Return of Saturn

by

No Doubt

Edit

Absolutely awesome! This CD hasn't left my CD player since I bought it! The band has branched out from their California ska roots to new and different sounds, and the results are great. Several of the songs, such as "Bathwater"(my favorite track), "Artificial Sweetener" and "Comforting Lie", are standouts that should get some radio airplay. If you're missing the old No Doubt, "New" and "Staring Problem", which is another fun, floor-shaking ska rythym that will remind you of "Spiderwebs", are included. Gwen's voice has matured as well, and her lyrics are creative, emotional, and flow well. This isn't the "Tragic Kingdom", but "Saturn" isn't a bad place to be.

First off, I have to say that I'm not in the habit of comparing bands/singers to their past efforts, and I'm not going to begin here. Rather, I think I'll go through each of the songs and evaluate each one:

1) Ex-girlfriend: Easily, one of the best songs on the entire cd. It's just has this oomph that's so characteristic of No doubt's attitude

2) Simple Kind of Life: I'll be honest...I never really liked this song to much. Gwen comes off a little whiny in this, and the lyrics seem kind of overly optimistic.

3) Bathwater: This song kicks ... I had this song on repeat on my cd player for about two months!!! :-) I lived and breathed Bathwater...

4) Six Feet Under: This song is kind of a "borderline" song, meaning that there are times when I like it, and there are times that I don't. It has a happy sound to it, but the lyrics are kind of morbid....

5) Magic's In the Makeup: the first of the glammish new wave type ballads. Well..not ballad per se, but it defintely makes me want to go to sleep.

6) Artificial Sweetener: UGH! I hate this song. Period.

7) Marry Me: Yey another song that I really don't care too much for. Her whole preocupation with getting married seems kind of pretentious and ultimately makes her sound desperate.

8) New: I LOVE THIS SONG! It's got kick...it was also featured in the film "Go" and everytime I listen to it, it's kind of a euphoric experience...

9) Too Late: YET again...another song that is victimized by the skip button on my cd player.

10) Comforting Lie: This song has a tango feel to it, but it rocks. :-)

11) Supension without suspense: Again....another song, victim of the skip button.

12) Staring Problem: Okay..here is where I absolutely NEED to compare with past efforts. This song is silly...and sort of punkish (not really, but it has elements), reminiscent of Tragic Kingdom. This song isn't bad....but it seems incongruous with the rest of the cd.

13) Home Now: the only thing I hate about this song is the title. Home Now?!?! what is that supposed to mean? It's not even a complete thought. But anyways, this song is good...but it's an acquired taste, mind you...

14) Dark Blue: GOD...I absolutely HATE this song with a passion. The chorus goes, "It's too bad, so sad.." or something like that (I can't remember for sure, because I only listen to it if I'm too lazy to get up and skip the damn song) and it's just silly. IT has a good meaning though...but I hate the way that meaning is packaged.

well..that's it for my little spiel on Return of Saturn. If you plan on getting this cd, don't pay more than 1$12.99 for this cd. Better yet, see if you can get it used. For the most part, it's a pretty neutral release with the exceptions of Ex-girlfriend, bathwater and New. The rest seems like sugar coated nothing...and it's just too Gwen.