|
|
|
Average Customer Review
Share your thoughts with other customers
|
|
|
› See most helpful viewpoints
|
|
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Great, very much a modern day madonna!, 11 Aug 2005
I never expected to like Gwen Stefani's music - i didn't like "What you waiting for", although the Alice in Wonderland video was inspired. And that is what the majority of this album is - inspired, by many factors. Stefani deals with style ("Harajuku girls"), race ("Long Way to Go"), love ("The Real Thing", "Cool"), stereotypes ("Hollaback Girl", "Bubble Pop Electric"), and the rnb breakowns are a sort of cooling down. To be honest, it really works well. The fact that she resembles Madonna in some songs (e.g. "Serious") is deja vu in a good sense, because it's about time we had a female blonde star who knew what she was singing about.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
'80s Pop Chic, 30 Nov 2004
You really do have to listen to this a couple of times before making a decision on Gwen's first solo release. There's a lot of versatility here, but most of the tracks have a very heavy '80s pop/Madonna feel to them. I can definitely hear 'Get into the Groove' and Cyndi Lauper's 'Time after Time' on a couple of the tracks. Stand out tracks have to be the brilliant 'What You Waiting For', 'The Real Thing', 'Cool' and 'Crash', 'Danger Zone', the latter two definitely have single potential. The heavy influence of the '80s stands out in all of the best tracks, I can pick out Depeche Mode keyboards and the truly unique New Order guitar sound on a few of the tracks (i.e. The Real Thing), but mostly it's early Madonna with an occasional Shirley Manson-esque sound.There are a couple of really awful tracks on the LP, 'Hollaback' which is like some irritating cheerleader chant, and the dire collaboration with Andre 3000 'Long Way to Go', which had me reaching for the the skip button! Also there's 'Bubble Pop Electric' which is a borderline love or hate track, I am erring towards getting to like it, but could do without all the 'Grease' type talking at the beginning and end. I have to say that I much prefer the majority of this stuff to the truly disappointing (for me) 'Tragic Kingdom' album, there are some excellent pop tunes here and the use of different producers and collaborators on most tracks certainly gives a diverse sound and feel to this album which shows both versatility and a desire not to be pigeon-holed. Cool stuff, even the title of the album is cool - very '80's pop chic.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Eclectic, but a worthy debut, 29 Nov 2004
I have been 'kind of' a fan of No Doubt for some time now, however, it has been more of a respect for them and Gwen as artists, rather than wholly enjoying their music. I always found it a little too eclectic and sometimes more 'punkey' than poppy, therefore wasn't quite as accessible as I would have liked. She has always fascinated me, she's like a living Manga character!
This album though, Gwens 1st debut album, is filled with great pop songs, is heavy on an 80's sound, and bridges that gap for me.
As usual, her work is very eclectic, but the songs are more commercial this time. The stunning single 'What You Waiting For?' is the highlight for me, along with 'Rich Girl' with Eve (which samples 'If I were a rich Man' from Fiddler on the Roof), the very Madonna-ish 'Harajuku Girls' (which this album has an obsession with), Danger Zone (which wouldn't be out of place in an 80's action movie a la Top Gun), and the beautiful (though simple) pop ballad, 'Cool' about how great it is to have a good relationship with an ex, and a very interesting track produced by the Neptunes, 'Hollaback Girl' which sounds like a cheer leader song, sung over the High School band!
There are a couple of mediocre tracks on this album, for me 'Bubble Pop Electric' and the Soul/R&B of 'Luxurious', which is simply a pleasant song. 'Long Way To Go', a duet with Andre 3000 is a nice song, a song with a heart, celebrating inter-racial romance, but doesn't go anywhere.
I was excited about the collaboration with New Order on 'The Real Thing', but I found it to be no more than a weak pop song. The remixed version (a bonus track) by Wendy & Lisa, which slows the song down a bit, is far better. As for the Elevator remix of 'What You Waiting For?' (also a bonus) is exactly what it says on the package, elevator music! No vocals, but it amused me.
Overall, this is a great debut album from Gwen. The only real criticism is that old adage, too many cooks can spoil the broth; perhaps a few less producers next time. (The Neptune's / Jam & Lewis / Dallas Austin / Dr Dre / Nellee Hooper amongst others). Because of all the producers, everyone will have their own favourite tracks and sound, which makes it harder to criticise.
Gwen is the only artist I have EVER thought has the chance top become the next Madonna if she so chooses. (And I mean that as a compliment).
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
It's like the last 20 years never happened..., 24 Nov 2004
For a No Doubt fan, this album is a bit of a shock. Whether it's a good or a bad shock, I don't really know...
For any No Doubt fans reading this, the nearest album I can equate 'Love Angel Music Baby' to is 'Rock Steady'. But imagine an album about a hundred times more hyperactive than 'Rock Steady'and you have Gwen's first (kind of) solo outing.
The album is undoubtably a grower. I've listened to it about 4 times through since getting it a couple of days ago and the tracks are only just about beginning to seep into my brain. Initially, I was slightly taken aback after being completely bombarded by Eighties style pop music. As I was only born in the mid 80's, this album was like nothing I'd ever heard before.Only now am I really beginning to differentiate between the tracks...Stand out songs include the first single 'What you Waiting For', 'Hollaback Girl' and my favourite, 'Bubble Pop Electric'.
This album is at its best during the faster, more exciteable songs. Gwen is lyrically and vocally confident, cool and sultry and that makes a real change from the majority of No Doubt albums where she is far more confessional and wears her heart on her sleeve. There is not a lot of that here.
Gwen Stefani has collaborated wisely on this album, Eve, The Neptunes and Andre 3000 amongst others are involved. Their involvement further distances 'Love Angel Music Baby' from anything Gwen did with No Doubt. The only disappointing song is 'A Long Way To Go' with Andre 3000. It's a song about inter-racial relationships which, however well-intentioned it may be,is slightly embarrassing and a bit boring. However, Andre 3000 did co-write 'Bubble Pop Electric', so I'll let him off...
The album is generally good and fun, it might just take No Doubt fans a little while to get used to it...
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
Gwen's Undoubtedly a Star, 2 Dec 2004
The opening track "What You Waiting For?" splashes the listener with a refreshing burst of energy, Stefani-style, and never stops bubbling from there. After the first "tick tock" gets your heart pumping, Gwen brings in Eve to raise the temperature with "Rich Girl" (produced by Dr. Dre), a bouncy number that will have you heading for the nearest dance floor. What follows is a fizzy pop explosion, compliments of the Neptunes, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Tony Kanal and the ever funky Andre 3000. Gwen thoughtfully inserts some slower numbers to keep cardiac arrest at bay, with "Cool", reminiscent of The Cars; "Luxurious", which samples the Isley Brothers' "Between the Sheets"; "Serious", which could have been an early Madonna hit; and "The Real Thing", clearly inspired by Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time". The closing "Long Way to Go" would be at home on any Outkast album, with it's madcap mixed rhythms and weird beat. Collaborating with some of the freshest minds in music, Gwen delivers an eclectic mix of fun, guaranteed to please many people on your gift list. Amanda Richards
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
The best of 80's pop, all on one record with a modern edge, 13 Dec 2004
By A Customer
This album is really great, with no bad songs at all. The worst it gets is with 'A Long Way to Go', but when you get past the excruciatingly cliched first few lines, the song isn't actually too bad. The best songs are 'What You Waiting For?', 'Hollaback Girl', 'Bubble Pop Electric', 'Crash' and 'Danger Zone', very closely followed by the likes of 'Rich Girl' and 'Serious'. The others are also very great. This is definitely inspired by Madonna and other 80's pop, but being born during the 80's, I do not know who else specifically. However, this album is more like a greatest hits collection, and all songs have a different feel and style. An amazing album!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
surprise hit of the year, 30 Nov 2004
Now i have never really listened to her non solo work but i was very attracted to these release when hearing first the single of the album when it was played on the radio..then i heard the whole album in my friends car\ and i was taken on a very wonderful adventure of lyrics and sounds the first song and with out no argument is Rich girl which takes a sample of the song if i was a rich man from the musical fidder on the roof which is produced by hip hop master dr dre and to be honest i think its a repeater...then song after song i got a since i got the sense that this girl is very inspired by japan culture...i have only just really got the album but i have lestend to it over again...any fan of outcast will love the track that is done with andre 3000 to me i have waited for female version of this man for a while and there voices and imagenation is exact...so if you like something very popy and VERY different this is a album for you...GREAT STUFF
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
THUMBS UP, GWEN!, 25 Dec 2005
I've always liked Gwen Stefani and here's my review of the album:1) What You Waiting For? 5/5 A single we all know by her, it was a massive success and probably my favourite song by her. The 'tick-tocks' make it sound even better! Well done Gwen.
2) Rich Girl 4/5 not as good as the one before, but still quite good, a nice combination with Eve. A good, dance-to song.
3) Hollaback Girl 5/5 a great song with Gwen's distinctive vocals ringing thru. Another single, released 23rd May, it was a big success and another big success for Gwen.
4) Cool 5/5 one of my personal favourites, a beautiful ballad about Gwen's partner and how they turned into simple but good friends. The 4th single, it was released 29th August, and though it wasn't a massive success, it's still a lovely song.
5) Bubble Pop Electric 3.5/5 an interesting song about Gwen and her lover. A little odd, with dancing tunes and a bit of rapping.
6) Luxurious 4/5 the 5th and final single, out 5th December. Quite a cool song, the lyrics are very enjoyable and funny. Thumbs up!
7) Harajaku Girls 3/5 not a very well-made song, Gwen mentions 'Harajuku girls' all through the CD. Quite good, but very boring after a while.
8) Crash 3/5 an OK song that isn't bad or good.
9) The Real Thing 5/5 a song that I LOVE. Should've been a single, in my opinion.
10) Serious 3/5 not bad, not good, like 'Crash'.
11) Danger Zone 3.5/5 fairly good, Gwen's vocals are good on this one.
12) Long Way to Go 2/5 the weakest track on the CD, I don't like this song very much. A bad way to end the album.
13) Real Thing Remix 4/5 quite a good song, one bonus track.
14) What You Waiting For Remix 5/5 a GREAT song, just as good as the 1st.
OVERALL: a brilliant album, 100/100.
BEST SONGS: What You Waiting For, Hollaback Girl, Cool, Real Thing
WORST SONGS: Serious, Long Way to Go, Crash
A great cd, a must-have in my opinion!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
What a Lovely, Angelic, Music, Baby!, 13 Sep 2005
Gwen Stefani's solo album L.A.M.B. was expected to be a great hit, and so it is! Many of the top world producers have worked on it (Dr. Dre, Tony Canal, Andre 3000 etc.) and they have done a great job! If you are a No Doubt fan, you probably won't like this album. However, it's not Britney Spears neither, although all the tracks have been carefully planned. There are so many different musical influences on this album- for the fans of pop, there are songs like "What You Waiting For?", "Rich Girl", "Serious", "Danger Zone", etc. and fans of rock, techno and house will enjoy "Bubble Pop Electric" and "Long Way To Go". There are also some surprises (both good and bad) in form of funky songs like "Hollaback Girl", "Cool", and especially "Harajuku Girls". If you are into something fresh, what you waiting for? Buy this album!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
A fun dance record from the versatile Gwen, 18 April 2005
This album has come as a big shock to No Doubt fans but just because Gwen has experimented with a different style, this album should not be dismissed.She says she originally set out to make a dance record, and she has most definitely achieved it. Many of the tracks are reminiscent of the 80s, and you'll probably be singing along to most of them with the second/third listening. There are a few outstanding tracks on this album, most notably the smash-hit "What You Waiting For?", which is one the best pop songs to be released in 2004. Other stand-out tracks on this album are "Rich Girl" (which has also been released as a single), "Bubble Pop Electric" and "Crash". However, my favourite track of the album has to be "Hollaback Girl", which is the next single to be released from the album. Gwen collaborates with legendary producer-duo, the Neptunes, on this track. The outcome is a minimal beat with a tuba synth, and Gwen chanting a cheerleader anthem over the top. The lyrics aren't particularly deep, but that isn't the point; it's an infectious "attitude" song that is expertly produced by the Neptunes. The album has a couple of filler tracks, which is why I gave it four stars, but these don't detract from the album as a whole. The main appeal of the record is that it's quirky, inventive in some ways, and very easy to listen to. I would recommend this record to everyone, but with a reminder that this a different Gwen from the lead-singer of No Doubt, so approach it with an open mind. Gwen wanted to make a fun, dance record; this album does exactly that, and in an original and creative way.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Amazon Home
