Avril Lavigne: A Confusing Mix of Skulls and Pink

Lately, Avril Lavigne has been buzzing around again with the release of her new album The Best Damn Thing. She's released a new single called Girlfriend, which by pop music standards really apply. She got married to the perfect punk-rock leadman Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 in the most elaborate of wedding ceremonies in California. She actually wore white, not pink.

Now, back from her marriage hiatus, Avril Lavigne forces down that Canadian voice to be the breadwinner between the couple (sorry Deryck but your band sucks).

Let's talk about a few things:

1. Her new album: I don't want to be a baby about these things, but life really hasn't been complicated for Avril. Her new album, which is aptly named "The Best Damn Thing" probably won't be. I haven't heard it, yet I don't have my doubts that it will be better than Let Go or that other one. With song titles like Hot or One of Those Girls, I'm sure Avril has brought teenage angst to an artform. Well, to a really shitty artform. Like one of those weird paintings that you have to put your nose up to see it. Hidden images. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

2. Her new single: Um. What happened? Where is that angsty girl who fucks up the displays in shopping malls? Where is the tie-wearing, eye makeup-smudging, crazy sk8er-boi loving teenager from five years ago? Did she finally grow up to play those kinky, half-dressed pop stars she so desperately tried to dispell? The song...is not so bad. The lyrics, of course, are in the style that Avril Lavigne has enjoyed writing since her first album: bad. Easy rhyming schemes and catchy melodies, it's basically the formula for a hit. However, this isn't some normal hit song. This is the song the cheerleading squad will use for their next big championship. This is the song for girls who are bored and want to dance like an idiot in their room. This is the song at the Roller Rink (if there are any left) that plays during birthday parties for 12-year-olds. No matter how old Avril gets, her fans seem to get younger.

3. Her new music video: Well, she likes pink and she likes skulls. That's basic when you watch the video. What's also prevalent is her tiny plaid skirt dawned with a pink wifebeater and back-up dancers. She makes fun of the girls who are bimbos (yet again) to try and get the sk8er-guy (not boi). Why does this all sound so similiar? Perhaps it was the same premise as in Sk8er Boi except it's not a skater. It's some dude who probably smokes up in his room and plays a mean guitar when he's baked or some variation. But you're in love and you hate his damned stoner girlfriend for providing him with the weed. If only he could quit drugs and fall so head-over-heels in love with you. Boo. Hoo.

Well, at least this time she's got sex appeal? I'm not even sure about that either. What I'm definitely sure of is that Avril Lavigne leans towards the hip and popular rather than the uncool and the people who hang out by the pretzel stand at the mall. You're so complicated! Ugh!