No Doubt - Rock Steady

List Price: $13.98
Our Price: $3.46
You Save: $10.52 (75%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details

CD Details

• NO DOUBT ROCK STEADY

Music reviews of Rock Steady

Music Review: Island in the Sun: No Doubt Style
Rating: 5 Stars

1 - "Intro": A concise and harmonious beginning that adds a nice touch. (A)

2 - "Hella Good": Already deemed a popular track by fans, this song takes you back to the dance halls of the 1980s. No reggae here - just pure rock. This track, however, is rather repetitive and disjointed (and hence not the strongest on the album). But it is pure fun and is a good song to which to dance. (B)

3 - "Hey Baby": The first single off the album (with the help of Bounty Killer). A lot of debate has surrounded this single - is it a good choice for the first single? A bad one? Whatever your opinion is, it is definitely a radio-friendly, reggae-tinged song in which Gwen Stefani's vocals shine in a dominating, I'm-just-having-fun-gettin'-my-groove-on kind of way. Check out "Start the Fire" if you want a better song. (A-)

4 - "Making Out": "Funky disco" are the words here. Gwen speaks before breaking into song. There is a rather memorable melody that is along the lines of "Hella Good." The tune is not a stand out, but Gwen's vocals are. (B-)

5 - "Underneath It All": As soon as this song leaked out of my speakers, I knew this would be one of the best songs on the album. This song could easily blend in on the Tragic Kingdom album. A mid-tempo track accompanied by an unforgettable melody, gentle vocals, and a reggae influence, this is the best choice for the second single. Lady Saw lends her unique vocals in the middle that greatly strengthens the appeal of this song. What is particularly noticeable is the guitar work on this track - listen closely and see if you don't hear a little bit of Tragic Kingdom. (A+).

6 - "Detective": Odd track with a metallic, visceral beginning. Punctuated by playful, childish high vocals and a, yes, enigmatic and furtive tone that is darker than fans will be used to, this song is another one that stands out. The ending flourish has a cacophonic overtone that is both bizarre but utterly creative and enjoyable. (A-)

7 - "Don't Let Me Down": Another quick fan-pleaser that is radio-friendly. Yet another song that will bring you back to the 1980s, but please reserve your judgment until the chorus kicks in. There isn't anything exceptionally creative or new here, but there is this joyous and innocent quality about this song that will no doubt become a classic with fans. (B+)

8 - "Start the Fire": This, along with "Underneath It All," is the best track on the entire album. The soiltary vocals that begin the track immediately flow into rhythmic reggae beats and an immediately memorable melody that soars and bobs up and down like a Caribbean wave. The bass, keyboards, instrumentals, and Gwen's voice are all exceptionally sharp on this track. If you want to really hear the influence a Jamaica trip will have on a band, listen to this track first (and ignore "Hey Baby"). Sublime fan? This is a treat for you. (A+)

9 - "Running": This track doesn't make your ears perk up right away, but hang in there...wait a few seconds until the gentle melody kicks in on this beautiful ballad. Many complaints have been made about Return of Saturn - too many slow songs! Make "Running" an exception, as this isn't your archetypal, tedious, pointless ballad. Not only is the melody strong, but Gwen proves her vocals are only improving as time progresses. Beautifully orchestrated. (A)

10 - "In My Head": Pure No Doubt. It's fun, it's playful, it's bouncy in a subtle way, it's like a kid's circus show. This track dumps Sublime and adopts Save Ferris. "Let's talk about Gwen Stefani," Gwen sings. As long as you guys keep on producing tracks like this, absolutely. (A+)

11 - "Platinum Blonde Life": Rock song with a sharp guitar intro. Yes, the comparison is correct. This is No Doubt's Garbage song, but this isn't Version 2.0, just a light imitation of it that consists of a jumble of guitars, rockish vocals, and a pseudo-melody. Not the best track on the album; in fact, it is the weakest. (C)

12 - "Waiting Room": Prince's fingerprints are all over this track. Several thumping beats start off this track with a bang, but Prince's influence doesn't show itself until a few good seconds into this song. Overall, it's frenetic, it has tip-toe high vocals, a mainline sexy melody topped by "wait for you" lyrics, and experimental background noises that consist of interesting beeping beats. Takes a few listens to appreciate, but it ultimately is more creative and innovative than anything off Prince's latest album. (A-)

13. "Rock Steady": The return of the intro. Warning: this is a slow song, but this is slow with rhythm, not slow in terms of a ballad. A steady drum beat accompanies Gwen's soporific vocals. A great (and somewhat somber) choice to end the album, as the track contains several fun sound effects. (A-)

This album is not Tragic Kingdom; it's not trying to be (albeit it inadvertently waltzes in that direction once in a while). However, it is an album that finally capitalizes on the reggae and the ska elements that many fans have enjoyed over the years, and I hope No Doubt continues to move into this direction, for ska-reggae-pop-rock is what they are good at. Rock Steady took less time to produce than the sedate and overly-ambitious Return of Saturn, and, aided by several respectable contributors, this more blissful and carefree album is sure to please if a person is willing to mature as an audiophiliac (read: stop walking into "Spiderwebs").

Description of Rock Steady

Alternative Rock CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Rock