Her latest album, Fearless, has set the bar for any artist attempting to make the trans-genre leap.  She seems to be the perfect storm in a fading music industry that has been overtaken by contest winners and pre-packaged products.

Not only is Taylor Swift highly talented and gorgeous, she’s well-behaved in a paparazzi-driven society where celebrities are (almost purposely) transforming their fame into infamy.  Outside of her innocent and public breakup with rocker Joe Jonas, Swift has been relatively quiet.  Gossip websites and trash magazines are practically begging for a Taylor Swift slip-up.

Fearless is a sign of maturation and an improvement over her debut album, Taylor Swift.  It has a few tracks with really no country twang and songs that almost lean into a “singer-songwriter” label.  “Hey Stephen” wouldn’t feel misplaced on any Sheryl Crow record and “Breathe” is undoubtedly a legitimate pop song.  This album is a step in the right direction for an artist who is extremely dynamic and is almost single-handedly molding a new country/pop fan base.  Fearless is a magnificent piece of pop music.  It’s one of the best pop albums released since Michael Jackson’s Thriller and without-a-doubt the best female country album I have ever heard.

One thing we must remember when listening to any artist is the intended target audience.  Just as a 60-year-old woman isn’t going to love Metallica, a 30-year-old man is most likely not going to love Taylor Swift.  Fearless is for high school to twenty-something aged females.  If you listen to her music and compare it to Abbey Road, then you’re not in the right frame of mind.  Fearless isn’t trying to be Abbey Road or Let It Bleed, just as Hannah Montana isn’t trying to be Seinfeld.  With any form of art, you must understand the intended audience before determining your affinity for the work.

My favorite songs on this album, with the exception of “You Belong With Me”, were solely written by Taylor Swift.  “Fifteen”, “Love Story”, “Hey Stephen”, and “You’re Not Sorry” are all perfectly written songs of love and heartbreak.  It’s absolutely astonishing that an 18-year-old is responsible for this music.

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Unstoppable

Rascal Flatts have sold more than 18 million units with three consecutive albums hitting the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Their success has earned them numerous ACM, CMA and AMA Group Of The Year awards. So, when they optimistically title their album Unstoppable, you better believe it!
This is by far their best album ever. If you’re a fan of Rascal Flatts, you will totally love this album, if you weren’t a fan before you will be now.

Rascal Flatts – Unstoppable Track Listing

1. “Love Who You Love” – 3:36
2. “Here Comes Goodbye” – 4:04
3. “Close” – 3:48
4. “Forever” – 4:16
5. “She’d Be California” – 4:18
6. “Unstoppable” – 3:48
7. “Things That Matter” – 4:41
8. “Summer Nights” – 4:02
9. “Holdin’ On” – 4:25
10. “Once” – 3:49
11. “Why” – 4:55
12. “American Living” (JCPenney Bonus Track)

The first single, “Here Comes Goodbye“, was sent to radio on January 20, 2009 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in the issue dated April 25, 2009. The song was co-written by American Idol season 6 finalist Chris Sligh.
Three tracks were released as digital singles prior to the album’s release: “Forever“, “Love Who You Love” and “Things That Matter“, on March 17, 24, and 31, respectively.

Rascal Flatts will tour in support of the album on the Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour, presented by department store chain JCPenney.

With Unstoppable, Gary, Joe Don and Jay release their most powerful and accessible album to date, taking their career and country music another large step forward. The trio is as proud of the project as they’ve ever been.

Album Information

Released April 7, 2009
Genre Country rock
Length 45:45 (without bonus track)
Label Lyric Street
Producer Dann Huff and Rascal Flatts

Download Unstoppable – Rascal Flatts

• Part one
• Bonus