Disco de No Doubt: “No Doubt”

Wow, you wouldn't even know who this was if nobody told you. NO DOUBT's first album came out in 1992, thats like almost 14 years ago! Absolutely nobody payed any attention to this when it came out, but I will tell you that I think it's pretty good.I certainly like it better than anything Gwen did with Missy Eliot!!

This is the roots of NO DOUBT, back when they were a five piece band- Gwen's brother was in to, in fact he was the founder of this house. If you listen to this without an open mind, you may fail to recognize that this is the music that this band WANTED to play. Unfortunately it was all a commercial flop and they had to heavily tweak their sound to produce TRAGIC KINGDOM (their master product, everything became pop processed afterwards). This album is heavily ska influenced, like many 80's acts that inspired them. This is a little funky, a little crazy, all fast paced and up beat. Theres some swing going on, some jazzy sax.

I like this stuff, if I'm in the mood. Early mornings is when I listen to my NO DOUBT anyway. I like the songs PAULINE and TRAPPED IN A BOX the best. I feel like I'm in some sort of 1930's speakeasy, copping a feel on one of the cigarette girls. Smoke em if you got em!

I love, love, love this little album! I bought it in 2002 and it was my first ND album. I love the combination of ska and '80s new wave sounds and the fun, funky keybords and horns. Gwen's voice sounds awesome, almost like Cyndi Lauper circa "She's So Unusual." "Get On the Ball," "Let's Get Back," Paulina," and "Sinking" are my favorites.

Yes, the lyrics are a little on the cute side at times, like in "Ache" and "Paulina" but music doesn't have to be all angst and melancholy all the time. Ska music is fun, and all music should be fun at least sometimes. Lighten up and smile once in a while.

This is my favorite ND album. I have them all, even the wretched "Rock Steady" which I plan on trading in for a Specials album whenever I get the chance. "No Doubt" is a fun, funky album that will make you smile and feel good. Eric Stefani's keyboard work and lyrics and Gwen's dreamy voice really make this album special. I wish more bands made music like this these days.

So put down your Nirvana album, quit trying to be all cool and angst-ridden for five minutes and listen to this album.

This is a very fun album to listen to.

BND - 10/10 - Just 44 seconds of music but it kind of gives you an idea what this CD sounds like. It could make for a perfect theme song for a TV show.

Let's Get Back - 10/10 - "Let's back together Let's get back forever Let's get back together Let's get back" Very fun song. And it has a great sound.

Ache - 9/10 - "Woke up this morning and felt not too cool Ooh ooh ooh"

Get on the Ball - 8/10 - "Don't wait too long Or she'll be gone as fast as a flame" Pretty good song.

Move On - 10/10 - My favorite song on the album. "You have to understand that when it comes to making music We meshed the styles of five alive and intertwined and fused it"

Sad for Me - 10/10 - Another one my favorites. Such a renaissance sounding song. "He said please don't be sad for me"

Doormat - 10/10 - "I'm not your doormat Your floormat So don't wipe your feet on me" A really good song.

Big City Train - 9/10 - Very talk show sounding music OR night-time detective show sounding music. "You'll always find me waiting for the train to come through"

Trapped in a Box - 10/10 - Another favorite. "You're trapped in a box of tremendous size It distorts my vision It closes my eyes"

Sometimes - 10/10 - Great song. Like, an almost heart to heart to talk with oneself. "Sometimes sunshine does not want to shine on me"

Sinking - 9/10 - A very broadway-sounding song. But, still great to listen to.

Little Something Refreshing - 10/10 - Just one of those nonsense songs artists are entitled to.

Paulina - 9/10 - Another fun song. "Paulina She's on the cover of Book Magazine Paulina A woman in my nightly dream"

Brand New Day - 10/10 - A perfect song to end the album on. "At the end of the day You are worn out You are worn out And too tired to sleep But the you do dream of wonderful things That you might do right on through to the next day"

Well... All of you people that threw out one star must be ashamed of yourselves! and if you people who threw out 4 or 5 stars don't know of them, check out Dance Hall Crashers... ANOTHER band that really catches that high energy sunshine fun type of ska punk sound, as this album by No Doubt does... surely, their BEST.

The majority of this CD is fun and corky and 80's influenced, and a lot of people don't like that sound anymore...but you have to remember that this CD was made in 1992, and that's what it sounds like...I admit that I didn't really get into it when I first got it 3 years ago, then after I listened to it a few times over the course of a few months, it really grew on me and I fell in love with it...it might be the fact that I really love No Doubt and love every single thing they put out, but this album is a kick to listen to, if you like the samples, then buy the cd.