Music Video Review: Avril Lavigne's "Alice"

Music Video Review

Avril Lavigne's "Alice" off of the “Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack”

By our guest blogger, Megan O'Malley

Avril Lavigne’s new video, “Alice,” comes right ahead of the new Tim Burton movie, “Alice in Wonderland.” The two are tied together--the song comes from the soundtrack--and the video blends Burton’s twisted wonderland with Lavigne’s angst-ridden lyrics.

Saturated in black-and-gray tones, this is no longer the Avril Lavigne from the “Sk8r Boi” video. To say she’s grown up and matured isn’t right, but she has moved on to some darker territory. This works to her advantage, particularly when shots from the film are blended with the video. Burton always has had darker sensibilities and Lavigne can play up her own without completely alienating her fans. Normally, she has a bubbly punk feel to her, but this video looks much more like something from Evanescence than it does Avril Lavigne. The whirling camera gives viewers a sense of confusion--the same type Alice feels as she embarks on her journey in Wonderland.

The lyrics to the song are sub-par--Lavigne always has been about singing like she speaks--but “I fell down/I’m underground” doesn’t really cut it. She has a decent voice when she really reaches, but the screaming serenade that comes about halfway through the song is annoying and not a good use of her voice. All in all, while the video is a nice mix of Lavigne and Burton, it’s definitely not her best work.

Grade: B-

Watch the video for Avril Lavigne's "Alice" below. What are your thoughts?