Avril Lavigne's Best Damn Thing....

[SilvaShado]

... was not the best damn thing.

I was really hoping for more unique music from her, but most of that was immature noise. Except for the last song, which had the most mature theme. I guess I'm just surprised she's still singing about being someone's girlfriend when she's married.

Guess I'll do more research before buying her next album. I'm not sure if I can call myself a fan of Avril. Out of her 3 CDs, I only like the first one.

Well, at the very least, I didn't pay too much for it and I got the special CD/DVD edition. I haven't watched the DVD yet, hopefully it'll be worth it.

[Elliot Kane]

I'm playing it now, and I think my ears are bleeding... I'd heard Girlfriend and I hated it. I Can Do Better is, if anything, worse.

Runaway isn't bad, but The Best Damn Thing is awful. Some people can get away with blending Rock & Rap, but Avril isn't one of them. I just skipped the rest of that track after about half of it. Learn from Aerosmith, woman!

She used to know how to write these really cool, original sounding songs - but this is generic crap. It's like she's decided to make the Generic Teen Album she was far too mature and talented to make as a teen.

When you're gone - mediocre.

Everything Back But You - Oh, joy... The Generic American Rock Sound. As played by Blink 182, Sum 41 and a million other bands but only actually works for Bowling For Soup. Doesn't work for Avril either.

Hot - luke warm.

Innocence - This is more like it. A good ballad. So far it's easily the standout track, IMO. I really like this one.

I Don't Have To Try - No Avril, swearing does not make a mediocre track into a good one. Not that I could care less, but you had real talent. What happened? The Generic American Rock Sound again...

One Of Those Girls - Funnily enough, if I'd wanted a Blink 182 album, I would have gotten a Blink 182 album. You're supposed to be Avril Lavigne...

Contagious - Different. More Pop. Also short.

Keep Holding On - Quite good, but far too late to save this album. Trying to remember who this reminds me of, but I can't. Also too short.

Oh Avril, you were so great... This is just depressing. I loved her first two albums, but this is a giant step backwards.

In conclusion - Innocence is the standout track by virtue of being the only actually good track on the album, IMO.

I hoped Girlfriend was a momentary aberration when I heard it, but sadly it's not. You have been warned...

[SilvaShado]

You didn't, by any chance, get the CD/DVD Edition? The DVD explains a lot. A lot!

Doesn't make it any better, but I completely understand why this CD is so crappy. I'll explain further if you like, but if you have the DVD or can borrow it, I don't want to spoil it for you.

[Elliot Kane]

I've got the DVD. Whether I bother watching it is something else...

Avril just self-destructed, musically speaking, from my POV. I'll make sure I listen to clips from her next album online before I decide whether to buy it or not.

[SilvaShado]

I really recommend watching the DVD. It will explain everything. And you'll find a morbid fascination with watching it for a while.

[SilvaShado]

Well... did you watch it?

[Elliot Kane]

No. I have a stack of stuff to watch that's not connected to a dreadful album ;D And that's without unplayed games etc...

[SilvaShado]

okay... I'd say you're missing out, but all you're missing out on is the reinforcing knowledge that Avril is insane.

I guess I'll go ahead and tell you some of the things that I saw from what I did watch of the DVD.
1. She was drunk most of the time. And when she wanted "inspiration," she'd drink some more. Then she'd get other people to drink and even go to other studios in the building and drink with them.
2. She skateboarded a lot to get inspiration.
3. She created the lyrics on the fly, which is not usually a bad thing, but when you're drunk and dead-set on including the type of alchol you're drinking into the lyrics - it's not such a good thing.
4. She works with weirdos, like a guy who asked her to pepper-spray him. She did. He was out for 3 hours with a burning face.

Those are the main points that I can think of. The DVD was quite self-serving because most of the people shown kept saying how great Avril was.

If I think of anything else important, I'll let you know.

[Elliot Kane]

Thanks, Silva

Sounds like a train wreck in progress, sadly. With all that talent, all that potential... Avril is less mature now than she was as a teenager. It's sad

[Galadriel]

Avril Rulezzz! That is all I have to say about that ;D

[Elliot Kane]

I think this covers it pretty well ;D

[SilvaShado]

Wow, that's freaking great! Thanks for sharing E.

It's funny, but a friend of mine borrowed the CD & DVD. He said he liked it okay and was actually looking forward to when she matures and continues to do her own work her way.

I can't say I agree with him. But I guess that maybe the first two CDs were controlled by someone else. So the first time she gains control, she goes wild and thus we get the "best" damn thing. Maybe there's hope for her... but I ain't holding my breath.

[Elliot Kane]

That's the weirdest thing - Avril never let anyone else control her music. She got turned down by record companies originally, IIRC, because she insisted on doing her own thing.

This latest is actually the most chartworthy thing she's done, being entirely bland and utterly vacuous. Girlfriend is actually her most successful single to date in terms of chart placements, IIRC.

[SilvaShado]

Wow. Didn't know that.... huh... well, then I just can't figure it out... And I think I'll stop trying now. Just have to wait and see what she does next.

[Elliot Kane]

And hope like heck she still remembers where she left her talent, yeah

[SilvaShado]

LOL! Very true! ^_~

[Sarahstormz&]

I thought she changed alot.
Most of her songs are now changing.
I got her CD when i do not know why the heck i got it.
The Only songs i like are "When You're Gone" & "Keep Holding On"

[SilvaShado]

Yeah, those are pretty much the only songs I like too. Hardly makes it worth buying the CD...