Under My Skin [Special Tour Edition CD + DVD]

Avril Lavigne

This Special Tour Edition version includes a bonus DVD featuring behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, live performances and promo videos. Under My Skin, the second album from Avril Lavigne, doesn't stray too far from the formula that made her debut, Let Go, a multi-million seller. Acoustic guitars bolstered by rock riffs in the chorus and sing-along vocals for angst-ridden teens confirm Lavigne's reputation as Alanis Morrisette's mini-me.

Although similar in style to her debut, it is clear that Lavigne has matured greatly as a singer and in some cases, songwriter. Lead single "Don't Tell Me" may not have the instant appeal of "Complicated" but has a greater depth and just gets better with every listen. Opening song "Take Me Away" sets the style for much of Under My Skin--sounding like Stiltskin's "Inside", it's a grandly over-produced power ballad by numbers. However, with 80s rock still on the rise and no-one new out there doing it nearly this well, it can only be a good thing. "He Wasn't" and "I Always Get What I Want" break the mould of the album and are high-energy pop-punk of the highest order, the latter an obvious standout--one would imagine it'll become a huge live favourite.

It may not be anything new, exciting or different but Under My Skin is so well written and executed it'll undoubtedly propel Avril Lavigne into a whole new stratosphere of rock stardom. --David Trueman