Unfortunately I have been without internet access for the past couple of days, so here is the first of 3 reviews.

Album-Let Go

Artist- Avril Lavigne

Released way back in 2003, this was the debut album that introduced Avril Lavigne to the world and made her a star. And with over 17 million copies sold worldwide, many people thought this was a great album. But is it? Here are my thoughts:

Track 1- Losing Grip

This is one of the most rock influenced tracks on the album and seemingly bathes itself in melodrama. Indeed if she released this as a first single many might not have jumped on the Avril bandwagon. But with powerhouse vocals in the chorus and delicate verses, this does give a nice opening to the album, as well as indicating that Lavigne is a diverse artist.

3/5

Track 2 – Complicated

The first single off the album is quite different to the opening track in that here pop seems to be slightly more embraced rather than rock. And this was the perfect song for Lavigne to gain tween fans. But rather than being merely a calculated ploy to gain an audience, this songs release is also probably simply because this is a great song. With a simple yet effective sing along chorus and a psyche that taps into the mind of many people across the world, I can’t believe that anyone hasn’t had this playing full blast in the car, belting along with Avril.

4.5/5

Track 3- Sk8er Boi

Lavigne ups the tempo on this head banging track that for me was one of the songs that defined my youth. With simple lyrics that easily get stuck in your head, if I one out there wants to call this there jam, I can totally see why. Bedroom dancing song!!!!!!

4/5

Track 4- I’m With You

The first proper ballad of the album, this is one of the best songs on “Let Go” in that it shows a mature side to Avril and helped her to gain a wider audience. With her voice doing the talking, this is a serious track that showed this was a serious artist. And more than that, it showed that she was human, and that we could empathise with her. Just wish it hadn’t been tainted by Rihanna sampling it, that’s what you call unnecessary.

5/5

Track 5- Mobile

A more up tempo track than the last song, this is nicely led by simple guitar and drum instrumentation throughout and reflects the simple message of the song. But for once Lavigne doesn’t feel totally invested in the song, with the chorus lacking the passion vocally. And this is weird after the track arrives in the wake of I’m With You. So maybe this should have been kept off the record, or added as a simple bonus track.

2.5/5

Track 6- Unwanted

This highly rock tinged track is great in terms of the way in which Lavigne conveys the song. The slow, long notes held in the verses contrast brilliantly with the fast paced, stop and start nature of the chorus, and this truly does show the idea that she is indeed unwanted. And this is definitely what’s great about Lavigne, in that the majority of her songs convey her message not just lyrically but in the way the songs are composed as a whole.

3.5/5

Track 7- Tomorrow

This is a chilled out track that is nothing special but is great to just sit and listen to, especially if you are thinking about your partner. And it’s great for a bit of contrast, showing that Lavigne is a hard rock chick but is also a chilled out, delicate human being.

3.5/5

Track 8- Anything But Ordinary

The original album title, this track is gorgeous because it focuses upon the uniqueness of the not only Lavigne but of everyone. In a simple way, Lavigne creates an empowering song that shows that we should embrace the weirdness of ourselves, as this is the best part. And this really hits home in the chorus, with the lyrics being uplifted by a powerful vocal. And indeed we also get a sense of the artist here, with the more subtly sung verses contrasting with the chorus and suggesting that like all of us Lavigne is just human, struggling with who she is.

4/5

Track 9- Things I’ll Never Say

A little more acoustic than the previous track, this is a nice little song that wouldn’t be out of place perhaps in a romantic comedy (not something you would probably associate with Lavigne). And Lavigne plays it good by not overpowering the song with her voice, letting the melody and lyrics do all the talking to her listeners.

3.5/5

Track 10- My World

Were still on an acoustic setting within this song and this is great in that it truly does reflect the idea that Lavigne is in her own world, and we seem to join in with her. It’s not epic and can be seen as a bit samey as the last track but it’s still lyrically smart and effortlessly cool.

3/5

Track 11- Nobody’s Fool

Its songs like this that show you artists like Kesha are not that innovative when it comes to music. This is because Lavigne employs the talk sing rap style that Kesha is so well known for effortlessly on this track, and this contrasts great with the breeziness of the chorus.

3.5/5

Track 12- Too Much Too Ask

This is definitely the worst track on the album and for me was so bad that I had to actually just stop listening halfway through and skip to the next track. And that’s why this is all I have to say about this song which feels sad after Lavigne has already proven how great she is.

0/5

Track 13- Naked

This is a track that is in the same vein as the former track and in this sense is as equally bad. The only thing that saves this song just a little bit is Lavigne’s vocal performance, in which the delicacy of her tone truly does reflect the idea that she is indeed naked, not just in body but in soul. Apart from that it’s just another filler track, and a poor end to the album.

1.5/5

Final Review

This was a great album that deserved all the success it got and should still be remembered. Unfortunately it is just marred by a few tracks that make the album feel like it has been rushed, despite the fact it was actually a long labour of love for Lavigne. But it is strong and cements her as a strong artist.