Avril – Members Only

One could be tempted to describe Avril's second album, MEMBERS ONLY, as 'cinematic downtempo,' based on the first track, "Urban Serenade," with its the swelling strings and acoustic guitar, but by the rough, dark electro of "Be Yourself" (complete with fashionable lyrics), you know anything can happen. "Room" is a rock music grind with little interludes of mystery, whereas "Can't Stand Your Ex's Rock Band" has the thrum and energy of DFA's indie/dance crossover while name-checking Oasis, The Strokes, and, er, Alanis Morrissette. But thing slow to a crackling, folksy midpoint with "As The Music Stops" and the lingering sadness of "Eve." "Roofless" wanders into outer space territory with its theramin, but "Quand Tu Fais Ca" closes out the album with a little bit of chanson. Who wouldn't want to become a member?