Avril Lavigne Goes Back to Her Roots On New Album

Avril Lavigne is back with her self-titled fifth album and it is a return to form of sorts. Lavigne released three stellar albums before releasing her worst work yet, 2011's Goodbye Lullaby. The pop rock princess abandoned her loud rocking anthems almost entirely and had an acoustic sound on that record. While there were a few great songs the only truly amazing cut was the single "What the Hell" which may be one of Lavigne's best songs ever.
Then in April of this year Lavigne released her comeback single "Here's to Never Growing Up." While it was a decent song, it lacked the spark of past hits. It later became a decent hit for the singer.
Then in August Lavigne released her second single "Rock n Roll." This song was a return to form for the singer and set the stage for her fifth album, out last week.
While at first I was turned off by the fact that Lavigne's husband, Nickelback singer Chad Kroeger was responsible for co-writing eight songs, producing six and being featured on the third single "Let Me Go." Kroeger also sings backup on a few tracks. However this is one of Lavigne's most enjoyable releases. It's her second best after 2007's masterpiece The Best Damn Thing.
The album's best songs are the rockers. "Rock n Roll" is an anthem for misfits everywhere. "17" features Lavigne reliving her teenage years. "Bitchin' Summer" is an ode to summer fun. "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" is a fast-paced rocker about falling in love. And the album's two best songs are "Bad Girl" which features Marilyn Manson and is a dirty and strange duet and "Hello Kitty" which is a strange dubstep-laced song that is overtly sexual and pure fun.
The album's midtempo cuts are also good for the most part. "Here's to Never Growing Up" wasn't my favorite at first but it's definitely a decent song. "Sippin' on Sunshine" is a midtempo song about summer loving. "Hello Heartache" is also one of the album's best songs. It's a midtempo rocker about moving on from a breakup which recalls a slow jam off of Ke$ha's last album.
Now comes the album's ballads. "Let Me Go" which is a duet with Chad Kroeger and the third single is a great ballad and despite Lavigne's duet partner it's surprisingly good. "Give You What You Like" however is a weird sexual ballad. It doesn't work and is probably the worst song on the record. The album closes with two forgettable ballads. "Falling Fast" is a decent but forgettable song about falling in love and taking a chance. Next is the album's last track "Hush Hush." This song is decent but it's been done by Lavigne many other times and the others were usually more memorable.
Lavigne has surprised us with one of the best pop albums of the year. With releases coming from Lady Gaga and Britney Spears in the coming weeks she may be undone but for now Avril Lavigne is up there was being one of the best pop releases this year. Lavigne has proven herself with this album. She has proved that even after a bad album she can come back and is one of pop's princesses. 

 

Falling In Reverse Get Good

Falling In Reverse released their debut album The Drug in Me Is You in 2011. While those of you who read this blog know my feelings on that album, I'll make it short. There was only one good song ("Goodbye Graceful") and the rest were shitty and sing songy messes with self-centered lyrics and a similar sound to the entire disc.
Then in May the band announced their sophomore album Fashionably Late. It was preceded by the single "Alone" which at first I didn't like. The single grew on me and the second single and title track blew me away.
The album, out last month is far from perfect but it is a thousand times better than their debut. From the electro/rap/rock/metal of "Alone" to the catchy and heavy "Rolling Stone," the album is fun and catchy. Whether channeling Andrew W.K. ("Fuck The Rest") or Katy Perry ("Bad Girls Club") frontman Ronnie Radke can do it all. He gets heavy on tracks like "Champion" and "Self-Destruct Personality," Radke steps outside the box a lot on this record. From the hip-hop inspired "It's Over When It's Over" to the video game sampling "Game Over" Radke and co. have really stepped up their game. 
The album's best song is the poppy "Bad Girls Club" which sounds is part Katy Perry, party Avril Lavigne and part amazing. The song has heavy synths and a cheerleader breakdown. This song could get the band a huge hit. Radke even uses the song to speak out about his legal troubles.
"She called the cops and made it seem like I was mean/ She's not your average lady, She is fucking crazy/ Spelled C U N T," Radke sings before the chorus.
The album ends on a bad note however. The closing ballads are wishy washy. The piano-filled soft rock "Keep Holding On" and the country inspired "Drifter" are stupid. However the rest of the album is actually good. This album shows that Radke has come a long way after parting ways with Escape The Fate. This album may not be the best album of the year, but it is the album that shows the most improvement and straight up balls.

Gin Wigmore Shines On New Album

Gin Wigmore, New Zealand's answer to Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy, released her sophomore album Gravel & Wine in her homeland in November 2011. The album was hugely successful there leading it to be released in the United States this month.
The album is a mix of bluesy, folk rock with an alternative rock and pop edge. The songs range from faster, sassy songs to ballads. Wigmore's voice is what part of what makes her so great. It's soulful, yet full of blues.
Her songwriting is another part of what makes her sophomore album so great. "I got lots of jealous lovers that all wish they had me back/ Got a pistol for a mouth, my own mama gave me that/ Making my own road out of gravel and some wine/ And if I have to fall then it won't be in your line," Wigmore sings during the first verse of the album's second single and best song, "Black Sheep." The soulful, rocker recalls Amy Winehouse's sassiest moments.
Other album highlights include "Devil in Me," a rollicking song about a lover who brings out Wigmore's bad side and "If Only" which has 50s soul influences and wouldn't be out of place on Gabriella Cilmi's debut. "Man Like That" and the bonus track "Don't Stop" are both faster songs, the latter being the album's cute love song.
The slow jams like "Saturday Smile" and "Moving on to Gone" are emotional and Wigmore's lyrics and vocals truly make you feel what she is singing about. "Dirty Love" wouldn't be out of place in a James Bond film and "Sweet Hell" is a duet with Butch Walker who produced the whole album. Walker is known for his productions for P!nk, Avril Lavigne and Fall Out Boy, this album shows he is versatile as a producer. "Happily Ever After" sounds like a mix of P!nk's "Please Don't Leave Me" and "Halo" by Beyoncé.
This album is a great way for Wigmore to be introduced to American audiences who missed out on her debut. Hopefully her greatness is realized, yet in a world where dubstep breakdowns make hits, that isn't likely. Wigmore will be playing the entire Vans Warped Tour this summer.

Avril Lavigne Releases Childish New Single

Avril Lavigne has never been one to have mature lyrics, but that is the appeal about her. Lavigne's first two albums contained breakup songs that while being shittily written, were catchy and relatable. Then on her third album The Best Damn Thing, Lavigne adopted a more pop-punk sound and released her best album. The fun ended after that and she released her last album, Goodbye Lullaby. The album had a more acoustic sound and while the singles "What The Hell" and "Smile" were more classic, punky Avril, the album went nowhere.
Then Lavigne started to date Nickleback front man Chad Kroeger and recording her fifth studio album. This week Lavigne released the first single from that as-yet-untitled album called "Here's to Never Growing Up." The song is co-written by Kroeger and Boys Like Girls singer Martin Johnson.
The song is a thumping, acoustic guitar-filled pop song about drinking and loving life. The song is catchy, but it doesn't sound like a song Lavigne would usually sing. The lyrics are also a rough point for the song. "I got a bottle of whatever, but it's getting us drunk/ Singing here's to never growing up," Lavigne sings during the chorus.
While the single isn't perfect, it is catchy. However as a 28-year-old, engaged woman Lavigne should be writing better, more mature songs than this. Hopefully the rest of the album is more fun.