MY VIEW
Music: 'Love. Angel. Music. Baby.' by Gwen Stefani

By Jessica Labrador
Special to The Advertiser

The Verdict: Stefani succeeds in revival and variety. THE RATINGS 5 — Outstanding: Add it to your collection now. A must-have. 4 — Great: Buy it or rent it — definitely listen to it. 3 — Good: Worth listening to despite some flaws. 2 — Fair: Unless you're a fan of the group or singer, don't bother. 1 — Poor: Save your money (and your ears).

Release: Nov. 23.

Style: Pop.

Rewind: "Cool"

Skip it: "Luxurious."

My view: The release of Gwen Stefani's solo debut album makes it hard to believe she was once the cute ska-girl fronting the blossom-ing band No Doubt. Fast forward 15 years and countless hit singles with No Doubt, and voilÃ! "Love. Angel. Music. Baby" — the symbol of her growth into an independent woman.

No Doubt fans may be divided into those who praise Stefani's work because of her association with the band and diehards who denounce her break away from the band that started her career. But this is not a No Doubt record. Stefani has proved she can make music of her own.

Ranging from the electro-tinged hit-single "What You Waiting For?" to the early-'90s R&B influenced "Luxurious," it must be said that this album is definitely dynamic. Stefani also brings new-wave revival to the mainstream. The super-danceable "The Real Thing" verges on being 2004's parallel to Madonna's "Holiday," accompanied by a New Order-esque bass line to top it off.

The synth-heavy "Cool" sounds like the perfect '80s pop song. Had it been released 22 years ago, it would have become a hit, no doubt (no pun intended).

Not only do Stefani's influences draw from '80s/early '90s pop, hip-hop and new-wave, but from Harajuku girls as well. Along with the album's art decorated with Harajuku girls and Japanese writing, Stefani also shows her love for them in several songs with lines like "You Harajuku girls, damn you've got some style." But the track "Harajuku Girls" best sums up her obsession with the unorthodox Japanese fashion pioneers; it's an ode to the cutesy girls filled with samples of Japanese phrases such as "Super kawaii means super cute in Japanese!"

Amid this mainstream breath of fresh air is "Luxurious," which defines early '90s rap cheese and even samples from Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa." Of all the genres explored on "Love. Angel. Music. Baby," hip-hop is one that Stefani has not successfully conquered. "Hollaback Girl" further illustrates Stefani's weakness. The song comes off as a silly, pretentious joke in which Stefani claims she "ain't no hollaback girl." What is a "hollaback girl" anyway?

Stefani doesn't limit this solo debut to herself. Among her guests are Andre 3000 of OutKast fame and rapper Eve, whose contribution in "Rich Girl" would have been better left off the album.

Jessica Labrador is a senior at Waialua High School.

Have a video game or CD you want to review? Reach Island Life deputy editor Dave Dondoneau at ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com.