Avril Lavigne - Under My Skin

- LIVE GALLERY: Avril and Tweak onstage in Cape Town

- PREVIOUS GALLERY: studio pictures of Avril

- WIN your own copy of Under My Skin (special edition)

Avril's back, 19-years-old, with a re-release of Under My Skin, an album that's already spawned stacks of hit singles. It's packed with predictable but catchy punk pop songs

Like any good suburban rock star, Avril isn't shy to feel self pity. Lyrics like "I don't think you understand / 'cause no one understands" are groanfully annoying, a little bit bland, and completely humourless, though quirky lines like "This is when I start to bite my nails / and clean my room when all else fails" do provide some relief.

But what the hell, the tune her naive words are set to is so catchy, who's going to care? Not her millions of fans. And rightly so because despite its maudlin themes, Avril's music is still fun, and it's also welcome proof that punk-flavoured rock can compete on the pop charts.

This Special Edition release, now hitting the shelves to coincide with her tour of SA, includes some really cool goodies for fans. There's a bonus DVD with a mini-documentary, and four music videos that feature Avril in many cute outfits doing amusing things, including dancing around in her underwear in her bedroom, throwing things at mirrors, and performing prettily. There's also a double sided, fold out, mini-poster to stick to your computer box with tick tack. Even if you're not a fan, the DVD is watchable - no prizes for guessing why.

Yep, she's cute, and she's talented. She has grown up a little, but she hasn't forgotten how to throw her toys, and we're not tired of watching her do it.

- Jean Barker

WHAT OTHER CRITICS SAID

"...whiney vocals and trite lyrics imply that madam is merely having a strop rather than wearing the hair shirt of Alanis Morrissette-style suffering."
- Annabel Leathes for BBC.co.uk

Under My Skin is a good, if slightly disappointing, follow-up that will undoubtedly sell a gazillion copies regardless of anything I may say.
- Tim O'Neil from Pop Matters