I'll have this album AND Nirvana's box set in my hands in less then a half hour!!!

CynicKill said:

listening to the nirvana box set right now!

"Luxurious" is kickin' my ass. "Cool" in a close second...

I love the album but the use of labels and Harajuku Girls in every song is kinda annoying

JANFAN4L said:

Hope the radio verison has music in it. It just sounds really minimalist (even worse is the handclaps of "Hollaback Girl", proving the Neptunes must leave forever!

ehuffnsd said:

i would usually agree with you, but in this case i find it really camp - perhaps unintentionally so, but still. it's like she co-wrote this album with edina monsoon.

I've gotta listen to this album.

Love, love, LOVIN' this album!

I'm no No Doubt fan either but I bought the album based on reviews alone. I didn't know what to expect but - to me - it's like Kylie meets Madonna meets Blondie meets B52's meets Scissor Sisters.

Okay, I think it has a little too many 'I'm A Bit Weird' moments - which I think she's trying to pass off as her musical eclecticism - but there are some amazing tracks on here.

Great stuff if you like any of the artists above.
[Edited 11/25/04 0:22am]

Anxiety said:

That's the track I'm feelin'.

UndercovaBrotha said:

Love that Isley Brothers sample under Gwen's voice. Nice contrast.

"Cool" is my personal fave from LAMB.

"Crash" is sounding nice right now - it's sounding to me like a cross between Princess Superstar and Lords of Acid.

Anxiety said:

And that can only be a good thing.

I just listened to my brother's copy. For some reason, I always like No Doubt's songs but I refuse to buy their music. I guess cuz I feel like I'll never listen to it.

She did the right thing with this album. Made it fun. I think if she tried to make a rock album without her band, no matter how it turned out she'd get slammed for it. All the thrills are on the surface with this record. None of it is very deep or even that interesting. But it sounds good. She'll reach the most amount of people this way. I have to agree with a lot of the reviews though. The songs don't really sound like they go together and it's definitely a producer's record.

oh, it's definitely a producer's record, and it's definitely a hodgepodge. maybe that's why i like it so much. i don't care much for stefani, but i always appreciate an album where talented folks work really hard to make sure the end product is a lot of fun, and this album certainly fits that category.

Anxiety said:

I can definitely see the "Bedtime Stories" comparison too. Not that they sound alike. But they're both ghetto fabulous and more r+b oriented than their usual work. Plus, they're both loaded with Nellee Hooper and Dallas Austin. I have a feeling Madonna's probably ripping her hair out over this record and the recent output from the Minogue sisters.

GangstaFam said:

yes! the thread veers back into madonna talk for the second time

stefani's album - and i'd wager the minogue brood's output - have one simple thing in common that madge's album used to have, but is becoming more and more scarce on her albums: FUN.

madonna's been so up her ass for the past few years, trying to be the upgraded version of herself and pooh-poohing the sense of humor and irreverence that won so many people over in the '80s, that if she'd simply just let people see her having fun again, it would be a breath of fresh air.

Anxiety said:

See, I love her last 3 albums to death. Ray of Light hit me especially hard. It was so different for her and was really genuine. I do think her last 2 tours and the "Music" album have focused on the fun, piss taking side of her. But this last one, although great, was the wrong album at the wrong time.

i liked "ray of light", too - i think it was a great departure for her at the time and i really really enjoy the material on it. but i can't help but notice that it was around that time that her sense of humor started to erode, along with her ability to turn in a passable live vocal. with the exception of a couple of songs from "music", i really haven't liked anything she's done since "ray of light". these days, i think she's kinda depressing, really.

GangstaFam said:

And I, along with others, would cite my favorites as a tie between "Erotica" and "Bedtimes Stories", which had fun moments but where serious and smart pop albums (in the case of "Bedtime Stories", more of an urban album). I would like Madonna to make another fun album again, something where everything resembles the spirit of "Into The Groove". Hopefully her return to the old hits might mean something like that.

Anxiety said:

That's too bad. But it happens. Sometimes you just grow out of an artist. Sometimes you grow apart. Sometimes they leave you behind.

I finally got this today. It's way Yummy. I am only got 4 songs into it and I had repeated the first 2 already. I am not that awares of No Doubts stuff...this is really my first time hearing her. I keep thinking ..ok what's the difference between this and all of the other hip stuff out there that I really don't care for. I asked the same thing with the OutKast album.

Whatever...I just like it. This is one of those I can just enjoy. I don't have to strain to like any of it. I like the 80's feel it has to it, yet keeps it fresh fresh (ding dong I'll get it) so very fresh. It's so fresh I have to slap it's face .

Anxiety said:

you'll end up liking her a lot more after you have fully digested it. she's a fun girlie chickie! i wonder if No Doubt have a future after this album.

I am really surprised at how r&b it all sounds. the only thing that reminds me it is her is her voice.

superspaceboy said:

hee hee hee, that's how i feel about it - in fact, listening to this album for the first time reminds me of the first time i listened to outkast's "love below/speakerboxxx" last year - kind of a really giddy feeling of "finally! some good, silly top 40 music!" it's not epic and it's not trying to change the world and it's not so formulaic that you feel like you're cramming MSG into your ears - it's just good, danceable music.

Anxiety said:

If you haven't heard them yet, you should get the Minogue clan's last albums, "Body Language" and "Neon Nights". I thought I had my mind made up about them until I heard those. I'm still not a fan per se, but I really like those records.

Anxiety said:

I have to say the Erotica and Bedtime Stories are two of my favorite from her...simply because she was doing no wrong musically and was still running with the best of them. She had nothing to prove.

I was a little disappointed with ROL, because electronica was seriously going strong and I though it was just another madonna album. Madonica Electronica. SHe bled all of the life out of the term. I did like the album, but I found myself straining to like it to fit it in. As I said it is a very beautiful album, however there was something seriously missing. I mean Gwen's album is exactly where Madonna should have been electronicly for that. I am a big electronic buff and it was a let down on that front. I found her trying again...trying to prove something. But this time, she was headed in a southernly direction musically, though the album did quite well.

Music was another foree into electronica...but what the hell was up with the cowboy imagry. I didn't get it and found the album catchy but very weak, for Madonna. The last one I liked when I forst heard it. It annoys me now. I like a few songs...Love Profusion is a stand out. AL is her weakest offering yet. She needs to drop the vocoder and the wierd popping noises.

I find her latest music and antics to be off putting...and trying too hard to fit in everywhere...kids, brits, her fans, kabbalah. Madonna is having an Identity Crisis. Those kids sucked the life out of her...cute as they are.

Anxiety said:

Exactly! Just something to enjoy. It's rare these days. Outkast was the last one for me too. Funny I am listening to the OutKast collab right now (at least it sounds like it) . I picked up Durans new one. I liked it, but I had to try. George Michaels was a grower (and probably the best of the year so far for me...till this one). This is out of the wrapper instant coffee music

I have an announcement..."What are you waiting for?" is almost me embodied in a song. Tick Tock You're such a silly ho!

GangstaFam said:

Fever was also good from what I remember. I have not picked it up yet.

superspaceboy said:

"Fever" is a very fun dance pop record. Check it out.

I like "serious" cuase it is sooooo 80's sounding. It's like I reverted back into a 6yr with a ponytail to the side wearing jellies listening to that song.

lyecry said:

I turned into Molly Ringwald.