Catchiest Album Of 2004 - Funky, Sassy, Sexy, Modern Pop!

As a long time fan of No Doubt, I have awaited Gwen Stefani's solo material with much anticipation. What can I say; she's probably the coolest woman in the music industry, one of the biggest gay icons and can wear anything and pull it off! She just oozes style. She doesn't have the most amazing voice in the industry, but with Gwen's it’s more about her personality, her attitude and of course her incredibly catchy songs. Gwen has said that she has always wanted to make an 80's dance pop electro-synth album, but she couldn't do that with No Doubt (primarily a rock band), which is why she chose to release a solo album.

When I heard Gwen say that she wanted to make this kind of album, I knew that it had to be on my list! The music fits her attitude so well and you can tell that a lot of work would go into this project. So it has finally arrived, and it's called "Love Angel Music Baby." The lead single is absolutely amazing and by far one of the best pop songs for years, along with Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" and Britney's "Toxic." I had heard good things of this album and decided to buy it today, and I really don't regret it! If you're into funky, urban pop then this album is definitely for you!

The album opens with the stunning debut single "What You Waiting For?" Apart from boasting a stunning Alice In Wonderland themed video, the song itself has chunky guitars, banging drums and a thrashing bass. The song is about feeling afraid to go it alone in the big wide world, and is very funny with the "Tick tock!" sections. The song has so many highlights, including the "Look at your watch now!" part and the crying wails that Gwen does before each chorus. Up next is "Rich Girl," a fantastic follow-up to such a stunning opener. The song features Eve (who has been absent for god knows how many years!). The song is a very catchy, upbeat, funky song that reminds me a little of X-Tina's "Can't Hold Us Down," but it's so much better. It's so funky you'll feel like jumping around your house all day to it! "Hollaback Girl" is similar in style to Kelis' massive "Milkshake" with its thumping, plodding beat that drives a wedge in your brain, with the help of a strangely annoying but addictive repetition of "Cause I ain't no Hollaback Girl!" She sounds like a stroppy little cheerleader on this song, but it works so well! "Cool" slows the pace down a bit, and is a gorgeous, synth-infected pop song about a friend who Gwen feels she's now cool with. This could be a single and appeal to radio listeners around the world.

"Bubble Pop Electric" is instantly catchy but has a bad opening. I don't like the spoken section and the bubbling beat, but after 20 seconds, it's all-good! If this song was released, it would so divide opinion! Some would love it, others would hate it. I personally love it, just for the catchy chorus! "Luxurious" is probably the 'worst' song so far, but the quality of this album is so top-notch that it's actually a very good song. It's mid-tempo, but definitely the slowest song on the album, giving an indication of the fast-paced nature of this album: no room for mushy ballads here! "Harajuku Girls" opens with some great strings that reminds me of Madonna's "Vogue" and "Papa Don't Preach!" Gwen's interest in these strange Japanese women that scatter the album artwork shows on this Oriental song, where East meets West. The chorus is the highlight - more carefree, fun pop synth class! "Crash" is a good song, but it hasn't really made an impact on me. I'm sure it will grow on me because there are definite early-80's Madonna influences here!

"The Real Thing" opens slowly but soon speeds up into a glittering and bouncy pop synth number. In the 80's this would have been cheesy, but Gwen makes it cool. Very cool. It's a song about true love, and I believe Gwen is at her best when she sings about this. It's pure, raw and you can feel her emotion that seeps from behind that ultra-smooth cool exterior. "Serious" is one of the most outstanding songs on the album, opening with alarming and ear-catching strings. They seem muddled to begin with, like they're trying to get a correct rhythm, but once it kicks in after 36 seconds, you know it's gonna be another smashing song. The verses bounce with happy, camp electro-pop and the chorus is incredibly Kylie-esque. "Danger Zone" has a buzzing electro bass that pounds along with just more catchy lyrics! "Long Way To Go" closes the album and is a strange hybrid of pop rock funk urban beats, fusing Gwen's vocals with those of the genius that is Andre 3000. It sounds a little similar to that of "Millionaire," his duet with Kelis, but is not as good in my opinion. However, the snippets of Martin Luther's legendary speech towards the end are truly chilling.