CORPORATE LINE: The name of Gwen’s much anticipated debut album is Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and it is absolute Gwen. It’s rhythmic, rebellious, confessional, sexy, fierce, playful, funky, ballsy, emotional and oh yeah, very f’in cool. Working with an eclectic array of musicians and producers who rep everything from new wave to hip-hop, Gwen has fashioned an album that shimmers with exuberance, which was the plan from the start. “I definitely wanted to make a record that would get underneath the skin,” Gwen offers. “I wanted to make a very good feeling, classic upbeat dance record that when you first heard it, it would be your guilty pleasure.”
Helping Gwen achieve that goal are artists like Dr Dre, The Neptunes, Andre 3000, Linda Perry, Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook of New Order, Nellee Hooper, Dallas Austin, Wendy & Lisa, Tony Kanal, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. As you’d expect, that blending of skills and influences makes for a sonically adventurous album. “This record is a collaboration of a lot of great talents coming together and trying to make something that’s classic. Something that you want to listen to over and over,” Gwen explains speaking to the project’s overall intention. “I want the album to be the record of ‘now’ and to give people some kind of satisfaction and release.”
THE GREAT:
“Rich Girl” F/Eve – When have you heard a song by Dr. Dre suck? This doesn’t either. Stefani makes a dance track that doesn’t get tired.
“Bubble Pop Electric” f/Johnny Vulture – It might be completely weird and from the book of Meatloaf, with a disco edge, but there is no denying it is addicting.
“Long Way To Go” f/Andre 3000 – A very sexy duet about interracial relationships.
THE AVERAGE:
“What Are You Waiting For?” – Linda Perry writes and it isn’t surprising that it sounds like 4 Non Blondes. It is disco hashed to sound relevant. Something tells me that Madonna would have made it better.
“Real Thing” – Catchy even if it is without depth.
“Cool” – Not exactly a throwaway song yet nothing that would be signified as great.
THE BAD:
“Crash” – If you bring Mario Andretti into your lyrics then you are reaching.
FRANKLY: Gwen Stefani goes the route of Madonna by straying as far from her roots as she can thus reinventing herself. Love Angel Music Baby works because Stefani steps out of what we know and gives us something new not rehashed. Honestly there is no depth or reason to listen other than a love for music. Stefani embraced the material girl in her and took a break from the heartache and pain.
+ Rae Gun
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