Ein neuer, leuchtender Stern am Musikhimmel: die US-amerikanische Country-Pop-Sänderin Taylor Swift!

Seit ihrem 17. Lebensjahr ist sie aus den US-Charts nicht mehr wegzudenken. Ihr Debütalbum Taylor Swift ging bis heute über 3,5 Mio Mal über die Ladentheke und erlangte in ihrem Heimatland dreifachen Platinstatus. Mit ihrem zweiten Album Fearless begann sie das Jahr in den USA mit Platz 1 in den Albumcharts und hielt sich insgesamt sage und schreibe 12 Wochen an der Spitze der Amerikanischen Charts. Jetzt erobert die Chartstürmerin aus Amerika mit ihrem Album Fearless auch Europa. In ihren Songs beschäftigt sich die junge Sängerin mit den typischen Problemen eines Teenagers: Jungs und Liebeskummer. Daraus entstanden sind 16 bittersüße Pop Nummern mit Country Einfluss Taylor Swift ist bereit, ihr Ausnahmetalent auch in Europa unter Beweis zu stellen und wird ihre musikalische Erfolgsgeschichte garantiert fortsetzen.

St. Petersburg Times, November 2008
Why we care: There's never been a more cynical time in pop music, at least from a critic's point of view. Not only do we assume most Top 40 tartlets aren't doing their own singing -- we've accepted it, grading on cultural impact, art and integrity be damned. The 18-year-old Swift's pop-country pirouettes have all the weight of a dandelion crown, but she can sing and write a bit and flash a genuine smile. Ultimately, though, the Pennsylvania gal is one of the hottest things in music more for what she's not. Why we like it: With feet-on-dashboard beats and innocent guitar strums, Swift's sophomore helping of country fluff (see first single Love Story) details the kind of drama and heartbreak crescendo that can devastate a kid...at least until after recess. Her voice is strong when it has to be, wispy and lilty in those quiet times. She knows catchy, that's for sure.

Reminds us of: The star pupil at Faith Hill's Camp for Exceptional Blonds

Grade: B

Billboard Magazine, November 7, 2008
Those who thought Taylor Swift was a big deal after the release of her first record should be prepared: She's about to get way bigger. Though they're written by a teenager, Swift's songs have broad appeal, and therein lies the genius and accessibility of her second effort. The insightful "Fifteen" ("In your life you'll do greater things than dating a boy on the football team") will connect with teens looking for hope and with adult women looking back, while the sparse "White Horse" will appeal to anyone who's experienced love lost, which is to say, everyone. "Hey Stephen" ("All those other girls, they're beautiful but would they write a song for you") displays Swift's confident sense of humor, and "Breathe" (written with Colbie Caillat, who sings on the track) is a love-gone-wrong song suitable for women of all ages.