Singles 1992-2003, The - No Doubt

...resting my eyes on ‘The Singles 1992 – 2003’ by No Doubt.

Having heard rave reviews from various places, I decided to pledge my money to the MVC coffers and go for it. Now, I have never been a massive No Doubt fan. Their style of music has never really tickled my fancy, but my taste has gradually matured and having spent most of the week skipping through the 17 tracks, I can safely say that this was a purchase worth indulging in.
...the charts. Follow up singles continued the success and awards came thick and fast.

However, such was the success of Tragic Kingdom and the spotlight that fell solely on the bands glamorous leading lady, that the now bemused band found it hard to create a new sound. The band finally returned with ‘Return of Saturn’ in 2000, but it never quite scaled the heights of the debut, prompting the band to search for a new direction.
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My music collection is certainly, erm… eclectic to say the least. If I look on top of my CD Player, I can see Dido’s new album (which is nowhere near as good as No Angel), the Tatu album (which is actually remarkably good) and the Richard X album (which is certainly an acquired taste). It is not exactly busting with depth, is it?

Which is why I took it upon myself to go out into the world with my £12 and buy something new, something I will probably buy on impulse, play it once and then relegate it to the back of the CD rack. Browsing over the shelves I screwed my nose up at Norah Jones, Katie Melua and Outkast, before resting my eyes on ‘The Singles 1992 – 2003’ by No Doubt.

Having heard rave reviews from various places, I decided to pledge my money to the MVC coffers and go for it. Now, I have never been a massive No Doubt fan. Their style of music has never really tickled my fancy, but my taste has gradually matured and having spent most of the week skipping through the 17 tracks, I can safely say that this was a purchase worth indulging in.

BRIEF HISTORY –
No Doubt’s success did not emerge overnight of course. Originally made up of GWEN STEFANI (Vocalist), ADRIAN YOUNG (Drummer), TOM DUMONT (Guitar), TONY KANAL (Bassist) and ERIC STEFANI (Piano, Keyboards), the band initially dabbled in ska and reggae music, which is something that can still be felt in their latest tracks, before moving onto more mainstream music, crossing the boundaries of Indie, Pop and punk - a combination that had never successfully been pulled off. Developing a loyal fan base, No Doubt landed that elusive recording contract in 1991 and promptly released Trapped in a Box. The tempestuous relationship in the band was put to the test when Gwen and Tony broke up and Eric Stefani left. However, such problems turned into inspiration, with their first album ‘Tragic Kingdom’ and first mainstream single ‘Don’t Speak’, which was based around their various conflictions and feelings at that time, stormed to the top of the charts. Follow up singles continued the success and awards came thick and fast.

However, such was the success of Tragic Kingdom and the spotlight that fell solely on the bands glamorous leading lady, that the now bemused band found it hard to create a new sound. The band finally returned with ‘Return of Saturn’ in 2000, but it never quite scaled the heights of the debut, prompting the band to search for a new direction.

This was immediately felt with their 2001 album, Rock Steady, with tracks like Hey Baby, Hella Good and Underneath it All showing that they were not afraid to tread new paths. It inevitably found favour with buyers and critics alike.

The new greatest hits album compiles their singles from 1992 to the present day and is a great demonstration how they have changed their sound, without loosing the quintessential blend of distinction that made them famous in the first place…

So sit back, relax and read on as I take you track by track through the album, so I can persuade you to go out their get the album further up the charts.

1- JUST A GIRL – 7.5/10
It takes a lot to follow up such a massive hit such as Don’t Speak, but Just a Girl did an admirable job of establishing No Doubt as ‘not just another one hit wonder’. Drifting away from the temptation to do another low tempo song, Just a Girl borders between Indie and punk, with its infectious hook and feminist lyrics. Gwen Stefani is on fine form as she warbles her way through the track, leaving the listener almost empathising with her plight of being ‘all pretty and petite’. The track is a strong start to the album and one that is often replicated but never quite matched later on…

2- IT’S MY LIFE – 9.5/10
The most recent song on the album, Its My Life is a cover of the popular Talk Talk version, but while the original scaled the charts, No Doubt’s attempt was relegated to the dredges of the end of the top 20, due to stingy airplay. It is a massive shame too, because I personally think this is one of the best tracks on the album. The basic chorus is easy to pick up on and soon you’ll be wailing along, unable to match Gwen’s angst ridden tone – I’ve tried countless times, but… However, it is the riff that makes this song so good as I am sure you will agree.

3- HEY BABY – 6.5/10
With its repetitive lyrics and Jamaican vibes, Hey Baby was always going to be a hit for No Doubt when they returned from their sabbatical in 2001. Taken from the Rock Steady album, Hey Baby is infectious to say the least, to the point that it often bypasses its novelty and becomes rather annoying. Still, if you are in the mood for a sing along, I recommend this highly.

4- BATHWATER – 9/10
Bathwater is arguably the only track on the album that requires an acquired taste. Beginning with the ‘New Orleans funeral bass’, the sombre tone is soon demolished by the thumping beat and Gwen’s typically distinctive vocals, with the rather mellow verse emerging as a high tempo burst of life. The song is also brimming with inspired lyrics including, ‘I still love to wash in your old bathwater’, which represents the acceptance of a lovers failures, ‘my pregnant mind is fat full of envy’ and ‘so I pacify problems with kisses and cuddles’. These may sound like a joke, but Bathwater is a break from the norm for No Doubt and they sound the better for it. Give it a chance, not to mention a few plays and I am sure you will feel the same.

5- SUNDAY MORNING –6.5/10
Unfortunately, Sunday Morning is a track I tend to glaze over when I am listening to it. Penned before the band made it big, Sunday Morning does, begins with a ska like beat, with the odd guitar additions breaking it up, before building to a climatic chorus. Indeed, the chorus is memorable, but this is not one of the albums better tracks.

6- HELLA GOOD- 8/10
Like many before them, No Doubt sought the production genius of the Neptune’s for the second track off Rock Steady. Hella Good stands out with its distinctive rhythm and toe-tapping melody and is definitely the most dance orientated track on the album. With Nellee Hooper pressing the buttons, Hella Good definitely stands out as one of the better songs they have produced.

7- NEW – 7/10
This track takes a while to get going, but persevere and you will be rewarded. Following a big build-up New then slips back into the same fast paced riff and then finally moves into the chorus some way through the song. This is not a vintage No Doubt track, but Gwen’s voice suits the song perfectly, making it worth a few listens before finally making up your mind on it.

8- UNDERNEATH IT ALL – 7/10
Underneath it All signalled a completely new direction for No Doubt when it was released in 2002. Co-wrote by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, the track is very mellow with its light reggae tones and retro production, but while this is far from my favourite track it is refreshingly different to the rest of the album. It is perfect for those who need to chill a little following the first rorty songs.

9- EXCUSE ME MR – 9/10
Do not expect this attitude to stay however, because you will be up on your feet when you reach track 9, Excuse Me Mr. With vocals travelling at 100mph, this is the 1990’s take on punk music. Gwen’s voice is delightfully straining, giving the track unrivalled distinction, while the fantastic 30’s style piano in the middle is certainly unique. If you are feeling a little frantic, then this is the song for you. Alternatively, if you are looking for a challenge then have a go at keeping up with the words without looking in the CD cover…

10 – RUNNING – 7/10
Things slow down again for Running, which is immediately questionable due to it’s rather computer game style melody. Indeed, this simple theme continue throughout in what is a rather heart felt and poignant song, composed solely on a Yamaha keyboard. While it does not exactly interesting as some of the tracks, Running is smooth and relaxing

11- SPIDERWEBS – 9.5/10
Personally one of my favourite tracks on the album, Spiderwebs is very infectious, with its jazzy introduction morphing into guitars and Gwen’s sinuous lyrics. The pace picks up dramatically in the chorus, which I can guarantee will make you sing along after a few listens, the lines ‘Sorry, I’m not home right now, I’m walking into Spiderwebs’, describing the bands rather ‘determined’ stalkers. If Just a Girl had not silenced the cynics, then the following Spiderwebs certainly shoved socks in their mouths…

12- A SIMPLE KIND OF LIFE – 5.5/10
Penned by Gwen herself, with nothing but her and a guitar, A Simple King of Life is most definitely the blandest track on the album. Gwen’s voice is again superb and lyrics are heartfelt, but it fails to capture the imagination and often washes over me when I put it on. Indeed, I often skip to the next track…

13- DON’T SPEAK- 10/10
All bands get their big break, but no break could have been more significant than Don’t Speak, which in 1995 emerged as the song of the year. Number One on both sides of the Atlantic, the song remains No Doubt’s sole chart topper in this country. Charting the break up between Gwen and Tony (Guitar) and penned by herself and her brother Eric, Don’t Speak made its impression with its relatable lyrics and subtle melody. Gwen’s strong voice suits the song perfectly and while it is not quite a ballad, Don’t Speak gained respect as it crossed into various genres and still sounds as good now as it did first time round all those years ago – the sign of a classic song.

14- EX-GIRLFRIEND – 8/10
Things speed up again on Ex-Girlfriend, where the initial flamenco guitars transform into a bass guitars with Gwen screaming ‘I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend’. About as subtle as a sledgehammer, Ex-Girlfriend was the song that got No Doubt back up the charts after a three year absence.

15- TRAPPED IN A BOX – 5.5/10
Perhaps the most amusing song on the album, Trapped in a Box seems to have been included so as not to loose sight of No Doubt’s humble origins. The ska themes that have been featured briefly in many songs through the album, make their full on debut in Trapped in a Box, with Gwen’s bearing more than a passing resemblance to a female Suggs. Their first single, some three years before Don’t Speak, this is a song probably best kept for the end of the album.

BONUS TRACKS – NO DOUBT REMIX
UNDERNEATH IT ALL - ACOUSTIC

As anybody who has the ‘pleasure’ of knowing me knows, I am very critical, but despite shying away from the band for several years, this album is certainly impressive. The stand out tracks are indeed ‘Don’t Speak’, ‘Its My Life’, ‘Spiderwebs’ and ‘Bathwater’, but only you can go out with your £12 and make up your own minds.

With bands quickly turning into a myriad of eye candy and bland voices, No Doubt cannot be left to wilt in the deluge of manufactured productions, which is why I urge you to go and get a souvenir of a music past that was arguably so much better than it is today…
 

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