| Under My Skin (Arista/RCA/BMG) sees Avril Lavigne launch her sophomore effort without the help of The Matrix songwriting team who were often credited with her success. Instead, the album features songs co-written with Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace and Ben Moody of Evanescence. Although many songs bear Moody’s influence and Lavigne’s lyrics still show her age (she’s only 19 for goodness sake) her Top 10-ready rock anthem ode to chastity "Don’t Tell Me" has such a great chorus it’s easy to forgive her immaturity. The songs are more hit than miss and although the hipster in me hates to admit it, her voice is very strong.
The hipster in me, however, has no problem recommending the latest album from the brilliantly cynical stand-up comic David Cross. The ironically titled It’s Not Funny (Sub Pop) is full of anti-Bush ranting and biting criticism of pop-culture, all delivered with Cross’s trademark sardonic disdain. His topical humour will no doubt render this recording dated in a few years, but for someone who was weaned on comedy albums as a child this one hits all the marks it should.
As does the British invasion sounds of The Pretty Things. Their career spanning greatest hits album entitled Come See Me: The Very Best of The Pretty Things (Shout) charts their raw beginnings in 1964 through their psych-rock experimentation in 1968. Though the band no doubt played second fiddle to the Stones and the Kinks, this collection certainly proves The Pretty Things were contenders – if a bit derivative. The sparse riffs on "L.S.D." sound a lot like "Heartful of Soul," but c’mon, they’re not the only ones to rip that song off. On her latest album Anyway (Yep Roc) Amy Farris swipes the same riff for her song "No Exit."
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