The release of Taylor Swift's newest album 'Red' has been hugely anticipated. She's won 6 Grammy awards and 10 American Music Awards, plus literally hundreds of other nominations and awards that we simply don't have the time or space to mention. Also, in 2010 at the tender age of 20, she was entered into the songwriter's hall of fame. Pretty good going, eh? So it comes as no surprise that album No #4 'Red' comes with some amount of expectation. But, does it live up to the hype? Let's take a look at what the critics think.

Tampa Bay Online seems unconvinced by the album as a whole, saying "many of the songs lack the colorfulness and vitality the album title suggests, leading to an overall letdown. Lyrically and sonically, the album lacks oomph and feeling: It sounds like we've heard it all from her before", concluding that "The main issue with "Red" is that it sounds empty". Harsh words for the blonde beaut.

The LA Times proves to be far less scathing, praising it for it's "versatility" which they consider to be "the album's most striking characteristic", and gives it three out of four stars. NY Daily News, in contrast, give the album just 2 out of 5 stars. NY Daily News praises Swift's talents, but not the album: "Not for nothing has this rich, beautiful and talented star become credible to millions as a surrogate friend. If those ordinary qualities make her approachable, they're doing nothing for the advancement of her art." But again, in distinct contrast, the Guardian gives 4/5 stars: "Swift seems to know just the right phrase to pull you inside her break-up narratives."

The general feeling is that Swift has reached for something a little beyond her grasp, however, it certainly seems down to personal opinion as to whether that's something positive, or not. No one ever necessarily wanted or asked Swift to change her style, nor did we want her to attempt to reinvent country music. However, it does seem that 'Red' draws her away from country into a realm that is new and uncertain ground for her. For hard-out country fans, the album may be a little disappointing, for the rest, a decent album from a strong songwriter.