The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 7
Despite guests, Gwen
can barely 'Escape'
By ABBY FRACKMAN
Daily Arts Writer
The cover of The Sweet Escape, the lat-
est release from Gwen Stefani, features a
glamorous headshotof
the singer. The photo ** A
is flashy and clean -e
(thank you, airbrush- Gwen
ing), two qualities Stefani
only briefly present on The Sweet Escape
the album. It features interscope
a handful of vari-
ous producers (The Neptunes and Swiss
Beatz among them) who each attempt to
lay down their own unique sound atop
Stefani's vocals. The result is a mish-mash
of songs, ranging from
the catchy to the mun-
dane.
The
album
opens
with
its first
single,
"Wind It
Up." Just as
"Rich Girl"
(from 2004's
Love.Angel.
Music.Baby)
referenced "If I
ere a Rich Man"
from Fiddler
on the Roof,
"Wind It Up"
also recalls a
famous musi-
cal. This time,
it's The Sound
of Music - the singer is apparently quite
the fan - and the allusion is heard in the
yodeling throughout the song. The beat
is contagious, and the lyrics are uptempo
and catchy, two qualities which make this
song the ideal dance club track - and one
of the album's few redeeming songs.
"4 in the Morning" showcases the qui-
eter, more subdued side of Stefani. It's
easy to tell that she's a talented singer just
based on this song. Her vocals are smooth
and controlled, as she pleads to give her
that which she gives so freely. Could this
be a hint to Gavin, perhaps? In any case,
the effective instrumentation, most nota-
bly the brief piano solo, helps convey Ste-
fani's emotions.
While "Wind It Up" and "4 in the Morn-
ing" are indeed solid tracks, they are the
strongest songs on Escape. The remaining
cuts quickly lose steam, sometimes cross-
ing the line into boring and obnoxious.
"Orange County Girl" has Stefani busting
out her mildly whiny, baby-talk voice as
she sings "I'm just an Orange County girl
/ Livin' in an extraordinary world." While
Stefani can't
capitalize on hype,
guest producers.
the vocals are reminiscent of "Just a Girl"
off of No Doubt's 1995 release Tragic
Kingdom, no other comparisons should
be drawn between the two songs. "Just a
Girl" will always remain a classic anthem,
Gwen Stefani can sure as hell look good, but when it comes to albums, only her liner notes make the cut.
while "OC Girl," well, won't.
"Breakin' up" is the most obnoxious
song on Escape, and yes, it really is that
obnoxious. The lyrics are overly repetitive
and unoriginal ("Hold up, I think you're
cutting out / Hold up, I think I'm losing
you / Tell me can you hear me now /We're
breakin' up, up, up, up"). If those lyrics
look unappealing on the page, imagine
Stefani talk-singing them countless times
throughout the song, while the minimal
beat drags agonizingly along.
"Yummy" features guest vocals by
Pharrell - a move that unfortunately falls
flat on its face. Stefani's vocals plod along
in a monotone as she sings (talks?) about
"feeling yummy," and "bein' off making
babies." The background consists of a
constant drumbeat, handclaps and even a
baby's cry. It's telling when the best part
of the track is the break near the end when
the vocals cut out in favor of sounds akin
to a car that just won't start.
The title track - and the album's closer
- admittedly grows more appealing with
each listen, but it's still not as strong as
the rest of the album, which hardly builds
enough momentum as it is.
Akon's vocals on "Smack That" are
infectious, and succeed in distracting the
listener's away from Stefani's annoying
contributions.
The Sweet Escape is without a doubt a
disappointing nalbum. It was expected,
and hoped, that Stefani's use of multiple
producers would lead to a diverse mix of
exciting and noteworthy tracks.
Sadly, this isn't the case, as the majority
of the album is subpar and well below that'
of which Stefani is clearly capable. On the
bright side, at least "Hollaback Girl" isn't
on it.
hPHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY
the michigan daily
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ARIES SCORPIO
(Harch 21 to April 19) 1Oct. 23 to Nov. 211
This is an excellent day to talk topart- Seek out solitude today if you can.
ners, friends and members of the public. You need to have a little time by your-
It's also an excellent day to do business. self. With so much going on in your life
You feel positive and upbeat when talk- now, you need a bit of quiet reflection.
ing to everyone. SAGITTARIUS
TAURUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21)
(April 20 to May 20) A female friend wants to have a confi-
This is good day for business and dential conversation with you today.
working with co-workers. Others are (Possibly, the reverse is true.) Either
willing to give you the support - both way, try to let this happen.
practical and financial - that you need. CAPRICORN
GEMINI (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)
(May 21to June 20) For some reason, at some point today,
Your creative skills are hot today. people will notice you more than usual.
Working with children, the arts and any- Be aware of this. Conversations with
thing having to do with show business or parents or bosses are important today.
the entertainment world will please you. AQUARIUS
CANCER (Jan. 20to Feb. 18)
(June 21to July 22) This is a good day to make travel plans
This is a good day for family discus- or explore further educational opportuni-
sions. It's also a nice time to entertain at ties. Try to do something differentso that
home or enjoy being by yourself in the you can expand your horizons a bit
privacy of your own world. today.
LEO PISCES
(July 23 to Aug. 22) (Feb. 19 to March 20)
Your communication skills are won- The wealth of others can benefit you
derful today. This isa good day to teach, today. In some manner, gifts and goodies
act, market, sell or persuade others to do are likely to fall in your lap. Just say
what you want. "thank you." (How else can others be
VIRGO generous?)
(Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) YOU BORN TODAY You're intelli-
This is an excellent day for business gent and very perceptive. You're excel-
and commerce. You might see new ways lent with details to the point of perfec-
of making money or new ways to expand tion. Many of you will finely hone your
your earnings (especially with travel or craft. You always take a long-range view
dealing with foreign countries). of everything - your partnerships and
LIBRA your job. You have big ideas and major
(Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) goals. Increased solitude this year will
This is a strong day for you. The Moon help you learn something important.
is in your sign. Furthermore, it makes a Birthdate of: Jamie Foxx, actor;
lovely aspect to moneybags Jupiter. Go Christopher Plummer, actor; Dick Van
after whatever you want; you just might Dyke, actor.
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