Let Go

"Let Go" was quite a piece of work for a 17 year old kid. Don't know (or care) how Avril has amassed such a large group of "haters". As someone who was around when punk first came to be and was an active player on the Boston punk scene, I'd remind all those ranting about "fake punk", etc, should keep in mind that Johnny Rotten & crew (and most other "real punks" of the era) were, JUST LIKE AVRIL, middle-class kids from the 'burbs who were largely "acting out". I can't attest to Ms. Lavigne's "sk8er" cred, but as a professional musician, I can attest to the high quality of the songwriting and musical performances on this cd. Did she get assitence from "The Matrix" crew? Undoubtedly - as did EVERY OTHER ACT they produced. Having seen her perform, I have to agree that she sometimes has trouble w/ pitch, her voice is a bit thin, & it appears her guitar playing skills are quite limited (although contrary to one mis-informed reviewer, there is indeed a G chord in "Complicated") - but many singer-songwriters can't do much more than strum chords. All I can say to all the "haters" out there is I'd love to hear what you could come up with at 17 years old - I've spent literally years in the studio, as both a "hired gun" and recording my own material, and I'd be ecstatic if the results were half as good as this album. Hell, if I could write just one song as good as "Complicated", I'd be a happy man. Any of you ranting about her inability to sing/write/play ever actually been in a studio? I thought not. Were any of you there in the studio when "Let Go" was recorded to verify the claims you make re: her not writing any of the material, etc? Again, I thought not.

This album, in my opinion, is Avril Lavigne's best. There's just an honesty to it, in her voice and her lyrics, that made me respect her right off. Every song is good, there won't be many you skip over. I would recommend this album over her latest, hands down.

1. Losing Grip -starts out with a mellow guitar, and a rocking chorus. This song is about loosing your cool over someone you once had feelings for and then in the long run realizing "why should I care, you weren't there when i was scared" as she puts it.

2. Complicated -Avril Lavignes very first radio hit. A very refreshing change of pace in the mainstream when it first came out, compared to all of the robotic sounding pop. The song is about her recommending not to pretend to be someone you're not. Great chorus.

3. Sk8er Boi -This is one of her punk-pop songs. A spunky beat and good lyrics that tell a story. The story is about a boy who had feelings for a girl who rejected him because he was unpopular, but who grows up to be a superstar making her regret her decision not to date him. Very neat idea for a song.

4. I'm With You -This was also one of her radio hits. It's a slow song accompinied by a beautiful violin in the background. Lyrics about not knowing who your true love yet is, but your heart goes out to them anyway. About time someone wrote a song about what we are all feeling these days.

5. Mobile -Mobile really grows on you, and when it does, it demands to be a song you put on repeat. Not one Avril is very well known for, but in my opinion, makes a real gem on the CD. Rapid acoustic guitar, with lyrics about change and new beginnings. Excellent.

6. Unwanted -Out of all the songs on this CD, Unwanted is probably the song that didnt stick out to me the most. It's another moody song about feeling ignored and abandoned, unwanted, henc the title. Avril really shows off the strength and emotion in her voice on this track though.

7. Tomorrow -A sweet little acoustic ballad, with lyrics that could pretty much be interpretated as several different things. The song sort of suggests putting off believing someone until tomorrow, and not being ready for change. Avril's voice is very light on this one and just shines. Fun and simple song to sing along to.

8. Anything But Ordinary -As the CD continues, Avril's impressive lyrics remain consistent. Again, this is another song with a promising chorus. A song you can relate to: Is it enough to love? Is it enough to breathe? Somebody rip my heart out and leave me here to bleed. Avril sings about deep emotions we have all experienced one time or another in our confusing lives.

9. Things I'll Never Say -This song is very cheery and upbeat, but the lyrics are somewhat of a suprise. (although im not saying the song doesn't fit the beat because it still does) It's about having feelings for someone and wanting to be spontaneous enough to say a bunch of things to them but not working up the guts to do it. Beautiful song.

10. My World - I like songs like this. A song that just tells it like it is. A little bio of Avril's life growing up. Cutting grass for cash, and braiding her hair on bored days, Avril tells the story of what it was like growing up in her small town. It's also and upbeat and pop sounding song with a catchy chorus.

11. Nobody's Fool -A head nodder. Very entertaining to sing along to. You might say Avril takes her chance at doing a little rap in this song, because it flows together in a mellow beginning as the melody flows together very well. The title says it all, it's about not being anyones fool, and not letting people run all over you. Unique lyrics to it also.

12. Too Much To Ask -This is a slow song, about Avril wanting to cheer someone up but they will not let her. Something we may have all gone through with friends at one time or another.

13. Naked -This is happy song for a change on the CD. Not too fast, not too slow, but kind of a mellow song. Its a pretty little tune about feeling free around someone and how good it feels for her.

Overall, people give Avril a lot of crap due to the whole "she said she was punk rock and she isnt!" thing. All of that aside though and judging her soley on her music credibility, this was a very good CD coming from her at such a young age. Also, depsite her age, it was just a great CD. It's very fun to sing along to, and one I still manage to find in my CD player years later, no matter what anyone else says.

This is like one of the best CD I bought!! Its awesome! It isn't really, really good, but it made me listen to it at least two songs a day, I got addicted to it. You will only like this Cd if you like Avril Lavigne, and she friggin rocks!!!

Before purchasing "Let Go," I actually had bought "Under My Skin," which I thought was a stunning album. With "Let Go," although not as good as her sophomore release, Avril still meets her audience's needs with a great collection of rock/pop hooks that are sure to be stuck in your head. Each song has it's own unique style, my personal favorite being "Anything But Ordinary," which has such a great melody! It's very fun and upbeat, as are most of the songs, with the exception of "Tomorrow," a very unique song with a haunting melody.

Some standouts on this album include "Anything But Ordinary," "Naked," "Complicated," "Loosing Grip," and "Unwanted," and "Sk8er Boi," just to name a few. Avril belts out several tunes, and all of the songs were written by her... showing her wonderful musicianship. She also plays the guitar... and can sing very well (obviously).

Of course, this album isn't perfect. Some of the songs can teeter on the edge of boring and monotonous, and although "Tomorrow" is very unique, it is very forgetabble. "Nobody's Fool" and "My World" are also pretty good songs, although they are also forgetabble and can linger on the verge of becoming boring, with their monotonous choruses.

All in all, despite some cons, Avril Lavigne has landed in the music industry with a great debut filled with some great songs with some great messages. And although some songs are weaker than others, "Let Go" shows Avril's talents very well... from her singing... to her songwriting... and to her musicianship. She is truly a star.