#REVIEW: NO DOUBT – “PUSH AND SHOVE”

The pressure is on for No Doubt, the 33-million selling international Ska-Pop Sensation, whom after an absence of 11 years return to the Music Scene with their sixth Disc, Push and Shove.  What to expect though after that long a hiatus, which saw Frontwoman Gwen Stefani embark on a successful  Solo Career, at once solidifying herself as a Force in the World of Fashion?

This Collection of eleven songs first and foremost showcases a deeper level of Maturity, which Fans might either embrace or feel a bit alienated by. I’ll be the first to admit a bit of that  fire is missing here and it can be heard in Stefani‘s vocals – not that her voice has in any way deteriorated as she still sounds great – but that signature edge however has faded with contentment in life.  Oddly, the listening experience sounds familiar but somehow doesn’t always feel familiar. On the whole though, the Tracks here are solid even if they are more heavily weighted towards Running than say, I’m Just a Girl or Hey Baby – the latter which have brought Fans to their feet in Arenas worldwide and even garnering them a GRAMMY.

Tracks like first Single Settle Down, Title Track Push and Shove and Sparkle serve as a friendly reminder than this still is a No Doubt Disc.  Electro/Pop/Rock/Ska-tinged second Single Looking Hot is classic No Doubt and just what we’d expect from them even if it might face a challenge or two finding a place on Top 40 Radio right now in a Pop World dominated by Artists who have cited No Doubt as an influence, including Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and P!nk.

My favourites on the Disc are packed midway through the Disc, including the celebration of love known as Gravity with Stefani singing (I’m assuming) to Husband Gavin Rossdale, “We’re so lucky we’re still holding on/Just like Venus in the Morning Sun/You and me got Gravity”. Also, Undercover despite bordering on U2-esque, is a thing of beauty. Contempo-Rock moments like One More Summer and Undone have us experiencing a bit of an identity crisis as Fans.

Push and Shove is a leap forward musically for one of Pop Music’s flashiest Outfits, even if the Material here is less focused on the Hook and trends;  Universal Music Canada releases September 25, 2012.