Platinum blonde frontwoman Gwen Stefani is best known for the ska-pop sound in her band No Doubt. But for her solo debut, "Love Angel Music Baby," Stefani goes for a totally different sound -- bubblegummy eighties dancepop, a clubby, colorful, glitzy whirl full of Harajuku girls.
"What You Waiting For?" is the strongest single from here, where Stefani ticks off the seconds before launching into a danceable, self-addressed lecture: "Life is short/you're capable.../what you waiting for?" Stefani urges herself to "take a chance" while "you're still a super-hot female," all against her longings to get more fans in Japan.
"Harajuku Girls" is a kitschy ode to Japanese fashionistas (they get mentioned several times over the album), while the sugary "Bubble Pop Electric" with Andre 3000 is a goofy, sugary pop song. A few of the songs misfire, like interracial dating song "Long Way To Go," which becomes way too self-important. But mostly they revel in the sound of early Madonna tunes, with a new wave twist. There's also a Muzak version of "What You Waiting For," which is pretty worthless.
"Love Angel Music Baby" won't surprise anybody -- it's all in the style of the first single. It's sleek. It's sexy. It's a guilty pleasure, and it rarely pretends to be anything else. Basically it's not for anyone looking for high-quality music, but it's a fun diversion when you are dancing around your living room.
Stefani's voice isn't technically the best, but she can range from wispy to a throaty purr to a squeal. And her vocals get a pretty good workout here. The musical styles are more electronic than her previous work with No Doubt, taking on a more new wave sound. Think 21st-century Blondie, with a bit of funk thrown in.
The lyrics are simplistic in a dancefloor kind of way. They're meant to sound fun to the synth beats, not be deep -- "born to blossom/bloom to perish" are perhaps the strongest lines, as Stefani examines her own fragile popularity. Her sole effort at depth, "Long Way To Go" gets a bit too hamhanded. And it's Martin Luther King Jr., sweetie. Martin Luther was the guy who P.O.ed the Pope and formed the Lutheran church.
Gwen Stefani makes a fun guilty pleasure in "Love Angel Music Baby." It has light-as-air lyrics and poppy music, but it's worth a spin if you want something to dance to.
LOVE ANGEL MUSIC BABY has to be one of my faves for the year. It's everything an 80s music lover could ask for. This UK version contains a dance-free version of THE REAL THING (pleasant but unnecessary) and a real Muzak version of WHAT YOU WAITING FOR (I kid you not--and it sucks big time). The price does not justify paying for the extras, so please purchase the domestic version for a fraction of the price instead!
Gwen Stefani Did A Real Good Job In Production Of This CD. I've Been Following * No Doubt * For A Long Time And Finnly See The Solo Project I've Been Waiting For.I Don't Agree With The Other Reviewer I Think That This Bonus Track's On The CD Are A Great Buy. The Best Tracks On The " L.A.M.B " Are...
*What You Wating For (Talks About Her & Her Insecuritys In Music) (Her Voice Is All Over The Place On This Song. (BOMB ASS Track)
*Cool (Talks About Tony Kanal)
*Bubble Pop Electric (Talks About Gwen On A Date & Ending Up Behind The Back Seat Of A Drive In Movie)
*Serious (A Great Track Where Gwen Describes About Being In A Serious Relationship) (S-E-R-I-O-U-S)
*The Real Thing (Bonus Version) (Finlly, I Really Think This Version Should've Been On The US Print Of Gwens " L.A.M.B " CD, Instead Of The Dance Version. It Only Makes The Whole Song Confusing, And Moreover Could've Done Without. This Is A Beautiful Slower Version Of The Song It's Lyrics And Slow Mood Makes Everything Come Together Beautifully. "The Real Thing" Is About Always Being Around The One You Truely Love. "Your My Love Supply", The Lyrics Explain Eveything That Someone Feels When The Love Inside Of You For Someone Else Is The Real Thing.
This album is great! It has so many different to it but without a doubt my favourite song is track 7-Harajuku Girls. It have such a different feel to it...so J-Pop...Although I do think this album is great but it's definitely not the best for starters track 4-Bubblegum Pop is just stupid that it get on my nerves. All in all it's a good chilled-out album suitable for chilling out on your own, driving in the car or while hanging out with friends.
