AVRIL LAVIGNE TALKS LOVE, LIFE

is back in action with her new album 'The Best Damn Thing.' Since her last release in 2004, the 22-year-old singer has taken a husband in Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley. Wearing a pink frock and Doc Martens, the princess of pop-punk talked about love and life at her NYC album release party held at The Box on April 17. HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOUR LAST ALBUM?It's definitely changed a lot. I'm older. I'm 22 ? the last record I was 19. You go through a lot of changes. I'm stronger, wiser. I'm more involved. I've always been involved in every aspect, but now it's even more. The record is not that mature, it's very playful, bratty and bitchy but all in a fun way. It's a fun record. It's a good time.HOW'S MARRIED LIFE?It's amazing.HOW DO YOU AND DERYCK KEEP YOUR RELATIONSHIP HOT?We're meant to be, so it all works out. Whatever's meant to be is meant to be. This is my life, and he has the same kind of lifestyle as I do, and we just make it work. We're strong, we respect each other. He respects what I do.YOU'RE GOING ON TOUR ? HOW ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO KEEP YOUR RELATIONSHIP STRONG?Well, we've done it before through our last records. We have the same management. We always make sure when I have my two weeks off, he has his two weeks off. YOUR ALBUM IS CALLED 'THE BEST DAMN THING.' WHY?It's my best record so far. It's a lot of fun all the way through. 'Girlfriend,' my first single, is really exciting. I'm so happy.WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO GO IN THIS DIRECTION OF FUN AND FLIRTY?I love energetic songs. I'm onstage every single night for over an hour, and I was always trying to come up with songs that were really fun. I just want to rock out and have a good time. I'm really excited about my tour this year.--Valerie Nome