Don't Tell Me, gets our thumbs up.
"Finally, someone that stands up for something positive.."
by Steve Young

To put in Generation Y Terms, Avril's latest single is "tight." In my 27 year-old fart terms, it's inspiring. Never did I think such a powerful stance would be embraced by a young rock star. But I guess there's a first for everything.

Avril is most known for catchy indie rock tunes "Complicated, Skater Boi, and Losing Grip." An outspoken young girl who broke onto the scenes with a spunky attitude that some came to love, and at the same, to hate. She was branded by many in the rock scene as manufactured, unoriginal, too "poppish" to be considered real rock. Yet, despite the critics, she sold millions of albums, created a culture of neck-tieing teens, and much much more....

So, her much anticipated single has been years in the making. Questions on how far she would go, if she will become more than an one album wonder, and move onto a sustainable career in the music industry have yet to be answered. But can she write her own music? Can she create something inspiring, original, without the help of the famous "Matrix" writing team. Can she creating great music on her own?

The answer is...yes.

"Don't tell me" is very catchy balance of soft melodies with hard guitar riffs. Avrils cries her way through her lyrics, then explodes wtih anger during each chorus like an experienced rocker. One would go on a limb to say that that this song is somewhat "emo'ish" comparable to Saves the Day at times. Aside from an incredible composition or melody and rock, the lyrics tread along an extremely positive, yet negative tone, addressing the subject of unwanted sexual pressures.

You held my hand and walked me home I know
While you gave me that kiss it was something like this it made me go ooh ohh
You wiped my tears, got rid of all my fears, why did you have to go?
Guess it wasn't enough to take up some of my love cause you're so hard to trust
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that girl?
The one who gives it all away

[Chorus:]
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you, this time?
Did you think that I was somethin I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do,
Dont try to tell me what to say,
Your better off that way

Don't think that your charmin the fact that your arm is now around my neck
I got you in my pants I'll have to kick your ass and make you never forget
I'm gonna ask you to stop, thought I liked you a lot, but I'm really upset
Get out of my head get off of my bed yeah thats what I said
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that, the one who, throws it all away

[Chorus]
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you, this time?
Did you think that I was somethin I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do,
Dont try to tell me what to say,
Your better off that way

This guilt trip that you put me on won't, mess me up I've done no wrong
Any thoughts of you and me have gone away

[Chorus]
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you, this time?
Did you think that I was somethin I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do,
Dont try to tell me what to say,
Your better off that way

Better off that way
I'm better off alone anyway

Lavigne’s move to release "Don't Tell me" is a very bold and risky move for an artist who has yet to establish a strong foothold in the music industry. As we all know, the mainstream music industry makes a living awarding record contracts to artists who go out of their way to publicize a lifestyle of drugs, sex, and blatant obscenity. The formula to most songs is to create a song, even better, sample a song, throw in some lyrics about booty, throw in a few derogatory terms, and bash the president, you've got a hit. This song does exactly the opposite. Even postive role-model artists such as Jessica Simpson and Beyonce have yet to create a song that stands on the same ground as "Don't tell me."

To release a single prior to the launch of a new album with a positive message such as this, would be considered by many music industry insiders, as suicide. But we predict something much different. Avril Lavigne latest album will sell very well and she will become more than an one album wonder. Aside from the positive message, her voice is extremely passionate and unlike any we've heard before. Her massive cult following will supply the intial surge of records sells, followed by new fans who embrace her message. And soon, riding on her positive message, endorsement contracts (if she chooses to take them) should roll in as she will become something of an anomalous rock star, someone that both fans and parents will love. Now corporations will no longer have to fear massive boycotts of their product due to the endorsement of a drug using sex obsessed rock star, because they have Avril.

It was once said that Avril Lavigne represented exactly what rock-n-roll should not be. Now, she is everything that a rockstar should be. Original, with something positive to say.

What will the affect of Lavigne’s single have on younger women? There will be some who will hate it, some who will embrace it, and some who won't care. But there is no doubt that it will contribute to less unwanted teenage pregnancies this year. There is no doubt that one of her fans out there will not succumb to the sexual advances of an overly hormone charged boy. And in a way, Avril’s music will serve as a surrogate parent for parents who fail to preach a powerful message of self-control to their children.

We tip our hats to Avril and give it a 100 rating out of ten.

To listen to her latest single, click here: