1989

This album turning up is quite opportune as I’ve been making effort recently to listen objectively to Taylor Swift. I’ve previously dismissed her and her music as run of the mill manufactured pop for the teen masses. But her recent stance of music streaming and her remixing her earlier albums (including this one) presumably because she wanted to improve them made me take note of her. Listening to this album I realised that just about each track was a hit in the past but I had dismissed at the time. As i could remember each of these tracks from way back then, they must have lodged in my brain somewhere. Partly due that every track has a memorable pop riff and hook. This skill I applaud even though the actual substance of the music is still not to my taste. However, my Taylor Swift discovery has taken me to her most recent albums Folklore and Evermore, which I have found myself liking and occasionally going back to.

Not too bad, enjoyed songs like Style and This Love. It’s a shame that in today’s Pop world, that you waste the last minute of every 3.5 minute song with constantly repeated lines. But, she’s got a great voice…

Ok - not a big fan of pop music queens in general but I think I understand why she is so popular

Always wanted to listen to a Taylor Swift album. This was the one that brought her pop superstardom. Fine work all around. Maybe I’ll become a Swiftie.

6/10 Starts very strong but the second half isnt quite as exciting. Also the lyrics are meh Highlights: Blank Space Shake it Out Out of the Woods

3/5

These songs are not as annoying as some other of her songs. TPAB > 1989

it was non stop bops that have literally been entangled with my youth without even knowing, hearing them on the radio, stores, workplaces. A Charts pop music staple, even though some of it was bland and 1 dimensional I can’t fault the bops on this

Clean hit me just right. Perfect timing.

this altered by brain chemistry when this first came out and it still smacks now

The songs I had heard before were the best ones on this, but there were a few more that were still good that I didn't know. Not totally consistent sound over the album, which was not bad as it keeps it fresh. Easy listen with some real catchy songs. 6/10

Nearly every song on here is a banger. This was her first pop album and it went number 1. I definitely understand why it did.

Her best album.

There are times which are ever increasing as I get older where I tell myself on the first listen "I have heard this song a 1,000 times already". Looking deeper into this album I find Max Martin which tells me why I know this album without having to listen to it. The guy has wrote or co-written 25 number singles since 1998, won ASCAP pop songwriter of the year 11 times and yet I do not find his songs enjoyable. Taylor Swift is a wonderful artist and I wish she wouldn't have worked with this producer for this album.

Great album. Listen to it almost weekly lately.

Perfect album is perfect

Right, going in open-minded. Gonna focus on all the positives, let's do it OK, thought the opener is fun but a little dull I've heard Blank Space before. It's a great song! Oh yeah, I've heard Style before as well. Yeah, really fun chorus! Great bridge as well! Out of the Woods isn't for me. To me it sounds like a spoof of a pop song. Like something they'd play at the end of an episode of Smack the Pony. not mad about All You Had to Do Was Stay. The thing is, I'd love all the songs I'm not enjoying if I was a pop song. Which is to say they're all great pop songs! But it's not what I'd choose to listen to so even great examples of it are boring for me. Shake it Off is great. Probably gonna be my favourite on the album. I've obviously heard it plenty of times before but focusing on it here, the drum groove is brilliant! The open high hats make the song if you ask me. Builds really well, chorus is really fun. The 'rap' bit will never not sound ridiculous but who cares, it's a great song. I've heard that the snares on I Wish You Would are inspired by She Drives Me Crazy, the Fine Young Cannibals song. I love that song. I can hear the resemblance here. Especially in the last few seconds. Don't think anyone would've been able to notice it if it wasn't revealed though. Still, it's a nice song. Feels like a bit of a filler to me. Heard Bad Blood before as well, of course. Again only now noticing the great drum groove. Simple but really effective. Never loved this song. Liked it a bit more on this listen but not one of my favourites. Oh, I've heard Wildest Dreams before as well! Christ she's everywhere. It's nice. I don't know that the strings work with the bass. Don't think those things mix so well. Good song though! How You Get the Girl: Oooooh OK did not like that. Sounded like a country artist doing a cover of a 00s song by a manufactured band of 16-year-olds. Thought This Love was boring. Oh no, album. Please don't totally shrivel away. I Know Places: Well I sincerely hated the verse and then the chorus came in and totally saved it. Still didn't enjoy it but could've been a lot worse without the decent chorus. God, it's the 'I, I, I, I'... felt abusive. Clean was really boring. I really tried. It's not for me. But I can appreciate it.

I don't like the dance era of Taylor, but sue does still have very good music. Just not my Swift Style. The harmonies are on point

Very popular.

Dit is popmuziek zoals ik het graag heb, Taylor Swift is een van dé artiesten van mijn generatie. Alle nummers goed en met een typische Taylor Swift-pop sound.

I love good pop music! Blank Space, Style, Out of the Woods, and Wildest Dreams are all such great tracks. One of Taylor’s best

Not my piece of cake

Daughter loves her. And this was not bad at all!

Decent album

Has Taylor the output to be featured on this list? I think so. Had Taylor the output to be on this list back in 2014? Not sure. Yes she was a superstar by that time, but musically she was at a transition point which produced lots of radio hits but nothing timeless, and I’m not talking just about this one but also the lesser achievement “Reputation”. Yes this one has good songs, but none really memorable, not at the level of Lover, Anti Hero or Cardigan, hell, not even as catchy as Mean which was released way before. To me, this one is on the list just to show respect to the huge status Taylor has, but not for its musical merits. When listening to this I cannot help but think that she has at least 3 albums better than it, the best of which, are not featured on this list.

Ughhh I’m so over TSwift.

Nice for a cup of tea, but it's not my cup of tea. I think she is one of the pop artists out there.

I like this one.

I never give anything 5 stars but this came close. I know way more about Taylor swift than any other artist (and potentially my own life) so the meaning behind and impact of this album plays into my listening and I'm absolutely biased. Still, for an album which was entirely and seamlessly pop from a previously country artist, it's very impressive. This album was the first one which Jack Antonoff worked on too which adds to my love for it. Favourite tracks: out of the woods (she builds better b bridges than engineers), wildest dreams, clean (for Imogen Heap) and new romantics

Damn solid pop album. Some white girl anthems, some white mom anthems, some sad white girl ballads, very good all round!

I liked the re-recording. It's poppy and Taylor's big genre jump.

Catchy songs. Enjoyable listen. I doubt I'd listen again because it's not my taste.

I took the opportunity to relisten to TV instead. This is not my favorite TS album but it does have a very long list of solid songs.

I hate that I like this, but I really like this. Which is good because my kids listen to it constantly, which really speaks to its quality since I'm not sick of it. I can't say I'll randomly turn it on one day but that's because my kids take care of that. 5 stars for me.

It's difficult for me to look at this album objectively, because during the last decade since its release, I've probably listened to it at least 100 times. That may speak to it most succinctly though. I'm 100% sure that rate won't likely change during the next decade, so I have to rate this a five. There's not a bad track on here, and there's only a few that aren't at least good. It's probably safe to safe to say that this album was the tipping point that guaranteed Taylor Swift has a place at the adult table at the music industry family dinner. Some childhood artists careers are like a fart in the wind, but her career seems like it's just getting started. Only time will tell.

This album is really up and down. I think there's 5 great songs on it (with Blank Space and Bad Blood being my personal favorites), but I also think there's a bunch of mediocre songs that prevent the album as a whole from getting a 5. The highs are high, though. I was very late to the Taylor Swift party (Folklore was the first album I heard in its entirety), but she turned out to be exactly like the Harry Potter books: everyone likes them because they're really fucking good. Sometimes popular stuff is legit good, and that definitely applies to Ms. Swift.

When I hear ultra-pop music like this I feel compelled to question the artistic humanity of the end product. This has nothing to do with the artist and all to do with the conspiratorial nature of this listener. There are some really good tunes on side two of this album. The pop of the first half is enduring, but the super-produced pop doesn't work as well as the emotionality of some of the more sparse instrumentation of the slower more personal tracks. -1 point for saying this sick beat, without providing said beat. :)

Helvítið hann Max Martin. Þetta er drep. Fær auka stjörnu því Taylor er fær söngkona, en þessi tónlist er bara gjörsamlega úrkynjað auglýsingapopp.

All bangers. 5/5.

Yeah I can't find a reason to hate this album and don't think I ever could. Catchy, original, great lost of tracks and flow well. The fame and recognition of her music is well deserved.

Generic. Sterile.

A bit too saccharin for me, but it's obviously a classic

A solid 2/5, but the singles, which are undeniably well crafted and catchy, drag it up a star. The album tracks are dull and forgettable though.

Amy will kill me if I don't give this 5 stars

It's Taylor Swift, I am indifferent to her music, I wouldn't go mad but I can say that she can sing well and knows how to appeal to her audience

It was fine. Very well-produced and crafted. Just kind of bland. There's no edge, no unique viewpoint, it's like, "safe music."

Bought this in 2015 at Kroger on a whim because it was in the mark down bin. So glad I did. Great album. Great production. I was listening to the album a bunch before I took Jen to NY for the first time. This album, especially the first track, always reminds me of her and that trip.

Pure pop perfection

With some albums on here I assume I’ll hate them and I end up pleasantly surprised. With this one I secretly thought I might like it but actually it’s was mostly bland, over produced, 4 chord pop. Shake it off is a great pop song but it doesn’t really sound like the rest of the album. I like Taylor’s voice but it was quite an uninspiring album.

tämä ei ollut hyvää aikaa populäärimusiikin kannalta. silti tulee minimaaalinen määrä nostalgiaa, nuorimies olin tällöin.. ja pakostikkin muutama laulunlurakko tuli kuunneltua. ei ole huono mutta tuskin menee radionauhuriin toistumiseen.taylor 2 sweep..heh..jokainen biisi yli 100 miljoonaa kuuntelukertaa...ekoes 20 milj..länsimaailma hävitty.. And everything is green and submarine... out of the woods

Some classic pop songs that stick with you, and great storytelling in the lyrics which means you never get bored. I wouldn't listen to the whole album again, though: for me, pop is best in small doses.

Summary: There aren't many albums from this era of music that I enjoy. That being said, this was great! Lyrical themes of lost love and a fresh new start, often involving said love. I think Taylor needs to learn to move on. The album's atmosphere is confident, positive, and fresh. It risks sounding austere or sterile at times, but Taylor's vocal is consistently very emotional (at least, compared to Midnights, the only other album of hers I've listened to) and this balances the feel out. Mostly poor electronic percussion, but the tracks that avoid this are fantastic, and the ones that don't are still pretty darn strong. A clean, modern tracklist that only Taylor could pull off. Welcome To New York: Very fresh-sounding. The percussion isn't great, but the vocals more than make up for it. Taylor's singing is the brightest I've heard it, although the lackluster melody detracts slightly from this. Simple and fairly effective. Blank Space: Whoo boy, now here's a good melody. Infectious. The moment when the instrumental disappears at the end of the chorus is a huge highlight - "... and I'll write your name." The percussion is distractingly electronic, much like the previous track. Hopefully at least one track will have either good percussion or none at all. "Getting bored of Walls 2, I should find a new minigame..." Style: the intro is great. This is the kind of atmosphere where I can forgive the lazy percussive instrumentation, because it creates a clean, goosebump-inducing synth feel that just clicks with me. One thing I notice about this album is that Taylor really likes hanging onto one melodic note for several words, or even entire lines. She also uses the 6th and 9th of chords VERY frequently in her melodies, which is a little difficult to swallow since most artists don't do this. All of that aside, this is a fantastic song. Out Of The Woods: a distinctive intro, for sure. The building-up atmosphere leading into the chorus is good, but the chorus itself is not. There's a release of tension at the beginning, but afterwards it feels like Taylor forgets both the lyrics and the melody and just repeats one line, hoping for the best. Breakdown at 2:50ish is solid. All You Had To Do Was Stay: Ugh. I guess I'm not getting Taylor's vision. Her choruses are just... not good (excluding Blank Space, which was kinda fire). The high-pitched "stay!!" hook is the strongest part of this song, and it seemed Taylor was aware of this. Shake It Off: Fantastic. Taylor's voice is positively bursting with excitement and enthusiasm, and the melody is the strongest one so far. The percussion is also significantly more human-sounding than previous tracks. Spoken vocal in the middle has a great lyric that really nails home song's atmosphere and message. The hooks are incredible, the backing vocals are sung to perfection... If this song isn't the winner, I'll eat my hat. I Wish You Would: The guitary-thing far back in the mix (except during breakdowns) is the best part of this song, although the wacky syncopation in the vocals is a close second. The repetition of the song title at the halfway mark is also a great moment. However, the percussion has relapsed (sad face). I won't comment on it anymore unless it's good. Bad Blood: This song feels like very generic Taylor Swift. There isn't much to go on. Choruses are energetic and fairly catchy. Wildest Dreams: Oh man, this one's good. The description of the man of interest does kind of combine all the traits of a perfect man (hence the song title), and I wish it weren't the standard I was competing against. The melody is subtly brilliant, the self-harmonising (especially towards the song's conclusion) is another goosebump-inducer, and the restrained percussion is fantastic. Another highlight. How You Get The Girl: Taylor has correctly identified that I need a lesson in this. Wait, she's telling me to... Break the girl's heart, then stand outside her house in the rain, attempting to make up? Kiss her on the cheek? Yeah, that'll get me reported for stalking and assault. Also, it absolutely only works if you follow rules 1 and 2 (be attractive; don't be unattractive). I'm good. Chorus is similar-sounding to Blank Space, but a bit worse. A Swift Standard, one might say. This Love: Dreamy, almost ethereal atmosphere. Lots of goosebumps during this one, though it could be because I'm wearing shorts. A good track with good percussion. I Know Places: The verses are a bit jittery and all over the place, but they hold their own. The choruses, on the other hand, are so much better than the verses that they're almost different songs - particularly the chorus at 2:15. Confident, positive, and fresh. Notably, a great song ending with the little VHS click. Clean: I wouldn't have chosen to end the album with this track, but go off, I guess. The contrast of bumpy, staccato synths with smoother overlaid ones creates a distinctive atmosphere that's really enjoyable, but more befitting of a track near the beginning of an album. This is me being really nitpicky though. The song's message is encouraging and speaks of Swift's journey with addiction and how she overcame it. Proud of you, Taylor. <3

I am fine with Swift being a huge star. But her music is the cultural equivalent of a pop tart. Sugar on top of card board. There is no meat in these songs. It's all a sugar rush. I didn't get much out of this.

This represents the peak of my enjoyment of Taylor. She's clearly got talent for putting out hit songs (some I find enjoyable, some not) but this one has a good blend of the pop-catchiness with some ties still to her roots.

I don't live in a cave so am aware of Taylor Swift, but hadn't listened to any albums of hers. I found this to be perfectly decent pop music with a nice bland message and seemed well produced and packaged. I've no idea why she is as lauded as she is, but it wasn't bad.

(Listened to Taylor’s version though cause vault tracks)

I was watching the 2015 NBA Finals, and as the game went to commercial, there was this song playing. The song had this amazing guitar riff, a sick bass line, and killer electronic drum beats. I kept rewinding the game and sitting as close as I could to the speaker, so I could catch some of the lyrics and google the song. I don't remember what lyrics I was able to discern, but I remember looking them up, and learning it was Taylor Swift's "Style." Huh? Wasn't she a country music artist? I listened to all of Style, and became obsessed. I started listening to other songs on the album, and immediately fell in love with it and bought a copy. I've been listening to this album regularly for eight years now, and I still love it. It's big, it's bold, and it somehow never feels derivative of the decade that inspired it. Each song has its own bold sound, and the music is fantastic, whether the song is peppy and upbeat, or slower and more thoughtful. The synthesizers and other electronic elements are absolutely fantastic, and I love that they're used in such a wide variety of ways. From the 'pseudo-strings' on "Welcome to New York" to the dreamy sounds of "Wildest Dreams," this album is crammed full of great synth sounds. The drum machines are fantastic too. The reverb on "Blank Space" calls back to eighties pop, while the booming drums of "I Wish You Would" and "Bad Blood" feel loud enough to make The Cult jealous. Lyrically and emotionally, this album covers a wide swath of territory from the highs of awe, optimism, and young love to the lows of dreams of escape and wrecked friendships. This album is a masterpiece from start to finish, and it's one of my favorite pop albums of all time. I always have a blast listening to it, and I firmly believe that it more than earns its place on this list.

It's unspectacular pop. I listened to Taylor's version.

Not my cup of tea. 2 songs were ok. I won't listen to it again.

I listened to "Taylor's Version", and from the two or three songs that I do know from this album I must say that I agree with the criticism of the re-recording - everything somehow seems more "flat" than I am used to hearing (even when I am used to hearing those few songs over speakers in big box stores). It makes me think I would enjoy the original recording more (and I suppose that is technically the album included in the 1001 albums list), and maybe I will try that one out at some point. As it is, I like several of the songs at the start of this album... essentially I like the songs that could be Carly Rae Jepsen recordings, and overall I would much rather listen to any of her albums than this. This one especially lost me toward the end, when the instrumentation reverted back to what I would consider more "stereotypical" Swiftian singer-songwriter-country-pop, and I find all of that a bit bland, especially as a person who does not pay much attention to lyrics. I had no idea "Style" was a Taylor Swift song before this listen, so that should tell you how familiar I am with both her oeuvre, and mainstream pop music of the 2010s in general. Anyway, it's fine, just mostly not for me.

Listened to Taylors Version, it was honestly great.

This was the first Taylor Swift album I listened to - in fact, the first time I heard more than just parts of her songs. I found the album very upbeat and enjoyable. The vocals were front and center, the primary instrument and audio focal point. The band was wonderfully supportive, upbeat, and energetic and worked to highlight and support the vocal tracks. I’m not a “Shiftie” after listening to one album, but I will be listening to more of her music.

I was looking forward to hearing my first Taylor Swift album to see what the hype is all about. I can see why young women/girls would love it. It's not really for me, but there is some catchy stuff here. I'm less impressed by the instrumentation. It was nice to hear the saxophone on one song and I could make out some acoustic guitar, but it's mostly dominated by loud I assume computer generated sounds. For a modern pop album, it's a bit above average.

Her voice is genuinely unpleasant to me. She gives these shrill belts that make me cringe and sound unskilled. The song structures and production sound incredibly generic. The lyrical content is basic and heavy handed. There’s not much redeeming here. I think she does have some better material than this.

Better than the Beatles

Of course this'll have a lot of haters here, but screw it, this deserves to be here. Tay is *the* pop star of our generation, as evidenced by the reaction to her Eras Tour and Taylor's Versions. In fact, the new Taylor's Version of 1989 is how I consumed this album. And yes, this is pop in its purest form. Incredibly catchy songwriting in a snazzy, sparkly package. Every song here is an earworm. Am I biased, being in love with a Swiftie (meaning that I've heard every song here dozens of times)? Possibly. But maybe she's just opened my eyes to the magic of Taylor.

Ok for a pop album. I’m not a fan, but appreciate the craft in creating the hooks.

Two stars. Everything is the same, pop sugar fix for kids

always been my favorite by taylor. so glad it made the list 🩵

Taylor Swift is not for me. I’m too old, too cynical, too lots of things. That’s fine Taylor makes banging tunes for millions of other people. A sad, middle aged, balding bloke from the North West of England feeling bewildered by the appeal of fairly bland, quite clinical, sonic wallpaper is not going to make any difference to anyone. ‘Shake it off’ is pop perfection, mind.

Obviously aware of Taylor Swift and this album. Not completely my thing but guess there’s a vibe and I don’t dislike it. Not library quality though. 3/5.

Pop royalty. Conteasting this with ABBA is night and day. Taylor is a boss story teller.

biiiiiiitch you already know

Album 242 of 1001 Taylor Swift - 1989 Rating : 4 / 5 Favorite Tracks: Out of the Woods, Shake it Off, New York I knew this day would come. I'd made it this far without listening to Taylor Swift and would probably go longer if I wasn't listening through this list of 1001 albums. Why? Not sure. Maybe my aversion to joining in on "popular" things. Same with Beyonce, Jay Z. etc. I've never been accused of being constantly rationale in all my actions. Sometimes I may take it too far and deprive myself of something I would enjoy. That may be the case here. I grew up on pop music. Always liked a lot of what now seems pretty cheesy. Taylor Swift could certainly be described as that. Well written simple tunes. Catchy lyrics...many very memorable and quotable. Have to give credit where credit is due. Maybe I knew I would like it but just wanted to be stuck in my ways. One could say that is theme of my existence, but that is for another day.

I love her

Fortuitous timing. I’m broken and I miss her everyday.

As good as modern pop is going to get for me. Years of listening to the Ryan Adams version helps a lot. 3.75

I’ll give her pop props for bringing it. Not my thing, but I get it. It was good to ride the stationary bike to.

Fire.

Surprised by how enjoyable the entire track list was.

Couldnt make it through it

Almost perfect. My only criticism is that it starts to tail off towards the end 4.5/5

Listened Before? No Album Art: 3 / 5 (Departure from her other covers to this point, as is the music. Polaroid with cut off eyes and simple sharpie label.) Surprisingly, this is one album of TS that I have not actually listened to straight through. And yet I think it has more radio hits than any others that I have listened to. Welcome To New York opens on a bouncy and glitzy pop number. Not my favorite of hers. Hands over to drum and synth lead Blank Space. Say what you want, this is a great song (outside of the little "torture" interlude, which is pretty cringy). Kind of ridiculous. Basically from Blank Space to How You Get the Girl (8 songs) have gotten some degree of radio play. Of those, Out Of the Woods is a mega-Antoff anthem and a solid song. Shake it Off is a relentless dance number that is guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Bad Blood is a hip-hop inspired anthem that honestly rips -- the remix with Kendrick was one of very few (IMO) successful pop/hip-hop cash grabs. Clean is a super synthy and cool way to end the album. All said, Taylor is a really talented woman who has proven time and again she can put together a catchy pop album. Not only does she have hits, but this record flows front to back. I would not put it in my top 3 among her catalog (those are reserved for Folklore, Evermore, and Red); however, this is a fine entry. The hits are undeniable and I think it has aged fairly well for pop music of the early 2010s are concerned. I'm a soft 4 here. Added to Library? 4 Songs Added to Playlists: - Shake it Off (Sunny Vibes)

Overall not a hard album to listen to. No doubt that Tyalor Swift is incredibly talented and has a great voice. It's not my typical genre but I can respect the talent. I'm giving it 3.5 stars. For people who are into pop I'm sure it's at least a 4.5.

T Swizzz! Pretty great pop for what it is. Loads of bangers in this one especially Shake it Off and Welcome to New York. The songs themselves are pretty repetitive, but this is pop music so it's understandable. If you like singalongs, this is right up your alley. The last couple songs started to lose me, but it was so solidly a 4 before those songs that it didn't really move the needle for me. I enjoyed cooking dinner and listening to this one. I think I might listen to Taylor's version next.

Annemarie said she would divorce me if I didn't give this a 5 and I want to show her my review so this is going to be very in depth. Welcome to New York starts off the album with a pretty standard pop song with the clapping and repeating chorus that is most of the song. Blank Space didn't take long before singing completely about one of her many ex-boyfriends. Another song of mostly repeating catchy chorus where when shows her vocal range. Style comes in hot with some nice synthy rhythm going in which I really like. She then uses really choppy diction intentionally to create an ultra hooky chorus. This has been my favorite song so far. I like the use of the heavy drums in Out of the Woods it sounds a bit like Odesza how it is mixed in with the synth. I wonder if she ever made it out of the woods? Did she make it into the clear? All You Had to Do Was Stay is a pretty generic song that was kind of just filler. Not much to say about it. Cool little horn section in Shake it Off. This is really upbeat can really get my booty moving to this song. Sound like this would be a perfect marching band song with the horns and snares and cymbals. Ah kind of lost me with that talking section but I guess it was a nice build up for one final chorus. I Wish you Would is another pretty standard song but the little guitar riff on the background is pretty cool. Bad Blood is all anger with a bunch of heavy bass drum. Wildest dreams brings the energy back down again which was needed. It is probably her best singing song so far. The last 3 songs are all nothing special just some more super catchy pop songs. Clean ends things on a lower tempo which I was not expecting I thought this album was going to go out on one of her singles. I can see why this album had 7 singles. Taylor really knows how to bring the energy and use really catchy beats and singing style. Much more electronic than I was expecting. Overall I really liked this album more than I thought I was going to. I knew 3 of the songs pretty well going in, but a few more surprised me. Favorite songs: Style, Out of the Woods, Shake it Off

My first foray into Taylor Swift! Will this turn me into a swiftie? I’ll let you know in 48 min! I listened to this while walking around Baltimore which gave a good vibe for it. I obviously knew some songs going in but it was more than I thought. Funny thing is I thought some of the non-singles or radio hits were some of the better ones. Especially liked Clean to end it off that had some smooth synth to it. That all being said I’m giving this a solid 3. Classic pop album that’s just a little too overproduced for my liking and made some of the songs sound the same. Definitely not bad in any way but I don’t really see myself coming back to it. Wonder how many (or any) more Taylor albums are on here.

Theres a few not so good moments on this record (the bridge of shake it off and the everything of bad blood come to mind), but for the rest this album is a masterclass in tight pop songwriting thats very enjoyable to listen to.

Ég skil alveg af hverju Taylor er svona stór í dag. Þetta er alveg gott stöff hjá henni. Ég get alltaf hlustað á hana þótt ég muni líklegast ekki oft muna eftir að setja hana á sjálfur.

Ég er algjör sökker fyrir Taylor. Bara fínasta plata.

The woman is one of the top singing attractions in the world for a reason. A couple well known bangers and the supporting tracks are more than listenable. A really good pop album. Mid 4

this took me nearly a week to listen to. borderline unlistenable. i've heard that more recent tswift albums may be good, and i'm honestly more open to her older hokey country stuff, but this one just wasn't it.

This was the true ascension of Taylor Swift into the next great American pop SUPERSTAR. Catchy, full of memorable moments and a record that also has some genuine brilliant section of writing, and some not so fantastic. An overall enjoyable listen and perhaps Taylor’s finest POP moment.

Never listened to it! Wonder if her music will stand the test of time. Enjoyed it.

I listened to Taylor's Version of course because she deserves the royalties. Undeniably catchy songs. There may be some filler with all the extra songs vs. the original.

tight, sonically cohesive, pop album that doesn't get old! a few pts off for the lyrically uncreative earworms of shake it off and bad blood, we know she can do better than that...

Huge talent. Enjoyed some tunes.

A masterpiece in pop music crafting and execution. Every single song is full of massive hooks and earworms. This album is the reason I became a Swiftie

some solid pop songs of my generation. still think its average pop overall.

Good pop! Really liked the first 80s electro-ish songs, liked the later ones a bit less

Have to admit that even at the age of 55 years I still love a bit of cheesy pop!!

I heard the album before, but I didn't remember much of it. Some of the safest, least offensive music ever. That's probably why she's so successful. Three of the songs were big hits in my country. Two of them are still played a lot everywhere after 10 years. Her voice is unremarkable, so are most of the songs. I don't hate it, it's just not very exciting to me. Shake It Off is by far my favorite song off the album.

I listened to Taylor's Version of this album; I'm not sure what the differences are between it and the initial release. This is the first TS album I've listened to and it was okay. Most of the songs are blandly anthemic; they're like aural versions of Hollywood biopics that have been focus grouped and cobbled together to within an inch of death. Shake It Off and Wildest Dreams were probably my faves, but I won't listen to this album again.

Not a fan. Never listened to her before this. I listened to Taylor’s version. For pop she’s good, I’m not a pop fan so it’s just okay. First track “Welcome to New York” I did like because it was used in one of my favorite movies, which I didn’t know it was her.

Too much pop.

Good album. Warps me back to 2014 with Jen

There's nothing objectively "wrong" with it, but I think that's the problem. It's very sterile music. The lyrics are vapid at best. There's no soul to it. Every single note seems like it belongs in a collector's case...to be preserved rather than enjoyed. Like most pop music, it seems like these songs were composed to appeal to the masses and that does absolutely nothing for me. Stand out tracks: Style, Shake It Off

3.5 Welcome to NY, Blank Space, Shake it Off, and Bad Blood, iconic songs that define an era. Really good songs. Other than that the rest of the album sounds like generic Taylor Swift songs.

Tay Tay's best album, weak ending. Very good singles.

She didn't get money from me listening to this album so all and all a win

To stjerner

#25. I want to preface this with the statement that I have never once listened to more than a few seconds of a Taylor Swift song. I did watch a video when I was drunk the other whenever of her and Alison Krauss doing karaoke of a Keith Whitley song, but I don't know how even a single one of her actual songs go. Honestly, I probably couldn't pick Taylor Swift out of a lineup if it was just me and her in the lineup. That being said, I do know who she is. She is a force of fucking nature, and is surely the most famous pop star of the last decade or so. So reasonably, I think, I expected some form of greatness going into this. But maybe you'll be as shocked as I was to find that the guys over at Spotify fucked up and accidentally put something else by this album cover entirely. Because what I listened to was not greatness. Taylor Swift sells out arenas. I'd be suprised if this could sell out a dark stage at the back of a dive bar. People pay $3000 to go see Taylor Swift. You'd be hard pressed to get $30 out of me to listen to that. People wore adult diapers so they wouldn't have to miss a single second of Taylor Swift's show. Honestly I'd rather shit my pants as an excuse to not listen to this anymore. If this is the Taylor Swift album that made this list, then surely it is her best one, yeah? And if thats the case, then surely someone at Spotify fucked up and accidentally put some other crap in place of the expected greatness on the Taylor Swift page, yeah? Sarcasm aside, I didn't expect that I would like this very much anyway, and I was still disappointed. Except the one song which seemed to be about Starbucks lovers or something, most of the songs seem to be about her complaining about other people complaining about her, and I can't figure out for the life of me why that is supposed to be interesting. All these songs seem like they were manufactured in a lab to get the most radio play with the least amount of effort and thought. At first I thought how could this get that popular? But that's stupid, it's pretty obvious how. The more important question is not how, but why? But we probably don't have enough time to answer that kind of question here. Of the two modern pop albums I've listened to on this playlist so far, I think the Lorde one is way better. 2/5: meh Song added to playlist: Style I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

First time sitting through the full album. Opener was a surprise good song, but a lot of the other songs that aren’t classic hits weren’t that good. Kinda just worse versions of the really good songs.

Yeah, okay. I'm a pretty big fan of Taylor Swift, and 1989 is quite honestly (almost) pure pop perfection. The production is really solid, the songs are catchy as hell, and Taylor's vocals are awesome. I know she's not technically an amazing vocalist, but she sounds so relatable and believable. Favorites: Blank Space, Wildest Dreams, This Love, I Know Places, Clean

holyy fuck obviously i love this shit, but LMFAO THE TIMING OF IT, literally yesterday i watched hthaze react to 1989 and JAMMED to it, and in 2 days 1989 tv comes out and i cannot wait! it’s like they know, but i don’t care it is exactly what i’ve wanted to dance to since yesterday!! Pop bible for a reason!

Oh my goodness. Im not a taylor fan, and I think i regretted this whole album listening exercise one song in. But it grew on me. Its littered with hooks and Im into it. I hate so much about it, but i cant deny that theres a lot to like about it too. Her lyrics are sometimes infuriating but the production and melodies make it kinda work. Im never listening to this again unless someone else plays it and then i will bob my head and mutter the lyrics under my breath

Tricky listen. Disclosure: I had to separate my current displeasure with swifties and how she weaponizes feminism against other women when it's convenient for her. I also had to take a moment to set aside previous biases and act like it wasn't her to listen to this. Plus I had to remind myself. I'm not the target audience. I did listen to both the 2014 version and the "Taylor's version" At the core of it she has a "sound" in this album and a vibe that she's going for and nails it. This was her first "pop" sounding album and she seems to understand it well. The re-recording seems to change some stuff but I can't tell if they were significantly different. The lyrics are definitely evoking that "movie romance" and I can see the appeal. Overall solid album but the some of the songs did kind of blend together for me. "Shake it off" was a stand out, "New Romantics" kinda had a similar vibe to "Safe and Sound" by Capital Cities. Was it a good listen? Yes. Would I seek it out? probably not

Shake it off and bad blood.

Pop perfection

Blank Space has been my go to TSwift song for years and this album has that + multiple other bangers. Shake It Off, Bad Blood, Style, Out of the Woods, Wildest Dreams are all fantastic. It does slow a bit towards the end but I had a fun time revisiting this.

Not my favourite Taylor album, but still fun.

A perfect pop album. I prefer the deluxe version as I truly think the best songs of the album were left off the standard 13 song version.

Arguably her best album and the one to cement her as the pop star of the century.

У меня день очень счастливый. И песенки веселые и большинство знакомые, под которые хочется танцевать. Так что оценка больше за свои эмоции, чем за музыку. Музыка скорее наслушанностью берет, чем чем-то еще

T Swift is good

Dammit. I want to make fun of this album because it is Taylor Swift attempting to be a full-blown popstar, but I like synth-pop/rock so I'm partial to this sound. Really good songs, even if the vocals are a little too Antonoff'd for my tastes and I prefer her folkier albums. Still, this is a good album and one that deserves to be in this book.

I can see why people like her album. Upbeat and a good singing voice. Not for me personally.

Favorite Tracks: Style Out of the Woods This Love Clean

I like: Style Wildest Dreams Clean

Obviously a lot of people love this but I do not.

All pretty boring. Clean was a good song. Big meh/10

It's Taylor Swift.

Just looking at the list of tracks here was practically jaw dropping, as someone who has never sought out Taylor Swift's catalog. Sure enough, this album delivers pop hit after pop hit, despite a couple songs not quite living up to the rest towards the end of the list. Sure, some people may complain that the album feels too "safe" or something equivalent, but at the end of the day the songs are as catchy as heck and comfortably unambiguous to the point of near pop-perfection. Highlight: Wildest Dreams Lowlight: I Know Places Surprise Hit: Clean

i loved this album as a kid and it gives me so much nostalgia. not much a fan of her now but it's still a 5 for the catchy lyrics and instrumentals.

ye made that bitch famous

I don’t think I’ll ever be in the mood for listening to this so I may as well get it over with. Bland bland boring yawn The only thing remotely interesting on it is Shake it Off. The whole thing sounds the same all the way through 1/5

Ignore the snobs. Pop greatness.

Boo

Being a guy growing up during the rise of Taylor Swift, it was very much uncool to like her music. That on top of the fact that I'm not big into country and pop has led me to pretty much ignore her music all together. I acknowledge my biases going in to this listen and I'm going to try my best to put them aside... Damn this bitch has some catchy songs. Despite it not being a song I ever sought out, Blank Space was stuck in my head for hours while at work today. But some of her other hits like Bad Blood and Shake it off make my brain bleed. Overall I struggled just to finish this album today. The first two songs and the last two songs were enjoyable but the rest was a slog.

Not bad, I was just pretty unimpressed. I guess it's just not my thing 🤷

I hated Taylor Swift because of so many stories telling she’s the worse person, so I was not listening to what she’s doing. And fuck, I did well, that’s all I hate in music, bad lyrics, high pitched voice and some bad electronics in the background. Pop is probably the genre that I enjoy the less but I can enjoy some Madonna or Britney. Taylor Swift is just impossible. Although I can understand that some people enjoy it

Not my thing

My favourite Taylor Swift album. Shake It Off is the only "meh" song.

Not good

Definitely a genre I’ve arrogantly avoided, but this is undeniably great pop. Every song offered something unique.

I just don't get it. I will say like Thriller, this album is packed with a bunch of singles I immediately knew. So from that perspective I can see why this would crack a top 1001 list. However, the music itself does absolutely nothing for me but make me feel like I'm in a GAP clothing store.

Where radioy, can be fun to listen to but I don't really like the style. Also not a lot of variation between the songs

Hits, but thats about it. Really empty

Completely generic modern pop. Mercifully, all the tracks were a ‘short’ 3-4 minutes. Helped it go by quicker.

This album doesn't do much for me, and I don't really connect with many songs. I realize that I am not the target audience, so I don't begrudge it for that. Even on the level of just appreciating pop music for what it is, there aren't a ton of songs that I would personally add to my playlists. It feels like music generated by an AI for a Netflix rom-com about a girl moving to the big city. Song going on my "1001 Songs" Playlist: Shake It Off. There are a couple of the hits that I don't mind, and I may regard them more highly if it weren't for overexposure to them. Shake It Off is the one that most makes me want to sing along, and it's a fun song.

My favorite Taylor Swift album, what a coincidence that this was the first album suggested to me

Waarom zijn out of the woods, shake it off en bad blood zo VERVELEND Verder best oke, heel erg pop

Perfect pop album with a cool 80’s inspired theme. Y’all can hate all you want, but Taylor can make solid albums ranging from country to synth-pop to stripped down acoustic. There is no denying her talent and influence and this album is definitely exemplary of that. Aside from everything above, I think we need to also spend more time celebrating the women who make art (primarily) for other women. It’s something that gets belittled far too much and there is such beauty and importance to girls and women feeling heard and represented through contemporary artists.

It's Taylor swift, while you can't deny the heavily produced and procured style of pop music, you can't deny you'd be singing along to any song from this album.

Banger. every single track. what a song writer.

Haters gunna hate hate hate. Great pop album, there’s a couple of brilliant singles on here. One star wankers stay mad.

2014 radio muziek, vond het prima om te luisteren maar niks sprong er uit. Sommige teksten wel echt tenenkrommend maar ach. 3 sterren lijkt mij hier prima

The fact that there is either 5 or 1 star reviews is so funny to me. I don't listen to Taylor regularly but this album is a 2010s classic.

Not for me. Sounds like a commercial on tv

Very few albums can be help up as a quintessential representation of their genre. Pop can hold up 1989 as of of those examples.

Quality album. Need to listen to the depth of the lyrics to really appreciate

As an homage to 80s synth-pop, this is pretty good Shake It Off and Bad Blood can both die in a fire though, why they were chosen as singles is a mystery to me Favourite tracks: Welcome to New York, Blank Space, Style, Wildest Dreams, This Love

This sounds exactly how I imagined Taylor Swift would sound. It's not my thing; production is the best money can by, and I like her voice, but I wouldn't choose to listen to this again.

Never listened to a Swift album before. It was better than expected, but overall still not my thing. I respect it though. 2.75/5

Minne meg om russerevyen

Solid t swift album. Her sound is growing on me, or maybe it's just my girlfriend has played so much Taylor that's I've been incepted into liking her. For the hits, I hate shake it off so much. Blank space is ok and brings me back to college where 1 year everyone would play that song. The deeper cuts are good though

There’s a lot of good songs on this album. some of the really popular singles are really dog meat (which shows why no one should listen to the radio bc the popular music is meat). having said that, wildest dreams? banger. style? banger. it’s a pretty easy 4 tbh

I ain't no swifty

It's like bubblegum for your ears. Sweet to listen too but tiring after a while. Fave track Blank Space.

Hmmm, it's very polished pop. I can admire the talent, and any individual song has something I can appreciate going on, but a whole album of it becomes a chore. If this came out 10 years earlier, before I retreated into a hermetic media bubble, I suspect I'd absolutely detest it for being overplayed. Fave track - "Shake It Off" I was familiar with from people singing it at karaoke, and it's quite a bop, sure. And let's say "I Know Places" from the songs I wasn't previously familiar with...

I love this record so very much. It's my 'get shit done' music. Very excited for the vault tracks on the rerecorded version!

Some of the reviews for this album are overtly misogynistic. If you're a woman using this site (as some of us are), you've probably noticed there's an extra level of vitriol in the reviews for the women who dared to make a record, and gasp, someone named Dimery dared to find it worth listening to. It's a hundred times worse when the woman on the album is (or was) young. I'm glad I married a man who likes this album as much as I do and doesn't crow about Taylor Swift's "tArGeT aUdIeNcE" as if the tastes of young women are somehow lesser than other demographics.

Conflicting feelings on this one, some songs were really catchy but some were really formulaic and unmemorable. It's tough for me to get really into an album where every song is about boys, even if there were some bangers.

Better than I expected. Still over-processed. But well-produced.

Glad to listen to this, and I think the production and songwriting is top notch. It's really noticeable that this is a vehicle for a few big bangers though, and the drop off from the singles to the filler is really large.

Welcome to New York is the Sbarros of songs about New York. Blank Space is like she's trying to channel Rebecca Black doing a bad Lana Del Rey impression. Style could be a decent pop song if it was sung by someone else, leaned into the cooler riffs and didn't do that terrible stilted vocal delivery (which again, sounds like Rebecca Black). Out of The Woods has some cool stuff in the backing track but is weighed down by Taylor Swift's remarkably unremarkable vocals and by high school sadposting level lyrics. She was 25, she had no excuse on this. All You Had To Do Was Stay- the overdubbed high notes on 'stay' are actually pretty cool, the lyrics are someone in 2009 posting vague half sentences on Facebook for attention but its a grown woman in song in 2014. Shake It Off- okay, I can see how this was a hit. Lyrics are still really weak (and are all about her personal life) but her vocals aren't as glaringly bad or out of step with the backing track in this uptempo dance song. I Wish You Would- honestly, see above. Bad lyrics, boring vocals, nothing to hear here. Bad Blood- understandably a hit. Probably not a coincidence that the two best songs on this album were the product of Max Martin. The song is at its best when it's uptempo and it nearly loses it when it drops and starts talking about band-aids, but it pulls through. Wildest Dreams- somewhat enjoyed this one, but again, Taylor Swift's voice is a mismatch for the song. She's not quite twee enough to give it a haunting quality and she's not got enough depth or range to pull off what I think she is trying here (which is to rip off Lana Del Rey). It just ends up being at best an okay song because it doesn't really do any potential angle for an illicit love song well. How You Get The Girl- A) no one should take relationship advice from T-Swift, she makes this clear in all of her other songs B) this song could not end fast enough This Love, I Know Places, Clean- album filler, again, I Know Places could actually be good if sung by someone else because of the same uncomfortable middle with Wildest Dreams 2/5 gonna let Max Martin have a W here

As Kanye West famously said "I made that bitch famous", just super basic pop music that is really shit.

Okay, Shake It Off is a great pop song — all the more so because of the video of the cop caught on camera singing it while making his rounds. But the rest of it just sounds like bad 80s pop to me. I know she was was going for that sound on purpose, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Personally, I'm not a Swifty. But this album is a bonafide classic.

Nothing I disliked about this. In fact, it’s quite plus pleasant. I listened to it twice in a row. I like Taylor when she’s making pop this pure and I’m especially soft for pop music of this era because I was in college then. Solid three. Could be a four. Screw it. I’ll add a whole star for the enjoyable second listen. Four.

This is the first review I've written where I could actually stand to get in some pretty serious professional trouble, if certain friends of mine find this review 😂 (I know some of the people involved. And let the record show that, track by track, the people I know who worked on this all did stellar work). This has got to be the biggest whiplash I've ever gotten for an album that I used to listen to in college. The difference between how much I liked it when I was 21 (which was, more or less, positive), and how much I like it 10 years later is... cavernous. I had MANY questions this time around. I found every song Max Martin was involved in to be silly. His production is annoyingly uninspired. I consider Max Martin to be a net negative on music as a whole. Other producers did a fine job, but Max and his crew dominates the record, and it's that ultra sleek, maximalist, very bland sound that I just can't stomach anymore. I think that certain pop artists, for whatever reason, in the press and the listening public, are afflicted with the soft bigotry of low expectations. We expect so little of them, from a music-y, album-y, concept-y side (they're busy doing other things, after all), that when they clear an exceptionally low bar we've been holding out for them, it's seen as groundbreaking. When this album came out in college, the press around it was very, very positive. Universal acclaim. We were all kind of swept up by this album, and the idea that Taylor Swift might be doing something exciting. The excitement lasts for precious few songs (Welcome to New York is great), before quickly being bloated by these maximalist records! Why did I think otherwise? I just never expected that much of Taylor Swift, and she cleared the bar. I don't feel this way about Folklore, Evermore, or anything after. I think those genuinely are getting into great music territory. This one was so lacking the actual artistic meat and bones that my memory (and the press around it) promised it would have. A fate suffered by plenty of Britney Spears albums... also a Max Martin creation! There is a pattern here. A generous 2/5. If you're reading this and you worked on this album (and you know me)... you know who you are, and I like your work on here. Actually good shit.

Excited to recognize a couple of songs on here (the shake one and bad blood), but otherwise i had a hard time actively listening. It just faded into background music. Perfectly charming bubble gum pop but just didn’t do anything for me.

Heard before: some Looking through the other reviews, it's all 5's or 1's. Hilarious for what is really a totally fine Swedish Pop record, further proof that personal identity weighs more heavily than the music in many cases. I'm just as guilty; I think my White Stripes rating yesterday was wrong. Anyway, despite the onslaught of hooks here, this one is as cold as advertised and isn't as deep or varied as her best records. It has two of my favorite TSwift songs, but points off for Welcome To New York, the soundtrack of gentrification, one of the 10 worst songs ever. Top tracks: Blank Space, Out Of The Woods, Style

It's good for what it is, although it does sound a little dated. Although I have not listened to many of her other albums, I would be surprised of people thought this was her best. Some of the songs make me feel like I am in a department store.

This album is difficult for me to rate because I'm so familiar with it. It's between a 3 and a 4 but I did think it was a good album and maybe I would seek it out again if the songs weren't already so drilled into my mind and exhausted.

I don’t dislike this as much as I would have back when I started the challenge, but I still didn’t like it that much A lot of the songs are objectively similar

Pop hooks and electronic accents make it exciting mainstream, Highlight "Bad Blood". Nice and easy listening.

Taylor Swift goes down easy. Wow, I wish! Good Album...though 4/5

This album/ artist does not deserve to be in this list. The songs are pure hot garbage. All the tracks sound like instrumentals made using a free trial of fruity loops and the lyrics delivered are cliche love references and completely meaningless. I pushed through the entire album but it wasn't enjoyable in the slightest.

I am struggling with how to rate this one. I know the Ryan Adams remake really well, and not this original work… I agree this record is produced super well. It’s like listening to glitter. 2 tracks in I can already say I don’t really like her voice - like her vocal delivery is grating to me Adding to that I HATE the Lorre-style pronoun citation of some words haha makes me want to puke But I do understand why people like this. Def well put together. I believe I read that she wrote these songs ‘unplugged’ haha just her and a guitar in a room - I feel like I might have liked that record better Out Of The Woods is a legit track in every way None of the weird Lorde pronunciation, heart-strings story, the ‘sparkles’ are even dialled back a bit from ex: Welcome To New York The DRA version is great also, prob because the fundamentals are so solid. All You Had To Do Was Stay is a great contrast haha - well written song but poorly executed IMHO In that case the DRA version is better by some margin Haha I don’t think I’ve ever heard the real version of Shake It Off haha this is a bit ridiculous IIt’s well done for sure, but it def feels like a rip off (Miley, Pharrell, prob others) - perfect ‘period correct’ pop music though I think I’m coming to the conclusion that the thing I dislike about this record is actually Max Martin & Shellback If I picture that Tay Tay made this herself I feel a bit impressed actually, but I know it’s hit-maker mass market sausage I think this has to be a 3 - I’ve been challenging myself all morning to take a stand and either go with a 2 or a 4 but I can’t - it’s much more enjoyable than a 2. Even though it’s not ‘my thing’ enough to be a 4, it is very well done and my level of enjoyment of the DRA remake shows how good the actual songs are.

This is so american i can not

HL: “Clean”, “Your Wildest Dreams”, “Blank Space” alright

it's peak pop

Better than I expected. I’m not into that style of music but must admit that it was an enjoyable listen.

One of the greatest mysteries. Besides if there is life on other planets is why this woman so successful. It must be a scientific explanation for this, i mean, other artists of the same caliber, offer much more. Her music is just a series of hilarious, boring and monotonous songwriting with mediocre production. I think my newborn baby boy likes it though, until he grows up. 2

Durchgängig gefälliges Pop-Album mit wenigen High-, aber eben auch keinen Low-Lights.

Nostalgic for hearing a lot of these during the short span of years where I was actually listening to the radio quite a bit. I'd gotten sick of these songs back then, but with some distance & listening as an album experience, they've grown on me

Pop. Alegre.

I like this one, lots of bangers. Second half of the album was definitely weaker than the first but overall this was a good time.

Highlights are good but the rest blends a bit together. still pretty great, Taylor's voice is amazing and the production is amazingly clean. strange I got this the same day 1989tv got announced.

Well produced pop with a couple of hyper catchy tracks which will get stuck in your head. Really not for me.

Enjoyed

Welcome to New York // Blank Space // Style // Shake It Off // Wildest Dreams //

🫥

The powerhouse juggernaut that is Taylor Swift! Whilst I have never listened to 1989 in its entirety, I am familiar with over half of it due to the singles she has released from it. It is hard to deny the influence she has had on the music scene in the last 15 years or so (coming from a mid 2023 review), full of ups and downs, countless boyfriends helping to spawn the success of her career. This album is her first real foray into the "true" pop genre, Shaking Off (eyy see what I did there? haha) the hard country music tag and really growing to what she is today. Best: Bad Blood Worst: Clean

Ready Salted Music fr

I’m not a Swiftie, but I can admit that Taylor has some catchy songs. I didn’t care for most of this album, but there are a few songs I’ll definitely listen to again. Solid 3 because even though a lot of this isn’t my taste, it’s at least fun and catchy.

I am not a Swiftie - My wife made me rate this album 5 stars.

Couple of big hits that we all heard before. I remember listening to this album in 2014 and I really liked it, nine years later and I think it won't stand the test of time. I'm afraid that twenty plus years in time this would be consider as equal as other albums from this decade.

Catchy no doubt just feels cookie cutter

I don’t want to be curmudgeonly and genuinely go into every album assuming I’ll enjoy it but in the pantheon of pop music I’m really at odds as to how this album made it to the list. For the most part it’s bland oversimplified musicality and woeful woeful lyrics leave me feeling deflated. The singles on this album are bops and there’s one decent Ballard towards the end but all in all I came away from the experiance thinking less of Taylor Swift. Lorde or Miley Cyrus made better pop albums in this era just to name two alternative examples. If I could have a decimal rating it would gain an extra 0.5 for ‘style’ and ‘shake it off’ but otherwise it deserves the 1 rating.

# 32 : What a super star. Catchy pop tunes, with some hits and others that should have been hits. You've got to admire everything she's achieved. Shake It Off

listened to again top 10 pop records

this is not better than to pimp a butterfly. not even close. now thats a reference only the true music enthusiasts will get.

Jaw-droppingly stunning.

flowed sehr gut, aber paar von die hits nerven mittlerweile leider. ebenso ka wann i des hören würd

I wasn't all that impressed by Taylor Swift whenever I'd hear one of her songs on the radio. She seemed like just another generic pop singer. But, to be honest, after hearing a full album, I do have to recognise her ability to write catchy songs, and she can definitely sing. Musically it's a bit middle of the road though, not bad, not great. 6,5 out of 10

-1 for welcome to ny

"Shake it Off" is great to play when your wet dog comes in from the rain. But the album on the whole is about as timeless and perseverant as 1989's horoscope. 🌌

This is a little poppy for me. I can appreciate the catchiness of the tunes and the production. I really do not relate to a lot of the lyrics. I have not spent anytime with Taylor to this point and based on this, I don't really expect too. I am going to check out the Ryan Adams version for comparison.

I have now listened to a Taylor Swift album. I enjoyed it more than I expected to. She tapped into my 80’s / 90’s brain.

Not a fan of Taylor Swift but did listen to this, good pop music but not my music I would go to. Shake it off was ok I suppose and the only thing I recognise.

There is nothing significant about this at all; it’s a cleverly manufactured money grab which somehow appeals to seemingly everyone on Planet Earth. Absolutely no variation in song length, lyrical theme, or musical technique which might make it interesting. The heavily autotuned singing and perfect production rips this album of all soul and human-ness, creating a product rather than a piece of art. The incredibly simple lyrics result in zero thought required to interpret what the song may be about and offers no chance at a thoughtful discussion. This is undeniably a boring experience. Thoughts and prayers go out to all those albums which are filled with talent and musicality and didn’t make the list because the writer of this book probably felt obliged to include a Taylor Swift album to lower the risk of getting attacked by Swifties.

Fun

Style is a good song I guess

it's no surprise that max martin's name is all over this album, especially when you consider how big 1989 is. all of taylor swift's albums are huge, but she hit something special on 1989. it's pure fun pop and definitely a departure from her early country sound. considering the heavy pop presence, of course martin was heavily involved in its creation. while swift does not hold herself to one genre, 1989 was definitely a springboard to her current sound. the pop music has synth and electronic backing, and gosh it just makes so many songs unbelievably catchy. in fact, many of swift's staples are on this album! hit after hit after hit. unsurprisingly, swift's songwriting remains strong. but it's still worth a mention. "band-aids don't fit bullet holes", "'cause, darling, i'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream", "pictures in frames of kisses on cheeks". just a handful of examples but her songwriting can be so evocative, simple, emotional, powerful. 4.5

This album definitely marks a transformative moment, both for Taylor and in music. Taylor's previous album, Red, saw her diving unapologetically into pop music while still maintaining some of the country aspects she had been known for. 1989, however, was the moment where she left country music behind in favor of a full-fledged pop sound. It's also around the time that she took off as an international sensation after already being a noteworthy country-pop musician. Many other country musicians, especially throughout the 90s and 2000s, dabbled successfully in pop sounds. But nobody committed to it so fully and with such extreme success as Taylor Swift. The Taylor Swift movement and listener influence that dominates today definitely took off here, making this quite a noteworthy album from that perspective. The pop music found here isn't really anything different from or groundbreaking when compared to the typical pop music of the time, but Taylor just gets the formula right and has maintained that status quo. In addition, she does a great job here of playing with a lot of different sounds; each song has its own distinct catchiness. While this is what I would call her full unadulterated debut into the pop world, I also feel like it's still her best to date. She clearly had a knack for pop music that was waiting to burst out.

Revolutionary

Yyyeeessssss

This album sorta raised me so i am biassed but i do know for a fact that this is one of the most influential and the best pop albums of the 2010s and my favourite album from Taylor swift new romantics is just to much of a banger to not give it 5 stars on its own let alone how u get the girl or out of the woods i love taylor swift so much and i knew prety much all of the words from this album whilst re-listening to it

The hits are nostalgic for me from college but the other songs on the album are just okay.

A noteworthy album for a few reasons. Partly for being such a successful break from Swift's previous country albums. Partly for arguing for pop music as a serious form of artistic expression. And partly for attempting (unsuccessfully) to challenge the rise of streaming music platforms. To me, this album ticks all of the right boxes for a good pop album, but it's unlikely to be one I'll revisit.

I love this album. Consistently in my top 5 Taylor swift albums but certainly not number 1. She does some weird things with her pronunciation and voice, and it’s not her best writing work - her previous albums had some even better writing overall. However, every single song could have been a radio hit, and while they all follow relatively the same crescendo 3 verse formula, there is a really good amount of diversity. This album hits a length, both song and album, sweet spot. My issue with her writing is that her theme worked and she won’t ever change it.

My favorite Taylor album. Style, Out of the Woods, Wildest Dreams, I Know Places, and Clean are all top tier for me and I still love them Blank Space, Shake It Off, and Bad Blood I am not as into anymore but I think that’s more due to how saturated the music world got with them on release.

I really like some of her lyrics, but am not a big fan of the simpler music

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Blank space, All you had to do was stay, Shake it off, Bad blood

I really don't get the hate for Taylor Swift. Her songs are well written and she's a great performer. I didn't enjoy all of these songs, but the high points (Style, Out of The Woods, Shake It Off) really are great. Towards the end I found it all starting to sound a bit repetitive, but I did enjoy the last song with Imogen Heap.

She sells out stadiums? How? Why? Based on this album, I can't see why she's as big as she is.

A modern classic

It's 2016 and I am back at infant school age kids' birthday parties. The album with the two Swift songs I know. Shake it Off is a bop. Most of the rest just kind of blend together into the perfect polished production. I dunno, I just don't get adults listening to this regularly. I'll row that back slightly - unless they were kids or teenagers when it came out. I still go back to those Erasure records occasionally with joy and revel in their polished poppityness.

I COULD NOT, WOULD NOT, ON A BOAT. I WILL NOT, WILL NOT, WITH A GOAT. I WILL NOT HEAR IT IN THE RAIN. NOT IN THE DARK! NOT IN A TREE! NOT IN A CAR! YOU LET ME BE! I DO NOT LIKE IT IN A BOX. I DO NOT LIKE IT WITH A FOX. I WILL NOT HEAR IT IN A HOUSE. I DO NOT LIKE IT WITH A MOUSE. I DO NOT LIKE IT HERE OR THERE. I DO NOT LIKE IT ANYWHERE! I DO NOT LIKE TSWIFTS OEUVRE!

Taylor freakin' Swift. Where to start? I feel like a lot of people find this album easier to bash because of the reputation (and demographic) of the artist's fanbase, while at the same time know that this isn't exactly groundbreaking stuff. I was like 7 when this came out, so I'm gonna score it the "nostalgia point". I see all this hype around Swift, and I think "maybe I'll like her, this sounds interesting", and then I'll pull up the album and the tracks are like "Bad Blood" [radio pop you hear at the dentist's]. 3/5, maybe 3.5/5

Style aside, there aren't any memorable tracks on this album apart from the ones I've heard endless times on their own (Shake it Off/Out of the Woods).

1989 — Taylor Swift’s self-acclaimed first foray into pop (though the synths and bass on her previous record, Red, beg to differ) — is a manifest confection; a flamboyantly anthemic collection of 80s-influenced synth-heavy thumpers that scream of a certain hedonistic self-assuredness that Swift’s prior work would’ve been jealous of. she briefly trades her diaristic tales of heartbreak and lost love for big city extravagance and cheeky jabs at voyeuristic haters who’ve refused to see the talent beyond Swift’s personal life. she’s funny and scathing in ways that were borderline taboo in her music before (she’d always sung about being the underdog, sidelined for the kind of girl who “wears short skirts [and is] cheer captain.” on 1989, she doesn’t envy that girl, she becomes her) — she wears sarcasm well on “Blank Space”, tongue-in-cheek as she prepares her next lover for the slaughter; and on “Style”, she’s flagrant about her desire, shedding away her sanitized persona for something more confident and unwavering. sure, some of the songs are sanded down to the point of near fatuity as many a radio hit is constructed to be (“Shake It Off” and “Bad Blood” being particularly egregious), but underneath the stadium-ready escapism, Swift’s signature lyricism and potent storytelling still exist, waiting to be excavated after the bulbous energy has tired you out. there’s love and doubt and regret and sorrow still lurking here, but Swift’s mission is to shake it off for now, dance the night away, and let the fantasy wash over you for even just a moment.

I recognize the significance of this album both in the realm of modern pop music and as a landmark of Taylor's career, and there are a few songs here I do like quite a bit (namely Style and Clean, Blank Space is good too when the mood is right), but those tracks aside this album is mostly boring or annoying. I can't STAND Shake It Off, the other singles are kinda weak, and the album tracks I've never heard of are...album tracks I've never heard of for a reason. I don't think I'll need to revisit this one. 2.5/5

2/13, 15%

1989 is the fifth album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. This album cemented a shift from Swift's previous albums' genre being country to a synth-pop sound. Her previous album - Red - was a pop/rock album that began this genre shift. Swift made a point with this album that she could cross over to another genre and still be a successful music artist. And successful it was, as 1989 had three number 1 singles in the US, spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart, has been certified multi-platinum in many countries (9 times platinum in the US), and won Grammy's for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album in 2016. I enjoyed this Taylor Swift album and loved most of the songs on it. I thought it was a beautiful album that showcased upbeat synth-pop songs while focusing on Swift's amazing lyrics. This is probably one of her most popular albums (IMO), but now I'm excited to give some of her newer music a listen.

OK, so I'm not a "Swifty", I'm definitely not one of her fans, but there again, I don't hate her music, it's all just very bland and repetitive. Taylor was a singer first, and then learnt how to play guitar and piano, which is perfectly fine and natural as a growing artiste, and it's a credit to her that she didn't fall into the music factory image of a scantily clad pouting girl bopping about to her songs with the baps having out and a thread of material yanked up her front bonnet. So where am I going with the review of this album 1989.... Well it is ram packed with some of her best singles, and the ones on the album are better than the radio edit versions played on the radio, and the girl can definitely sing.... so that's all positive... but the music is manufactured, the lyrics repetitive, and all very commercially marketed for that teenage schoolgirl pop music market. Talor has evolved from this album, but sadly for me, her music, although listenable, will always sound manufactured for a market, and not a creation of an artistes musical direction.

All good songs but too poppy for me, I prefer Ryan Adams cover of the album.

Salty cheerleader pop. But, yannow, GOOD salty cheerleader pop.

TS sucks.

enjoyed it

Pleasant but not really my thing

very pop and not my style but deece

I've never listened to full Taylor Swift albums, so if context is important on this one, I'm very sorry but that got lost on me. My main takeaway from this one is it's a well written pop album without much in terms of challenge. Taylor Swift has a nice inoffensive voice and musical sensibility. That being said, nothing about it makes me think it should be a mandatory album to listen to before I die; it's a radio friendly unit shifter. I'm gonna go with a 2 here. This is the Diet Coke of music; if it's the only thing available, you're not going to be angry, but you're not going to like it either.

Fyndið að lesa dómana um þessa plötu, þar skiptast á ein stjarna og fimm stjörnur út í hið óendanlega. Ég ætla hins vegar að henda fjórum á þessa, því hún er skemmtileg.

онееееет только нееее

idk I guess I just don't get it, her lyrics are.. good? her songwriting is pretty cool, production is super normal and uninteresting, bad blood is an atrocious song, but some good soundscapes and melodies. Just feels super middle of the road to me I don't understand what the fuss is

Just a damn good pop album. Best track: Wildest Dreams

Mostly slides directly out of my brain like pleasant generic pop music, except for "Shake It off" which is probably the best pop song of the last decade

Ok never listened to TS album. Its all very proficient and expertly produced and snappy but its all a bit sanitized. 3

I grieve for the artist Taylor Swift would have been if she didn’t get so successful so young and nail down such a focus group-formula so early. I don’t think this is Taylor Swift’s level best. I think she’s being artistically lazy. Maybe I’m wrong and this is the best she can do. Or maybe this is what she consciously aspires to. Can’t argue with her success.

I only knew the singles. I had to check how old she was when this was released aa some of the lyrics were a bit teenagey at times. Won't knowingly listen again

The nostalgia is too good for this album.So many good songs.I don’t like most of Taylor swifts songs but I don’t know man.I just love almost every song on this album.I can’t help but be basic sometimes.

Cool

Album was ok she is not my favorite artist but was way better than any of the rap.

Poppy. Not my favorite type of music but overall, fairly enjoyable.

Oh wow, at last an album I was alive to hear when it came out😆 many great songs and I'm totally still digging Shake it Off

Surprisingly not bad at all!

I hadn't knowingly listened to Taylor Swift's music until this album, 1989. I downloaded it along with Ryan Adam's interpretation of his track by track album covering 1989. It is clear I am not a Swifty and not her target audience, as she fills the void left from Britney, Christina and Selena for the financially precious white, middle class, preteen girl target group that seems to drive music business nowadays, but Taylor is above the others because she writes her own songs! Apparently, she has the cred as she entered the "prestigious" Songwriters Hall of Fame four years before this album, so she's clearly gifted and a true talent...for country music. On 1989, it's such a synth-pop mush, it hides any kind of "elite" songwriting and all I hear is a bunch of electronic, dance poppy robotic shit with so little substance it lowers it's standards to appeal to young girls and their gullible parents who are so proudly supportive of their daughter's musical tastes. Blonde, beautiful, rich..."she's such a great role model", let's throw more money her way when she's on tour. P.S. by comparison, the Ryan Adams album is the stripped down version of 1989, at times sounding like, Springsteen covering Taylor Swift. An alt-country, indie rock record that bares no similarities to the Swift record at all, which is a good thing as you would never know these songs are covers. Hey wait, it's not a bad album after all.

Banger upon banger

It is shit, but also strangely uplifting in a way that makes you feel like you're being constantly lied to. I hate it.

Not my favourite album by Taylor Swift. I definitely prefer the one recorded with Bon Iver, whose influence is very noticeable on "folklore". On the other hand we have "1989", an album made out of overplayed singles and just uninteresting and forgettable songs. If I would have to make an honest summary of the album, I would say - it's overproduced cotton candy, whatever that actually means, because I'm just throwing some words at the keyboard. 5 words, I did not like it. I will happily move on to the next album.

My daughter has made this a presence in my life. Solid songwriter. Even if I don’t always like the final product musically.

One of my daughter's favourite artists, but not someone I knew well before this - other than the hits. A good album, but too poppy for my taste. Better than a lot of the nonsense around now though!

Brauchte diese Liste wirklich 2 Taylor-Swift-Alben aus den letzten zehn Jahren? Noch dazu dieses? Schrott.

2,5/5, but isn't annoying enough for a 2

No są tu jej 2 hity, ale z tego co pamiętam to nie jestem 11 letnią dziewczynką.

This is one talented lady. Not my style, and in fact, this was the first and only time I have ever listened to a Taylor Swift album, or even deliberately listened just a song. That said, I get it. I don't need to like it to see (hear?) the appeal. And then to re-record her entire catalog, that whole story was pretty wild. She's a boss. I'm no Swiftie, but she's got my respect all the same.

One of the best pop-albums off XXI Century

Really enjoyable listen. The singles from this are top notch and the rest were alright too. Blank space is one of the greatest pop songs of all time and yes, I know that’s a big statement to make.

I thought that Taylor Swift was C&W, but I had to check that the opening track "Welcome Yo New York" wasn't Lady Gaga; the entire album was pop music and could have been by any female artist, Not bad, but nothing blew me away either.

Nope.

This is the catchiest collection of bad songs I think I’ve ever heard.

This album is just really unoffensive music that doesnt really take risks at all, a call back to 80s music but without really the flavour. Imo its just a really boring album that is massly over produced for the charts. I cant really stand this album. Heck it aint even the good type of synth heavy 80s music, this just feels misplaced imo idk how it made it

La production et le mixing sont excellents, mais ce sont pas mal les seules qualités de l'album. Les paroles sont TRÈS clichées et peu recherchées. Les instrumentations sont ultra génériques. C'est vraiment du fast food musical. 4/10

As soon as I got this album, I thought I was going to for sure give it a 5; but now that I've finished it I'm not so sure. Shake it off, bad blood (I listened to the kendrick lamar version even though it's technically not on the album idc), and blank space were seminal songs for me when I was in middle school--especially shake it off--but I forgot how much this album drags in the last three tracks. They're not terrible I guess but they're not nearly as fun as the bulk of the tracks that came before it. However, I feel like I've given 5s to albums that have had worse tracks and this album almost deserves it off the strength of shake it off and blank space alone so I think a 5 is fine but comes with some qualifiers.

Taylor Swift seems to be a pretty decent human, but this album...it's a no. Poetry that sounds like it was written by a lovelorn twelve year old... Lyrically simplistic, boring, trite; plus nothing of interest musically. Reliant on a really samey drum beat for every song, rather than melodies. Really generic. The kind of lyrics I can imagine a grumpy tweenager quoting on her MSN messenger id in the late nineties. Making an effort to sound profound. I get it, you wear red lipstick. Just not for me. Ugh I sound old!

Ok, I'm a dude in my 40's and this gave me real teenage girl longing. It's a goddamn magic trick Every track is a banger. I don't want to like this album, but fuck it, I really do..

What an album. One of the greatest pop albums ever made, loved this growing up, still love it today. Absolutely buzzing for 1989 TV. Out of the woods, Wildest Dreams and Wonderland are my favs.

- Good vocals, lyrics, instrumentals - enjoyed more than I thought - decent replay value

You’ve got to admit, Taylor Swift puts together one heck of an album.

This is apparently where every Taylor Swift song I've ever heard came from. I was unaware some of these songs were by Taylor Swift.

exactly as expected. it reminds me of a less good MGMT blank space

Trallvänligt men tråkigt

Boring and clichéd. Only managed half of it as it was irritating me.

I haven't listened to this in a while. My daughter was a Swift fan. I had heard Fearless and Speak Now, but didn't think much of her. It wasn't really country that spoke to me and I, still to this day, find her songwriting to be trite and ego-centric. However, this album, specifically Ryan Adam's version of it, got me to rethink Swift. Like I said, her lyrics still don't really speak to me, but I've come to enjoy her pop confectionery and even embrace her ability to make self-centeredness seem okay. I really came on board with those albums that folks from The National helped with, but this was the point where it becomes unsuprising that I have four of her records on vinyl now. This is the other one I really want and will buy her version when it shows up.

Some strong anthemic moments on this album, but the overall sound tended to get a tad monotonous. Still, a pleasant listen.

Slay

I'm sorry, women. I thought I might end up appreciating her music a bit more, but this just solidified that I do not like Taylor Swift. I found this to be pretty boring and grating on the ears. I don't even have much to say about it. It just made me groan. I guess my favourite song was Black Space, but none of them were good, in my opinion.