Okay, here's an update with the time I've spent with 1989. As you know, like my boy Mac, I check out albums from my Library so that I can check them out and make a determination if it's something I want to add to my personal music library. I already knew this was definitely a must-buy for me. Getting back to the copy I had checked out from the Library, I am able to keep it for 3 weeks before I have to return it if there is anyone on the wait list for the album. I literally listened to the album non-stop for 3 weeks and around the 2 week mark, I started searching out my CD copy from eBay. There are a few different versions floating around. I settled on getting the Deluxe Edition (Target Exclusive) Brand New at a steal for $10 bucks. Still shrinked wrapped. I was very skeptical that the Deluxe Edition with the bonus tracks would be anywhere near the level of the other songs that I have been listening to for the past 3 weeks. Figured they were going to be throwaway songs and were cut from the album for a reason. Boy, was I ever wrong. I will never doubt Taylor Swift again.

The 3 bonus tracks (Wonderland, You Are In Love and New Romantics) are probably my favorite songs right now. They are definitely songs that could and should be released as singles. On top of the bonus tracks we also get 3 Songwriting Voice Memos which break down her songwriting process. Each of the 3 memos is preceded with Taylor actually talking about how she approaches that particular song. Very cool stuff. It's a mini tutorial walk-through. The last bonus swag that comes with the Deluxe Edition is a pack of Polaroids. All cool stuff. So, based on the content of the music, I have to amend my rating to reflect 10 Stars. Her lyrics are very clever and the arrangements are damn good. The more I've listened to the album, I have picked up more influences that were derived from the late 90's to early 2000's. I've picked up stuff from The Tubes to Nelly Furtado to Timbaland to Avril Lavigne to Philip Steir to Falco. The stuff is subtle but unmistakable. There are actually a bunch of things I'm hearing from song to song that I know from somewhere else. I've just not been able to place them...yet. It will come to me eventually.

Really curious to hear your take on this given the fact that this isn't in your wheelhouse.

I don't think she can go back to Country for the time being. She was big when she was a Country star. But since crossing over, she has exploded because of 1989. Now if I were her manager, I would keep her in the Pop world for the time being. I certainly wouldn't allow her to go back to country if she intends to also do the Pop thing. People would get confused and that translate into fans looking elsewhere. She has to ride the wave and then when she gets it out of her system (if she ever does), then and only then let her go back to where she started. That's my business 101.  To answer your question, she is full-on pop. No country to be found anywhere and for me that is a huge plus.