The Best Damn Thing
by Avril Lavigne
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Apr 17, 2007
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 416 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 297 out of 416
  2. Mixed: 51 out of 416
  3. Negative: 68 out of 416

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  1. mikeyf
    Apr 28, 2007
    1
    a dog passing peaches pits could out sing this kunt. i say "uncle", this shiite makes me worry about mayan, papist, nostradamus', you name him's 2012 drop dead date may well be the real end of the world. (she'll be on satan's 2nd stage band's list). blame / invade canada. this noise must be stopped.
  2. EmmaL
    Apr 28, 2007
    5
    very disappointing album, alot more immature than her last two albums.
  3. Noctiluca
    Apr 27, 2007
    7
    This is a technically solid album, full of nice production and radio-friendly hits. I enjoy it enough, and I like Avril; she has an allure working for her that's missing in many others. However, I was hoping this album would take it up a notch. I am 21 now and she's 22 these days. In many ways, we grew up together. Yet while I have moved on to many new places in my life, she This is a technically solid album, full of nice production and radio-friendly hits. I enjoy it enough, and I like Avril; she has an allure working for her that's missing in many others. However, I was hoping this album would take it up a notch. I am 21 now and she's 22 these days. In many ways, we grew up together. Yet while I have moved on to many new places in my life, she still comes off like she's writing these songs during lunch hour in Freshman year of high school. She doesn't sound like an adult that was recently married, and her lyrics are still incredibly plain. Many of the songs are like a teenager out to prove she can stay up late at night and rebel against her parents. This is generally the same message of the last two albums to a new beat. I find this an above-average pop/rock album still, but I don't think she can afford to make the same album again. If she does, I may have officially outgrown her for good.… Expand
  4. lagomorphD
    Apr 27, 2007
    6
    Anyone who is still calling this punk/pop has not even listened to the record and is just basing their assessment of it on her first spunky single. There is nothing punk about any track except the first single "girlfriend". Avril must have a lot of haters because if anyone bothered to listen to this they'd find glossy pop in the vein of Alanis Morisette, and most of the lyrics are on Anyone who is still calling this punk/pop has not even listened to the record and is just basing their assessment of it on her first spunky single. There is nothing punk about any track except the first single "girlfriend". Avril must have a lot of haters because if anyone bothered to listen to this they'd find glossy pop in the vein of Alanis Morisette, and most of the lyrics are on par or superior to her previous efforts. It's less angsty diary pop spew and more round about storytelling, but her way with a phrase is as skillful as ever. I'm kind of ashamed of those who are loving and hating this album without really paying attention.… Expand
  5. DrunkenMaster
    Apr 26, 2007
    10
    Total Brilliance! If you are troubled and confused by complicated "indie" bands like Liars, Deerhunter or Low then this CD is for you. There is no subtlety, nuance or depth here, just sheer, brilliant banality! Enjoy, America!
  6. BobE
    Apr 26, 2007
    0
    She is crap faceit she cantsing and she cant wrightlyrics her new stuffis worse I hate her
  7. Christina
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    Great album! Avril did it again!
  8. ReyesG
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    I think that Avril had a lot of fun making this album, she even said she wanted to try something different and that's why i love avril, she won't change for anyone
  9. MattH
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    This album rocks! Avrils best yet!!!!
  10. DianeN
    Apr 24, 2007
    0
    Junk.... she's turned into a Britney spears wannabe singing punk rock. And the swearing isn't appreciated... I won't be buying it!
  11. knomi
    Apr 24, 2007
    4
    largely inconsequential pop-punk radio dreck, but this is avril lavigne; I don't know that anyone was expecting anything beyond (an ironically vapid) dissertation on why she is so cool and why other chicks aren't. at least she's not good charlotte.
  12. AshleyV
    Apr 24, 2007
    8
    Honestly some of the best work Avril has ever done. This album remews her pop/punk style in a fun way.
  13. DrewF
    Apr 24, 2007
    4
    Isn't Avril getting too old to be singing about some of this stuff?
  14. BrentS
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    This is Avrils best yet! Its not dark, but its high octane fun! Best damn thing ever!!!
  15. DavidG
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    havn't got time right now to give a full review, but be sure to buy the album it's amazing. I liked Let Go and at the time didn't think her second album could top that. I think UMS was fucking awesome a lot more mature and you could really see Avril was going through a hard time and discovering who she was as oppesed to the kind of immature debut album. Her 2nd album got me havn't got time right now to give a full review, but be sure to buy the album it's amazing. I liked Let Go and at the time didn't think her second album could top that. I think UMS was fucking awesome a lot more mature and you could really see Avril was going through a hard time and discovering who she was as oppesed to the kind of immature debut album. Her 2nd album got me through some hard times too, now her 3rd album is very upbeat, you can tell she's happy and content with married life and just having fun writting some kick ass songs with catchy beats. Go out and buy it now, listen for yourself, you may be a little shocked at first at the slightly different style but i'm sure you'll love it. It certainly grows on you very fast, it the best damn fucking thing ever.… Expand
  16. JasonK
    Apr 22, 2007
    4
    Avril Lavigne fails in this one.
  17. heather
    Apr 22, 2007
    0
    Her first two albums were okay but this one is just an insult to teen's intelect! The lyrics are repetitive, meaningless and disposable. She loves to rhyme the words with itselves, I hope she disappear of the musical scene soon. She better make a good album next time or she'll be done in the business...
  18. ChrisWojo
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    So sexy and so fun! A Great summer CD!
  19. Hunter
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    This album kicks ass.
  20. AlexandraK
    Apr 21, 2007
    0
    This bratty liitle girl is so full of herself. The lyrics are awful, the mellody seems to be made for 8-year-old kids and not grown-ups. If she thinks she is "the best damn thing" she needs to prove with talent first.
  21. AustinM
    Apr 21, 2007
    10
    This is by far avrils best album yet! Fans of avril who say this isnt as good as her first two should be ashamed. She is finally happy and it shows in her songs. It may be a little childish but who cares its freaking awsome! This is the best damn thing ever!!!!!!!
  22. VanessaA
    Apr 21, 2007
    10
    I think this record it's awesome and a powerful expression of a great singer
  23. MariV
    Apr 21, 2007
    8
    I Love It!! People may call it immature, I cann it fun. So what if it's not all emo,slit your wrists type of songs. They're spunky and fun. I'd reccomend it to anyone. 'I can do better' is my favorite track.
  24. ScarlettL
    Apr 20, 2007
    8
    While some of the lyrics are trash, this CD is very catchy and very fun, which was the point. The fact that I want to listen to this three times in a row and still not be sick of it is a testament to how well executed it is.
  25. RandyB
    Apr 20, 2007
    7
    "Hell, yeah! I'm the motherf**king princess!" Avril Lavigne sings on The Best Damn Thing's catchy, high-energy first single "Girlfriend". That opening song sets the mood for most of this album, which is like a pixie stick sugar rush. Except for ballads "When You're Gone", "Innocence", and "Keep Holding On" (which are all pretty fantastic), The Best Damn Thing is bratty, "Hell, yeah! I'm the motherf**king princess!" Avril Lavigne sings on The Best Damn Thing's catchy, high-energy first single "Girlfriend". That opening song sets the mood for most of this album, which is like a pixie stick sugar rush. Except for ballads "When You're Gone", "Innocence", and "Keep Holding On" (which are all pretty fantastic), The Best Damn Thing is bratty, confident, and insanely effervescent. There are some lyrical moments on the album (especially the grating "I Don't Have to Try") where you want to look at Avril and ask her exactly how drunk she was when she wrote them, but then again the intention for this was to wipe away the angst of Under My Skin and have a party. Keeping that in mind it's easy to overlook those missteps considering the huge hooks and roaring guitars. Some will say Avril's been a poser since day one, but even some of those "real" punks don't have songs this effective in their arsenal. I hope that one day she will be able to produce an album that melds the two extremes of her personality, but until then she gets props for following through on her ambitions.… Expand
  26. AndrewM.
    Apr 20, 2007
    9
    A mixture of Kelly Clarkson "Breakaway", Gwen Stefani, and Blink-182 and you have Avril Lavigne's "The Best Damn Thing." This has to be one of the best pop-punk albums I've heard in awhile. You can easily listen from the start to the end without skipping any song. The beats, melody, hooks, chorus are all on point its CRAZY!!!!! You can tell she perfectly executed the album she A mixture of Kelly Clarkson "Breakaway", Gwen Stefani, and Blink-182 and you have Avril Lavigne's "The Best Damn Thing." This has to be one of the best pop-punk albums I've heard in awhile. You can easily listen from the start to the end without skipping any song. The beats, melody, hooks, chorus are all on point its CRAZY!!!!! You can tell she perfectly executed the album she was aiming for. You can easily pick any song from the album and it would easily be a top hit, thats how good this album is. People who love this type of music going to love this album and people who don't like Avril will end up being a guilty pleasure of Avril. Go get the album, guarantee you will love it.… Expand
  27. JoseD
    Apr 20, 2007
    10
    i think this is an amazing album!!! i love all the music that avril have done, but this album has a great energy!! and i this is just great that she is trying new thing!!
  28. EboniF
    Apr 20, 2007
    10
    Avril is great
  29. TannerC.
    Apr 20, 2007
    8
    To condemn this record (and Avril) for not being "serious music," is a complete load of shit. He music, to be blunt, has always been a poptastic excuse to pump your fist and sing along. Pop sensibility aside, her music is pure shit... questionably dumb lyrics, simplistic 3-4 chord progressions with little change in structure. Just because you didn't know that before isn't any To condemn this record (and Avril) for not being "serious music," is a complete load of shit. He music, to be blunt, has always been a poptastic excuse to pump your fist and sing along. Pop sensibility aside, her music is pure shit... questionably dumb lyrics, simplistic 3-4 chord progressions with little change in structure. Just because you didn't know that before isn't any excuse for disliking this record for its lack of "serious," material. The fact of the matter is, it's her best record. The energy is sustained so well, it's almost an exhilarating experience from start to finish. The ballads are well-placed to break up the sections of pure power pop, cleansing the pallat a little. It's basically a sugar rush that leaves you wanting more, rather than with a sick feeling. This record is a celebration of the way some great sounding pop can make you feel. It's music to listen to when you want to leave your brain behind, roll the windows down and scream along to the insanely long choruses. If you can't allow yourself to let go long enough to just enjoy some sugary pop that will make you feel slightly happier than you did before, I feel bad for.… Expand
  30. EdwardH
    Apr 20, 2007
    10
    It is tha dopezt album by Avril. It is soooo god dman phunky and cool y'all be hataz 2 say dat it sux. Best Album of hers 2 date. Go Avril u rule girl. Rock On!
  31. jasonl
    Apr 19, 2007
    0
    Dear Avril, please stop. thanks.
  32. CaladoniaK
    Apr 19, 2007
    0
    AWFUL.
  33. CarsonW
    Apr 19, 2007
    0
    The score is reflective of the album and what she is as a person. A Zero.
  34. ToddW
    Apr 19, 2007
    0
    Hey, if All Music thinks it's better than Bowie's "Young Americans," who am I to argue? What a joke, to say nothing of the statement this makes about the sad state of affairs in the Sewerstream.
  35. mickc
    Apr 19, 2007
    10
    this is the best damn thing ever! im lovin it!!!!!
  36. IvicaA
    Apr 18, 2007
    9
    Very catchy songs, like Girlfriend, The Best Damn Thing and my favourite I Can Do Better are supported with other good pop-rock crazy ones and three ballads (Innocence really shines).
  37. NateR
    Apr 18, 2007
    10
    I think this is by far her best album, perhaps it doesn't have the great hits of Let Go, it does have it's charm, the only con I can find is the fact that Avril sounds like she's 15 y.o, but the album works well and it's really catchy. Here's my rating by sing 1. Girlfriend 10/10 It's just fun!!! Love the "So Whatever" 2. I Can Do Better 9/10 This song just I think this is by far her best album, perhaps it doesn't have the great hits of Let Go, it does have it's charm, the only con I can find is the fact that Avril sounds like she's 15 y.o, but the album works well and it's really catchy. Here's my rating by sing 1. Girlfriend 10/10 It's just fun!!! Love the "So Whatever" 2. I Can Do Better 9/10 This song just rocks 3. Runaway 10/10 Definitely my favorite...reminds me old times, this one should be a single 4. The Best Damn Thing 10/10 Just catchy!!! 5. When You're Gone 10/10 Damn this girl really knows how to make awsome ballads 6. Everything Back But You 9/10 When I first hear this one it sound like Blink-182 if Avril were main vocalist 7. Hot 7/10 This isn't quiet good, bun neither bad 8. Innocence 9/10 This is actually another nice ballad, but not as good as the last.. 9. I Don't Have To Try 9/10 Sounds kinda hip-hop 10. One Of Those Girls 10/10 Put the volume up!!! 11. Contagios 9/10 Really contagious!!!! 12. Keep Holding On 10/10 Definitely one of her best songs ever… Expand
  38. Tronic!Tronic
    Apr 18, 2007
    0
    "She's definitely one of the worst damn things to hit the stage in the last five years" -From The Edmonton Journal Couldn't have said it better!!!
  39. CliveH
    Apr 18, 2007
    10
    Really nice album with good beats and vocals. The best pop album of the year!
  40. JuliaA
    Apr 18, 2007
    4
    I started to like Avril better on 'Under My Skin',it showed her being mature. But once she popped out with girlie outfit and the kind of song she always say will never be her kind of song,it's really a big bad backward step she took.She should pay more attention to her music than the wardrobes and image. For a singer who's already over 20,her lyrics are ridiculous I started to like Avril better on 'Under My Skin',it showed her being mature. But once she popped out with girlie outfit and the kind of song she always say will never be her kind of song,it's really a big bad backward step she took.She should pay more attention to her music than the wardrobes and image. For a singer who's already over 20,her lyrics are ridiculous (despite the-wasted-catchy music),and I found that boring and whimpy. I gave her 4,because that's how much of her songs in this album I could tolerate.… Expand
  41. Matt
    Apr 17, 2007
    2
    I had to turn the CD off after four songs. In my opinion, tracks 2 and 4 couldn't have been more annoying if Avril had tried. I liked her first album and few cuts from her second, but the lyrics on this one are just vapid. The girl was better off having somebody write the songs for her. Judging from this CD, there's gotta be weights in her shoes to keep the hot air between her I had to turn the CD off after four songs. In my opinion, tracks 2 and 4 couldn't have been more annoying if Avril had tried. I liked her first album and few cuts from her second, but the lyrics on this one are just vapid. The girl was better off having somebody write the songs for her. Judging from this CD, there's gotta be weights in her shoes to keep the hot air between her ears from flying her into the atmosphere.… Expand
  42. kd
    Apr 17, 2007
    2
    If this is her grown up I think she should go back to being a kid
  43. JasonL
    Apr 17, 2007
    8
    Take it for what it is, a good pop album! This is not punk, and doesn't pretend to be. Sounds like what Good Charlotte should sound like right now.
  44. MaxD
    Apr 17, 2007
    0
    POSER this alum sucks, if you like it you obviously have no taste and deserve to listen to this utter CRAP!
  45. WillyD.
    Apr 17, 2007
    10
    Better than OK Computer, Loveless, Areoplane and YHFT combined!!!!
  46. CraigB
    Apr 17, 2007
    3
    Avril has always been a guilty pleasure for me. This album however is mostly a really bad tribute to a combination of Gwen Stefani & Punk Pop. I'm quite disappointed.
  47. HeronC
    Apr 17, 2007
    10
    Very Good The Best
  48. MattD.
    Apr 17, 2007
    8
    Not as trailblazing as Let Go was, but for one album, hearing Avril really let loose is thrilling. TBDT will give you one great sugar rush.
  49. JoseM
    Apr 17, 2007
    1
    Why can't this girl go away? Her first single is her worst yet...
  50. HaroldS
    Apr 17, 2007
    10
    Amazing album. Best album of the year so far!!!!
  51. ColinP
    Apr 17, 2007
    10
    Great record. I can't believe people think this is lightweight.
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2007
37
#37 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    The dumb, girly, giddy Best Damn Thing reembraces the 15-year-old pom-pom punkette within, with multitracked hand claps, Toni Basil-gone-bad cheers, and pep-rally-rattling guitars.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    40
    The Best Damn Thing is a big step back for an artist who was just starting to grow up.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    It's a consciously lightweight pop-punk romp that appears to have been inspired by "Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson's massive hit.
    Read full review
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