ALBUM REVIEW By SAM SCARPELLI
2021 SEPTEMBER 26
An album with more angst and beauty than Under My Skin is hard to find. It plays like a breakup record from a girlfriend you never had, the sort of passion that can only come from a broken heart. With soaring vocals and crunching guitars Avril weaves a tapestry of clever lyrics and melodies that feels like the opening of a diary.
By the end of the last century Grunge had been appropriated by the machine and blackmailed into becoming Pop. Many bands caved to the pressure from the risk of losing record deals they had worked so hard to sign. In the midst of this loss was the origin of many bands and a new era for an artist like Avril. The heaviness and heart wrenching of the previous decade left the public with a desire to be uplifted by music, and her brand of rock offers a more lighthearted approach.
Everyone is familiar with lead single “My Happy Ending” with a well produced post millennium radio sound. The chorus is catchy and memorable with a fun upbeat melody. The entire album is a top shelf effort but a few tracks really stand out from the rest. “Together” and “Forgotten” both share a feeling of urgency with hooks that elevate the listener to an intense level of passion. Musically and visually the video for "He Wasn't" harnessed a true sense of playfulness and mischief and is my favorite of the three that were released. "Don't Tell Me" also stands out with a heartfelt and empowering video. Remnants of Grunge can be felt in the wall of sound guitars and wide dynamic shifts throughout. The album artwork sets a perfect mood for the listening experience and includes a fold out poster that fans can hang up.
To be so beautiful, so tough, have such a fantastic voice, and a true talent for songwriting is a winning combination. Love lost may or may not be a prerequisite for enjoyment of this album, and wishing it had been Avril might be part of the charm! Whatever inspires you to take a listen, be sure to turn it up loud!
Vocals, Guitar Guitars Bass Drums Percussion Strings Piano Viola Cello |
AVRIL LAVIGNE PHIL X JASON LADER BILL LEFLER BRIAN GARCIA RAINE MAIDA CHANTAL KREVIAZUK ALMA FERNANDEZ VICTOR LAWRENCE |
01 Take Me Away 02 Together 03 Don't Tell Me 04 He Wasn't 05 How Does It Feel 06 My Happy Ending 07 Nobody's Home 08 Forgotten 09 Who Knows 10 Fall to Pieces 11 Freak Out 12 Slipped Away |