I bought this album when it came out in 1995, it was my first album ever and at first I wasn't too sure about it but as time went on I grew to love it and now it basically lives in my CD player. Its got some great legendary No Doubt tracks along with those not-so-famous tracks that really should have been released as singles!
Gwen Stefani experiments with different tones, pitches and beats and provides us with those kind of songs that just make you smile! Unlike other No Doubt albums this does offer alot of variation on the tracks and they range from the kind of up-rocking tracks such as Different People to the more oriental and classical track of Hey You! Also the slow beats of tracks such as Don't Speak and The Climb compared to the rock based Sixteen.
The lyrics are fantastic, very original and it just gives you that kind of summer vibe! Although the lyrics are sometimes a bit unreliable to know what is being said there is the bonus that at last the lyrics are in the inlay!! wahey!
The inlay has a great theme of 'Tragic Kingdom' which has that kind of American
Diner style about it. There are photos of the band throughout and the theme continues inside the cover to lead you into the Tragic Kingdom where the lyrics are spread around inside.
Great cover Great lyrics Great songs Great variation!
A great original No Doubt album that for any fan would appreciate. True authentic No Doubt! Brilliant.
God I love this album!
I can't remember how much I paid for the album it was 10 years ago but I think its around about £5.99 to £9.99
Track Listing and Duration: ----1. Spider webs (4.28)---- Great start to the album, some good lyrics and brilliant variation again in the beat and tune, very easy to sing a long!!! Not repetitive at all! ''Sorry I'm not home right now I'm walking in the spider web So leave a message and I'll call you back''
----2. Excuse Me Mr (3.04)---- Good intro, fast drums, good backing singing. ''So please excure me Mr, You've got things all wrong, You make me feel like a crime'' Amazing chorus and lyrics!
----3. Just a Girl (3.29)---- Legendary track - old skool No Doubt ''Take this pink ribbon off my eyes I'm exposed and its no big surprise Don't you think I know exactly where I stand'' One of those you're bound to know. Breaks inbetween chorus and verus - good stuff! Maybe easy to relate to and ace for 'drive to' music! Vocals wicked!
----4. Happy Now (3.43)---- Array of pitch and speed. Lyrics again neat! ''Are you happy now Tell me how You're Happy now...'' Bit like a story through the lyrics. Sing a long to it for sure!
----5. Different People (4.34)---- Story of two sisters, different people, exotic sounding with a bit of a reggae kind of tune in the back! ''So different, so the same two sisters, only have their parents to blame...' Gwen Stefani makes a true legend of herself in this one.
----6. Hey You (3.34)---- Oriental based at the beginning, good difference to the previous songs, straight into the lyrics 'Hey You..' 'You're just like my Ken and Barbie doll In a plastic world of make believe'' Based around the unreliable boyfriend.
----7. The Climb (6.37)---- Slower beat in this one. Dramatic sounding in a way, guitar solo, slow singing, battle to get to the clouds. Story of a climb and the battle to get there against the odds!
----8. Sixteen (3.21)---- Brilliant rock based track thet reminds me of being 16! Its a great song with some ace lyrics Nice for a change to have some more heavier rock stuff!! Goes well and is in the right place on the track list!
----9. Sunday Morning (4.33)---- This track is really a Sunday Morning!! ''You came in with the breeze.. On Sunday Morning You sure have changed since yesterday Without any warning'' Its one of those tracks that should have been released but wasn't, its a great piece of No Doubt work!!
-----10. Don't Speak (4.23)----- What can I say - if you haven't heard it you should and if you have heard it you'll know it one of the most established No Doubt tunes of all time. ''Don't speak, You know just what you're saying So please stop explaining Don't tell me coz it hurts''
-----11. You Can Do It (4.13)----- Very pop like - sounds like the kind of motown jazzy 60's/70's era. ''I know it seems They're messing with you're mind But you don't have to go Forward blind'' Talking about a guy that left and its about life, getting on with it since he's been gone. Very 60's/70's and jazzy. Good difference!
-----12. World Go 'Round (4.09)----- Country and Western style beginning. Trumpet and additional percussion that fits well, reggae beat kicks in! ''We've gotta find another way to make the world go round''
-----13. End It On This (3.45)----- Chill out in a way, bit of piano added, guitar riffs, drums kick in with Gwen and talks about how she imagined being with a guy but thats not how its meant to be. 'Lets end on this, give me one last kiss' Breaks down to slow beats
-----14. Tragic Kingdom (5.31)----- Wow! This track tops it off so well. I mean it does have some lyrics that are a bit weird, about a Kingdom that has been locked up and hidden and lost from the world that is relightened, paying homage to a king, the drawbridge opened, a bit mythical really. Starts off with dialog of an aeroplane tannoy. The music is dramatic after that and the lyrics are wicked, all about destiny and the lost world. ''Welcome to the tragic kingdom Cornfields of popcorn have yet to spring open' Brilliant ending to the album!
Love it.
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Good review. I too love No Doubt, and have all of their albums, I would say that Tragic Kingdom is there best one, and my copy now lives in the car, and I play it at least twice a week. Gayna x
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There have been more baffling occurrences than the late-1990s ska revivial in the US--but ... more
not many. Yet somehow, this distinctly British movement--arising specifically out of the country's polarised racial dynamic--managed to cross over, finding an eag...
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Nov 27th, 2005
(Nov 28th, 2005)
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