No Doubt - Rock Steady
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Free Music Notes for Rock Steady
Free Music Review: BEYOND HELLA GOOD
Hit: 5 Stars
After the solid adult approach of 2000's "Return To Saturn",No Doubt dump the moody torch songs in favor for some boogie shoes in good favor on "Rock Steady".After two hit duets,with Eve and Moby respectively(the lazy Dr. Dre bump of the summer smash "LetMe Blow Your Mind" and the skittish techno-pop of "South Side"),No Doubt's ever-present frontwoman,the irreplacable Gwen Stefani became ND's unoffical face.Yeah drummer Adrian Young's naked antics will catch some attention in ND's video but Gwen's fun,earthy,geniune Libra spirit makes everyone from rock fanatics to hip hop heads a fan.Hence No Doubt's huge accessibility.
"Rock Steady" is a fun,nervy ride with funky results.Dabbling with a lot of reggae(the album's title is in reference to the type of dancehall popular in Jamaica),soul,new wave,bossa nova, funk,and of course...ska,ND strech their musical muscles.Many non-rock fans will like this album.One of the main reasons that No Doubt's music has been so appealing is in the energy even with the bittersweet songs that comprised "Return To Saturn",ND
always had a lot of energy and spirit in their music.
And that continues with such cuts as the irrestible dance track
"Hella Good",the bubbly bubblegum-funk/pop of "Hey Baby",the smooth,retro reggae pop-soul of "Underneath It All"(destined to be a big radio hit),the crackling fun of "Making Out",and the roof raising dancehall anthem of "Start The Fire".See,tracks that use a heavy reggae influence like "Underneath" and "Start" use reggae very authenically.It's not a trendy pose here but rather a honest attempt to broaden their horizions and give the fans a little something new.
The lithing title track along with the obligitory rockier track
"Don't Let Me Down" also deserve some mention.As there isn't really a bad track on "Rock Steady".Maybe the filler tracks "Detective" and "Platinum Blonde Life" but the pot really gets boiling with the album's best track:the Prince-assisted "Waiting Room".Over funky tribal beats and a sultry guitar lick,Gwen and the Purple One slither all over the track recalling the listener of Prince's golden days with Shelia E or
Appolonia or Wendy & Lisa.Invoking the past but marrying it with the future,it's exactly what "Waiting Room" does perfectly.
No Doubt succeed yet again while taking some chances with a new sound.And please old No Doubt fans/rock fans don't try to run around calling these guys "sell-outs".Being openminded and trying out a new sound isn't "selling out",it's called evolution.And "Rock Steady" shows that evolution happening in tip-top shape.
Free Music Review: A Mixed Bag of Goodies
Hit: 5 Stars
Lets face it: "Tragic Kingdom" will always be No Doubt's `fire-starter'. They jumped into the musical world with "Spiderwebs", rocked soulful chicks' worlds with "Don't Speak", and helped promote a television show with "I'm Just a Girl". But after the success of that platinum selling album, No Doubt disappeared for a few years, and then attempted to make an intuitive and subdued comeback with "Return of Saturn". While the artistry of "Return of Saturn" was amazing, and several tracks were worthy of praise, the album was considered to be filler, and No Doubt's attempt at seriousness was ridiculed.
Getting back to what fans of No Doubt love most, the group released its newest album, filled with bubbly and simpleminded tracks. "Rock Steady" has a quality "Return of Saturn" missed: it's fun! The entire tone of the album is laid back and energetic, with almost no attempt at seriousness. However, there are moments of reflection and meaningfulness ("Platinum Blonde Life", "Underneath It All"). The collaboration of producers on this album made it a mixed bag of tricks, which somehow came out complimenting each other in the end.
Mostly, Gwen longs for the perfectly imperfect relationship, loving her man despite all his flaws. The gentlemen of the band are clearly having a good time playing the music on this album. "Don't Let Me Down" has a great energetic vibe full of 80's synthesizers and catchy guitars. "Hella Good", "Hey Baby" and "Underneath It All" are well-known, thanks to extended radio play. The uppity tunes on "Rock Steady" are extremely entertaining, however most of the slower tracks leave a more lasting impression. In particular, "Running" and the title track "Rock Steady" offer a great amount of depth and enthusiasm, despite their slower paces. Another noteworthy song is "Start The Fire" with its interesting blend of percussion, string plucking, and electronic bagpipe synthesizers. In "Waiting", No Doubt successfully combines their style with Prince's quirkiness to create a tune that pops.
The song content consists of yearning, longing, obsessing, craving, waiting and wishing. But thanks to Gwen's sugary whiny tone (hey, that's not a bad thing) this actually works. The sneakiness of songs like "Making Out" and "In My Head" perfectly compliment the angst in Gwen's voice. "Detective" is another prime example of lyrical uncertainty.
Every single song on this album is catchy and I can guarantee you'll be fighting for hours to get the melodies out of your head. This album was No Doubt's battle cry as the flashed back into the main spotlight of the music scene. It's pretty wild and jumpy, and altogether fun. As Gwen boldly states, "you got me feelin' hella good, so lets just keep on dancin'.'
Free Music Review: Struck Gold
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: Really Grows on You after a while
Hit: 5 Stars
A lot of steadfast no doubt fans don't seem to like this CD, but I certainly do. Its one of my favorite CDs to date. At first listen, I regretted wasting my money, but after a couple of listens I really got to appreciate what they put into on the CD. They co-wrote and co-produced every song on this CD which considering a lot of acts today is something very cool. Plus they weren't afraid to try something different which also deserves credit. BUT onto the music. I really like almost all the songs on the CD. They compliment eachother very well for a very distinct sound. Also they are mostly happy and upbeat which I like a lot. All very danceable. The standout tracks are definetly "Hey Baby" "Detective" and "Running" (A slightly slower song on the CD). They not only have awesome vocals (thank you Gwen), but the actual music is really cool sounding, too. Far from the usual ska, but not an unwelcome change. Anyway, I'll run through the tracks now. "Hella Good" is an upbeat song which has some really cool guitar riffs. "Hey Baby" (which you've probably heard on the radio) is a dance-able, arguably pop-y song, but very fun. "Making Out" is a cool song because it has a cool beat and I like how Gwen goes back and forth from singing to talking, etc. Gives it a cool sound. "Underneath it All" is a slower song featuring Lady Saw which gives it a cool reggae- 80's type sound. "Detective" is one of my favorite songs. Its got such cool melody and how it goes back and forth from sound to sound is awesome. "Don't Let Me Down" is a good song I think. Nothing really special, just kinda feel good music. "Start the Fire" also has the reggae-ish sound. I'm not too crazy about it, but its a dance-able song with an interesting rhythm. "Running" is the slowest song on the CD, but one of my favorites. It really grows on you after a while. "In My Head" is a very interesting little electronica- type thing. I like it a lot except for the "In My head, its only in my head" chorus. I find it annoying. "Platinum Blonde Life" is a very odd little mix in which I understand absolutely nothing of the song, but its got a cool melody and most of the time Gwen's voice is drowned out by the background music. "Waiting Room" is probably my least favorite song on the CD. Its too weird for my taste, but it goes out to all those Prince fans because he co-wrote and produced it. "Rock Steady" is a nice song. Very feel-good. Not much to say about it. Well, to sum up, I think its a great CD and you should buy it if you're into this kind of stuff. But if you like the old No Doubt, don't look here.Free Music Review: Wow...what are you people thinking!? A 15 year old reviewer!
Hit: 5 Stars
Wow..i'm looking at all of these reviews and you know what... THIS ALBUM DOES NOT SUCK AT ALL, ARE YOU SURE YOUR EVEN GIVING IT A CHANCE!? This album is very good! Everyone thinks just because they wanted to do something "different" that they are sellouts, well ya know what? ALL of their albums are DIFFERENT! No Doubt is the kind of band that likes to keep you on your feet, delivering something new & special each time, look at Return Of Saturn, it was completely different form Tragic Kingdom, and it was great! The difference between this album & their last album is that they are being funky, wild, dancable tunes that you can't get out of your head! I've been a No Doubt fan for a while now, and i loved every album, and you have to give this one a try because it grows on you, BELEIVE me, because it grew on me hehehe.... Well in my opinion if you listen to this album & one of their first they have that wonderful No Doubt ska energy back, and this is how No Doubt was intended to be, i say good for them for not being the same ol' thing all the time, and just enjoy that they are actually good... And alot of people say it's just Gwen showcasing herself, and leaving the other bandmembers out, well let me tell you for one...If you look in the booklet that comes with the CD it tells you what each band member played as an instrument or w/e, and they all had a huge roll in each song, they played keyboards,guitars,drums, you name it! This album was not just Gwen's effort, they ALL wanted to do this, and its their music & taste changes, but most importantly they make their music well ^_~...All i can say is, this is a great album, and if you have listned to it off Morpheus or any othe rof those msuic sharing programs, they don't give you the full song, JUST THE CHORUS, so don't judge it off that because its not the album tracks!Well i think i got my point accross...i'll give you a list of my fav songs ^_^..1. Hella Good, OMG THIS SONG IS AWESOME!!! Buying the album for this song alone is worth it!
2. Detective, ohh i loooove this song, it's very catchy, and very No Doubt ^_~.
3. Making Out, lol this song is very catch,a nd i mean VERY, and i'm sure alot of people can relate to this :P.
4. Platinum Blonde Life, this song is soo funky & cool, i just love it!
5. Underneath it all, this is a nice slow song, its pretty...typical no doubt..
6. IN My Head, i think all you No Doubt fans will liek this, very funky & new, it grows on you O_O...
Well i'm gonna stop there, because if i don't i'd list the whole album, i love every song! Well do yourself a favor, listen to me & buy it, the other people don't know what they are talking about & don't like No Doubt, i'm sure you'll love it! Thank you!