No Doubt

The Singles 1992-2003

Just How Cool Is Gwen Stefani?

Review Score:

(10/10)
The answer to that is VERY! No Doubt were a completely unique band when they released their debut album in the early 1990's. These unique qualities, however, went completely unnoticed as the album tanked and there was real doubt over No Doubt's future. The band had originally formed in 1986 when Eric Stefani was influenced by Madness tunes to form a band. He soon pulled his sister Gwen and other members in, but the band had to overcome the loss of lead singer John Spence who took his own life just over a year after the band was formed. The band soldiered on and released that debut album, before returning to the studio to record their make-or-break sophomore release. It was called "Tragic Kingdom," and the rest, as they say, is history.

Nine years since the release of that album No Doubt are one of the most popular bands in the world, have enjoyed consistent chart success and made some of the most interesting music of the past ten years. The countless amount of awards and critical accolades proves their continual hard work and dedication to making music that's just out there - not any particular genre, just good fun solid music that's bold and direct to the point. This brings us to "The Singles: 1992 - 2003."

After 11 years on the music scene, I'm glad that No Doubt released a greatest hits collection of their work. This collection compiles No Doubt's singles from the past eleven years and perfectly captures them in this gem of an album, a must-have for any fan or casual music listener just getting into the music of this superb band. The oldest track on display here is the jittery "Trapped In A Box," from their self-titled debut. Then come the monsters from the monster of albums, Tragic Kingdom. "Just A Girl," "Sunday Morning," "Excuse Me Mr.," "Spiderwebs" and "Don't Speak" are the five classic cuts that dominate this album and make it an essential purchase.

Just A Girl is a classic from the band and speaks for strong, independent women everywhere whilst Sunday Morning is an underrated song that has a killer hook and a brilliant drum performance. Excuse Me Mr. and Spiderwebs were both big hits, and the heartbreak ballad Don't Speak is easily one of the most popular break-up anthems of all time. The lyrics on this song are so raw and real, the music is just classic and Gwen's vocals just soar. It deserved to be No.1 every week that it was in the UK back in 1997.

Overwhelmed by sudden popularity and success, No Doubt quickly retreated back to the studio to record their follow-up. The media had made Gwen Stefani a global icon, while the other band members (Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, Adrian Young) were conveniently pushed aside. This friction in the band could have seen their ultimate demise, but they resisted and returned with the album "Return Of Saturn." When its sales paled in comparison to its predecessor, the band could chill and they became closer as a band. "Bathwater," "New," "Simple Kind Of Life" and "Ex-Girlfriend" are the four songs from Return Of Saturn here, all of which make an incredible impact and stand out as some of the best work the band have ever produced.

Bathwater is an underrated gem whilst New was taken from the film "Go" and represents an interesting side to the band. Simple Kind Of Life is heart-wrenching in the way it is performed and the lyrics on display. It was the first song that Gwen wrote all by herself, and she delivers it so well. In short, it's a tragic masterpiece. Ex-Girlfriend, on the other hand, represents the ultimate in envy and jealousy. Gwen's a bit angry at her ex-boyfriend because she's now another one of his ex-girlfriends!

No Doubt's 2001 album "Rock Steady" increased the band's success worldwide more, but they were so solid now that they could withstand anything thrown at them. "Hey Baby," "Hella Good," "Underneath It All" and "Running" are the four songs on offer here from that brilliant comeback album and represent the band at their most carefree and adventurous.

Hey Baby drove its way into the public's subconscious as 2002 dawned and became a huge hit worldwide. Hella Good is musically an even better song, but didn't fare as well, while Underneath It All is the only really average track on offer. Running is a gorgeous ballad that starts off so childish, but winds up being a wonderfully melodic composition. The only new song on offer here is "It's My Life," a cover of Talk Talk's classic. No Doubt totally rule this song from the start and the ska influences are so vivid here. They had trouble choosing which song to cover (INXS's "Don't Change" and Depeche Mode's "A Question Of Lust" were also in the running), but this track proved the clear winner!

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

I've known who Gwen Stefani and No Doubt were since they first really broke into the mainstream back in the mid-90's, but I've never liked them enough to buy one of their albums. Sure, I've bought a few of their singles, but I wasn't compelled enough to make a purchase of one of their albums. I bought The Singles: 1992 - 2003 at Christmas with some spare change, and to my surprise loved it so much. This really is an essential album that everyone should own. Brilliant music, brilliant lyrics, brilliant vocals and I'm sure their three most popular studio albums are brilliant when I buy them later this year!

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