Gwen Stefani

With a set that runs from Britney-like dance pop to hip-hop-flavored club jams, Love Angel Music Baby bubbles with an impressive range of styles -- techno, Middle Eastern house, New Wave, even J-Pop. Stefani reveals herself to be a true omnivore, and shows she's got what it takes to make it as a solo artist.

No Doubt singer flies solo and hits the dance floor for her first solo album, Gwen Stefani
could have gone the solemn schlock route. But fortunately, she obeys her disco instincts
on Love, Angel, Music, Baby. It's an irresistible party: trashy, hedonistic and deeply weird.
Stefani's gum-snapping sass brings out the beast in her beatmasters, especially the
Neptunes in "Hollaback Girl" and Andre 3000 in "Bubble Pop Electric." Dr. Dre and... More >

Turns out the problem wasn't ska per se--it was No Doubt ("Bubble Pop Electric," "What You Waiting For?"). (Grade - ***)