No Doubt - The Singles 1992-2003

Though they've suffered death, departure and fraught internal and external relationships, No Doubt have kept faith with fun throughout, as The Singles very clearly proves. As their troubles have made them far from prolific, it's culled almost entirely from three albums--Return of Saturn, Rock Steady and their mega-hit Tragic Kingdom--with just the quirky, warped ska of "Trapped in a Box" to represent their eponymously titled major label debut.

As said, it's excellent fun, from the opening power anthem "Just a Girl", through the ultra-modern, Madonna-like "Hey Baby" and the urgent, melodious power pop of "Excuse Me Mr" to the Chicago-style break-up ballad "Don't Speak". It's easy to see how this colourful band of Anaheim skanksters came to be seen as an energising antidote to the crushing male miserabilism of grunge. There are a few extras; a reverent cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life", a dance-metal "Hey Baby" remix and a live repeat of the cute, Leonard Cohen-quoting "Underneath It All", featuring Gwen Stefani's vocal and a simple acoustic guitar. But, naturally, it's the hits that count and they're all here, every bouncing, beaming one of them. It's a fine testament to one of America's most enduring pop acts. --Dominic Wills From Amazon.co.uk

Great CD

I don't usually like many greatest hits cds because many artists tend to leave out my favorite songs, but I love No Doubt's The Singles 92-03. Each song from this retrospective is excellent and reminds me of certain times when that song was a hit. Tracks from Tragic Kingdom takes me back to middle school while songs from Rock Steady reminds me of senior year. I'm not a big No Doubt fan (I only have Tragic Kingdom) but this is hands down, one of favorite albums of all time. August 15, 2008

Don't Speak, Just Listen

I just pulled this CD out again after quite awhile - Hey, I was in the OC mood I guess, and who better to trash the suburban dream than Miss Gwen and her endless ska, bleeps and blurps. I can't help but to love this band of fun loving Cali kids. Walking into spider webs when you're just a girl will leave you feeling hella good... shhh.. don't speak just listen.

Every single little ditty is here in full glory and I guess it takes a few years off to go back and revisit just why Gwen and the boys became so popular. Every single is infectious and excellent, and so much better than the solo stuff Gwen has been playing out.

Perhaps now that the band has reformed we will get the band experience as Gwen is never as good on her own as she is with the band and the singles compilation is definitely the best place to go to relive the No Doubt experience.
June 25, 2008

Waste of money

I have not listened to the entire CD since I bought it. Go to I-Tunes and grab the one or two you really like and keep moving. June 18, 2008

A solid band. When are they going to make their epic return?? I hope it's good!!! 4 stars.

Just a Girl 4/5 Tragic Kingdom

It's My Life 3.75/5 The Singles 1992-2003

Hey Baby 4/5 Rock Steady

Bathwater 4.25/5 Return of Saturn

Sunday Morning 4/5

Hella Good 3/5 (Probably one of their worst, besides Staring Problem (hate, hate HATE that song. >_< )

New 4.5/5

Underneath It All 4.75/5

Excuse Me Mr. 4.25/5 Tragic Kingdom

Running 4/5 Rock Steady

Spiderwebs 4/5

Simple Kind of Life 4.5/5 Return of Saturn

Don't Speak 4.5/5 Tragic Kingdom

Ex-Girlfriend 4/5 Return of Saturn

Trapped in a Box 2/5 Trippy and crappy. Very, Very, Very, Very, VERY crappy. Ugh. Come on, ND!!! The Singles 1992-2003

59.5/15 = 3.966666666666667

4 stars even, for a favorite band of mine (probably my second favorite) November 11, 2007

No Doubt-The Singles 1992-2003 (an unbiased review)

First, let me start off by saying that this is an unbiased review. I'm not a fan of the band nor do I dislike the band. I'm a fan of all types of music. I also won't be comparing this album to any other albums from the band. This review will be strictly on this particular album. Now onto the review.

No Doubt fans will undoubtedly be thrilled to own a compilation of their favorite band's hits all on one album. Casual fans will want to partake so that they can own an album that contains mostly recognizable and loveable hits from the group.

Here's a rundown of the songs (along with my rating for each song):
Just A Girl-4/5
It's My Life-4/5
Hey Baby-3.5/5
Bathwater-4/5
Sunday Morning-4.5/5
Hella Good-3.5/5
New-3.75/5
Underneath It All-3.5/5
Excuse Me Mr.-4/5
Running-4.5/5
Spiderwebs-4/5
Simple Kind of Life-3.5/5
Don't Speak-4.5-5
Ex-Girlfriend-4/5
Trapped in a Box-3/5

So what's to like about this album? As I said above, casual fans will recognize 80% of the songs on this album. The only songs that I didn't know were "Sunday Morning" (my new favorite track from the band), "New", "Excuse Me Mr.", "Spiderwebs", and "Trapped In a Box". Fans of older No Doubt songs will be content with "Just A Girl", "Bathwater", and "Ex-Girlfriend". Fans of newer No Doubt songs will be entertained by "Hey Baby", "Hella Good", and the newest song on this album "It's My Life". There's also ton of different kinds of music to choose from. From reggae-influenced "Sunday Morning" to the more electronic sounding "Hey Baby" to the classic No Doubt sound (it's all about the guitars, baby!) in "Excuse Me Mr." to the ballads like "Don't Speak", this album is sure to please everybody!

Lyric-wise, this album has everything! You have songs about breakups and seperations. And you have songs about being "Just A Girl" and songs that make you just want to get up and dance. Vocal-wise, I prefer the older No Doubt songs to the newer ones. Gwen's voice is perfect for its genre.

Furthermore, the songs aren't in any particular order so if you listen to the album straight through, you get an eclectic mix of old and new songs.

And what's not to like? Honestly, nothing. I love every song on this album although I have to be in a certain mood to listen to the newer songs.

My rating: 5/5 stars. There's a ton of entertainment on this album. Whether you're a fan of the band's music or you just like great music in general, this album is a must have for your CD collection. It's one of the first CDs I pull out when I want a mix of everything. You won't know how much you want this CD until you have it in your hands! June 17, 2007

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