No Doubt - Return of Saturn

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Music reviews of Return of Saturn

Music Review: 3 1/2 Stars, If I Could....It's a Polarizing Album
Rating: 3 Stars

No, this is not the instantly catchy punk/pop-meets-ska sound of "Tragic Kingdom"...and that's okay. It's been five years of growth, maturing, touring and absorption of influences...any decent artist SHOULD grow and evolve. "Return of Saturn" is more dense, more layered and overall, darker. It's a step up artistically for No Doubt -- and also reflects songwriting growth.

This is an album that grows on you. On first impact, you're a bit disoriented and most likely slightly dissappointed at the more measured, more controlled, smoother/slicker sound and the emphasis on production and careful mixing vs. the rawness and energy of their previous albums. Beyond "Ex-Girlfriend" and maybe "Bathwater", there's nothing in here instantly catchy, memorable and hummable...the hooks aren't as obvious, the melodies not as immediate.

But when you continue to listen, you start to hear serious songcraft, maturity and musical/lyrical depth straining to make itself heard underneath the layers of glossy, over-produced sound and studio trickery. They've changed and continued the direction set on Tragic Kingdom, moving away from their ska/punk roots (with pop a distant 3rd but present) towards a definite pop-centered sound with strains of punk, new wave and a pinch (no more) of ska. But the change works. This isn't about comparisons...judge the album on its own merit.

The band has really gelled together here. Gwen has grown by leaps and bounds on this album. She puts in an incredible performance...her voice has a fluidity, depth and versatility in expression that stands above previous albums. She is more about shading, nuance and modulation now - rather than relying on raw power or in-your-face vocal mannerisms.

The band overall sounds tighter...Tom continues to be the underrated hero, never grabbing the spotlight but playing with taste and finesse - for the song. You also hear more melodic/lead work from Tony and an improved bass sound. To me, Adrian especially has evolved on this album. His drumming is stronger, more precise and more musical...yet he has grown more adventurous on record, displaying well-placed fills and accents. There are more dynamics on this album as well, which contribute to a more mature, expressive sound.

Songs like "Six Feet Under", "Artificial Sweetener", and "Too Late" are standouts above anything No Doubt has ever written -- and they emphasize ND's more aggressive side. Excellent songs about mortality, bitter introspection and impulsive/obssessive love. Also, "Comforting Lie", "Suspension Without Suspense" and especially "Dark Blue" (a brilliant song) are haunting and filled with lyrical substance and musical maturity -- these aren't about catchiness, they are profound statements and are excellent in their own right. And of course the afore-mentioned "Ex-Girlfriend" and "Bathwater" are immediately catchy and accessible and trademark No Doubt.

BUT...there's something that pervades this album that I honestly must say I don't like...and it's the overproduction. There is too much "studio magic" here...too many chirps, bells, whistles and gimmicks. It's almost as if the songs didn't have enough substance (or the band enough musical credibility) to stand on their own - which thankfully isn't the case for the many of the songs. But it gets annoying, distracting and contributes to the overall glamorous, slick, almost over-done feel of the album. At times No Doubt toes the line between becoming a bit more accessible and mainstream (which is okay) and just blatantly reaching for as broad an audience as possible via bubblegum pop practices. It's a close call sometimes.

The other point are the highs and lows of this album...while you have the great material mentioned above, there are songs like "Marry Me" which are just inane. The song drones on with not much structure and even less of a point..."I can't help that I like to be kissed / And I wouldn't mind if my name changed to Mrs". Good God...Additionally, "Staring Problem" is just plain annoying -- it's dissonant, jumbled and sounds like song sections stuck together and rushed. A sense of song and melody are missing. Finally (and I'll be disagreeing with many fans and reviewers here), "A Simple Kind of Life" and "Magic's In The Make-Up" are, to me, just plain bland and unremarkable - they don't say much musically and deserve better composition given the insightful depth of the lyrics. Too middle-of-the road for me.

One final "gripe": Gwen has definitely made strides as a lyricist - but the self-deprecating, depressed, remorseful insecurity of her lyrics can get repetitive and a bit old. There's too much frustration and depression about relationships here, and ND has proven capable of finding more varied subject matter to probe.

So there you have it...a polarizing, bittersweet album. It's worth buying...if you're willing to really listen to it in detail and uncover the layers...there's more going on than meets the ear. I think, overall, it's a hit and really shows what No Doubt is capable of in songcraft. Now they need to find balance...

Description of Return of Saturn

Alternative Rock CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Rock