Lavigne cuts loose disrespectful or uncommitted boyfriends on “Losing Grip” and “Complicated.” She tells a guy he’s lame for choosing marijuana over her (“Too Much to Ask”), emphasizes the need for trust in relationships (“Tomorrow”) and refuses to change who she is to please someone else (“Nobody’s Fool”). Tired of a transient lifestyle, a girl longs to settle down and find stability on “Mobile.” “Sk8er Boi” is about a young woman who pays a price for letting friends’ prejudices sway her decision-making, but . . .
A man is deemed a good catch simply because he plays guitar on MTV (“Now he’s a superstar . . . See what he’s worth”). A carpe diem attitude can be healthy, but the artist prefers recklessness to boredom on “Anything But Ordinary” (“Sometimes I drive so fast just to feel the danger . . . Let down your defenses/Use no common sense”). Mild profanities mar “My World,” “Nobody’s Fool,” “Mobile” and “I’m With You.” The latter finds a lonely girl willing to go home with a stranger.
A hybrid of Michelle Branch and Alanis Morissette, this 17-year-old refuses to compromise her sense of self or play the victim. That’s good. But Lavigne’s pluck also manifests itself in profanity and irresponsible behavior.