No Doubt: Back in form

For a band that hasn’t released an album for a decade already, there is still great interest that remains about their status. “No Doubt” has one of the most charismatic female lead singers around in Gwen Stefani. Even though she is already in her 40’s, she retains her youthful image and her popularity is still up there when compared to some of her contemporaries.

I honestly think there is not one music aficionado around that hasn’t heard at least of one No Doubt song and didn’t end up liking it.

No Doubt is one of the select few bands I know who can take such a long hiatus (years!) between album releases and still can release a follow-up album that manages to sell a million or two in the process. They have kept the winning streak in their latest album release titled “Push and Shove”.

This is a band that clearly knows their strengths and weaknesses which is why they don’t have to change their sound too much. After having listened to their first single “Settle Down” and then, to their latest studio album release titled “Push and Shove”, that is the impression I got. It seems they haven’t missed a step because of the fact that they didn’t veer away too much from the reggae pop sound they are known for, combined with Gwen Stefani’s signature throaty vocals and the general positive vibe of the album. Not bad at all for a band that some thought would never reunite or return to release an album again because their lead singer Gwen Stefani did venture into a solo career and released two solo albums.

Having said that, I am pleasantly surprised that radio stations and music channels haven’t forgotten the band and, in fact, No Doubt is welcomed back by having their new single played on regular rotation both on radio and in music channels. The fanfare for the band seems intact and hasn’t dwindled. Longtime fans of No Doubt need not worry if the band is still the same group they grew to love years ago ever since their breakthrough hit album “Tragic Kingdom” was released in 1995. No Doubt still has what it takes to remain relevant and more importantly to sing songs that speak to their loyal fans. The word iconic is how I want to describe the band and it is something I can’t help but think of each time I still watch their classic music video “Don’t Speak”. That song cemented their names forever into pop folklore and judging by the quality of their latest album release “Push and Shove” they still have a lot left to give. No doubt!