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Under My Skin (by Avril Lavigne, Rock)

common sense media says

Avril comes into her own.

parents & educators say
See all 44 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Avril Lavigne serves up teen angst as alt-rock power ballads. Though she's marketed as a punk princess, her material actually sounds pretty mainstream. There's little for parents to worry about here, and Avril is a much better role model than Britney Spears.

Positive messages: Nothing to worry about.
Violence: Not an issue.
Sex: "Don't Tell Me" describes a confused and angry young woman fending off an overeager boyfriend.
Language: "Kick your ass" is as strong as it gets.
Consumerism: Heavily promoted as "noncommercial."
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Nothing obvious.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Under My Skin

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the song "Don't Tell Me," in which Avril makes it clear that she's not comfortable getting sexually involved with a boy. It can pave the way for a discussion about being strong and knowing how to say no if you're not ready for sex.

What's the story?

What's the story?

Avril Lavigne, a 19-year-old Canadian punk princess, offers a dozen angst-filled tunes on UNDER MY SKIN. She seems to have come into her own since her debut CD, Let Go, revealing more of herself while also becoming an assertive and commanding performer. If there's any message here, it's a good one: It's OK for girls to be themselves. The single, "Don't Tell Me," describes a confused and angry young woman fending off an overeager boyfriend. Lyrics on some other songs are mostly about naval-gazing, self-absorbed teenage loneliness.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Avril does a terrific job delivering one guitar-fueled power ballad after another in a voice that is girlish yet strong and expressive. Marketed as "Anti-Diva" complicated-teen-punk-rocker, Avril Lavigne may sound pretty mainstream to parents who remember the punks of the early '80s, but so what? Let the girls close their bedroom doors and listen all they want. Avril has something to say to them, and she's WAY better than Britney.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: May 25, 2004
Label: Arista
Genre: Rock
This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

nazz4ever
teen, 16 years old
11
 
one of her best cds so far!:]
she sings about refusing to have sex with a guy she doesnt love much.i say thats very good
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sockeye-salmon
teen, 18 years old
 
It's okay.
As I say in the title, it's mediocre. The music is good, and Avril's voice is either REALLY good (Take Me Away, Together, How Does it Feel, Nobodys' Home...) or bad (Don't Tell Me, My Happy Ending, He Wasn't, Freak Out). A few songs were really good, but the rest was...just okay. I was still better than Let Go though.
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Puppygal32
teen, 17 years old
12
 
Teen album!
Avril sing and lets young girls know to never let a guy take advantage of you, she models that and knows what she wants. Great role model for teens!
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bigair
teen, 17 years old
14
 
Good album for anyone
Great messages; Avril describes her strengths against her boyfriend wanting sex when she isn't ready. "Who Knows" includes uplifting lyrics and cheerful messages. Only language includes s**t on "My Happy Ending" and a*s on "Don't Tell Me".
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AnimeAelita
teen, 17 years old
12
 
"Freak out let it go"...
I don't have this CD [sad-i know] but i've heard every song on it hundreds of times [lol-i?music] The only bad words are in Don't Tell Me, which is a good song with a good message ^_^ {It explains it in 'Families Can Talk About'} I recamend this CD highly :)
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Xxmusic1chickxX
teen, 16 years old
2
 
I love this CD!
This has to be Avril's best CD! I would recommend it for anybody over the age of 7, IDK. Well, when this CD came out, I was like 9 and I still got it and stuff. I guess it depends on your maturity level, idk. But, I highly recommend this CD. Avril rox!
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sara4ever95
teen, 16 years old
11
 
nice c.d.
i say its for kids 11 and older.i would have said 8+ but she says A*S*S in the song titled "Dont Tell Me" so i say 11+
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stratmaster
adult
 
Strong album from a great artist
Avril has done a great job with this CD. She has been able to record great music with good melodies without having any really bad problems. There is only one "s" and "a" word. Musically this album is slightly darker than "Let Go" and has more of a rock edge. Lyrically she's not perfect, but has seemed to grow since her debut. Overall I think this album is really good; all of my friends and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Forknose
adult
 
Avril isn't a punk but at least listening to this album will make all poseur punks (fans of simple plan, ect.) extremely mad. We all know how annoying poseurs are. This album was produced by a member of the band Our Lady Peace too so that is nice. I don't think you should call Avril a "punk." She is no Joey Ramone, no Joe Strummer, no Sid Vicious, no Henry Rollins, no Jerry Only, ect. Well at least I can tolerate her music far more then I can tolerate most of the other pop and posuer bands out there.
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SwrilCD
teen, 18 years old
 
A great rock album
I thought it was great
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LittleMinajWarrior
teen, 14 years old
9
 
I love this CD so much, her best!
This CD is great! In my opinion anyway, this is her best album. Avril rocks! It has good messages and strength. And she never breaks loose from the fun in her music. This is something you can listen to over and over and not get sick of it, that's how her music is. I love it. What The H*ll and Girlfriend get old, but that's because they're pop, pop gets old fast, although I love it. This is a great record, and is really where she got popular. Only one use of "sh*t". No innuendo, that's not like her. This is a fun and awesome CD. I recommend it.
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craftygirl202
teen, 17 years old
11
 
Amazing
Good, good album by Avril. "Happy Ending" does have s--t.
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Christian gurl
teen, 15 years old
14
 
All of them is pretty ok except 4 happy ending and don't tell me
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Sonicfan
teen, 15 years old
9
 
i love take me away and my happy ending it has s#$t in one song slipped away is for her grandpa
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BellaBelle
kid, 11 years old
12
 
2 funny
I Hardly know any of her songs but a girl In my class made new version of “Girlfriend” it goes like “Hey u ya u I don't like your momma” lol I love that
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arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
13
 
i love avril lavigne.shes so awesome!!!!!!!!!
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mi353
kid, 11 years old
16
 
Good for teens but not for tweens
I love Avril Lavigne and her music but it has some serious languge in it that i don't think kids my age should be listing to.
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paramoreavrilrock
teen, 13 years old
12
 
AWESOME!!
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crystal101
kid, 12 years old
11
 
understood singers are the best ones
avril is useuly under sootd with pearnts but i love nomatter wat
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kshilton
adult
 
Avril will grow on you.
This album is very real life. Her lyrics are a little dark, but they make you think. She uses some mild language, but nothing too shocking. I would be comfortable with my teenager listening.
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