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Album Details

• Artist: No Doubt
• Album: No Doubt
• Label: Interscope Records
• Year of Release: 1992
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: gwhill on 2013-01-10

Although a lot of the material on this disc stays in one area (ska), the band, and album, is far from a one trick pony. The music does cover considerable ground within these confines, and it actually does show meanderings outside the wall at times. This album is primarily fun and bouncy.

No Doubt is Adrian Young, Tony Kanal, Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont and Eric Stefani. The opening piece, “BND” is a short instrumental that adds Tejano sounds to those ska elements. Funky bass works and sounds not that far removed from The Blues Brothers and Blood, Sweat and Tears all beg the question, “how much can one band pack into a forty four second instrumental?”

That Blood, Sweat and Tears vibe (with a more modern rhythm section) is heard on “Let’s Get Back.” There’s a disco-like rhythm break on the tune and a guitar solo that makes me think of Prince a bit. “Ache” combines early Police with Madness, fully establishing that ska sound. There are hints of things like The B-52s. Beach Boys and the Beatles’ Rubber Soul on “Get on the Ball.” “Move On” seems an excuse to pack as many stylistic changes inot one track as possible. It even turns metallic and feels a bit like modern King Crimson at times.

R & B, pop rock ballad sounds and other elements all get showcases at one point or another. The thing is, all these seemingly disparate items merge into something that’s both accessible and fun. That really says a lot. This disc holds up well, and might be the real highlight of the group’s catalog. Sure, they got more popular later, but this one seems more genuine somehow. If you don’t own this one, you really should. In fact, I’d say if you are going to own only one No Doubt album, this should be that one.

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