Of the album’s four producers, Luke’s mixes are the more interesting and experimental, however they frequently suck the life out of what are essentially rock n’ roll tracks- this may be great for selling a melody but does little to exploit the natural energy created by well-conceived songwriting and Lavigne’s expressive, if not particularly skilful, vocals. Luke Gottwald, better known as the architect of Kelly Clarkson’s smash singles ‘Since U Been Gone’ and ‘Behind These Hazel Eyes.’ Luke’s production is distinctive in that it emphasises synthetic sounds over live instruments, merging electronic beats with live drum tracks (provided by Blink-182’s Travis Barker, Sum 41’s Stevo and session maestro/Vandal Josh Freese) with mixed results. ‘Girlfriend’ is one of six tracks on the album to feature the writing and production talents of Dr. One parent, writing on, states, “I have already informed she will not be allowed to buy this latest CD… having seen the video and heard "Girlfriend" several times, I am less than impressed with the message Avril is sending out to impressionable, insecure young girls everywhere.” Even the usually liberal Washington Post had trouble with the subject matter, noting, “ the worst thing here, a nasty and regrettable slice of anti-sisterliness.” The latter is at least right about something: ‘Girlfriend’ is the worst cut on offer, but precisely because it’s so over-the-top and satirical, using annoying buzz phrases like “she’s, like, so whatever,” the kind of thing only people who’ve lived outside of popular culture for a number of years would say. Although the irony seems to be lain on with all the subtlety of Tara Reid’s plastic surgeon, it’s clearly not thick enough for some. Just what it is, and just how well she does it, may be up for debate, but it’s fairly clear she’s not being entirely serious.Īt least, it would seem to be clear. As if to drive the point home, the track’s pounding beat and hook are clearly inspired by cheerleader anthem ‘Mickey,’ originally performed by Wayne Campbell, so anybody even slightly familiar with Avril’s rocker-chick persona should be privy to the marked contrast on display: she’s parodying something.
‘Girlfriend’ is a bitterly facetious slice of punky pop in which Avril plays the part of that spiteful bitch who steals everybody else’s boyfriend just because she can, because “I can do it better,” whatever “it” may be. ‘Girlfriend’ is the lead single and opening track from Avril Lavigne’s third album The Best Damn Thing, the follow-up to the psycho depressive teen from hell soundtrack that was 2004’s Under My Skin.
Review Summary: The fact that she doesn’t try to make every track downbeat and super-personal makes The Best Damn Thing one of the more emotionally honest albums of the year.Īsk John Lennon, he knows.
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