An icy pop queen (The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani)

Member Name: benlepensive

Product:	The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
Date:	23/03/09 (120 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: the slower ones

Disadvantages: wind it up

I used to be quite a big No Doubt fan and was somewhat dubious when Gwen decided to pursue a solo career, yet she seems to have done pretty well for herself. This album saw her exploring some new sounds; the album is a mixed bag of events.

Who is she:

Leggy US singer Gwen used to front ska pop rock combo No Doubt before launching a solo career. She has also branched off into fashion.

Highlights:

The opening song is quite simply hideous. 'Wind It Up' can be best be described as a yodelling nursery rhyme. It samples 'The Sound Of Music' and it really is obnoxious. Gwen's vocals work fine and she manages to deliver on the notes, but the tune just makes you grit your teeth and pray for it to end. The track is just too novelty based for me and it is one I would pass over.

'The Sweet Escape' pairs her with Akon, who was 'in fashion' at the time. I always find it a shameless cash in when singers rope in whichever urban male is big at the time, just to do a quick cameo on the song. Akon delivers some shrill high notes and the song borderlines on the farcial. Despite this, the nagging melody will get into your head even if it is annoying.

I prefer 'Early Winter' which is an astute and pleasing mid tempo number. Gwen's vocals are softer here and there is a real sense of sympathy and calm in her voice. The tune is mellow and conjures up images of woodland walks and kicking through crunchy leaves.

'Now That You Got It' is an interesting affair, heavily reggae tinged, It calls to mind the work of Aswad and Eddy Grant with vibrant Carribean rhythms. Her vocals are quite processed though and sound synthetic in parts. The track is lifted by a bright performance from Damien Marley though, who injects the track with little rays of sunshine with fluid rap sections.

'4 In The Morning' is one I enjoy, with a steady pace to it and sweet and timid vocals from Gwen. She sounds fragile and lost on this one and the sorrowful verses swoop neatly into a bracing chorus, the kind of song which you could have imagined Madonna tackling about ten years or so back.

Verdict:

12 tracks on the album, bold and classy artwork and enough potent moments to make it a worthy listen, but let down by a reliance on more novelty sounding songs. She does excel at the ballads though.

Summary: not bad