Disco de Avril Lavigne: “The Best Damn Thing”

Avril Lavigne proved, with her debut LET GO, that she had what it took not only to be a pop star, but to be a real musical artist. Her follow-up, UNDER MY SKIN, had her delving into deeper, darker material, putting her in a more alternative-minded suit.

Apparently, she had enough of that. THE BEST DAMN THING is spunky, perky, happy-go-lucky sing-a-long that, definitely, is catchy as hell, but isn't near as good as what Lavigne can do. "Girlfriend" kicks off the album and sets the mood; several of the tracks sound like knock-offs of this tune (including the title track, on which she boldly declares "I'm the best damn thing that your eyes have ever seen"). Ironically, with a couple exceptions, Lavigne sounds at her best when she's in this spunky mood (the exceptions being the powerful ballads "When You're Gone" and "Keep Holding On").

Basically, this is an immature album from an artist we know is capable of mature material. She hints at it here and there ("Damn that boy can make me cry," she sings in "Contagious;" in the next verse, "Damn that boy can make me smile"). But basically, THE BEST DAMN THING is THE BEST DANCE THING, because that's what it'll make you want to do--dance. Lavigne's got a good voice on her, and she knows how to write a well-crafted song; hopefully, her next album will show her branching out. This album makes her out to be the "pop princess" persona she so adamantly defied earlier in her career.

Well, the first single, "Girlfriend," should give you a clue. For those of us who thought her last album, 'Under My Skin,' was a great step forward (from a decent debut album, 'Let Go') will lament this major step back. Apparently Avril really wants us to believe that she's punk; unfortunately this means immature cheerleading rants (think Gwen Stefani at her most annoying) with the opening track and repeated in nearly identical fashion in a couple other songs on the album, with obvious borrowings from Toni Basil's eighties hit, "Mickey" ("Hey, Mickey, you're so fine,..."). The rest of the album doesn't fair much better (with a few exceptions, like "Innocent"). Take the lyrics from "Hot" as a case in point:

"You make me so hot

Make me wanna drop

It's so ridiculous

I can barely stop

I can hardly breathe

You make me wanna scream

You're so fabulous

You're so good to me baby, baby"

Sorry, this is crap. The music isn't much more creative. There's a general banality running throughout the album that simply wasn't found on her last album, 'Under My Skin.' And I think it's interesting to note that 'Under My Skin' was co-written with Chantal Kreviazuk, a legitimate singer-songwriter, and co-produced by Chantel's husband, Raine Maida (of the brilliant rock band, Our Lady Peace) among others. The new album, however, was co-produced by Luke Gottwald (aka Dr. Luke) with such credits as Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Sovereign, Missy Elliott, Pink, Mos Def, The Backstreet Boys, Daughtry, and Paris Hilton. Uhhhh, no thanks.

I know this has been a harsh review, but I do this in hopes that the next album will be much improved. Avril is still young with a long career ahead of her.

"Hey!" - the word of choice on this semi-concept album for Avril. Too many 'reviewers' here on Amazon are poo-pooing "The Best Damn Thing" without, perhaps, seeing the big picture. Avril is doing what a musical artist does and is their prerogative...reflect the times. She looks amazing and is her own person. People who are citing Britney as the epitome of current pop beauty are obviously outdated themselves since Brit's last real pop moment was years ago. I think that Avril let go just a tad bit of the slightly more acoustic/folky aspect of some of her tunes which were definitely prominent on her first album, "Let Go." The song "Sk8er Boi" stood out as a faster driving number on that first album, and I personally wished there were a ton more songs on that album with such speedy energy. Then came "Under My Skin" and she did speed it up again with "He Wasn't" but I still wanted more songs like those two.

Now comes "The Best Damn Thing" and it is nothing if but chock full of speedy tunes. Finally! Yay for me and those who like "Sk8r Boi." Avril herself says right on her liner notes (for those who actually buy CD's or at least download the complete album with the booklet from iTunes) "I hope you play this in your car, sing it in the shower, dance to it with your friends, and rock out to it at my concert." Well put. No problem, will do, Avril. She obviously had fun making this album and perhaps that's the view with which one should listen to it. Have a summer of fun. I plan on blasting this in my mom's convertible every chance I get.

So, if you liked Avril's earlier punky fast songs more than the slower ones, this is an album gift wrapped for you from her. Yeah the theme is a lot of "Hey! Hey!" and boy stuff, but that's what makes you want to chant and sing along at the top of your lungs and jump around like you were electrified. If you preferred her slower, more 'moody' songs, you can always revert to "Let Go" and "Under My Skin." However, if you need a soundtrack to the summer of fun - get this today.

Oh, and the first time you hear her say "I wear the pants!!" you will laugh and go...wow.

Avril Lavigne's back and better then ever. One has to keep in mind that she has a very independent but distinct and original pop rock sound. Her lyrics are still based around a lot of relationship and dating issues, but she delivers her words like no other rock star out there. Teaming up with the guitarist and drummer from Sum 41 was the best thing Lavigne could have done to aide in her evolution. Their take on rock and pop made this record what it is; an in your face pop rocker album that gets one moving to the beat. Avril's musicality is still fairly simple in the means of progressions, harmonies, and melodies. But her delivery and simplicity is what makes the record so catchy. She knows how to use accidentals and dynamics masterfully for the style she has stuck with over the years, and this album shows it. All that's really missing are killer guitar solos and licks, but I'm sure Avril will get there someday. The record's first single "Keep Holding On" not only shows her potential in that regard, but it was also the soundtrack theme for the 2006 fantasy film: Eragon. Avril you rock!

Stand Out Tracks:

"Girlfriend"

"I Can Do Better"

"Runaway"

"Hot"

"Innocence"

"I Don't Have To Try"

"Contagious"

"Keep Holding On"

DVD Features:

Making of the album

photo gallery

I own both "Let Go" and "Under My Skin," both great albums, in my opinion. When I heard about this album, I was very surprised at this move Avril made. Intsead of following the deep and darker lines of "Under My Skin," she went back to "Let Go" and has given us "The Best Damn Thing..." a collection of rock, pop, and cheerleader anthems that... which, to be honest, are very disappointing. I do not own this CD, but I have downloaded several of the songs and have listened to samples and read the lyrics of the rest. After doing all of that, I had one question left... Why Avril? Does she think she'll gain more popularity? Does she think she will appeal to a broader audience? By making this album, her audience range went from about 13-20 year olds to about 13-14 year olds... if even that, knowing all of the language in this album.

Now, not every song on this album are bad. That is why it has earned two stars. "Keep Holding On," "When You're Gone," and "One Of Those Girls" are all great songs... all without language. That's another thing. Does Avril really think it's necessary to blurt out "I'm the motherf---ing" princess" on "Girlfriend?" Besides being completely annoying, it just doesn't make sense. She also uses the s-word as if it's nothing more than the word "food." Besides those three songs, and maybe the exception of "Innocence," this album is filled with annoying melodies, raw language, and stupid lyrics that sound like they were written by 3-year-olds.

I'm sorry to be so harsh, Avril. But I really enjoyed your previous work and this completely steered you off the right path. As for everyone else... do what you would like with this CD, but I will not be downloading anymore than five songs off of this CD as basically every other song is filled with language. Not to mention the crappy lyrics. I'm sorry... better luck next time around, Avril.