Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby Track By Track Album Review
10. 4 Real
This is the first song on the album that was written and produced solely by Avril herself, and the rest of the songs that follow were also written solely by Avril. The song, once more, is acoustically driven, but feels a bit dull. We are offered a promising introduction, of licking guitars and a curious humming chord arrangement although, sadly, the song never really picks up after this. What follows is a generic thumping drum beat and the same old guitar chords repeated as Avril sings to her partner. She sings/chants the chorus but is unable to pick up the pace on the song, which is a little disappointing. Because of this unusual chorus (which would be more at home on a heavier track) we are very much reminded of Avril's Let Go era. Unlike other songs on Lullaby, Avril seems to have forgotten all emotion and sounds slightly wooden. 4 Real has great potential but doesn't manage to live up to expectations.
11. Darlin
Avril wrote this song long before any record deal, at the tender age of 15, a surprising fact due to the maturity that shines through the track in comparison to other songs from Avril's younger years. The track combines acoustic and electric guitars, although the latter are difficult to discern and are not overused, replaced with violins in the second verse. A regimental bridge is strange after a torrent of soothing acoustic elements and is a curious addition. Over it, Avril sounds vulnerable and sorrowful before crashing into a stadium-chorus, perfectly built to by the strange drums of the bridge. Avril shows off her fantastic vocal abilities, holding notes for a long time and flicking between pitches with ease. Avril seems to be directing her lyrics towards a friend or relative who is suffering from depression, whom Avril is attempting to comfort. She promises to "love you the best that I can", a simple lyric which holds a torrent of emotions, ranging from sorrow to pity. Again, it is hard to imagine a 15 year old writing such a song, let alone being able to develop it into such a fantastic piece.