Track Listing

1. Take Me Away
2. Together
3. Don't Tell Me
4. He Wasn't
5. How Does It Feel
6. My Happy Ending
7. Nobody's Home
8. Forgotten
9. Who Knows
10. Fall To Pieces
11. Freak Out
12. Slipped Away
13. I Always Get What I Want (Bonus Track)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2966 in Music
• Released on: 2004-05-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

CD Description
Canadian teen pop-rocker's follow up to 2002's 'Let Go' (which spawned 'Skater Boi' and 'Complicated' hit singles). This album contains more of her angsty teen pop with guitars with songs about failed relationships ('He Wasn't') and teen rebellion ('Freak Out', 'Don't Tell Me'). This UK edition of the album contains the bonus track 'I Always Get What I Want' which is not included on the US version.

Customer Reviews

Thankfully, Avril's decided to Let Go a bit
"Let Go" was a great album, no question. In late 2002, on to the scene burst pop music's female equivalent of Dennis The Menace - the fiesty, the fiery, the frighteningly tiny Avril Lavigne. The record was the perfect 21st century pop package - every song fuelled with both alternative attitude and commercial appeal. On "Under My Skin," she does it again, except this time she decides to be herself a little more. Out with commerical appeal, in with alternative attitude.

Right away, a sense of honesty and genuine emotion is gained from opening stormer "Take Me Away" and the even better "Together." The catchy pop hooks remain, but the somewhat plastic facade of the rebellious teenager has been replaced by the sincere angst and confusion of a young woman approaching adulthood. Similarly on the singles - the slightly disjointed "Don't Tell Me" and the bonafide hit "My Happy Ending" - a feeling comes about that Avril is speaking her own mind this time, as opposed to the A&R man's.

The defining moment comes halfway through the record in the shape of downright classic "Nobody's Home," a thunderbolt of dark, irresistable pop-rock. If this song doesn't get Avril Lavigne taken seriously among all those "real music fans," nothing will.

At times, Avril slips back in time two years. The likes of "Freak Out" and the "Sk8er Boi" sequel "He Wasn't" seem intrusive, butting in from "Let Go" to disturb this album's clear progression. However, being as inevitably catchy as they are, she is easily forgiven - especially when you reach yet another masterpiece like "Forgotten."

As a whole, then, Avril has triumphantly improved in many different areas. Musically she's less predictable, as a writer she's more mature and vocally she's improved a lot (her voice more than good enough to rival that of elder Alanis Morissette at times.) A few brief time warps are included to keep younger, "Sk8er Boi" fans on board, which is perhaps the album's only flaw of sorts. Otherwise it is certainly a step in the right direction for the more honest Avril.

The girl's good...
Under My Skin is different to Let Go in many ways - all good! Let Go is a great album, I'll always love it, but on Under My Skin it seems Avril is starting to show what she's really capable of. Her singing is stronger and more forceful, but still engagingly quirky in places, and her lyrics are a bit more mature. The real diference is in the songs though. They've got a darker, more emotional feel and a more rocky, edgy sound, as opposed the poppier tunes on Let Go.

Highlights include 'My Happy Ending', a stunning mid-tempo track with a great chorus which Avril sings just beautifully. 'Who Knows' makes you feel good inside, whilst 'How Does It Feel' and 'Nobody's Home' are gorgeous, slower, thought-provoking tunes. 'Take Me Away' is a suitably powerful and absorbing opener and if 'He Wasn't' doesn't get you moving and singing along, there's no hope!

Match all this with a clear, bass-heavy production and in my opinion you've got a winner. So why only 4 stars? Well, for me, 'Forgotten' is just a bit too depressing and the pseudo-punk bonus track 'I Always Get What I Want' isn't what Avril does best.

Anyway, if she carries on like this, I can't wait for album No. 3!

Avril rocks out loud!
Following the very succesful album 'Let Go' Avril Lavigne has done herself justice by producing an amazing album in 'Under My Skin' This album has so many different dimensions to it, it's so hard to know where to start. Well i'll start with my personal favourites, 'Don't Tell me' and 'My Happy Ending' The two have such ass-kicking dimensions to them and i love it. The words clearly show alot of hurt for Avril who mostly wrote this album herself. I can honestly relate to these songs, and the feeling and vibes you pick up from these songs is amazing and helps you realise you were right all along.

The rest of the album is as follows:

1. Take me Away - 9.5/10 - A great opener from Avril and co. The song holds many great instrumental performances as well as vocals.

2. Together - 10/10 - Another one of my favourites for this album, a great rock feel and fab lyrics. Excellent vocals from Avril considering the song is quite compact when it comes to breathing.

4. He Wasn't - 5/10 - Not Avril's best by a long shot honestly. This song just doesn't appeal to me and the lyrics are quite amateur for a pro like Avril.

5. How does it Feel? - 10/10 - A great controversial beautifully lyricated fluent song which shows off Avrils songwriting and vocal maturity.

7. Nobody's Home - 9/10 - After hearing the acoustic version of this song on a friends Cd i instantly fell in love with it. Although the original doesn't quite scratch up to the acoustic performance, the song once again shows Avrils songwriting maturity.

8. Forgotten - 10/10 - A great song which deserves praise. This song clearly shows Avrils frustration towards her ex and you know what, she put this down loud and clear! Great song with superb band

9. Who Knows - 7/10 - An ok song i suppose. You know what, there's really not much else i can say about this song.

10. Fall to pieces - 9/10 - Great song with good all round performance. Great instrumental influence, great lyrically, good vocally and once again overall great

11. Freak Out - 7/10 - Not most appealing, but still good work from Avril. I think it's the power level that doesn't suit avril, she needs to be her normal powerful self and be fab!

12. Slipped Away - 9/10 - Once again good lyrics, voice, instruments and tempo, good.

13. I Always Get What I Want - 10/10 - Great bonus, great to see Avrils roar attitude in this song, fab!

Overall this album is worth it's money, a little worrying about 2 of the songs, but that's nothing to fuss over when the rest of the album is of such high quality! Great Album! 10/10!