Avril Lavigne

What's an old married lady like Avril Lavigne to do when the statute of limitation on bratty sk8er-punk-princess runs out? Judging by Mrs. Sum 41's third album, there are two possible rejoinders: 1 -- Write a bunch of sophisticated love ballads. We're sure those are nice and all, but, honestly, we wouldn't know because we can't stop listening to Tactic 2 -- Morph from bratty punk into bratty-but-kind-of-ironic cheerleader. See "I Don't Have to Try" and the, oh, Mickey, it's so fine title track. And do NOT miss "Girlfriend," which won't be hard because it'll be on the radio every six minutes or so.

You probably already know "girlfriend," Avril Lavigne's hypercatchy, giant-sounding "Hey
Mickey" tribute. Guess what? The rest of her third album does not venture into death metal,
industrial house or gypsy swing. Like most everything she's done, The Best Damn Thing is
big, big, big, with teen punk and ballads getting shots of pop steroids -- as well as big doses
of her usual sass, anger and vulnerability. There are few surprises here, but The... More >