Disco de No Doubt: “Rock Steady [4 Song Bonus CD]”

No Doubt took five years to follow up Tragic Kingdom with Return Of Saturn, but they quickly turn around a year and half later with Rock Steady. Unlike their previous two albums, which were heavily weighted with emotional based songs like "Don't Speak" and "Simple Kind Of Life", Rock Steady is a good time party record. The band moves back to their earlier days with a heavier ska/reggae sound throughout the album, eschewing most rock sounds. There are liberal doses of 80's arcade game sound effects (pinging and popping effects) sprinkled through songs. Gwen Stefani is playing up the homegirl image she put forth on the big hit "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" she had with Eve. Songs like "Hella Good", "Making Out", "Rock Steady" and the first single "Hey Baby" all find her working the sex kitten angle. "Running" is the lone ballad on the album and it is a gorgeous song and one of their strongest. Former Cars leader Ric Ocesak produces two songs on the album including the superb "Platinum Blonde Life" while the band traveled to Paisley Park Studios and recorded with the Purple One himself, Prince, on the sultry "Waiting Room". Several other producers including Sly & Robbie, Nelle Cooper and William Orbit (most famous for Madonna's Ray Of Light album) produce tracks, but the album has a uniform sound despite this hodgepodge production approach. No Doubt has become famous for their turmoils, but they finally seem to have exorcised their personal demons and are letting loose and having fun. Rock Steady isn't as good as Tragic Kingdom, but it's got a great party vibe.

The previous review is a little bit off target. It turns out that the track listing on Amazon.com is incorrect - the bonus tracks are featured on a supplemental second disk, and the first disk contains the entire album in its original form. No tracks have been removed.

First of all, for all the incompetent morons who say they hate all the songs on this album because it just repeats the chorus over and over again and have no additional lyrics, it's because you downloaded a preview of the song! To share all the tracks on programs like AudioGalaxy and Kazaa, users simply took a 30 second preview of the chorus and repeated it for the length of about 4 minutes. These are not the full songs and try actually buying the record, before criticizing it.

1. Intro - This is just the chorus of the last track "Rock Steady."

2. Hella Good - I really liked this song before it was released to radio. It got pretty annoying then. I really like the song though. (8/10)

3. Hey Baby - This song is, in my opinion, one of No Doubt's best ever. It's a catchy, undeniably good song. (9/10)

4. Making Out - This is a good song and reminds me of classic 80s stuff. (8.5/10)

5. Underneath It All - Gwen's vocals are great on this track. It definitely has a reggae feel to it. Some of the best lyrics on Rock Steady are in this track. (7.5/10)

6. Detective - I really like this song, but the chorus is annoying. Not much new. (8/10)

7. Don't Let Me Down - One of the more poppish sounding songs, but a good one. Reminds me of hearing it at a party once. Good track. (9/10)

8. Start The Fire - I don't care too much for this one. It doesn't really flow well. (5/10)

9. Running - A lot of my friends like this one, but it's a little too contrived for me. A pop ballad. (6.5/10)

10. In My Head - This is a good song on the album. The lyrics aren't great, but the background music is. (8.5/10)

11. Platinum Blonde Life - Probably the most rock song on the album. A good job by the band. (9/10)

12. Waiting Room - Prince helped out on this one and it has an R&B flavor to it. Not a personal favorite. (7/10)

13. Rock Steady - This one grows on you and in end, is probably the record's most impressive track. (9.5/10)

For those fans who are ONLY looking for "Tragic Kingdom Part 2" should skip right past No Doubt's latest release. "Rock Steady" is the band's most experimental release to date, pushing away from a hard-core ska base onto a more radio-friendly, electronica/reggae/techno level. While listening to "Rock Steady," you can definately recognize the usual No Doubt vibe, but this album gives your ears more twists and turns that many fans of "Trapped in A Box" and "Don't Speak" will not appreciate to the max.

The album begins with an "Intro" which lays down the chorus for the title track on the album. Then, "Hella Good," one of the most catchy, energetic tracks on the album pumps through your speakers. "Hella Good" is some of No Doubt's best work to date, and its chorus remains in your head all day long. Other tracks that follow the footsteps of "Hella Good" are "Making Out," "Detective," and "In My Head."

The new single, "Hey Baby," foreshadows the new album perfectly because it mixes pop-influenced beats with R&B influenced vocals. Since Gwen teamed up with rapper Eve for the amazing track "Let Me Blow Your Mind," it shows that her musical tastes are diversifying and expanding to other musical genres. Gwen's duet with Moby, "South Side," shows her choice to dive into the electronica wave that has captured many artists such as Madonna and Janet Jackson. I have a lot of respect for bands who aren't afraid to experiment with their music to remain fresh. It is not condsidered "selling out," but an opportunity to branch out and experience new types out music while keeping an original sound as a basis. No Doubt is a perfect example of a band who can shine through many different musical tastes.

Even though the whole album is worth a complete listen, songs like the Ric Ocasek produced "Don't Let Me Down" and the title track, "Rock Steady," are incredible, along with the others I listed above. However, the best song on the album is "Waiting Room," a duet with Prince which has the whole package. Its techno-influenced beats make the track one you can dance to, and it gives Gwen the opportunity to expand her vocal range unlike ever before. Both Gwen and Prince collide together and connect perfectly on this track, and the chorus is incredibly catchy.

Once again, "Rock Steady" is simply a unique album for No Doubt that can do no wrong. The energy that the whole band holds throughout each song is unlike any of their other efforts. Even though both "Tragic Kingdom" and "Return of Saturn" are solid releases, I believe this album is the epitomy of No Doubt's best musical work to date. This style is unlike the two albums before "Tragic Kingdom," too, but it is definately talent-influenced music. If you are a No Doubt fan and OPEN-MINDED, do not be afraid. "Rock Steady" will give you everything you need to quench your "No Doubt fix" and then some. However, if you only like the band for their previous efforts, then remain thirsty and wait for the new Limp Bizkit CD.

When I first heard this album's lead single, Hey Baby, I was less than enthused about No Doubt's new direction. Then I realized that it all makes sense. No Doubt have never been the band to pin themselves on one style, and this was simply another evolution of their unique sound.

Rock Steady opens with a 27 second introduction set over a few spacey blips and fueled by Gwen Stefani's echoing voice, and moments after this ends, the thudding drum beats of Hella Good begin. The song sounds like a b-side from an 80s Madonna song, but its fusion with Tom Dumonts guitar riffs and electro fuzz surrounding every note he plays give it the originality it deserves. Very danceable song.

Next up is the reggae/hip hop/dancehall hybrid of Hey Baby, and with its infectious chorus, guest rapping and smooth keyboard sounds, you become very aware of why this was chosen as the first single; it's pure fun and pure pop. Following this blending of styles is the somewhat calmer Making Out, featuring Stefani's sing-speak alternations (speaking on the verses and singing on the chorus). The band taps Blondie here, and then adds some dance in for flavor.

Track 5, Underneath it All, is the most sedate track so far. The song has a reggae beat and some gorgeous lyrics, plus the addition of Lady Saw singing a tricky bridge.

Detective follows up the previous track and marks the band's return to Gwen's romantic issues as a trademark resource for lyrical content. The entire song is awash in synthesizers and sounds a bit dark, giving the song a moodier feeling.

The second half of the album seems better than the first, if thats possible..

Don't Let Me Down is a return to 80s new wave-pop, and it is VERY nicely done. The song sparkles and shimmers as Gwen's voice wraps itself around every synth produced buzz and poppy keyboard note played. The guitar whines right along with the other instruments, and it has a very nostalgic effect.

Start the Fire is a bit on the slow side; the song is a very sexual dancehall tune with Gwen's voice taking on a smoother sound than normal.

Running is this album's masterpiece. The song opens with a chiming keyboard lullabye which soon evolves into a spiderweb-fragile sounding guitar and Gwen's equally fragile vocal mannerisms. Gwen is backed up by a breathy version of her voice as the drums kick in and the beautiful, head over heels lyrics penetrate your heart. Eventually, the instruments become sparse and become stars with trailing tails as the vocals break up and echo, and then once again become a solid entity. The entire thing sounds like it comes from a music box.

In My Head is an odd song that sounds like a rather half hearted attempt at trying ska again, but without horns or Gwen's slicing lyrics, No Doubt can seemingly never traverse that road again. It is a good song, however, and Stefani's wail of 'IN MY HEAD, ITS ONLY IN MY HEAD!' adds a dimension of darkness to the lyrics.

Platinum Blonde Life is the album's weakest track. The guitars are a bit too jagged in comparison with the rest of the album, and Gwen's voice is far too layered. Its still not THAT bad, though.

Waiting Room is a very jumpy collaboration with Prince that sounds better than most of his recent solo work.. go figure. The beats are fast and furious and it's a very danceable song.

Rock Steady, the title track, closes this album with a purr. It features a very uncluttered instrumental section with blips and synths going off all over the place; its very calming.

This album is definetly a must have. It's a refreshing thing to see No Doubt flipping through a different end of the pop rolodex for once.