Red

#9

[THE ROLLING STONE'S TOP 100 ALBUMS - ALBUM 2/ALBUM 99]

When I first listened to this one I remember it being good but also it being kinda mid at the same time. I remember not really giving a toss about it once it was over, but also when I thought back on it - it wasn't bad.

Three years later and my opinion isn't so much changed as it is refined. Relistening to this album, I found myself sitting through the first half and being actually quite surprised at how much I was into it. The songs were upbeat, catchy, nostalgic, and I was thinking to myself "wtf is this actually like an 8/10???"

Then the second half hit and it was mid as hell. And like I mean mid - not bad. The songs aren't bad, I couldn't say that, but like... I just don't care about them? Like I'm not feeling it anymore. Maybe it's because the whole package is just a bit too long (especially if you accidentally listen to the entire deluxe version - which I did on first listen). I think this album could really have been saved by a good bit of track list pruning.

Track list breakdown:

State Of Grace - Might just be me but this reminds me of a contemporary Christian worship song. Come to think of it, quite a few of the tracks on this album remind me of that. (7/10)

Red - The title track was one of the songs I didn't know before entering, but found I really connected with. (8/10)

Treacherous - Not bad, bit forgettable. (6/10)

I Knew You Were Trouble - My first shot of nostalgia. (8/10)

All Too Well - The other track that was new to me but also clicked. This one's properly good. (9/10)

22 - Nostalgia shot 2. (8/10)

I Almost Do - (6/10)

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Third and final nostalgia shot - and remains my second favourite Swift song of all time (Note: I don't know many). (9/10)

Stay Stay Stay - And into the mid... (4/10)

The Last Time - (5/10)

Holy Ground - (6/10)

Sad Beautiful Tragic - (4/10)

The Lucky One - I will say that from this point on, the songs start veering back into mostly good again. Personally I would have just cut the previous four. (6/10)

Everything Has Changed - (Half shot of nostalgia) (6/10)

Starlight - (6/10)

Begin Again - Not the worst ending we could have had. Quite cyclical how I rate it the same way I rate the opener. (7/10)

Ranked:
1. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
2. All Too Well
3. Red
4. 22
5. I Knew You Were Trouble
6. State Of Grace
7. Begin Again
8. Starlight
9. Treacherous
10. I Almost Do
11. The Lucky One
12. Everything Has Changed
13. Holy Ground
14. The Last Time
15. Stay Stay Stay
16. Sad Beautiful Tragic

Look, I am also fully aware that I have not listened to Taylor's Version of this album (which, according to one of my friends, means I am in support of misogyny in the music industry) and I do realise it is perfectly possible that if I listened to that version it might be a whole lot better and change my opinion; but Taylor's version hadn't come out when I first listened to this so I thought it was only right to review the version I actually know. Who knows, maybe one day I will give Taylor's version a go.

(I probably won't)

(6/10)