“I have loads of ideas and tricks up my sleeve so watch out. I’m scared for you,” Gwen Stefani warned fans last March. She wasn’t kidding.
After spotting vocals on Eve’s “Let Me Blow Your Mind” and Moby’s “South Side,” No Doubt front-woman Gwen Stefani steps even further from her ska-rock roots with the release of “Love, Angel, Music, Baby,” her first solo album.
The album in its entirety contains a plethora of different sounds and styles, yet in a nutshell is a hard-core, upbeat party starter. Stefani herself won’t even call it a solo; she prefers “dance record.” With acclaimed writer/producers on board and a complete 180 spin from No Doubt’s typical tunes, Stefani has the perfect excuse to go at it alone.
The first single, “What You Waiting For,” is the ideal lead-off track for the album. Penned by both Stefani and 4 Non Blonde’s Linda Perry and containing a blend of retro new-wave from the 80s and contemporary synthetic beats, it’s sure to get you on the dance floor. “Take a chance, you stupid hoe!” sings Stefani about her solo jitters.
The video takes you on a trip through a distorted, yet always fashion sensible, Alice in Wonderland theme. Japanese culture and style also become a crucial influence felt not only in the video but on the whole album as well.
If you’re reminiscent of the personal, heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics Stefani is famous for (mostly from No Doubt’s breakthrough album, “Tragic Kingdom”), you’ll definitely appreciate “Cool” and “Danger Zone.” A Dallas Austin produced ballad, “Cool” is a song for ex-boyfriend and band-mate Tony Kanal. “After all that we’ve been through, I know we’re cool,” she sings.
On the other hand, “Danger Zone” is quite the opposite. “Danger Zone” is an up-tempo dance mix that rehashes deep secrets and hidden ghosts pervasive in Stefani’s marriage to British rocker Gavin Rossdale. Both tracks prove to be a positive addition to the album.
Aside from those three tunes, don’t look any further for lyrical depth to Gwen’s personal life. This is not “Return of Saturn.” The album remains light and airy and yet is still extremely eclectic.
Andre 3000 appears as Johnny Vulture in “Bubble Pop Electric,” a song he also produced. After just one listen, “Bubble Pop” screams Outkast. Stefani is a young girl waiting for her date to pick her up at her house as she sings, “I understand he’s on his way now. But jeez, Louise I mean today now. I can’t wait I wanna play now.” It’s cheesy, it’s hedonistic, it’s poppy…but it works.
Towards the end of the album, you’ll think you’re back in 1988. “Crash” and “Serious,” produced by Kanal, and “The Real Thing,” produced by Nellee Hooper, both sound like old school Madonna, Prince, and Tiffany songs all fused together. Stefani reaches back to her predecessors for inspiration and influence, making “Love” unlike any contemporary pop album out today.
My favorite song is the soon-to-be national cheerleader anthem “Hollaback Girl.” Heavy bass pounds through speakers in an almost a cappella track as Stefani sings about getting back at trash talkers. It might not sound enticing, but after just one listen I guarantee you’ll be hooked.
Although these tracks could inject life into any party, some songs off “Love” fail to spark any electricity at all.
The tentative second single “Rich Girl,” featuring a second collaboration with rapper Eve, is too much for Stefani to handle. Appearing on Eve’s album is one thing, but to have a hip-hop track of her own is another story (and there is a significant difference between dance and hip-hop!). It’s sad to see this song as the second single simply because it doesn’t accentuate the album’s initial retro direction. However, it’s sure to be a club smash.
Overall, “Love, Angel, Music, Baby” soars. Despite a few skip-worthy tracks, the album is well written, produced, collaborated and planned (although I am happy to see Stefani get it out of her system under her own name, rather than No Doubt).
“Love” will not be the best album of the year (however, it will take guilty pleasure of the year, if such a category existed). It also won’t please everyone, especially those who take the lyrics too literally.
But if you’re looking for a certain CD to pump in your townhouse basement at your next party, then what you waiting for? Go pick up “Love, Angel, Music, Baby.” It’s a guaranteed good time.
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