Saturday, October 6, 2012

Avril Lavigne's "Goodbye Lullaby" Showcases Artist's Growth and Versatility


Since launching her career almost a decade ago, her fans have come to know Avril Lavigne as colorful punk princess. And, it has only been on a few rare occasions (like the songs "I'm With You" and "Slipped Away") in which we've had the chance to see another side to the pop superstar.

Well, since the early days of teenage, emotion-driven tracks like "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi" back in the early part of the new millennium, she's had a great musical journey and her fans have been fortunate enough to be a part of it.

On "Goodbye Lullaby," Lavigne's fourth studio album, she presents a slightly different energy. Although there are still the pop-punk sounds that have been the staples of her CDs, she also showcases a different, more mature sound. Essentially, Lavigne shows a little more in terms of her softer side while somehow still maintaining the rock vibe she has become synonymous with.

"Goodbye Lullaby" features 13 tracks plus "Alice" which is listed as an additional bonus song. And, as is typical of her music, all of these have either been written or co-written by Lavigne herself.

Probably the best tracks on "Goodbye Lullaby" include:

"What The Hell" - Her ode to letting loose and having fun.
"Smile" - Features the classic punk-pop feel Lavigne has become known for over the years.
"Push" - More vintage Avril with a catchy beat and very cool hook.
"Not Enough" - A subtle yet powerful and emotionally driven ballad.
"Darlin" - A lyrical joy written when she was just 14.

My least favorite tracks would have to be:

"Wish You Where Here" - Not bad but doesn't seem to flow as nice as the others.
"Stop Standing There" - A little too heavy on the pop vibe.
"I Love You" - Feels a little cliché.

All in all, Lavigne should have yet another hit on her hands with "Goodbye Lullaby" as she continues to grow as an artist and entertainer.

I give "Goodbye Lullaby: a rating of 4 out of 5 starts or a B+ if you prefer the grading scale method. Of course, this album should go over very well with Lavigne's diehard fans. But, with its subtle side and differing style, I would fully expect her to pick up some new ones along the way.

In addition to current fans, I would recommend this CD to anyone interested in versatile artists with a major knack for lyrical creativity and song writing.







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