Avril Lavigne

The Best Damn Thing

4/5

With “The Best Damn Thing,” Avril’s third album, each track once again feeds off of the same melody for most songs. However, the album is more upbeat, and very fun. The new Avril can dance, wears suspenders in the video for “Girlfriend,” has back-up dancers, and likes pink—a lot of Pink.

“Girlfriend” samples Toni Basil’s “Mickey,” with snotty vocals about stealing another girl’s man. In” Innocence” Avril pours out her heart about love and the track will most definitely be played at every wedding this summer.

“When You’re Gone” is about being in love and is admittedly a decent ballad. Avril’s strong side is shown on “I Can do Better,” where Avril sings, “Either way, you’re going to think what you believe / there’s nothing you could say to hurt me…I found myself again.”

The track “The Best Damn Thing” is an incredibly infectious and cocky cheerleader beat. It portrays the image of a high maintenance lady who expects the guy to foot the bill, and open every door. What happened to women not needing a man to cater to them to make them happy?

Overall, this album is definitely infectious. It may not be as mature as one would expect from a now married twenty-two year old, but after all, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” And, if you give this album a spin or two, you will.

+Debbie Gebert