Rock Steady (CD)

• Category:  Music  »  Punk  »  Ska
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: December 11, 2001
• Label: Interscope Records (USA)
• UPC: 606949315825
• WAPI (Tower ID): 106447598
• Average Customer Review: There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!
• Tower.com Sales Rank: #9908 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #70 in Punk (See Top 100 Punk Bestsellers)
• #12 in Ska (See Top 100 Ska Bestsellers)

Rolling Stone (1/17/02, pp.47-8) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...Loose and frisky...the music here is simple and propulsive...Producer Ric Ocasek is definitely on some serious CANDY-O s*** here..."
Spin (1/02, pp.105-6) - 8 out of 10 - "...The band sticks to its guns...and like all good suburban punks, [they] honor their origins, and their feelings...The most consistent touchstone of the album's high-detail sound is new-wave....Stefani's honesty is what makes her loveable..."
Entertainment Weekly (12/14/01, p.81) - "...The best album they've ever hatched..." - Rating: B+
Vibe (2/02, p.121) - 3.5 discs out of 5 - "...ROCK STEADY is fearless...veering from bubblegum soul jams to clipped, electro-funk, step-aerobic escapades and includes cameos by dancehall A-listers..."
NME (Magazine) (1/5/02, p.30) - 7 out of 10 - "...Just great...Such is this album's potential for hit singles, No Doubt will live to fight another day..."

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files including a music video for "Hey Baby," a short documentary and a screensaver.

No Doubt: Gwen Stefani (vocals, programming); Tom Dumont (guitar, keyboards, programming); Tony Kanal (saxophone, keyboards, bass, programming); Adrian Young (drums).

Additional personnel includes: Lady Saw, Bounty Killer (vocals); Django Stewart, Andy Potts (saxophone); Stephen Bradley (trumpet); Gabrial McNair (trombone, Clavinet, keyboards); Prince (keyboards, background vocals); Ric Ocasek (keyboards); Robbie Shakespeare (bass); Sly Dunbar, Phillip Steir, Sean Spuehler, Eric White, Ned Douglas (programming).

Producers include: William Orbit, Steely & Clevie, Ric Ocasek, Nellee Hooper, Sly & Robbie.

Engineers include: Clif Norell, Dan Chase, Greg Collins.

"Underneath It All" won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. "Hey Baby" won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.

ROCK STEADY was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. "Hella Good" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

No Doubt continues its platinum success with ROCK STEADY, led by the undeniably adorable Gwen Stefani. Besides being a wonderfully charismatic front woman, Gwen's cute quotient is so high you can't help but like this band. While the group's last release, RETURN OF SATURN was more introspective and had a slightly more pop-oriented approach, STEADY returns the group to their roots sound of reggae and ska, while still mixing in a pop/rock feel. "Hey Baby", the first single, has an irresistible sing-along charm (including a rap by Bounty Killer) that makes it a natural for radio play. "Hella Good", possibly the album's standout track, is a funky, danceable tune reminiscent of peak-era Blondie. Gwen's sweet vocals shine through on the pretty "Running," and "Underneath It All" is a fantastic slow-tempo number that builds with a tight horn section.

An all-star cast of producers helped to make this the fun, polished album it is. Co-producer Ric Ocasek boosts "Don't Let Me Down" with a Cars-like synth hook, and injects "Platinum Blonde Life" with a crunchy guitar riff that also sparks memories of his former band. Other star producers include Prince, Sly & Robbie, and William Orbit. ROCK STEADY's musical mix has a wide appeal, custom-made for bringing in many new fans to the No Doubt fold.

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