Complicated

by

Avril Lavigne

Edit

I don't understand why people can be so stupid-the fact is Avril's a talented musician-and judging her by her clothing and personality is a real insult to good music and the people who create it.

First off, I'd like to clarify one thing. Perhaps track is The Matrix Mix, perhaps it's not. All I know is that on the disc it says Tom-Lord Alge Mix and on the inserts it says Matrix Mix and that it sounds the same as the standard version of Complicated.

I DON'T GIVE is an excellent rocker that is better for its music than for its lyrics, although it is overall a great song. WHY is just the opposite, the situation she sings of in Why is one in which she definitely does "give", and it is also a laid back, acoustic song which sounds almost like it was done live. Her vocals are excellent on both tracks.

Also, please note that the COMPLICATED video is here, and it is much more clear and better-sounding than on the standard US enhanced CD album that has it. It's also its own program that doesn't need to be installed. You can watch it full-screen or in a box surrounded by the blue picture of Avril on the cover.

If you're an Avril Lavigne fan or know someone who is, get this CD, it is essential to all Avril fans and, before you know it, will be a cherished rarity.

Avril Lavigne's success has less to do with artistic merit and more to do with clever marketing and product positioning. Grab a guitar, pretend you're punk, and--presto!--you're Britney for the Urban Outfitters crowd. This may win over preteen, indiscriminate listeners, but mature and sophisticated adults who prefer nuanced and well-crafted pop won't buy it. I'm not necessarily hating on Ms. Lavigne, but, rather, the diabolical hype machine that's desperately trying to save the floundering recording industry by releasing shallow "music" like this. So, the final verdict? This single is a bust.