At the center of every album is a musical thesis. Ryan Adams' "1989" is a proper and unexpected tip of the hat to Taylor Swift. Given Adams' songwriting history, I don't think many of us saw the connection between the two, at least lyrically speaking. As you work through this rendition of "1989" and go back to listen to the original, you are confronted with the close ties of music. Whether it be rock, pop, rap, country, jazz, world, techno, etc., this album serves as a reminder that all music speaks on the same subjects. The only difference between the genres is the delivery. While I have proudly shied away from Top 40 and Pop music, this collection of cover songs has me rethinking what I have been avoiding. With that new mission before me, Mr. Adams has achieved his thesis.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan