Artist: Avril Lavigne

Album: “The Best Damn Thing”

Label: RCA

Release date: Tuesday

Availability: CD, iTunes and AOL Music

Canadian-born punk rocker Avril Lavigne returns to the music scene this week with her much-awaited third album, “The Best Damn Thing.” Lavigne first emerged at the age of 17 when her 2002 debut album, “Let Go,” produced eight Grammy nominations and sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. Lavigne sticks to her roots with the punk-infused, electric guitar-heavy song “One of Those Girls.” However, some of her new songs, such as “Best Damn Thing” and “Girlfriend,” are Fergie-infused and sound like a pop tune I would have enjoyed in middle school.

Songs I appreciated more were the contemplative and tender ones, such as her already-famous ballad, “Keep Holding On,” which, although sentimental, showcases her vocal power.

My favorite was “Innocence,” a slower-paced song focused more on vocals and less on instrumental noise.

Overall, I would recommend previewing the album before buying, as the mix of musical styles make some songs more favorable than others.