Feeling Tired? Get into Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape

Rarely does an album blow me away. Of course, I only comment on those that do, but that's beside the point. Ever since Gwen came at us cooing that she was Just A Girl, we've been captivated by her and she is still holding our attention which is quite a feat even Madonna has struggled at a time or two. Many clones have come and gone and some much better singers have attempted her formula of kooky sing talking/white girl rap (look up Nelly Furtado; Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas). Unfortunately Gwen Stefani was never blessed with amazing vocal chords, but what she lacks in her vocal capabilities she excels in her imagery and fantastic tracks. Gwen Stefani's first example (Love, Angel, Music, Baby) of how good she could be without her No Doubt boys was a masterpiece in electro pop and made rapping for white girls cooler than Madonna's soy latte fiasco. Although 'The Sweet Escape' seems initially to be better known as the leftover tracks from L.A.M.B, it does more than just hold its own. Hence 'The Sweet Escape' is a stylistic dream which fuses Circus music with Reggaeton in 'Don't Get It Twisted', and the 'Sound of Music' with clicks and thumps and yodeling in 'Wind it Up'. On her track, 'Yummy' featuring Pharrell Williams she makes you sweat as she protests "I know you've been waiting/but I've been out making babies". Every mom should be so lucky.

Although babies tend to make an artist go soft, her bundle of joy has put her imagination on crack with tracks like 'Breakin Up', which must go on the record as the first well done Houston slow roll done by a white girl. 'Sweet Escape' (the title track) has a 'True Blue' feel a la Madonna differing slightly by featuring Akon-something even Madonna hasn't done yet. Underneath the puffy striped skirts and pin curl bobbed hair lies a street thug who can seamlessly go from one genre of music to another working with the likes of Akon, Tony Kanal, Nellee Hooper, Sean Garrett, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz and Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley. If Gwen Stefani has been consistent in anything it's been genre hopping. Although a few times she stumbles, this album is not completely lost on her fans. All of the music on the album seems to lack a bit of emotion that used to bubble out of No Doubt. It could be that the pseudo relationship she had with Tony Kanal, the band's guitarist, fizzled out and left her with little material. Although she will be judged by her true capabilities when reunited with the band, her sophomore effort at going it alone is to be judged solely by her singular efforts. In any case, the tracks are good club wise and really showcase the abilities of the producers along with the imagination that is all Mrs. Rossdale. Track for track, the listener is taken on a rollercoaster ride of blips and thumps, pops and samples. You go from the Julie Andrew's inspired 'Wind it Up' then jump to 'Orange County Girl' which has an eerie, early NWA feel. Before you know it your locked into '4 In The Morning' which is reminiscent of Duran Duran circa mid 90's; You barely catch your breath before being thrown into U Started It' which could have been completely sung by Pharrel Williams verbatim and none would have been the wiser, finally stopping at 'Wonderful Life' a completely basic dance track. Every other track on the album has a 'grow on you' style that if you're not ready to accept can have disastrous consequences.

Many have tried, few have succeeded (again, look up Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas-someone needs to tell her to stop and try a different approach) and from the ashes Gwen Stefani will always rise triumphant. Her album truly is a 'Sweet Escape' from all the awful clones clogging up the music on the radio. Although this was a good effort on her part, regardless of how the tracks came about (whether she was inspired by the birth of Kingston, or if they were just leftovers from her last album) something should be said for someone who can have success with and without her band. And something should really be said for having that same success and being a female artist. Something only Stevie Nicks has accomplished so gracefully. We all love Gwen-we all love No Doubt, and hope an album is in their near future. In any case, I'll be kicking back ad enjoying the 'Sweet Escape'. Hollaback, girl.