The long, painful, 11 year wait is finally over. One of the most successful groups of the 90s and early 00s returns with a brand new album. Fans of the ever popular No Doubt, fronted by the gorgeous Gwen Stefani, will be happy to know the group unleashed Push and Shove last week and it will certainly broaden the group’s audience, but may divide the fans they already had. Preceded by lead single, “Settle Down”, and the current title track, the album follows in the footsteps of its predecessors while showcasing experimentation with the pop, dance and reggae genres. Debuting at number three on the Billboard 200, Push and Shove is a pleasant listen with the occasional bump or two.
Fans were giddy when No Doubt released their first single since “It’s My Life”. The six-minute “Settle Down” embodied what the group is all about. After a beautiful instrumental intro, the fun begins. “Nothing’s gonna knock this girl down”, Stefani sings before she belts out the chorus which holds the entire thing together. The song may seem like a mess on paper, but it signaled the beginning of a fierce comeback.
Set to be the album’s official second single, “Looking Hot” asks a question I think we all know the answer to. Is Gwen hot? Of course and so is the song. The leader advices those who think she is sexy and cannot stop staring to take a picture. Stefani’s vocals sound perfect accompanied by more guitar than found on the previous single. It is the second consecutive homerun for the record.
The album’s first ballad-esque track comes in the form of “One More Summer”, an effort that would have fit in perfectly with one of Stefani’s solo records. The group clearly has identified its strengths by letting Gwen take control and allowing her make it her own without making it sound completely different from the group’s previous releases. It’s a beautifully written and sung hybrid stuck in between the two.
The title track is probably one of my favorite moments on the album. Released as a promotional single prior to the album’s release, the song features the only collaboration on the track list. Right from the beginning you know you are in for a treat. The group doesn’t let me down. Stefani comes out of the door swinging with her fast-paced verses, the beat is addictive, and that chorus… perfection.
The greatness keeps on pouring with “Easy”. The album is filled with long intros, but they work. The first minute is tranquil and soothing, it sets up the tone of the track. The mid-tempo effort succeeds due to its simplicity. Yes, upbeat production and an excessive dose of drums are nice, but the group shows they only need a microphone and guitars to create a memorable, near-perfect song.
“Gravity” is what I would call the positive side to one of the group’s biggest hit, “Don’t Speak”. Stefani finally found the love she was looking for after her big break up in her husband Gavin Rossdale. The track is super cute and sweet. Stefani now sees one hundred percent as time flies by while she is head over heels in love. “Exploding like a beat up rocket ship” may be a silly line, but it gets the point across.
Unfortunately, the love seems to have quickly disappeared on “Undercover”. Has the love of Stefani’s life cheated on her? It seems that may be the case on this emotional plea. Things are not adding up in her relationship and she is starting to finally connect the dots. Someone is hiding something, but Stefani would rather play dumb than believe in the betrayal. The unraveling of a relationship is never pretty.
The pace is slowed down once again for “Undone”, an almost acoustic-sounding performance with Stefani’s vocals doing most of the work. Of all the tracks featured on the album, this may be the most raw the group has been. No heavy beats, no catchy chorus, just a simple guitar and heartfelt lyrics that stand on their own. Every album has that “wow” moment. It just happened here.
Apparently nothing is ever going to be the same on “Sparkle”. Unfortunately, instead of a life-changing song I found myself barely able to keep my attention focused on what was playing. The sparkle is more like a dim light as the album reaches its first bump in the road. The track has a very reggae, Caribbean vibe and the addition of the unexpected saxophone solo adds to the mess.
“Heaven” opens up dealing with the give and take in every relationship. Stefani does not mean to be rude, but she cannot help expressing how good the love of her life is for her. “Don’t have to get technical, you know that I need you,” the artist sings on the breakdown towards the middle of the track, giving the song an 80s feel that makes for a pleasant, carefree listen.
The album closes with “Dreaming The Same Dream”. It’s common for an act to finish off a project with a slow track, to bring the energy and pace down to a steady halt. The song is light and highlights similarities to the group’s past work. The instrumentals give the track something extra, strengthening its message of a strong bond between two lovers. A good ending.
Push and Shove takes inspiration from the old and the new. After an eleven year wait, fans may fall head over heels in love with the group’s new material or push it aside since it does not share many characteristics with its predecessors. If for some bizarre chance you had never heard of No Doubt before, the album will be a pleasant experience from beginning to end, extending its boundaries from the pop, reggae and rock genres. The album is a great listen. To me, the wait was worth it as I felt every piece of the record, except one, was strong and needed. The album receives an 86%.
Tracks to Hear: “Looking Hot”, “Push and Shove”, “Gravity”, and “Undone”
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