Sweet Escape

2007-08-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Download Sweet Escape Mp3
I don't even know where to start. Gwen's solo debut was one of my favorite guilty pleasures of 2004. I was immediately addicted to its fun, creative, catchy, retro electropop tunes. It was the type of stuff that (unfortunately) you don't typically find on mainstream radio. But she made it work, and shone a light on a cool "new" sound. For a minute there, I thought she alone was going to bring pop back to what it once was (and should be), but wow - was I completely wrong. Instead of expanding on her incredible and inventive electropop, she decided to take the one really crappy song from LAMB ("Hollaback Girl") and make an entire album that all sounds just like it. I mean, there are no melodies here! It's just generic hip-hop beats with dumb lyrics that you can't even sing along to. The only decent song on the entire album is "Wonderful Life." Ugh! I can't express how extremely disappointed I am in her. All my love and respect for her has suddenly gone bye-bye. I was really looking forward to her becoming the new Pop Queen - but instead it appears she's just another bland R&B clone. At least she's chosen a core demographic: teens. Sadly for her, though, she's going to have to say "so long" to all her fans over 21 years old.

Love Angel Music Baby

2007-07-11T01:02:00.000-07:00

Download Love Angel Music Baby mp3
Well...it's a bit hard to start this review since this recording is so diverse and totally all over the place! I wasn't expecting very much from this mp3, but I was pleasantly surprised! She weaves 70s, 80s, 90s, dance, hip-hop, electronica and R&B into a very unique package. I'm not sure if L.A.M.B. will be a classic, but it deserves recognition for its brazen originality.

It starts out with the driving "What You Waiting For?" - a great tune, that doesn't get boring, as some reviewers have noted. Then the hit "Rich Girl", which I didn't really at first listen, but I'm hooked now. "Hollaback Girl" is reminiscent of "Mickey", by Toni Basil. Then, my favorite!, "Bubble Pop Electric" takes you on a wild ride. I hit the replay button more than once on this song. "Luxurious" is totally laid back and full of soul. The balance of the mp3 continues on its signature course of individuality.

Bottom line: The strength of this album is its originality. Consequently, the weakness of this album is its originality. I'm glad I own this mp3. I will pop it from time to time when I want to hear something that is not overproduced and transparent. Nice debut Gwen - you've got a hit!

Gwen Stefani

Sweet Escape

Love Angel Music Baby