Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape Posted by Chad Webb on 12.08.2006
This must be Love. Angel. Music. Baby. - the lost sessions.
Interscope Records
Recorded: 2004 - 2006
Album Length: 47:05
Release Date: December 5, 2006
Track Listing:
1. Wind It Up (3:09)
2. The Sweet Escape (Featuring Akon) (4:06)
3. Orange County Girl (3:23)
4. Early Winter (4:44)
5. Now That You Got It (2:59)
6. 4 In The Morning (4:57)
7. Yummy (Featuring Pharrel) (4:57)
8. Fluorescent (4:18)
9. Breakin” Up (3:46)
10. Don’t Get It Twisted (3:47)
11. U Started It (3:08)
12. Wonderful Life (3:58)
From the moment Gwen Stefani began belting “I’m Just A Girl” and “Spiderwebs” as the head singer of No Doubt, I knew at one point she would go solo. How could she not? She’s attractive, and can sing just about any style of song. As No Doubt’s sound began to change, and as Gwen started collaborating with artists like Eve and Moby, I anticipated her first solo album, and expected some unusual tracks. I was not quite prepared for “This sh** is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!” Regardless, while many listeners were complaining that her debut was so strange, I welcomed it, and enjoyed almost every track before it got overplayed to death.
So here we are with Gwen’s sophomore solo effort, which drops nearly two years after Love. Angel. Music. Baby.. Those who were pleased with weird after her first outing will hear more of the same this time around. Her first single is “Wind It Up”, which also happens to start the album. In case you haven’t heard it yet, the yodeling on this garish tune will catch you off guard, but soon enough you’ll be perplexed as to why you are hollering like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music also. This was produced by the Neptunes. The track is a beguiling fusion of girly pop lyrics, dance, and bhangra. The title track comes next and switches gears right away with an infectious mix of electro fizziness and something The Supremes would have conjured up. It leads off exuberantly with “Woo-hoo!...Yee-hoo”, and further has Gwen briefly getting back to her roots. Oh yeah, it features Akon too. Taking the rating of The Sweet Escape down a notch is “Orange County Girl” which will cause fans to do shoulder spasms, but the more I hear “I’m just an Orange County Girl, livin’ in an extraordinary world” it reminds me of the horrid show The O.C.. I’ll move on.
Easily the best song on the album is “Early Winter”, which exposes the ripeness of Gwen’s voice. It is a soft and steady sounding melody that is frighteningly, yet satisfyingly reminiscent of “The Real Thing” from Love. Angel. Music. Baby.. Tim Rice-Oxley from the band Keane co-wrote this, and Nellie Hooper acted as the producer. It is from these hip ballads that Stefani’s talent shines. On “Now That You Got It”, (produced by Swizz Beats) the hip hop direction of the disc becomes more apparent as Gwen shouts some bizarre lines. This song is likable if one plays it infrequently, but pushing the repeat button will cause anyone to get annoyed fast. Thankfully it’s the shortest track. “4 in the Morning” showcases the passion in her vocals. Amidst all the funky pop techno, this is a solid, downbeat mainstream ballad. The medium sort of tempo here has heartfelt rhythms that Madonna might utilize.
On “Yummy” Gwen and the Neptunes groove with another weak track that at least has Gwen mentioning her child in “I know you’ve been waiting, but I’ve been off making babies.” She goes on to add “this sounds like disco tetris”, and Pharrell tosses in a verse that is basically meaningless. The instrumental homemade sounds towards the end are kind of cool, I admit. “Fluorescent” takes an abrupt, but nifty 80’s turn with former bandmate Tony Kanal lending nice keyboard work, and Gwen getting everybody’s attention with seductive singing and heavy breathing.
On another Neptunes produced track, “Breakin’ Up”, if felt as if she was trying to hit a tone out of reach. It’s has a very depressing vibe, and while it’s not the worst track on the album, the atmosphere was gloomy. For “Don’t Get It Twisted” Gwen proclaims it as “the most craziest sh** ever.” It is far from it. The mood is peculiar, but effective, and makes you feel screwy. It is a blending of Halloween dance party music and some noise you’d hear at the circus. “U Started It” oozes maturity, and ripples along like addictive Prince. The mellow disco flavor is terrific. What saves The Sweet Escape from ending as a mild disappointment is “Wonderful Life.” She teamed with Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) for this number, and the result is fabulously 80’s.
On the cover Gwen is sporting her platinum blonde hairdo and some intriguing sunglasses. She has transformed herself into a fashion trendsetter and a pop diva. The Sweet Escape is much in the same vein as Love. Angel. Music. Baby., but the only track taken from those recordings is “Wonderful Life.” Thankfully, this is not packed with lyrics bragging of her riches. Gwen doesn’t rub us in all the right places, for instance when she raps, but there are plenty of sweet spots touched. When she is on top of her game, she is damn near invincible. Worth noting is the fact that this album carries with it a Parental Advisory label. That is a first for Gwen with or without No Doubt. This was not as spontaneously remarkable as her debut, but it is still a mixed bag that has delectable Christmas goodies.
The 411: The Sweet Escape is an album worth picking up. The cover is attractive, and the majority of the songs hit the right notes. Of course, I wouldn’t argue with those who simply wanted to download select tracks either. Down the road, I am hoping Gwen looks back at this and says “Ok I need to try something else.” It is so reminiscent of her debut that some will dismiss it quickly. However, there are numerous songs worth remembering. The mistakes do not eclipse the triumphs, and overall, it’s alright.
