Music Review: Let Go
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that the record has no overtly sexual
material or challenging language, and is appropriate for tweens
and up. Kids believe Lavigne is a real individual and, as such,
for parents, she's a pretty safe idol.
Families can talk about how Avril Lavigne arrived on the music
scene as "the anti-Britney Spears" -- a girl who doesn't bare
her body to be heard and who hangs around the skater crowd and
thinks for herself. Does her individualism and realness sell
records as well as follow-the-crowd sexuality? Is it a nice
relief not to always be dwelling on sexual matters?
The marketing of Avril Lavigne's debut LET GO album pushed her as the opposite of the Britney Spears/Christina Aguilera MTV teen pop movement, and there was a built-in audience of disaffected kids just waiting for this record. Billed as a 17-year-old rebellious songwriting prodigy, Lavigne is much more bark than bite. There are lots of typical "lonely teen in love" lyrics, but with a bit more guitar. Lavigne's approach makes sense as she was starting to write music when singers like Alanis Morissette were peaking. Only the songs Lavigne writes are much less biting (there nothing close to Morissette's infamous driving-nails-into-a-man's-back lyrics from "You Oughta Know"). That may change as Lavigne gets more songwriting -- and life -- experience.
In truth, Lavigne has to be considered a godsend for so many parents. While she's billed as a strong personality who plays guitar and writes songs instead of flaunting her looks, there's a bit of sexual wordplay in "Things I'll Never Say," when Lavigne says "I'd say I want to blow you...AWAY." There's one drug reference, in the song "Too Much to Ask" but it's in an anti-pot context. "'It's funny when you think it's gonna work out/Till you chose weed over me, you're so lame." The song title "Naked" refers to emotions being stripped away. All and all, it's a positive message.Lavigne does have talent. A mediocre singer and guitarist so far, she nevertheless has very solid songwriting chops for someone so young.
PinkKelly Clarkson
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