Love it/Hate it

Avril Lavigne’s song “Complicated” was very easily one of the most spun songs of the summer. With the constant radio play has come a very opinionated and polarized slew of fans and detractors. Is she the genuine article, worthy of our affection, or just another niche product of a corporate record label? FM found two sides to the same played-out, over-hyped coin.

Loves It

Sarah E. Johnson ’03

What’s with that wife-beater/necktie combo?

Avril definitely rocks the necktie/wife-beater look. I can relate to that look, because one day back in fourth grade I thought it would be cool to sport a necktie to school. The best part is that fateful day was picture day. My freaky fashion attempt is forever frozen in time for the whole class of 1999 to eternally embrace. So obviously I was thrilled and most definitely relieved to see someone else attempt and pull off this look.

What do you make of people who claim that Avril is as much of a sell-out as the other pop stars, but just she sells out to a different niche of fans?

I think those kind of people should get a hobby. Maybe that hobby should be to give a person that fulfills a dream a pat on the back, buddy!

Comment on Avril’s image. Is that what makes her appealing, or is it her music?

I think the mixture of the two has helped her reach such success. If you are a skater-punk-rocker then you certainly would be drawn to Avril for her rockin’ image. Even my mom likes “Complicated.” And she usually only listens to Elton John.

So we’ve seen Avril skate in her video. Is she really a skater punk or is that a carefully constructed image?

I don’t know. Am I really a 21-year-old, six-foot three-inch, blond, blue-eyed, Syracuse-born and raised, Libra shopaholic that slipped through the cracks of Harvard admissions? Or is that a carefully constructed image?

Predict where Avril will be in five years.

In five years she will be 22, so she will probably be finishing up college somewhere. I bet she goes to that place in Massachusetts—I think it’s called Harvard? But really, how many more rowdy-rock-star-crazy-skater-wild-party-animal types will that school let in? Its reputation is getting a little out of hand already! Simmer down now, Harvard!

Could Avril take Britney Spears in a fight? Keep in mind she is like 4’11’’ and probably doesn’t have a personal trainer.

The only questionable thing Britney has on Avril are her recently exposed femme-bot-bullet-boobs we saw in Goldmember. Now those could really hurt somebody! But, Avril does have a plethora of backup skater boys from the band to help bust a Britney chop. Who’s got Brit’s back? A little sister on Nickelodeon, some hair extensions and some old love letters from Justin aren’t enough for this match! I think Avril has the feisty fierce factor to finish this fight.

Give me your pro-Avril spiel. Now!

Avril Lavigne rocks so much, her bones are made of stone. Enough said!

Hates It

Megan G. Cameron ’05

Do the opening chords of “Complicated” ruin your day or just the next 4 minutes and 12 seconds?

Well, it’s not exactly the sound or even quality of her music that makes me want to bathe in my own vomit just to drown it out. What pisses me off is the content of “Complicated,” in that she’s lambasting some guy for assuming a false image to impress people. Gee, is he maybe wearing a stupid tie with a wifebeater and constantly flashing horns in homage to the devil? Why, Avril, he’s perfect for you!

Why the beef with Avril? Explain your hatred.

I have two main qualms: the false image and the lack of talent. The skater image is contrived and she seems to have no real connection to her fans—any listener who genuinely dresses and acts like that would most likely not appreciate lyrics like “I’m not the milk and Cheerios in your spoon.” What makes her fame so absurd, though, is that she absolutely cannot sing. My dog could cut an album and sound just about as talented as her.

What do you make of the fact that Avril is marketed as, and more or less embraces her image as, the Anti-Britney?

I guess you caught me, as herein lies my real hatred for Avril Lavigne. She was quoted as saying, “I have a great body, too. But I’m not gonna show it off because I’m not selling my body, I’m selling my music.” A noble idea, yes. But why the bitchiness? Even Christina Aguilera keeps her mouth shut about Britney, who for some time was her archrival. And guess what? The same teenage girls who went crazy at Britney concerts will soon stand in line for Avril. She may look like the Anti-Britney, but record producers aren’t stupid. Her music is still the same genre because that’s what sells.

If Avril and Britney got in a cat fight, who would win? Be honest. Avril has spiky bracelets; she looks tough.

Avril and all of her fruity little back-up boys combined couldn’t beat Britney.

Is the fact that Avril is Canadian yet another reason to hate her?

No. Mike Myers is Canadian.

Predict, if you can, where Avril Lavigne will be in five years.

I really don’t care. Bankrupt and living in squalor in Quebec?