99 - "Red" by Taylor Swift
Red is the fourth studio album by Taylor Swift. It is probably most notable for being the turning point in Taylor’s career between teenage country singer and more straight up pop star, and contains several huge hits that were inescapable in 2012 and 2013 (e.g. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “22”). I was a bit surprised to see this album on the Rolling Stone’s list. I get that it’s a pivotal album for Taylor’s career, but I feel like I remember much more acclaim for her next album, 1989, when it came out, than I ever remember hearing about Red. And upon listening to this album now, I have sort of mixed feelings. The album’s singles are poppy earworms, with varying degrees of obnoxiousness. I’ve always been pretty annoyed by “22,” frankly. And listening to it now, as someone a few years past the age of twenty-two… is this actually how twenty-two year olds act? You’re going to “dress up like hipsters,” have “breakfast at midnight,” and “make fun of our exes?” Ar...