Speak Now Album Review!

*Warning*  This review could be considered biased by some, as I adore Taylor and really enjoyed this album. Advance at own risk! ;)

This is a track by track review of "Speak Now"! I will be reviewing it and rating each track out of ten, at the end I'll calculate all the scores together and get an average score for the album! Here we go!

1. "Mine" The first single, and an obvious choice to be one! I really love this song, however prefer the originally leaked one which had a bit more of a country edge to it. The song starts soft and is built around the chorus, with an infectious chorus- Swift's vocals soar over the hook. 

9/10

2. "Sparks Fly" Sparks Fly is probably my favourite song off of Speak Now. Used as the opening for the "Speak Now World Tour" it's definitely a song with a bold message and one with a theme of spontaneity. It captures that one pure moment of lust and magic between two people who forget the world around them. 

10/10

3. "Back To December" this song is a poignant outright apology, something you rarely hear from Swift. This is not to say that she's an unapologetic person, she just generally has had heartbroken and doesn't do the heartbreaking. This song is purely apologetic, Swift admits her mistakes and describes her nostalgia for December. 

8/10

4. "Speak Now" Speak Now is probably one of the most lackluster songs off of Speak Now. It was lyrically done incredibly well, and Swift paints a picture in the mind of the listener but I just don't think the song had a climax and it pretty much stayed the same throughout the entire thing. I'm glad this wasn't a single, as the song bores me to be perfectly honest. 

 6.5/10

5. "Dear John" Dear John is another understated song. This song is not easy listening and it definitely takes time and tough love to get used to it. It's not a typical ballad, it's got a rough country edge and is really special and different when listened to more than once. It's not a clear outstanding ballad, but it's unique for sure. 

8/10

6. "Mean" Mean was a clear choice for a single, and to me is probably the stand out song of the album. It was written about a critic who gave negative feedback regarding her grammy performance. Mean is one of those anthems, that just makes you feel good and smug about yourself. It's got a great message and has been compared to the likes of Perfect by Pink and Born This Way by Lady Gaga in it's themes. 

10/10

7. "The Story Of Us" Another one of the more lackluster songs off of Speak Now. I think that this song has a very catchy chorus, but a neither slow nor fast paced verse. It's a confusing song to listen to, and definitely an "Awkward" one as it has that kind of vibe to it. The instrumentation is done very well, and that kind of saves the song. 

7/10

8. "Never Grow Up" Never Grow Up is one of the more subtle songs off of Speak Now. It's understated, but extremely honest and even crude at times. It's hard to work out exactly whether this song is about Swift herself or someone close to her that she observed growing up. Either way it's an endearing easy listening song! Accompanied by a guitar, it's purity and simplicity makes it great.

9/10

9. "Enchanted" Enchanted is a power ballad to say the least. It's got a very slow build up, with a great muted guitar pattern in the first verse. It leads up to this absolute rock ballad chorus complete with electric violins and electric guitars. The song goes on to feature Swift's layered vocals, forming a duet with herself. It's a creative and ingenius song. 

10/10

10. "Better Than Revenge" This is probably the most risque song off of Speak Now with such daring (sarcasm implied) lines as "..better know for the things that she does on the mattress". All jokes aside, Swift channels a rock goddess in this song and sings of getting back at someone for stealing her man. Another side we don't often see of Taylor- the ever forgiving and lovable girl who wants..revenge? Although the song is great, it doesn't really fit within her squeaky clean persona. 

8/10

11. "Innocent" Innocent is another song about forgiveness (see Back To December), but from the other end of the spectrum. It's an honest and loving ballad about learning to forgive someone despite their actions- and that not every action defines a person. This song is a personal favourite, and I feel that it hasn't been given the recognition it deserves! 

9/10

12. "Haunted"Haunted is another power/rock ballad. It's kind of like Better Than Revenge combined with Enchanted. No pun intended, but the song is Haunted! The excessive use of bell sounds, screechy guitar, and piano combined makes it have a sort of Halloween Town feel to it. I like this song, it's edgy. 

8/10

13. "Last Kiss" Last Kiss is another one of those Dear John/Back To December songs. It's not easy listening, but it's got a recurring theme that we see throughout this album. One of regret, sorrow, and yearning to be with someone you just can't be with. This song is about missing someone, and all of the things you did with them. It's also about dealing with forgetting them and them forgetting you. It's stark, and true. 

9/10

14. "Long Live" is a glory song. It sounds like one of those songs you would hear after your favourite team wins a football match, or when the hero gets the girl in one of your favourite movies. It's a great feel good song written about Swift's band and fans combined. I really enjoy this song and it's a fantastic end to the album- it finishes with a bang. 

9/10

Highlights From This Album: Sparks Fly, Enchanted, Never Grow Up, Last Kiss, Back To December, Mean. 

Long post! What do you guys think? what were your highlights? I want to hear from YOU!