed in with the originals and you can't really tell that they were produced any differently than the original tracks. They are of the same quality and caliber, enhancing the experience of listening to Taylor Swift. They aren't much different from the originals; these new songs are mostly about young love, ambivalence, optimism (even in the face of heartache or tarnished relationships).

The Good: This isn't the typical 'country' music many are familiar with. Taylor Swift, having written most of the songs herself, brings a lot of her personal experiences and reflections into the music and the songs feel more authentic. While she's in the genre of country there's also a heavy presence of pop running throughout the tracks. 'Fearless' has a theme to it; songs about young experience and "fearlessness" in the face of many obstacles and new experience; on the track "Fifteen" she sings about school and not exactly fitting in, an experience everyone can relate to in some way. On "Hey Stephen" and "You Belong To Me" she sings of crushes and young love. "Jump Then Fall" is all about taking a chance on love. The mass appeal of Taylor Swift is probably how relatable her music and persona is. Unlike many artists her age who are singing about partying in clubs or trying to make 'country music' that's either too stereotypical or too dance-orientated, she's singing about life and things she and everyone experiences and goes through. Another good thing about this edition is that it comes with a DVD of the music videos from the singles released as well as some behind-the-scenes footage. For me, this enhances the experience because you're able to see and hear the creative process and witness how involved she is. It helps to also get the point across that there's a real person behind the music and lyrics and she's not just a puppet or product of her music label and the industry. Also, the video of her CMA performance of 'Thug Story' with T-Pain, a definite fan-favorite moment of the past year, is included and makes the DVD a true must-have. Sure, it's silly and definitely not country but it shows the versatility of Swift and her willingness to make fun of herself and have fun.

The Bad: There's not a lot to complain of. If there's a flaw to the album is that it can be a bit light and upbeat. The tone of the album, even when she sings of unpleasant feelings and of insecurities or unfulfilled loves, she never truly goes 'deep' or to a pure unhappy place. It gets a bit annoying that emotionally the album feels a little heavy on the positive and optimistic vibes, but again, that's a personal criticism. "You're Not Sorry" is probably the least 'happy' song with the new track "Untouchable" following close behind. Also, a minor nit-pick but the cover artwork doesn't reflect that this is really a new product. All that it looks like is the designer or label being lazy and short on time and sticking a black background behind the same photo from the first released. Perhaps the thought was that the black background and 'platinum edition' added in would give the impression of newness but the black background and her expression change the vibe or tone of the album from upbeat and optimistic to slightly moodier and depressing, which the album and music are not. Minor critique that doesn't detract much from the music. The new tracks are good but it would have been nice if the label also included many 'pop' versions of her singles that have been released through iTunes and other online venues over the course of the year. The pop versions "You're Not Sorry" and "Love Story" give both songs a different vibe and the variety would have made the release a bit more interesting.

In the end, if you haven't purchased 'Fearless' yet, this is the edition to get. Even so, the new tracks and the DVD with the music videos together account for a mini EP and is worth purchasing.

Listen to These: "Come In With the Rain", "Forever and Always" (Piano Version), "You're Not Sorry"

I am a 61 year-old man, a child of the 60s. Nonetheless, I love this CD enough to bother writing this, my first ever Amazon review.

Taylor Swift has an adequate singing voice, but nothing special. What is very special, however, is the clarity, simplicity, honesty and accuracy of her songwriting. And although it took me awhile to realize it, the backup musicians on this CD are also very good.

Taylor was only 19 (or was it 18?) when these songs were written. Her life experience was limited, and so is the scope of what she writes about. There are one or two too many references to kissing in the rain (it must have been some kiss). Nonetheless, she sticks to what she knows, and she portrays it very very well.

Last night I surveyed this CD, putting the songs into categories of (1) excellent, (2) very good, (3) OK and (4) not good. Here's my take: 4 excellent, 8 very good, 1 OK. I am a tough grader, and I would have to go way back to find another record this good. Being a bit of a country fan, I would think of Garth Brooks or Rodney Crowell. Beyond that, maybe a Joni Mitchell or Beatles album. (Joni was an even bigger talent in my mind -- more poetic, better voice).

Taylor Swift is fresh, genuine, spunky, sincere and a very talented writer. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD, if you haven't already.

The international version of the album includes 3 new extra songs, which are very nice. Course they may not be hit single material, as it usually is with bonuses, but they are good quality. It is worth the extra money, especially as lonely planet managed to import an inexpensive version - what I got was a Malaysian printing - top quality both booklet and CD, booklet in English not Malay. The version of "Love Story" is exacly the same as on the American edition - some rumors have surfaced that the international one is different, but they aren't true.

"Even country music needs its own Britney Spears." That's what the store clerk who check me out said about the disk when I bought it. I was gonna spout off a quick reply, something like 'thanks but no thanks for your opinion,' but then I thought about it: if Britney represents her values to her fans thru singing and songwriting, then sure Taylor Swift represents her values to her fans in the same way ... so I let the comment pass.

Bursting onto the scene not very long ago (this is only her 2nd album), Taylor has quickly become a voice of empowerment for young women (and those young-at-heart!) everywhere. Her lyrics are real -- based on her own "fearless" living -- and she deserves every ounce of recognition she's receiving in both the country and pop music communities.

Fearless (4 out of 5)

"You take my hand and drag me headfirst fearless." Love, like life, is all about taking chances.

Fifteen (3.5 out of 5)

Reflective, poetic in a mildly melancholy way. "This is life before you know who you're gonna be."

Love Story (4.5 out of 5)

Ah, young love. It always seems so real when you're in it, and it always seems so unreal when you're looking back on it. William Shakespeasre's "Romeo & Juliet" never ended as happily as this confection sounds, but wouldn't the world be a better place if it did? Easily one of the best tunes here.

Hey Stephen (3.5 out of 5)

"I can't help it if you look like an angel." It sounds like someone named Stephen is getting lucky with Taylor, and deservedly so. More celebration of young love, and I gave it an extract .5 just for Taylor's opening and closing humming. Lovely. What gives the song much of its charm is she allows her voice to be a bit more 'raw' and real than anywhere else on the album, which matches the lyrics perfectly. (If my name were Stephen, it'd probably be a perfect 10 song!)

White Horse (5 out of 5)

"I'm not a princess, this ain't no fairy tale ..." Love gone bad and turned into disappointment never sounded quite so sorrowful as it does behind Taylor's youthful voice, tinking piano, soft guitar, and weeping strings. Jilted girls everywhere will be crying into their pillows at bedtime with this song playing in the background. "It's too late for you and your white horse to come around."

You Belong with Me (5 out of 5)

We've all been here before (in the middle of a friendship that coulda/shoulda/woulda been so, so much more), and perhaps that's why Taylor sounds so strong here. She's a lyrical 'everyman,' capturing how we've all felt in the simplest terms. Big refrain. Crank it up.

Breathe (4.5 out of 5)

Sorry, folks, but humming in music is so sexy, and Taylor works it to great effect here. Unexpectantly. Breathy. And, yet, wholesome. "You're the only thing that I know like the back of my hand." Getting past the mistakes made in a relationship pose the greatest challenges, and that's what this tune is all about.

Tell Me Why (2.5 out of 5)

"You could write a book of how to ruin someone's perfect day." Ouch. Getting past some of the mistakes made in a relationship (whoa ... deja vu) pose some challenges not quite worth enduring.

You're Not Sorry (2.5 out of 5)

Wow. Taylor Swift has an awful lot to say about being jilted in a relationship ... and at such a young age, too. I'm starting to feel real bad for this gal. Sad piano turns into a reflection on ending love. Good song, but fairly repetitive to sentiments already explored on the disc. Not the strongest tune here.

The Way I Loved You (5 out of 5)

One of the strongest tracks here b/c, musically, it builds into something that you never expected. A girl finds the perfect man (opens her doors, treats her like a lady, loves her parents, etc.) ... "but I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain, it's 2 am and I'm cursing your name, I'm so in love that I acted insane, and that's the way I loved you." It's tragic when you realize that you love someone else more than the one you're with, and Taylor Swift hits a homerun of a hit here.

Forever & Always (2 out of 5)

Sorry, but this is WAY too repetitive for the same themes already explored on this album. And for Pete's sake, give this girl a hug! Go and kiss her in the rain, already! Heaven knows she needs it at this point!

The Best Day (2.5 out of 5)

A young girl reminiscing about being an even younger girl. Wonderfully poetic lyrics.

Change (4.5 out of 5)

Pop country belted out the Taylor Swift way. Sure, maybe it's a bit predictable, but it's a good kind of predictable. All things change, and the true leaders predict it, welcome it, embrace it, celebrate it. It's about making the world a better place. "It's a revolution, throw your hands up 'cause we never gave in ..."

So what's Taylor so FEARLESS about? Clearly, it's love, and, while anyone can learn a world of lessons by plunging fearlessly into life's greatest mystery, there's a whole other series of lessons waiting for Taylor once the tempering effect that fear has on age. Don't let my 3-star-rating scare you: this is one classy effort and deserves to bought, sold, and celebrated. But what I'm more interested in is Taylor's command of lyrics. I really want to see where this young soul will be in ten year's time. I want to see her develop her skills beyond where she is today, and there's plenty of room (and time) for that to happen ... fearlessly or not.

This product is the Target Exclusive version of Fearless Platinum Edition with the bonus DVD tracks of the Clear Channel Stripped Performances of Untouchable & Fearless. Other then that it's the same as the the regular Fearless Platinum Edition.