I was with the band previously not start so much and am only hear the solo projects of Gwen Stefani. But they were probably always a little more mainstream.
For the new CD I must therefore say, who loved the "old" No Doubt sound - hands off, there are a few songs here that are going in this direction. But who - like me - especially Gwen's solo singles like "Early Winter" or "Cool" have fallen, which is right here! One has to admit well, if you listen through the songs, then you hear a lot from Gwen, but very little of the musical influence of their bandmates. Would certainly just as a solo CD can be of her.
But I do not think, as other reviewers that the CD sounds unkind or unimaginative. She has only just a completely different style than some might have expected. We're all getting older - perhaps No doubt also have meant no more authentically to sound with their "old" style !? I do not know, and ultimately it is I do not care. I do not want to talk shop about whether the band sounds sooner or better now - that's all very subjective anyway plus I know the musical history of the troupe too little. I just want to say I like the CD really good :-)
