Taylor Swift Has No Fear Of 'Popology'

They say a well-rounded education is the key to success, and if that truly is the case, the my schooling is woefully incomplete when it comes to the subject of pop. That's why we bring you "Popology," the guide to modern radio-friendly stars as seen through the eyes of a guy who grew up on punk and metal. In case you missed previous installments, catch up with Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson and the Spice Girls here.

In this week's installment, Taylor Swift ascends.

The first time I heard Taylor Swift's name, I thought she was an "American Idol" contestant. In my mind, I had transposed the fact that Carrie Underwood had evolved into a genuine country star and that they once had a winner named Taylor (even though that Taylor was a dude). That sort of confusion seems absolutely impossible now, as Swift has evolved from a crossover-friendly country star into a genuine pop phenomenon. Plenty of country stars have made their way into the mainstream before, but nobody has done it the way Swift has. The only artist who would even come close is Garth Brooks, and even at his most exposed, he never played the MTV Video Music Awards.

Swift's rise has been efficient because she has something that appeals to anybody who might bother to tune in. She plays and writes most of her own music, which keeps old rock writers happy. She has genuine country chops and comes from a small town, which buys her credibility with the famously uptight Nashville music establishment. She sings about boys and girl power, which gives her an in with teenage girls (the fact that she only just turned 20 years old helps with that too). And her songs are catchy and infectious, with makes her appealing to anybody else who might be left. Though her self-titled debut had no shortage of buzz surrounding it (mostly related to her age, her catchy fangirl single "Tim McGraw" and her general hotness), it was her 2008 follow-up Fearless that really turned her into a superstar (to date, it has sold more than eight million copies worldwide, a staggering number in the current musical climate).

You've heard the singles ("Fifteen," "Love Story" and especially "You Belong With Me"), but what else does Fearless have to offer? Read more...