A great millenium comeback for No Doubt

After 1995's undisputed breakthrough "Tragic Kingdom", it was almost inevitable that attempting a similarly-awesome follow-up would be a challenge. Unfortunately, it was a challenge No Doubt simply could not overcome with "Return of Saturn". The 2000 release was a universal disappointment (even for non-traditional-rock fans like me, whom they scored with the '95 release). But this album, is a masterpiece all in itself.



When "Rock Steady" was released, I was so excited, so proud of the group for coming back with such a smash as this. It had people and critics who were formerly negative saying "Return of What???" "Rock Steady" hit the pop/hip-hop/dance chord with unexpected greatness, and easily surpassed other unmentionable 2001 releases. From start to finish, it is a uniform, cohesive set of songs that tackle the emerging hip-hop sound of the new millenium with candy-coated melodies and production that spells out pure perfection.



With a slew of notable producers (Pharrell & Chad are on here, so is Nellie Hooper, who would later spice up Gwen's solo debut), this album is their best group work yet. From the irrestible stellar beat of "Hella Good" to the smooth lullaby-like love chant "Running," to the millenium-sparkled, updated ska-punk sound of "Don't Let Me Down," there is something special about each track. There is an evident confidence on this album, on songs like the seductive, trance-laced "Making Out," the Jamaican-funky "Hey Baby," and the suggestive, out of this world "Start the Fire." That confidence -- that 'self-assuredness' -- may have just been the element that was missing from 2000's "Saturn". If there was ever a good time for No Doubt to enter back into the pop mainstream, it was with this release. And the quartet did it with unmatched expertise -- and created a danceable, unforgettable jam session of an album.

All there albums deserve individual recognition

Blah blah blah about Tragic Kingdom, them losing their ska roots and selling out. If you love an artist, you love watching them grow, experiment, and expand...and No Doubt is BARELY even changed that much. All I hear when I listen to their music is a group that was incredibly influenced by a wide range of excellent music when they were growing up, take those influences, blend them together and write some of the strongest pop songs out there--yes I said pop...which is short for POPULAR which means anything that's played on modern radio and popular...as far as I'm concerned even the most underground music is POP...



By the way...if you're looking for the No Doubt remake of Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby," it's readily available on the Zoolander soundtrack.

Struck Gold

When No Doubt first blasted onto the music charts in 1996 for "Don't Speak" everyone thought that..there was something different. Was it the edgy blonde lead singer? The quirky lyrics? The fact that it all came together? Who knew! All anyone knew for sure that they were a success, off of their originality and spark. But after a while, the creek is sure to run dry, so they say, which is why, after a steady pause in their careers after the "Return Of Saturn" (2000) sucess faded, everyone thought that the time was up. But that was not so.



With "Rock Steady" No Doubt breaks out of their element, with reggae and hip hop, but comes back to their natural element, garage band creativity. Their original lyrics are still steady and fresh, with their little quirks here and there. The tunes keep getting better and better, and the more you listen, the catchier it gets. On "Underneath it all" a track supposedly about lead singer Gwen Stefani's relationship with Gavin Rossdale, blends swift keyboarding and funky beats with lyrics that no one else could think of (you used up all your coupons/ and all you've got left is me)mixed with delicious jamican dance hall (sing by Lady Saw).



"Hey Baby" and "Hella Good" struck gold with their insane HOOKS. They both soured up the indivuidal song charts, flew out into the radios, TVS, and minds everywhere. Despite their immediate success with those three songs, every other song on the album was a gem too. "Making Out" is fun and feisty, with zaney background music that will get you dancing. "Detective" seemed almost as if the band were exploring and singing and playing in a different music world then they were accoustumed to, while still being able to recognize it, *snap*, like that.

"Don't Let Me Down" and "Running" sound like they could be fresh chops from "Tragic Kingdom" (a good thing, considering their success on that album). "Platinum Blond Life" is totally edgy, with the kind of melodies and lyrics that make your body pump and your mind race, as does "In My Head" which also seems to serenade TK but with a fresh state of mind, (EVERYBODY WANTS, EVERYBODY ELSE, AND EVERYBODY WANTS, EVERYBODY ELSE) while still proclaiming that they are in fact the same wacky people who came up with the topic of realationship mental custody, and putting your life in prospective (I try to think about rainbows/ when it gets bad/ you've got to think about something, to keep from going mad/ i try to/ think about big fat roses/ when the ships starts going down/ but my head is wicked jealous/ don't wanna talk about it right now!). All in all "Rock Steady" is new and yet old, very fresh, and still INSANELY GOOD. I am going nuts for this album, and I think you will too.