Avril Lavigne

With my age, I now recoil as analyst rather than music reviewer in this corner. It could be the inevitable aging... It could be a waning interest, it could be because of personal biases and preference...it could be anything at all.

But the September 3 gig of "punk princess" Avril Lavigne was not a punk performance. More of a transition performance from rock to top of the pops (or gunning for it). She had energy of course, 18 songs in a row, with a non-stop stage marching, some gymnastics, a little dancing, and showcasing of her guitar, piano and drums prowess.

She acknowledged how her first hit single "Complicated" will always remain special. I understand. It was a tribute-segue to her predecessor Grammy slammer Alanis Morisette's signature and catchy angst melodies that catapulted her to the heels of the Canadian rocker who remained so.

What was very noticeable on Lavigne's music is the transition from angst-rock, to emo, to all-the-way hip and dance tunes befitting her age and the generation of her listeners. She's ready to challenge the more boring crops of sensational global pop artists we currently have, but she has to learn a lot about the dynamics of dance and pop. Nevertheless, she has nailed her reputation on emo, ballad-rock if you will, singing tunes about unrequited love, undying love, dizzying & confusing passion, and themes that will remain acceptable to teens and young adults, specifically the female gender.