“1989” was a huge deal in the music world, and the publicity surrounding Taylor Swift’s most recent album was boosted with covers from numerous celebrities, especially with the news that Ryan Adams was releasing an entire cover album, available on Spotify and other outlets.

Despite Swift’s strict streaming beliefs, she was definitely happy about this—there’s no better way to boost publicity for an album than to have another highly known artist cover every single song on it. Swift’s “1989” was released to critical acclaim, but Adams’ version does not even come close in caliber. Now that music lovers have had time to take in each album, it is the perfect time to see how Adams’ “1989” compares to the original album.
While “1989” is bubbly, catchy and generally feel-good, Adams’ version is weak and tired, a downer. “1989” is arguably one of the biggest and best pure pop albums of the year—Adams took this and changed it into something that attempted to be heartfelt, but instead feels hollow. Adams’ version of “Blank Space” tried to be reflective and a ballad of some sort, but compared to Swift’s version, it is completely lackluster.
The cover album seems like a cheap version of the real thing. It’s a good thought and a well-deserved nod to one of pop’s most important women of 2015, but Adams’ “1989” failed to deliver. This cover album is technically sound and easy on the ears, but it is devoid of that certain spark that made Swift’s album so great. With Adams’ country and alternative background, his version maybe appeals to non-pop lovers, but even that audience will feel that missing special factor that Swift so artfully composed.
So, Swift wins with her original album on this one. Go buy it on iTunes (Swift infamously doesn’t have any of her music on Spotify) if you want to give it a listen and are willing to shell out some money for it, listen to Adams’ version on iTunes or Spotify.