Avril Lavigne

Goodbye Lullaby

Avril Lavigne has been on stage for many years. When she was just 15 she was on stage with Shania Twain. Then as a 16 year-old she signed a multi-album record deal, which seen a 17 year-old release her debut album, Let Go, in 2002. Two years later she released her second album Under My Skin which hit number one on the Billboard 200. Her third release hit stores in 2007. The Best Damn Thing featured her first US Hot 100 single and her third #1 album in the UK. Through three albums she has produced five #1 singles and has sold over 30 million copies of those albums worldwide. She is back again with her fourth album Goodbye Lullaby which features 13 tracks. She gets things started with a song that holds the same name as her perfume, “Black Star.” It is a short 2 minute track that floats by nice and easy. The song features soft spoken vocals with a piano accompanying them. There is not much to it. “What The Hell” is the monster track that you are hearing on the radio and will be for awhile steps up next. The music is very catchy and will have you moving in no time. The vocals are clean and clear as they deliver infectious lyrics to your ears. Fans will be having a blast during this tune in all forms as those young girls will be saying this to those broken-hearted high school boys. The track grows on you and its one of those that every time it comes on the radio you will be singing along with it. “Push” tosses out some acoustic guitars and backing vocals (both male and female). There is a whirlwind of vocals coming for everywhere. The track is okay with a pop natural sound and a few choice words giving it a boost. “Wish You Were Here” is yet another pop tune that has a mini loose rap section and a lot of repeating. It is a catchy number and I’m sure the 14 and 15 year-old girls will embrace it. The vocals are really clear and it sounds like they added in some extra programming in it. “Smile” begins with a bang as Avril rattles off “You know that I’m a crazy bitch. I do what I want when I feel like it.” and “But you don’t really give a shit. You go with it…’Cause you’re fucking crazy…” That’s a great set of lines to grab your attention. The track is an upbeat tune that really finds its groove during the chorus. You can tell that she had fun recording this tune. There is a couple of hesitating vocals that I’m not crazy about though. “Stop Standing There” is a tough track to get into and grasp at the same time. They place in hand clapping the entire time which clogs it up in my opinion. The vocals are just okay and the progression seems to be off just a tad. She also does the hesitating vocals again, actually a bit longer this time, and they really don’t work too well. There is also a sound effect like a rainbow or something that just appears out of nowhere. I’d take a listen once maybe twice then just skip it after that. “I Love You” is a boring tune with descent lyrics. The track lyrically is well written, but it lacks that music impact that would have propelled it to something great as it has a positive message and displays what love should be. “Everybody Hurts” is in the exact same position as “I Love You,” it’s just a boring track. There is nothing exciting about it. “Not Enough” finally turns up the intensity and creative juices. She gets the guitars involved a bit more as well as the drums. Her vocals are a bit better with no pitch issues or hesitations. The song flows a bit better and hopefully will turn the album around into the right direction.  “4 Real” busts put the acoustic guitars once again with a nice simple tune. A song of reflection is what this track is about and does it with elegance. The lyrics are simple, yet sweet. They are a few squeaks in the vocal set that might hurt your ears and/or get on your nerves. Although it’s a sweet little number it will be a tune that’s passed over. “Darlin” shows of Avril’s voice, but really doesn’t standout much more than that. “Remember When” begins back the piano as yet another track just glides past. Other than sweet innocent vocals, descent lyrics, and one good segment the track doesn’t have much. “Goodbye” closes out the album with a track that you can just skip over to the bonus hidden track which is one of the main tracks to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Overall this album lacks the powerful and playful Arvil that the world has come to know and love. There are a few tracks that hint that she is still there, but the other offering on the album just falls short of expectations. I know that expectations aren’t always what it’s about and that we are pleasantly surprised from time to time, but sadly this isn’t one of those times. The lyrics are great and I will give her that. They display all the feelings that have been bottled up. In that respect I give her props and a star effort. The music flutters around. One track it is phenomenal and then the next is just floats by. It lacks creativity for the major part in the music department. The flair and attitude that you hear in the first track “What the Hell” fizzles out for nearly the rest of the album.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Tracks to Watch:

What the Hell, Smile, Not Enough

Track List:

1. Black Star
2. What The Hell
3. Push
4. Wish You Were Here
5. Smile
6. Stop Standing There
7. I Love You
8. Everybody Hurts
9. Not Enough
10. 4 Real
11. Darlin
12. Remember When
13. Goodbye

Website (s):  www.avrillavigne.com