2008 Woodie Awards
Avril Lavigne - 'The Best Damn Thing' reviewed
by Wesley Case
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Mosaic
|
Avril Lavigne
RCA Records
Rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Avril Lavigne still sounds young. Although she's now 22, the snot-nosed pop-rocker's third album, ironically-titled "The Best Damn Thing," sounds like she's still wearing a training bra and dropping notes in a boy's locker.
For some reason, this is surprising. After her marriage to Sum 41 lead singer Deryck Whibley, her fans might have expected Lavigne to mature overnight. "The Best Damn Thing" is a contradiction to the thought.
With slick production from industry heavy hitters, including Dr. Luke (he co-wrote Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone"), Lavigne's new songs are full of bite and middle fingers.
The problem lies in Lavigne's immature stagnancy - the Toni Basil-inspired lead single "Girlfriend" has lyrics like "Don't pretend, I think you know I'm damn precious / And hell yeah, I'm the motherfucking princess."
The album's closer, the ready-for-radio ballad "Keep Holding On," refreshingly proves Lavigne is capable of crafting an emotive, beautiful record. But only when's she not too busy writing nasty rumors in her burnbook.
Be the first to comment on this story