Goodbye Lullaby
by Avril Lavigne
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Mar 8, 2011
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 291 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 230 out of 291
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 291
  3. Negative: 18 out of 291
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  1. Kleiton
    Jun 18, 2012
    10
    Simple, small and emotional, but there's no deep feeling as it seem to have.
    Anyway, it's a great album full of amazing songs. Only it's not her best moment.
  2. vini1904
    Nov 1, 2011
    8
    As a confession, Goodbye Lullaby, moves us from start to finish, with some exceptions more commercial. The ballads can mess with our inner ears and make us vibrate, perhaps not with the same intensity or I'm With You Nobody's Home, in the general context is a great album, no better than their previous, but good.
  3. FabioDelRio
    Dec 16, 2012
    9
    Lavigne's decision to grow up on this record was misunderstood by many. This is a record that, differently form her previous efforts, has its own moments, and it's made of of these moments. She is happy, she is in love, she is sad, she is commercial, she is letting go. This should be called "The Diary of Avril Lavigne", she just gets so sincere and so personal in here, and many peopleLavigne's decision to grow up on this record was misunderstood by many. This is a record that, differently form her previous efforts, has its own moments, and it's made of of these moments. She is happy, she is in love, she is sad, she is commercial, she is letting go. This should be called "The Diary of Avril Lavigne", she just gets so sincere and so personal in here, and many people weren't able to get this. Avril has already opened herself up on another record (Under My Skin ages), but that was an aggressive side of hers, this time, she's just sweeter than ever, showing herself off just like she did on her sophomore effort, but this time, with something called "vulnerability". Avril's tracks on this record sound all acoustic, except for the commercial-intended lead single "What The Hell" and the happiness anthem "Smile", which is, probably, the best track on the album, and this may sound a little strange for older fans, and some track may sound a little mellow, as happened with "I Love You", but some come out as really awesome and emotional songs, like "Wish You Were Here". "Stop Standing There" is an acoustic, fast and funny track that I felt that was missing on this record, it comes as the second best track for me, and "Goodbye" is just a perfect poem that was made into music. Not really amazing as a song, but really interesting on its lyrics. "Not Enough", "Everybody Hurts", "Remember When", "Darlin", "Push" and "4 Real" are nice tracks, but below the level of "Smile", "What The Hell", "Wish You Were Here" and "Stop Standing There". So, enjoy your moments, enjoy the album's moments, and get inside the deepest part of Avril Lavigne.… Expand
  4. Mangaeyes
    Feb 27, 2016
    6
    6/10 - "Whether Goodbye Lullaby was all a tad over thought, or whether she's just holding back, the finished product falls significantly short of Avril Lavigne's own capabilities" - BBC Music
  5. magesto
    Apr 14, 2011
    10
    Avril Lavigne is authentic in her album's, and goodbye lullaby is a mature process of her career, she back to her old times with this album, this is not a funny album, is more emotional, deeper, is Avril in the best essence, finally one album where the electropop not appears! Thanks God!
  6. OfficialCarlo
    Apr 2, 2011
    8
    To be honest, I was moved on how emotional the tracks on the record. The only problem is "What the Hell" was chosen as the lead single which does not represent the record. I was even happy that it does not sound "What the Hell" because it will just be a repeat of her 2007-hit album. You just can't find if it sounds good or not because its really emotional with her voice, the piano, andTo be honest, I was moved on how emotional the tracks on the record. The only problem is "What the Hell" was chosen as the lead single which does not represent the record. I was even happy that it does not sound "What the Hell" because it will just be a repeat of her 2007-hit album. You just can't find if it sounds good or not because its really emotional with her voice, the piano, and acoustic guitar. It's not boring but it's not just the trend today.… Expand
  7. Mihai77
    May 20, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 10.0 A perfect return for Avril.Goodbye Lullaby have a acoustic sound with a power pop and punk genre.Love Everybody Hurt,Smile,Not Enough,Goodbye and Darlin… Expand
  8. ioseph
    Nov 3, 2011
    10
    I can't get enough of it, I just kept listen to it and I wish people could see the real feelings in this and see how great artist she is, the vocals in this record are just unbelievable and the songs she wrote on her own are so good, she still got it. It is helpful to know you have 4 records to listen and feel something different with each record.
  9. JeremyGazitsang
    Mar 8, 2011
    10
    Good Album, but a little too dull in the middle, anyway it's still a gd album and she finally put her own feelings in the album, well done, Avril!! Keep Going, this is ur best album!!~
  10. KendylKlownfish
    Mar 8, 2011
    3
    Pop punk princess Lavigne has enchanting vocal chords and breathtaking talent, but throughout Goodbye Lullaby, there's a notorious struggle. The most simple critique is that all of her tracks sound the same. None of them "spark". But the greater problem is how real the tracks are. Lavigne constantly bragged about how "acoustic" Goodbye Lullaby was going to be. However, her lead single,Pop punk princess Lavigne has enchanting vocal chords and breathtaking talent, but throughout Goodbye Lullaby, there's a notorious struggle. The most simple critique is that all of her tracks sound the same. None of them "spark". But the greater problem is how real the tracks are. Lavigne constantly bragged about how "acoustic" Goodbye Lullaby was going to be. However, her lead single, "What The Hell", is nearly a complete clone of her lead single from her predecessor, The Best Damn Thing. The lyrics are merely shuffled and have no connection with the rest of Goodbye Lullaby. The finale track, "Goodbye", is the the only highlight, featuring Lavigne's angelic vocals accompanied by Evanescence-style piano and strings. But it's a mere sparkle, and cannot shine any light on this rainy parade.

    I'll always respect Lavigne as an artist, and I hope that she'll eventually find her "true self". But Goodbye Lullaby is conflicted between sounding mainstream and alternative. I'd prefer Lavigne to find her old roots, and possibly express them in a newer way. But Goodbye Lullaby is the "same ol', same ol'".    … Expand
  11. mike17
    Mar 12, 2011
    10
    Avril lavigne has her best album so far! I've been a fan of hers since 2002 and I've always loved all of her albums but this one is simply the best... a MUST buy! you're gonna love it for sure
  12. Martim_Durao
    Mar 13, 2011
    9
    Is is a good comeback album after 4 years. People may expect a much different approach, it is not. It is a continuity and growth process keeping her soul, emotional and a bit less troubled voice. She is growing. When hearing her, i still feel that she has a lot to be said. She sounds less angry, comes with the age... but continues to sound as mellow as before. Very nicely produced and aIs is a good comeback album after 4 years. People may expect a much different approach, it is not. It is a continuity and growth process keeping her soul, emotional and a bit less troubled voice. She is growing. When hearing her, i still feel that she has a lot to be said. She sounds less angry, comes with the age... but continues to sound as mellow as before. Very nicely produced and a very good sound engineering.… Expand
  13. felony
    Mar 27, 2011
    10
    AMAZING album.

    and different to what music is now, she took a risk and we should appreciate that. 'cause she even fight against her record label and they finally release it after 2 years! I really hope she can smash with this album as she has done with her previous ones. 'What the Hell' and 'Smile' are good singles that can fit on today's music but real talent is shown on the rest of    AMAZING album.

    and different to what music is now, she took a risk and we should appreciate that. 'cause she even fight against her record label and they finally release it after 2 years! I really hope she can smash with this album as she has done with her previous ones.

    'What the Hell' and 'Smile' are good singles that can fit on today's music but real talent is shown on the rest of this album a very deep and good album.    … Expand
  14. coldness
    Nov 20, 2011
    10
    Great album! After being quite for some time, Avril comes back with Goodbye Lullaby. It's not that big a departure from her previous albums and style, which is a good thing. Some would expect her to grow up, but they fail to realize one important key aspect of Ms. Lavigne: she's always being herself. She doesn't release music just to appease the current trends, just pours her emotions intoGreat album! After being quite for some time, Avril comes back with Goodbye Lullaby. It's not that big a departure from her previous albums and style, which is a good thing. Some would expect her to grow up, but they fail to realize one important key aspect of Ms. Lavigne: she's always being herself. She doesn't release music just to appease the current trends, just pours her emotions into what she makes. Most of the album are about her personal relationships (most probably her recent divorce) and the anger, frustration, and disappointment that comes after a failed relationship. She speaks to a lot of us, but most of all, to herself. Songs like "What The Hell" resemble her "The Best Damn Thing". It's catchy and fun.… Collapse
  15. curdey
    Mar 8, 2011
    10
    One of the best pop albums I've heard in years - this genre of acoustic pop definitely suits Lavigne's vocal style and songwriting. A refreshing change to listen to real instrumentation and real vocals amongst the current trend of autotuned, techno dance pop. A very personal record for Lavigne, which shows in tracks like Remember When and Goodbye. Can't pick a major flaw really - loveOne of the best pop albums I've heard in years - this genre of acoustic pop definitely suits Lavigne's vocal style and songwriting. A refreshing change to listen to real instrumentation and real vocals amongst the current trend of autotuned, techno dance pop. A very personal record for Lavigne, which shows in tracks like Remember When and Goodbye. Can't pick a major flaw really - love the whole record! Highlights for me are I Love You, Not Enough, Push, Stop Standing There and Smile.… Expand
  16. kalinikina
    Mar 15, 2011
    4
    Avril has always had a tough way of putting her words. Some of her songs just being fun, head-banging rock songs, while others expressed personal relationships with people and how she felt about their opinions. Her punkish style continues in "Goodbye Lullaby", but after two years of quiet I expected Avril to come out with a more mature rock style--after hearing "What the Hell" it isAvril has always had a tough way of putting her words. Some of her songs just being fun, head-banging rock songs, while others expressed personal relationships with people and how she felt about their opinions. Her punkish style continues in "Goodbye Lullaby", but after two years of quiet I expected Avril to come out with a more mature rock style--after hearing "What the Hell" it is obvious she is still a child. But that is not why her newest album has not been as enjoyable. I was saddened that her music was just like many other recent top hits--"What the Hell"reflects Ke$ha's party-tude, which is fun--but already done. I, personally, respected Avril for her original piano and beats. Has she lost her composing skills? I can just imagine the top-hit lyric and music writers advising her about what other past songs used to get high scores in music ratings. "Bad Reputation" has the same electric guitar-based alternative rock as the popular Ramones. Avril has gone from life and music-loving punk teen to every other fame-seeking celebrity.… Expand
  17. khutch
    Feb 16, 2013
    7
    Definitely Avril declined sharply with her ​​new album 'Goodbye Lullaby' is nothing more than childish lyrics, simple chords and little variation. But, the great voice of this little girl, makes the album stand at least bearable.
  18. afrhrhcpts
    Mar 12, 2011
    5
    Avril Lavigne is too immature to be taken seriously. She tries to sound like she is deep but the generic love lyrics here prove her to be incapable of such emotions. Even if you watch videos of her in real life you can see she is still a child. Here she sings in a very monochromatic way that makes half the songs indistinguishable from each other. The upbeat songs, particularly What theAvril Lavigne is too immature to be taken seriously. She tries to sound like she is deep but the generic love lyrics here prove her to be incapable of such emotions. Even if you watch videos of her in real life you can see she is still a child. Here she sings in a very monochromatic way that makes half the songs indistinguishable from each other. The upbeat songs, particularly What the Hell, is just a sluts anthem but she wants it to be seen as a song about personal freedom. Some of the songs are affecting but they are drowned out by the generic love pop songs and weak vocal range. Easily the weakest release of her career and until she matures I don't see her making any authentic love albums any time soon.… Expand
  19. clh_hilary
    Mar 15, 2011
    0
    Can't express how bad it is. It is as awful as watching a person falling from a building screaming WHAT THE HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELL. What the hell indeed.
  20. AndrewUltimate
    Apr 20, 2011
    6
    This is just BARELY, BARELY, BARELY, a good album. The main problem with this album is that almost all of the tracks use the same note progression (Pachelbel's Canon or whatever), which makes the all sound the same. In fact, if you had an instrumental of this album, you'd feel like every song was the same one.

    But the good things about this album are that Lavigne is more introspective    This is just BARELY, BARELY, BARELY, a good album. The main problem with this album is that almost all of the tracks use the same note progression (Pachelbel's Canon or whatever), which makes the all sound the same. In fact, if you had an instrumental of this album, you'd feel like every song was the same one.

    But the good things about this album are that Lavigne is more introspective about her life & music. "What the Hell" is like a clone of her lead single from her predecessor, but mostly the album is slow. Another highlight are the two key tracks: "Smile", & "Goodbye". "Smile" is a punky, fast, song, but it is a memorable track that is not as generic as the other melodies on this album. "Goodbye" is a huge standout, as it displays angelic vocals of Lavigne, & is arguably the most emotional song on the entire album. "Alice" whose extended version is a bonus track on this album, is also nice to listen to, as Lavigne gives an unusually powerful vocal performance during the song. But the main two tracks that make this album good are "Smile" & "Goodbye". I wish she wouldn't release the most upbeat tracks from the album as singles, because that will make many people think that the album is faster. It's not that much of a fast album. It's mostly slow.    … Expand
  21. Caio
    Mar 29, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. O melhor album dela, maduro e com um vocal perfeito.. o melhor pop da atualidade.. depois de quatro anos de espera ela surpreendeu a mim, e a maioria dos fãs...
    Optimum album of it, mature and with vocal a perfect one. better pop of the present time.    … Expand
  22. owenrw2889
    Jun 22, 2011
    4
    POSITIVE - She has matured some what, her songwriting has definatly taken a more serious path. Although 'What The Hell' still has that bubblegum rock feel, which may sound odd, but it's worked for her until now. NEGATIVE - Basically i found the entire album boring. It's such a shame really, although you can see how much work she has put in the output fails to deliver. Nothing stands out,POSITIVE - She has matured some what, her songwriting has definatly taken a more serious path. Although 'What The Hell' still has that bubblegum rock feel, which may sound odd, but it's worked for her until now. NEGATIVE - Basically i found the entire album boring. It's such a shame really, although you can see how much work she has put in the output fails to deliver. Nothing stands out, other than 'What The Hell' which compared to the rest of the album feels some what out of place. To be quite honest i'm not going to sit here telling you why i think it's bad, because this review is more of a personal opinion, i can see why some people may have praised it, but sadly, it just didn't work for me.
    OVERALL - A lacking album with no umff, not bad, not good...just, well, a record.    … Expand
  23. asjklas
    Oct 27, 2011
    4
    Lavigne's biggest flaw in Goodbye Lullaby is her refusal to mature herself or her music. From its lack of cohesion - primarily due to Lavigne's indecision to make it a poppy record or an acoustic rock record - to its witless, filthy mouthed lyrics. The only redeeming quality in Goodbye Lullaby is Lavigne's doubtless vocals.
  24. AD421
    Aug 23, 2011
    6
    Avril Lavigne has been able to successfully change her appearance as the years pass as well as project very different feels for each album released but musically and artistically she hasn't GROWN. The main concern I have is that Avril writing hasn't really gotten any better since her debut. She tried releasing her first real mature (and not the faux-mature she claimed her angst-riddenAvril Lavigne has been able to successfully change her appearance as the years pass as well as project very different feels for each album released but musically and artistically she hasn't GROWN. The main concern I have is that Avril writing hasn't really gotten any better since her debut. She tried releasing her first real mature (and not the faux-mature she claimed her angst-ridden Under My Skin was) album and it kinda didn't deliver. Under pressure from her label there was a few radio friendly pop songs thrown in which kills the over all mood Goodbye Lullaby was supposed to have. It would've been more coherent without those songs (What The Hell, and Smile) but it wouldn't have saved the album. The mediocre childish lyrics of "I Love You" and "4Real" are perfect examples on why this album didn't meet it's potential. The only moment Avril really shines is on "Not Enough." It's a pretty disappointing album from a voice that has so much potential.… Expand
  25. ArchiOshawott
    Feb 16, 2014
    6
    Avril Lavigne's fourth offering, 'Goodbye Lullaby', aimed to show a more personal side to the singer, released after a four-year absence. With 'The Best Damn Thing' still fresh in people's minds, it could be forgiven that fans wanted, and expected, more of the same infectious songs that emanated from her 2007 release. I am an Avril Lavigne fan, verging on being a 'Little Black Star', and IAvril Lavigne's fourth offering, 'Goodbye Lullaby', aimed to show a more personal side to the singer, released after a four-year absence. With 'The Best Damn Thing' still fresh in people's minds, it could be forgiven that fans wanted, and expected, more of the same infectious songs that emanated from her 2007 release. I am an Avril Lavigne fan, verging on being a 'Little Black Star', and I respect and admire her music and her work. This particular album was a dramatic change from anything she had released before, stripping her songs of the production make-up, instead bringing her voice to the forefront, and here is the biggest compliment within this review: Avril Lavigne's voice is beautiful. From the very first track, 'Black Star', Avril's voice demands, and captures, your attention. The lead single, 'What the Hell', continues this trend, albeit matched with many various instruments. What is undeniable, as the chorus begins, lies in her dramatic vocal range, soaring through the octaves as if it was a simple vocal exercise. 'Wish You Were Here' too, provides the highest vocal register on the entire album, adding an exclamation mark to the fearsome wish to be with the love of her life. As we delve further into the album, 'I Love You', 'Push' and 'Goodbye' showcases the raw emotion Avril was aiming to deliver, showcasing her diversity when it comes to providing many different versions of a single theme, similar to 'Under my Skin'. But from here, things begin to stabilize. That's not to say anything she provides is terrible, or even bad, but little flaws take the shine off an otherwise great album. The lyrics for 'Stop Standing There', for example, are the weakest within the entire album, it's introduction doing little to attract the listener in, even if the chorus is satisfactory. Once again arriving at 'Black Star', it comes as a disappointment that this song was not developed beyond an introduction. To me, this song provided the most potential, yet the repetitive lyrics and it's stunted growth worked against it, even if Avril's voice complimented it's composition perfectly. 'Wish You Were Here', meanwhile, would have benefited greatly if it was arranged differently when it came to instrumentation. The lyrics and voice were exceptional, but it was what they were wrapped in that made the song a little stale. 'Goodbye' picks the album up, removing any flaws that had been previously mentioned, while 'Alice', the hidden track, shows just how temporary this album's flaws are, increasing it's standard dramatically, even if technically it belongs more within 'Almost Alice' than it does within 'Goodbye Lullaby'.

    This album, then, is far from perfect. There are problems, both in production and in lyrics, that hinder it's popularity, and yet, it's high notes just about make up for them. Avril Lavigne's most personal album yet will make a worthy addition to anyone's collection, but there are more expressive, better crafted albums out there, including Lavigne's own work, that fulfill the same brief.    … Expand
  26. mglfvini
    Apr 25, 2014
    0
    I'll always respect Lavigne as an artist, and I hope that she'll eventually find her "true self". But Goodbye Lullaby is conflicted between sounding mainstream and alternative. I'd prefer Lavigne to find her old roots, and possibly express them in a newer way. But Goodbye Lullaby is the "same ol', same ol'".
  27. semidelena
    Oct 16, 2015
    10
    o galero doro esse album mentira nunca ouvi inteiro kk vamo ajuda a Jessinha q nunca saiu do amarelo tour?//////////////???? OKOKKKKOKKOKOKOOKOKOKOKOKOK xx
  28. TzoTzo
    Oct 3, 2012
    10
    I love this record... It's a very romantic and sweet album, songs like Darlin', Everybody Hurts, Wish You Were Here, I Love You, Push, Not Enough and Smile are so well edited (lyrically, vocally and musically) that made me love this record very very much than her previous works, especially The Best Damn Thing record
  29. mike4444
    Nov 1, 2013
    8
    This album has some slow parts but most of it is very beautifully done and the closing track, Goodbye, in particular is beautiful. You can tell that Lavigne put more effort into that one track than any other track if not all her tracks combined. If at the very least you don't like Goodbye, one thing you have to appreciate is the effort that was put into it because the effort wasThis album has some slow parts but most of it is very beautifully done and the closing track, Goodbye, in particular is beautiful. You can tell that Lavigne put more effort into that one track than any other track if not all her tracks combined. If at the very least you don't like Goodbye, one thing you have to appreciate is the effort that was put into it because the effort was extraordinary and in my opinion pays off.… Expand
  30. Arthurmell0
    Feb 16, 2019
    9
    Avril made a very honest album about her personal life, even though she has two tracks that run away from the album concept for commercial appeal, these tracks capture the essence of the album.

    Best tracks: Push, Wish You Were Here, Stop Standing There
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2011
36
#36 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. PopMatters
    Mar 16, 2011
    50
    If you wanna know how NOT to do it, listen to the last five tracks on Goodbye Lullaby. Avril wrote them all herself, and let's just say she's an artist who benefits from collaboration.
    Read full review
  2. Village Voice
    Mar 15, 2011
    40
    Faced with competing for "pop" ambitions this "rock" wannabe never really had, she instead strides toward brunette-dom on the new, stalwartly unfun Goodbye Lullaby, which--if you couldn't tell from the piano on the cover-means Vanessa Carlton and Michelle Branch. This is the death of Auto-Tune, moment of silence. Except, you know, for the single.
    Read full review
  3. Dot Music
    Mar 9, 2011
    60
    An effective, but ultimately generic, pop album.
    Read full review
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