nosmiles agrees: No Doubt have been around for quite a while. As with anything, changes must be made to continuously remain in the public eye. No Doubt, however, can pull off changes better than any other band out there. Their sound is different enough to create a new audience, while keeping some of their old fans. It is also different enough to be played on the radio, but keeps a good balance as to not 'kiss any corporate ass.' Sadly, I think of the No Doubt of today and the No Doubt of yesteryear as two entirely different bands. Granted, there are some reminisicent vocals on Rock Steady. A couple of times I was reminded of the Beacon Street Collection album as well as the track "Sunday Morning", from Tragic Kingdom.

Rock Steady brings No Doubt into a fun-filled, as they always have been, dance filled (new) scene. The first two singles are over-glitzy-club representations of the rest of the album. It is unfortunate that these two tracks sound rather similar, because the album as a whole offers much diversity.

Although "Hey Baby" may be deemed as a fun club-worthy tune, the track, along with much of the album, is of rather morose demeanor. The chorus's may be catchy, but they are not bubble-gum by any means. This small characteristic helps to keep No Doubt from simply blending in like everything else. Although the band has changed much from their beginnings, they continue to keep their orginiality.

It seems as though this album is intended for a younger, less mature audience than their previous album, "Return of Saturn." The song "Making Out" is my best example for this idea. Gwen must think similarly to Dashboard Confessional with lines such as, "I hardly can wait for us to hang out, I anticipate us making out." This line might strike a chord in the hearts of teenagers, but since Gwen is 30 and married, it just seems silly.

"Don't Let Me Down," a rather 80's sounding track, offers a fun, catchy chorus. As well, Gwen's vocals resemble that of previous albums. The faster tracks such as "Start the Fire" and "Hey Baby" come off as trying too hard. Where as "Running" and "Underneath it All" showed more of the bands strengths. There was still plenty of instrumentation and fun beats, without anything being overdone.

The lyrics are usual No Doubt style: either meaningless or about relationships. Most of the relationship songs however are happy, which makes the album more pleasant even over the somber countenance of the album. Other happy aspects are the Nintendo-esque beats of "Running" and "In My Head."

Since I have turned into a generic music lover, this album suits my fancy just fine. It's nothing spectacular, merely entertaining. The most entertaining prospect of the album is that No Doubt managed to pull off all the sounds collaged into this album. Between the Reggae grooves, the relationship vibes, and all the extra mixes and beats thrown in there is never too much stuff; never overkill. Few musical artists can pull that off. This mix of musics also helps save the songs. Just as one may begin to dislike a song, a little melody will flow in and keeping the listener's attention. It seems really quite complex. However, its this complexity that makes the songs simple enough for anyone to dance to, listen to, or sing-along with.

Best Aspect: Amazingly, everything works
Worst Aspect: The reggae theme
Yay: Underneath It All, Don't Let Me Down
Nay: Detective, Start the Fire
The hits: Underneath It All, Hella Good, Hey Baby
Similar: P!nk
Style: Rock, Pop, Reggae