Beirut-born Brit Mika has dropped his first album and Canadian pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne has released album number three. We're checking them both out!

Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing

When you call your album The Best Damn Thing, it had better be good. But Avril Lavigne - as well know for spitting at photographers as she is for her music - has never been afraid of being overly cocky. On The Best Damn Thing Avril reverts to the bratty, punkier sound of her first album, shunning the sullen vibe that made her second album such a downer. The album, while it fails to live up to it's name, is certainly not the worst damn thing either.

Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing Fun Facts

Travis Barker played drums for some of the tracks on the album.

Avril's husband Deryck Whibley took the photo of Avril that's on the cover of the Best Damn Thing.

Avril co-wrote the track Girlfriend with Lukasz Gottwald, who has written and produced for Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, P!nk and Paris Hilton.

Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing Hot Tracks

Girlfriend; I Can Do Better; Hot

Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing Rating:

Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion

Depending on your feelings about over-the-top rock, you'll either love Mika's debut album or you'll hate it. The theatrical tunes, reminiscent of '70s acts like Queen, as well as modern day hit-makers like Scissor Sisters, are perfect for fans of full-on flamboyance, but will drive those with subtler tastes running to hit eject on their CD players.

Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion Fun Facts

The song Grace Kelly was written to poke fun of musicians who try to re-invent themselves to become more popular.

Life in Cartoon Motion was produced by Greg Wells, who has also produced for Jesse McCartney, Cheyenne, Paris Hilton, and Hilary Duff.

Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion Hot Tracks

Grace Kelly; Billy Brown; Big Girl

Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion Rating:

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Avril Lavigne Biography

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Travis Barker Interview

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