No Doubt - Rock Steady (Deluxe) Album

The Rock Steady album from No Doubt could have been just another example of Gwen Stefani and her boys' antics, but on this disc the music really did take center stage. Having mostly departed from their ska home base, this disc represents No Doubt's well-navigated exploration of hip-hop beats, reggae, and the reunion of '80s keyboards and guitars. In fact, the group seems to pick up the pop rock baton that was dropped with such a thud by their comrades, Garbage. Although this disc has Stefani playing the sex kitten again, you also get such tunes as "Waiting Room" and "Running," the lone ballad on the disc. Despite internal disputes, it was good to see No Doubt back out there and experimenting with different musical styles.