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. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic reinventions, and cultural impact, Swift is a leading figure in popular music and the subject of widespread public interest.

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

"Tim McGraw" is the debut single by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who wrote it with Liz Rose for her 2006 self-titled debut studio album. Big Machine Records released the song to US country radio on June 19, 2006. Produced by Nathan Chapman, "Tim McGraw" is an acoustic guitar-led country ballad that incorporates the '50s progression and elements of alternative rock. In the lyrics, Swift's character pleads with her ex-boyfriend to remember her every time he hears her favorite song by 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 the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Under the Big Machine Records imprint, it was released in the United States and Canada on October 24, 2006, and elsewhere on March 18, 2008.

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

"Teardrops on My Guitar" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who wrote it with Liz Rose. In the United States, the song was the second single from Swift's 2006 self-titled debut album; Big Machine Records released it to country radio on February 20, 2007, and to pop radio as a crossover single on November 9, 2007. An international mix was included on the international edition of Swift's second studio album, Fearless, and released as a single in Europe on May 7, 2009.

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

"Picture to Burn" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the fourth single from her 2006 self-titled debut studio album. Big Machine Records released it to US country radio on February 4, 2008. Written by Swift and Liz RoseRehel Nikolovski, the lyrics were inspired by a narcissistic classmate of Swift and depict a protagonist's vengeance against an ex-lover. Nathan Chapman produced the track, which is an incorporation of country rock and alternative rock that features plunking banjo and distorted electric guitars.

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

"Our Song" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the third single 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. Big Machine Records released the song to US country radio on September 10, 2007. 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 the 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 album by Taylor Swift

Fearless is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She wrote the majority of the album while touring in 2007–2008 and produced it with Nathan Chapman.

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

"Change" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on August 8, 2008, to promote the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack for the United States team at the 2008 Olympics. "Change" was included in Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008). Swift wrote the track after winning the Horizon Award at the 2007 Country Music Association Awards; 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 the 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 song 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 who also provides background vocals on the song. It was released on December 1, 2008, as the second single from Kellie Pickler's self-titled second album. 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 song by Taylor Swift

"You're Not Sorry" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). She 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 that incorporates piano and dynamic electric guitars. Big Machine Records released the song for download via the iTunes Store on October 28, 2008. A remix was released for the television episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, in which Swift made an appearance. Some critics praised Swift's songwriting but others took issue with the balladic production as overdone.

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

"White Horse" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the second single from her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Big Machine Records released the track to US country radio on December 8, 2008. Swift wrote "White Horse" with Liz Rose and produced it with Nathan Chapman. An understated country pop ballad, the song is driven by a finger-picked guitar and includes piano and cello accents. The lyrics incorporate fairy-tale imagery of princesses and white horses: the narrator is heartbroken upon realizing that her boyfriend is not an ideal figure like she thought, and in the end she leaves her town with hopes of finding somebody more worthy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifteen (song)</span> 2009 single by Taylor Swift

"Fifteen" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Inspired by Swift's high-school freshman year, the lyrics narrate how she and her friend Abigail Anderson, both at 15, experience teenage heartbreak and realize life aspirations. Swift included the track on the album after Anderson consented to the personal references. She and Nathan Chapman produced "Fifteen", a country pop song with a pop melody. Big Machine Records released "Fifteen" to American country radio on August 31, 2009, as the fourth single from Fearless.

<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, and was also a Top 20 Hit. The third single "Kiss Me When I'm Down" was released in September 2010, peaking at #38 on the Hot Country Songs Chart. It became his first album to not produce a Top 10 Hit on the Hot Country Songs Chart.

<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 by Taylor Swift featuring Colbie Caillat from Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008). Swift wrote the song with Caillat and produced it with Nathan Chapman. A pop rock ballad, "Breathe" incorporates strummed acoustic instruments and a string section. The lyrics are about heartbreak from losing a close friend. Big Machine Records released the track onto Rhapsody on October 21, 2008. Music critics found "Breathe" a sentimental song with resonant lyrics, but some deemed it insubstantial. The song was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2010.

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

Speak Now is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 25, 2010, by Big Machine Records. Swift wrote the album entirely herself while touring in 2009–2010 to reflect on her transition from adolescence to adulthood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safe & Sound (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2011 song by Taylor Swift featuring the Civil Wars

"Safe & Sound" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring the American musical duo the Civil Wars, taken from the soundtrack of The Hunger Games (2012). Swift and the Civil Wars wrote the track with its producer T Bone Burnett. The track is an indie folk ballad with a spare arrangement evoking Americana, alternative country, and Appalachian music. The lyrics are about the Hunger Games protagonist Katniss Everdeen's empathy and compassion for other characters, even as she fights to survive in the eponymous Games. Swift sings lead vocals with a high-pitched vibrato, and the Civil Wars provide vocal harmonies.

"Invisible String" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, Aaron Dessner. The lyrics are about how fate brings two soulmates together and refer to specific moments from their lives, containing references to the literature classics Jane Eyre and The Sun Also Rises. Musically, "Invisible String" is a folk tune with elements of blues, pop, and country. Its spare acoustic arrangement is driven by acoustic guitar strums on a rubber bridge and vocal backbeats.

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.
Musical notes.svg

This biographical article related to music journalism in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.