Jim Malec

Last updated
Jim Malec
Occupation(s)Journalist, music critic

Jim Malec is an American journalist and pop music critic known for writing about country music. [1] Malec attended State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, where he worked as an editor for the college's student newspaper and was involved in a censorship dispute regarding student free speech rights. [2] He was named "Best Local Blogger About Country Music" by the Nashville Scene in 2009, with the paper commenting that he is "rough on country music in the way that only a person who loves and thinks deeply about an art form can be." [1] Malec's work has appeared in American Songwriter , [3] Slant Magazine , [4] Westword [5] and other outlets, and he is a contributor to the Nashville Scene's annual country music critics poll. [6] [7]

Malec is noteworthy for his coverage of Taylor Swift in the early stages of her career, referring to her as "a superstar in the making" in 2007. [8] His 2011 article "Taylor Swift: The Garden In The Machine" [9] chronicles Swift's move to Nashville and her integration into the Nashville songwriting community.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Swift</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1989)

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. Her genre-spanning discography, songwriting, and artistic reinventions have received critical praise and wide media coverage. Born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, Swift moved to Nashville at age 14 to become a country artist. She signed a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2004 and a recording contract with Big Machine Records in 2005. Her 2006 self-titled debut album made her the first female country artist to write a U.S. platinum-certified album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim McGraw (song)</span> 2006 single by Taylor Swift

"Tim McGraw" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who wrote it with Liz Rose for her self-titled debut album. It was released to US country radio on June 19, 2006, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Nathan Chapman, the track combines elements of country music with the '50s progression; music critics noted influences of non-country genres such as alternative rock on the composition. Written by Swift when she was in her freshman year of high school, the lyrics narrate a summer romance that comes to a sudden end. In the storyline, the narrator pleads with her ex-boyfriend to reminisce about her every time he hears her favorite song by country musician Tim McGraw, the song's namesake.

<i>Taylor Swift</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released by Big Machine Records on October 24, 2006, in the United States and Canada, and March 18, 2008, internationally. Swift had signed with Sony/ATV Tree publishing house in 2004, at age 14, to pursue a career as a country musician. Her contract with Big Machine in 2005 enabled her to work on the album during her first high school year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teardrops on My Guitar</span> 2007 single by Taylor Swift

"Teardrops on My Guitar" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her self-titled debut album (2006). Swift wrote the song with Liz Rose, and Nathan Chapman produced it. Big Machine Records released "Teardrops on My Guitar" to US country radio on February 20, 2007, as the album's second US single. The song was released to US pop radio as a crossover single in November 2007. It was included on the international edition of Swift's second studio album, Fearless, and released in the UK in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picture to Burn</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"Picture to Burn" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her self-titled debut studio album (2006). Swift and Liz Rose wrote the track, which was produced by Nathan Chapman. The song was released as the album's fourth single on February 4, 2008, by Big Machine Records. For the lyrics, which narrate a protagonist's contempt and vengeance against an ex-lover, Swift was inspired by the narcissistic and cocky nature of a high-school classmate. Musically, the country rock track features prominent plunking banjo and distorted guitars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Song (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2007 single by Taylor Swift

"Our Song" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her self-titled debut studio album (2006). Swift wrote "Our Song" for a high school talent show during ninth grade; the lyrics are about a young couple using the regular events in their lives to create their own song. She included the song on the track list because it was popular among her classmates. It was released as the album's third single on September 10, 2007, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Nathan Chapman, "Our Song" is an uptempo banjo-driven country track incorporating fiddles and drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Should've Said No</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"Should've Said No" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her self-titled debut studio album (2006). The song was released to US country radio as the album's fifth and final single on May 19, 2008, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Nathan Chapman, "Should've Said No" combines country rock, pop rock, and post-grunge with banjo and distorted guitars. The lyrics are about Swift's contempt for a cheating ex-lover.

<i>Fearless</i> (Taylor Swift album) 2008 studio album by Taylor Swift

Fearless is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released November 11, 2008, by Big Machine Records in the U.S. and Canada, and an international edition was released on March 9, 2009. Written largely by Swift while she was promoting her 2006 eponymous debut album in 2007–2008, Fearless features additional songwriting credits from Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey, Colbie Caillat, and John Rich. Swift wrote seven of the thirteen songs on the standard edition by herself and, in her debut as a record producer, co-produced all songs with Nathan Chapman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2008 promotional single by Taylor Swift

"Change" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The song was included on the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack and released on August 8, 2008, with its proceeds donated to the United States team at the 2008 Olympics. Swift was inspired to write "Change" by her aspirations to succeed despite being signed to Big Machine Records, the smallest record label in Nashville at the time. "Change" was later included on Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, it is a pop rock and power pop song with dynamic strings and distorted electric guitars; its lyrics are about overcoming obstacles to achieve victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Story (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"Love Story" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released as the lead single from her second studio album, Fearless, on September 15, 2008, by Big Machine Records. Inspired by a boy who was unpopular with her family and friends, Swift wrote the song using William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet as a reference point. The lyrics narrate a troubled romance that ends with a marriage proposal, contrary to Shakespeare's tragic conclusion. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the midtempo country pop includes a key change after the bridge and uses acoustic instruments including banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar.

"Best Days of Your Life" is a song performed by American country music artist Kellie Pickler. It was written by Pickler and American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on December 1, 2008, as the second single from Kellie Pickler's self-titled second album. Swift also provides background vocals on the song. The song is about a narrator explaining how her former boyfriend cheated on her and moved on to a new girlfriend to start a family with, wishing them well on their new life but says that the new girl won't top what they previously once had before.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're Not Sorry</span> 2008 promotional single by Taylor Swift

"You're Not Sorry" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless. It was released for download via the iTunes Store as a promotional from the album on October 28, 2008, by Big Machine Records. Swift was inspired to write "You're Not Sorry" by an ex-boyfriend who she realized was the contrary to what he had appeared to be. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "You're Not Sorry" is a rock power ballad with gentle piano in the verses and dramatic electric guitar in the build-up. A remix version for the television episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, in which Swift made an appearance, was later released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Belong with Me</span> 2009 single by Taylor Swift

"You Belong with Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her second studio album Fearless (2008). Swift wrote the song with Liz Rose and produced it with Nathan Chapman. Inspired by a phone call between a male friend of hers and his girlfriend that she overheard, the lyrics are about an insecure protagonist's unrequited love for an out-of-reach interest. A country pop and power pop song, "You Belong with Me" features a banjo-led production incorporating new wave electric guitars in the mix. Big Machine Records released the song as the third single from Fearless on April 20, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Horse (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"White Horse" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her second studio album, Fearless (2008). It was released as the album's second single on December 8, 2008, by Big Machine Records. Written by Swift and Liz Rose, "White Horse" is about a protagonist's disillusionment after she realizes her love interest is not an ideal Prince Charming like she thought. The lyrics incorporate fairy-tale imagery mentioning princes, princesses, angels, and white horses. Produced by Nathan Chapman and Swift, it is a ballad combining country and pop with acoustic guitar, piano, and cello.

<i>Get Off on the Pain</i> 2010 studio album by Gary Allan

Get Off on the Pain is the eighth studio album by American country music artist Gary Allan. It was released on March 9, 2010, via MCA Nashville. The album's first single, "Today", was released in June 2009 and was a Top 20 hit. Its second single, the title track, was released on March 15, 2010 and debuted at number 42 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The third single "Kiss Me When I'm Down" was released in September 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not That Far Away</span> 2010 single by Jennette McCurdy

"Not That Far Away" is a song recorded by American singer and actress Jennette McCurdy from her debut EP of the same name. Written by McCurdy, Blair Daly and Rachel Proctor, it was released to country radio on May 24, 2010, and as a music download on June 1, 2010.

"Breathe" is a song recorded and written by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, taken from Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the song is driven by an acoustic guitar and mandolin and features pianos and violins in the production. Lyrically, "Breathe" addresses heartbreak and the loss of a close friendship, though some critics interpreted it as a breakup song.

<i>Speak Now</i> 2010 studio album by Taylor Swift

Speak Now is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 25, 2010, through Big Machine Records. Swift wrote the album entirely herself within two years, while she was promoting her second studio album Fearless (2008). Inspired by Swift's transition from adolescence into adulthood, Speak Now is a loose concept album about her confessions regarding love and heartache, with some songs about her public experiences. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the album combines country pop, pop rock, and power pop with rock sensibilities and melodies characterized by acoustic instruments, dynamic electric guitars, strings, and drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Story of Us (song)</span> 2011 single by Taylor Swift

"The Story of Us" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). It was sent to US pop radio on April 19, 2011, as the fourth single from the album. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the track combines pop-punk, dance-pop, and power pop, with a production consisting of fast-paced drums and dynamic electric guitars. For the lyrics, which are about the awkwardness between two parted lovers, Swift was inspired by her encounter with an ex-boyfriend at an awards show.

<i>Speak Now World Tour – Live</i> 2011 live video album by Taylor Swift

Speak Now World Tour – Live is the first live album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on November 21, 2011, by Big Machine Records. It consists of two components: an audio CD and a visual accompaniment either on DVD or Blu-ray. Recorded on Swift's Speak Now World Tour, which she embarked on to support her third studio album Speak Now, the live album consists of songs and performances on various dates.

References

  1. 1 2 "Best of Nashville 2009: Politics and Media". Nashville Scene. 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  2. "First Amendment 101". Tampa Bay Times. 2004-07-25. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  3. "Author Archive: Jim Malec". American Songwriter . Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  4. "Author Archive: Jim Malec". Slant Magazine . Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  5. "Author Archive: Jim Malec". Westword . Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  6. "The Ninth Annual Nashville Scene Country Music Critics Poll: Voters' Comments". Nashville Scene. 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  7. "From Jamey Johnson's triumphs to race and suicide, critics weigh in on the year in country music". Nashville Scene. 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  8. "Music News: Taylor Swift". Westword. 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  9. Malec, Jim (May 2, 2011). "Taylor Swift: The Garden In The Machine". American Songwriter . Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved 2022-08-06.