Avril Lavigne – The Best Damn Thing

Avril Lavigne's third album marked a noticeable departure from the sound of her previous two records. While Let Go and Under My Skin were angsty and leaned more towards a rock influence, The Best Damn Thing was overtly pop, upbeat, and girly. Many of Avril's fans were put off by the drastic change, but she also gained the attention of new fans as well. The first single, "Girlfriend," catapulted to #1 on the radio charts, her first chart-topper in her young career. Her second single was more familiar territory: "When You're Gone" is a piano-driven ballad that many people can relate to. Avril's third and fourth singles - "Hot" and "The Best Damn Thing" - did surprisingly bad compared to the popular first two singles.

The Best Damn Thing is a fun album that combines cheerleader pop with pop punk instrumentation. It signaled an important shift in Avril's career and fan base, and while she saw even more success at first, the long term effects have been less kind. Highlights on the album include "Girlfriend," "Runaway," "When You're Gone," "Hot," "Innocence," and "Keep Holding On."