Album Review
Genre: Pop, Alternative Rock, Dance Pop
Artist: Gwen Stefani
Album: The Sweet Escape
Year: 2006

Gwen Stefani’s solo career is not exactly an extension of No Doubt. When L.A.M.B. was released in 2004, it garnered mostly favourable, but mixed reviews. In spired by 80s music and culture, the strength of L.A.M.B. was not in the lyrics, but in the infectiousness of the tunes. Stefani’s second solo effort, The Sweet Escape, is much more palatable, but similar sounding album. The Sweet Escape is pleasant, but a bit boring. It seems like Stefani really needs to find her feet when it comes to going solo, where No Doubt has always been recognized for its tongue-in-cheek lyrics and reviving ska punk, Stefani seems to have a very difficult time defining herself on both solo efforts. The Sweet Escape is a repetitive disappointment, radio-friendly tunes “The Sweet Escape” and “4 in the Morning” are the only tracks worth buying, the rest is just filler.
Karen Lam





