The Sweet Escape Reviews

• What the...???

  
  By AD12AIZC332IR on 2006-12-06
  I don't even know where to start. Gwen's solo debut was one of my favorite guilty pleasures of 2004. I was immediately addicted to its fun, creative, catchy, retro electropop tunes. It was the type of stuff that (unfortunately) you don't typically find on mainstream radio. But she made it work, and shone a light on a cool "new" sound. For a minute there, I thought she alone was going to bring pop back to what it once was (and should be), but wow - was I completely wrong. Instead of expanding on her incredible and inventive electropop, she decided to take the one really crappy song from LAMB ("Hollaback Girl") and make an entire album that all sounds just like it. I mean, there are no melodies here! It's just generic hip-hop beats with dumb lyrics that you can't even sing along to. The only decent song on the entire album is "Wonderful Life." Ugh! I can't express how extremely disappointed I am in her. All my love and respect for her has suddenly gone bye-bye. I was really looking forward to her becoming the new Pop Queen - but instead it appears she's just another bland R&B clone. At least she's chosen a core demographic: teens. Sadly for her, though, she's going to have to say "so long" to all her fans over 21 years old.
  
  

• It's a fantastic listen.Shell out and have fun: it's one of the hippest releases of the year !!

  
  By A1Z346RWXHSMYN on 2006-12-12
  Gwen Stefani is one of the most exciting artists working in the mainstream. She oozes style in just about everything she does, while her music is consistently innovative and always inventive.
  The former No Doubt lead singer showed with her debut solo album "Love Angel Music Baby" that she had what it takes to compete at the forefront of the mainstream scene, mixing it capably with the likes of Madonna, Pink and Beyonce yet delivering things in a style that was distinctly her own.
  Sophomore album "The Sweet Escape" maintains those high standards and proves that her debut was no fluke. It's a fantastic listen, capable of widespread crossover appeal and almost certain to fall prey to flattering imitations.
  It impresses from the outset, kicking off with the brilliant lead single "Wind It Up" and tossing in one hit after another in a number of different styles.
  "Wind It Up", in particular, is a highlight that's sure to become a signature tune for the artist. With its cheeky "Sound Of Music" sample wrapped around a more distinct tub-thumping beat (think "Hollaback Girl"), it's an absolute riot of energy that appeals to the childlike dancer in every one of us. You'll be foot-tapping and hip-swaying along with its infectious energy in spite of any reservations you may feel. But it's Stefani's gift that she can take something that, on paper, sounds cheesy and make it utterly, utterly cool.
  Thereafter, it's a thrilling and eclectic mix packed with the usual smattering of high-profile collaborations - but crucially, with some surprise additions.
  Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley provides a telling contribution to "Early Winter", a thrilling keyboard-based ballad that finds Stefani at her most intimate and lovely, while Akon's distinct rapping style works well on the album's title track, the thrilling "Sweet Escape".
  "4 In The Morning" is another heart-melter of a track, a slow-burner built around some lush electronic soundscapes, a swooning set of vocals and some well-realised strings. It's one for the romantically inclined and a track that serves as a nice contrast to the more boisterous, semi-rap style of dancefloor fillers such as "Now That You Got It" and "Orange County Girl".
  Another highlight is the high-tempo, percussion heavy "Yummy", a duet with Pharrell that finds Stefani at her most sassy and, well, yummy vocally. It drops in a sample of "Wind It Up" but in no way feels like a lazy retread of former hits. The chorus, too, provides an example of the artist pushing the pop boundaries to pleasing effect.
  The same applies to the effortlessly hip vibe surrounding "Fluorescent", another contagious offering that gets better and better the more you hear it, and the dark, grinding "Breakin' Up", which finds the singer at her most feisty and defiant. Both tracks hint at the new directions taken by both Madonna and Nelly Furtado, albeit with Stefani's distinct spin.
  There's a sweet '80s vibe surrounding final track "Wonderful Life" that's also engaging, while the live version of "Wind It Up" that brings things to a close is utterly enchanting.
  Like we said, this is an inspirational piece of work that makes Stefani's artistic brilliance impossible to escape. Our advice is to shell out and enjoy - it's one of the hippest releases of the year.Jack Foley.
  Rating: 4.5 out of 5
  
  

• Time To Take A LONG Break

  
  By A2R6AMJD49KGT1 on 2006-12-07
  Long time fan but Miss Stefani takes these scraps from Love Angel Music Baby sessions and becomes a self parody. Like Boy George, Cyndi Lauper et al her cartoon persona and run away slave to fashion status have become greater than her musical output. It's interesting that the record company is promoting this recording like it's new material and accompanying it's release with a tour -- when in fact this B rate materail would have been better served as a L.A.M.B. extras disc. Sad to see artists get consumed with their own hype. This is a low point in her career. And how old is this woman anyway???
  
  

• Everyone's favourite hollaback girl is back !

  
  By A3S3U4AQ66Q4WT on 2006-12-14
  Gwen's second solo album,"The Sweet Escape" manages to incorporate various styles to offer 12 distinctly unique tunes. It opens with "Wind it Up", sampling the Sound of Music's "Lonely Goat Herd", singing about being a girl, and exactly why boys adore them. Suddenly you realise you've missed having Ms. Stefani in your life.
  She collaborates with Pharrell on "Orange County Girl", "Yummy", "Breakin' Up" and "U Started It".
  Other big names who contribute to the album include Akon on "The Sweet Escape" and No Doubt's Tony Kanal on "4 In the Morning", "Fluorescent and Don't Get It Twisted". Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley collaborated with Gwen on the smooth, soft rock "Early Winter".
  A mistress of the synthetic sound, with lyrics that allude to smart girlie conversations over a cuppa, Gwen's taken all the big hitters, ranging from Nellee Hooper to Keane's Tim Rice-Oakley to contribute. She's mixed them all up, soaking up trends that ensure she's played in all the gyms and Topshops nationwide, but she's not letting anyone take over. She's big enough for all of them.
  Topics span apologising for being grumpy ("The Sweet Escape") men who lie, making her cry (the Cardigans-esque "Early Winter"), and being an unremarkable small town girl, a la J. Lo ("Orange County girl").
  As with her first album there are a few bland fillers, and she seems to lose her way a bit with "Breakin' up", a track about frustrating mobile conversations, but there's enough trademark majorette drumming to carry the album off. "Yummy" sums her up, coquettish, amusing, annoying and hip wiggling in equal measure.
  "The Sweet Escape" lives up to the promise. Never afraid to try something new and create something completely fresh, Gwen succeeds in staying cutting edge.
  In this album she manages to create a sound that is simultaneously cutting edge and completely different to her older work, yet "The Sweet Escape" remains distinctly Gwen Stefani.
  An element of Gwen's success has to be ascribed to her collaborations with some industry bigwigs. She is unafraid to cross genres and draws inspiration from everyone she works with - resulting in an album that offers a great deal of varied sounds and influences.
  
  All this and a new baby. Not bad.
  Enjoy !
  
  

• The Coolest B*tch on the Planet

  
  By A2OTFH2V6CBZPR on 2006-12-21
  I made the fatal mistake of waiting too long to buy Stefani's monster solo Love.Angel.Music.Baby. and when I listened to it and began to fall in love with it, it was too late. I didn't make the same mistake twice, even though I wondered how she would top her first blockbuster. I don't know if The Sweet Escape tops LAMB, but it comes really close. I do not know why people are hating on her: how could you resist the 80s reminiscent "Sweet Escape" or the tricked out "Orange County Girl" or the infectious club-banger "Now That You Got It". Even when she does ballads, she is the s*it, like in the incredible "4 In the Morning". The standout track "Yummy" featuring Pharrell is a must-be single and the Kelis-esque "Breakin Up" could be a hot one too. I don't know what other people are talking about but The Sweet Escape is a winner.
  
  
• A memo to Ms. Stefani
  By A277XEYHGUTZUF on 2006-12-07
  You are not "ghetto', you are not "down", you're not crunk, bling-bling or whatever mumbling derelict phrases are popular nowadays among a crowd whose collective IQ is 2. The only black person you know is the guy who drives your limo. But, alas, almost every girl who owns every Palahniuk book and absolutely adores Napoleon Dynamite thinks it's just absolutely hilarious to be faux-gangster, and this t-w-a-t is just feeding off of that.
  
  
• Help Me Escape This Garbage!!
  By A1HR9Z8QJ2QQ8L on 2006-12-06
  I was a HUGE No Doubt fan from the first cd until the last. I loved that band!
  
  I gave L.A.M.B. a chance and thought is was meager at best. There was no direction WHATSOEVER. It sounded exactly like what it was - Gwen working with multiple producers.
  
  The Sweet Escape is downright awful! I listened to this cd on AOL and was mortified at how generic this is. 'Wind It Up' sounds almost exactly like 'Hollaback Girl', while 'Orange County Girl' could not sound anymore bland. The only song I remotely liked was 'Early Winter'...although it does sound eerily familiar to a particular '80's song - I'll let you figure out which ;)
  
  On another note, what is up with her wig and the bling. Talk about sellout!
  
  Again, I USED to be a fan. No longer. End of story.
  
  
• Wind It Up?
  By ARABSQ1RSES45 on 2006-12-06
  Gwen Stefani has lost her mind. Wind it up is the most onboxious song I have ever had the misfortune to hear. Her first solo album was hit and miss with me. This one is all miss. I'm devastated. When we lost No Doubt, I thought we would be getting something better. I was wrong.
  
  
• Rushed Product
  By A11WK2RC35V11P on 2006-12-06
  I bought this CD without listening to a single song first because I loved the last one so much. Boy was I dissapointed! Aside from a catchy opening track the rest of the CD left me bored. Don't get me wrong, this isn't bad CD, its just not a good one. Nothing overtly original, to me it sound likes songs that were rejected from the pussycat dolls CD. I dont know what happened between this new CD and the last one, but I think Gwen needs to go back to those old producers, or just take more time making a great album instead of rushing one out.
  
  Just my opinion
  
  
• This Sounds Like Disco Tetris
  By A1LHAXBM5GBJS2 on 2006-12-06
  Many of those who enjoy making overly ironic jokes routinely mentioned at the release of the new Gwen Stefani single, Wind it Up, that she was totally ripping of Fergie's faux rap style. Of course it was actually Stefani that started the trend that has also been utilized since by Nelly Furtado and Cassie with her Middle School anthems off her debut album. Granted long before Stefani and Fergie, Toni Basil was the first to revolutionize the singing cadence in her cheerleader inspired Mickey. There is a good chance that Basil may have inspired Stefani because it is apparent on Love Angel Music Baby as well as her latest release, The Sweet Escape, that she loves the 80's almost as much as VH1.
  
  After going even further back in time with the Sound of Music sampling Wind it Up to open the album, the 80's influences come fast and often. Early Winter sounds like Cyndi Lauper through the No Doubt filter circa Simple Kind of Life. The song, produced by the keyboardist from Keane, is easily the standout track, but mostly because there is little competition. The next closest track is 4 in the Morning, produced by No Doubt's Tony Kanel, which has a mid-eighties R&B feel to it as Stefani sounds like a one woman version of The Jets.
  
  Elsewhere on the album the eighties elements fall flat. On Fluorescent the song is about one note away from blatantly ripping of the classic from the decad Human by The Human League. The Neptunes continue there downfall with a few weak tracks on the album including Yummy which Stefani herself says, "This sounds like disco Tetris." I can't imagine anyone else would think that is a good idea. They also produced the ill-advised Breakin' Up. No it is not about dumping a boyfriend, it is instead about a dropped phone call. And it even turns out lamer than it sounds. Trying to recreate Hollaback Girl, we get Don't Get it Twisted chalk full of profanities and a chorus that lift the melody from the Ringling Brothers. The big different is that this song is much less chant worthy than its predecessor. Hopefully some time after this album Stefani realizes she is inching closer to forty and needs to get back together with her band and stop making trite music for thirteen year old girls. Oh yeah, and please don't ever yodel again, leave that to Jewel.
  
  
• Where's the escape route?
  By A3P3W761AJQL3H on 2006-12-05
  Stefani hit gold and platinum with Love.Angel.Music.Baby, which was a charming confection of retro-pop with a splash of modern clubbing. The biggest hit however was 'Hollaback Girl', a Neptunes-produced, hip-hop inspired jam.
  Apparently Stefani thought it would be prudent to put out another album basically full of 'Hollaback Girls'. What a mistake. 'The Sweet Escape' is an almost endless nightmare of misplaced hip hop and Stefani posturing like a rapper. What made "LAMB" so charming is totally absent on an album full of derivitive beats and 'featuring' rappers. Stefani is not a rapper nor should she pretend to be one; she only comes off as incredibly commercial, fake and ultimately a huge let down as this album sounds exactly like all other Top 40 music in 2006, instead of being different and quirky like her previous album.
  
  So much for being the next Madonna. What a shame, what a disappointment Stefani turned out to be.
  
  
• I long for the days of No Doubt
  By A31A18YTCLHHD2 on 2006-12-06
  Aside from "Wind It Up", this album, as much as it hurts me to say this, is horrible. I think what defines Gwen is her voice and in this album it is completely lost.
  
  
• I'm one of Gwen's L.A.M.Bs but Need a "Sweet Escape" from Her New Album
  By ATB5WDXUE0DU5 on 2006-12-07
  I am a HUGE Gwen Stefani fan. I loved song after song on "Love, Angel, Music, Baby." In fact, I listen to that whole CD without ever skipping through any tracks because they are all so good. Therefore, I couldn't wait for her new album to come out. However, L.A.M.B. was a tough act to follow, and she just couldn't pull it off.
  
  I really want to find something to LOVE -- even like -- about this album because I adore Gwen Stefani. I admire her style and the passion she has for everything she does whether it's singing or designing clothes. "Orange County Girl", a song I first heard at one of her concerts over a year ago is OK, but nothing spectacular. It's a far cry from "Rich Girl", or "Harajuku Girls" or "Hollaback Girl" -- although nothing will ever compare to that one!
  
  I wish I could lie and say "The Sweet Escape" is good, but unfortunately, it just isn't. It really pains me to give Gwen 1 star, but I'm afraid I have to.
  
  
  
  
• gwennie gwen gwen
  By A1N46ZOQ1CZ4IY on 2006-12-13
  i think this album is soo awsome. i love the place that gwen has come to. if you were attracted to solo gwen for her 80's influeces and revival than you should be impressed with her totally outragous developement. this album is truely outragous. this album sounds nothing like hollarbac girl. gwen mixes her honest diary like lyrics, with sick beats and awsome 80'z replicas!!! there are also slight and obvious touches of musical aspects... the obvious elements in "wind it up"... and the subtle way she speak sings the lyrics of "u started it".
  
  
• Hated it the first time, now I can't stop listening to it.
  By A23Y8O3UCV2O8D on 2006-12-23
  It really, really grows on you. Wonderful Life, Yummy and 4 in the Morning make the entire album. I can't stop listening to it - it's great for the gym.
  
  
• Gwennie
  By A461VTLW9G9YB on 2006-12-07
  I love Gwen but I love Gwen with No Doubt and I can't wait for them to get back together. I hate her solo albums. The only songs I like are 4 in the morning, and don't get it twisted.
  
  
• Gwen + No Doubt = Better
  By A2N4UQM5EZ4Y2V on 2006-12-08
  I personally like Gwen's work better when she was with No Doubt. I am not much of a fan of her new work with the sing-rap, although creative, it doesnt allow her to showcase her vocal abilities.
  
  My favorite tracks:
  The Sweet Escape
  Dont Get It Twisted
  Yummy
  
  p.s. is it just me or does orange county girl sound like a brooke hogan type track?
  
  
• Amazing new-age Album!
  By ARHQ7G8I507KH on 2006-12-13
  I bought this CD after much debate. The first time I heard "Wind It Up" on the radio, I didn't like it, but by the end of the first time hearing it, I wanted to hear it again. That song grew on me, then I decided to purchase the album. To my surprise, I loved the entire album! I find myself singing the songs in my head throughout the day at work, then I get home and listen to it. It's a great disc, one that will stay in my player for quite some time to come. If you like music that's usually on the radio, you'll love the whole album. I could see every song on here being released as a single hit!
  
  
• Wind it Down
  By A3R3DBO8DAG3C7 on 2006-12-07
  Continuing her "solo project" as she claims, Gwen's second record is a mixture of success and failure. The first single `wind it up' is just awful it has a decent/so so beat but her whiny vocals and lyrics that continue the infatuation she has with her own clothing line get played out real quick. Moving on, the record does produce some catchy and genuinely enjoyable tracks; `the sweet escape' is one and `early winter' another. The latter with its strong chorus line and great music backing it up help the listener forget the previous track `orange county girl' which is really hard to hear all the way through (mind you the song is only three minutes and some seconds). I hate to say this but a white pop singer should not be rapping about growing up in orange county. All the songs produced by the neptunes (a.k.a. pharrell) are stupid, awkward and generic with the exception of `u started it' a very refreshing tune(pharrell's music production ability is over rated anyway). Please Gwen, stop trying to be ghetto fabulous and please please stop rapping/ yelling/ speaking fast etc. I suppose because `hollaback girl' was such a success she decided to evoke that theme more on this record but it does not work. Tracks like `breaking up' and `yummy' just skip right past them because you will be disappointed as they do not capture a positive side of Gwen (too fake even for her). On the contrary Gwen shines when she sings more 80's Madonna influential stuff and sticks to the new wave genre; tracks such as `florescent', `wonderful life'(which is a really good song reminding me of depeche mode), and `don't get it twisted' show a much more charismatic and genuine Gwen. Ironically the two or three songs produced by her band mate T. Kanal show case Gwen's vocal talent and remind fans why they even bothered to purchase (or even download) the record.
  
  
• So tragic...
  By A3JUMMIGJ7B38X on 2006-12-11
  It's always a risk when successful artists try to break away from their normal routine. Gwen Stefani had no reason to venture out on her own. She's a mega successful woman who was lead singer of one of the greatest bands in the world. Lucky for her, she scored a huge hit with Love.Angel.Music.Baby, which was a very nice record. It had variety and a fresh, invigorating new pop sound. Following the "if it wins, it goes again" philosophy, here is The Sweet Escape. And wow, I thought it wasn't possible, but this album is such a train wreck it's just shocking.
  
  Gwen took the hugely successful "Hollaback Girl" and based her entire sophomore effort on it. Unfortunately, "Hollaback Girl" was the kind of cute song whose formula only works once. To try to replicate it so often on one record just sounds pathetic and desperate, which is a perfect description of this record. The first single, "Wind It Up" sounds like it was written in like 5 minutes. The production by The Neptunes is random and has no musical quality whatsoever. "Orange County Girl" is utterly laughable! What was Gwen thinking??? The same hip-hop-wannabe mess can be found in other tracks like "Now That You Got It", "Yummy" and the ghastly "Breakin' Up". It just sounds like she's trying really hard to be something that she is just not. She's proven herself with the No Doubt punk/ska sound, and she's especially great at the New Wave rock sound a la "It's My Life" with No Doubt or even "Serious" and "The Real Thing" from the LAMB album. The rap/hip-hop thing just doesn't suit her, thus her talent is wasted.
  
  On the upside, Gwen exudes brilliance in the song "Early Winter", which sticks out like a sore thumb on Sweet Escape only because it's so incredible that it doesn't belong on this mess of an album. "Wonderful Life" and "U Started It" are also nice tracks on here.
  
  But with so many duds, this record is just not worth it. I suggest you go on iTunes and download "Early Winter", and just forget the rest. I've lost some respect for Gwen with this one. Judging from the other reviews on here, I'd say I'm not alone. I hope this is a wake up call to Gwen that she needs to stop trying to market herself to 13-year-olds and remember that she has plenty of fans that love her best when she's being herself.
  
  
• They wouldn't let me give it a zero
  By A10GV9VYNLIXUQ on 2006-12-12
  Admittedly, I've never been a huge Gwen Stefani fan, but her music (and No Doubt's) was at least listenable. By that I mean I wouldn't automatically change the station if it came on the radio, but I've never been compelled to buy a CD. So, when she appeared on SNL last week, I thought, "Well, I guess I can wait until the commercial break to go to the bathroom." Mistake. Big mistake. I, too, am unable to explain my feelings about her performance of "Wind It Up" (and a quick listen to the album version didn't really clear things up for me). It's almost as if she and Fergie are playing some sort of crappy music poker, and Gwen has just upped the ante. The drums alone might have been kind of cool, but then she had to shriek throughout the entire song. It was an audio (and visual) trainwreck. They say having kids changes you, but it's not always for the better. When did music get to be so stupid?
  
  
• Tasty little treat
  By APL1GB47GUBQN on 2007-01-19
  I'll admit I did not "Love" this completely when I first bought it. But being a true fan I listened to it again a couple more times and each time I would be attracted to more songs, NOW I love it completely! I highly recommend you give it a chance. You won't regret it.
  
  
• Not as impressed with this one....
  By AWY3EPKEOUV1W on 2006-12-06
  When I first listened to L.A.M.B. I was completely mesmerized. I fell in love with its unique funky vibe. However, GE is lacking in substance. After my first listen I'm left with a big Hmmmm?? I'm hoping that after a few more listens it will catch on. Most of the tracks are okay, but nothing that stands out. I have a good ear for music and usually know from the first listen if it's going to be heavy rotation in my cd player - I'm not feel'en it though. We'll see. I'll keep ya'll posted. I'll be back after a few more listens with an update..... & yes....I do miss "No Doubt". UPDATE: Okay, after a 2nd listen I like it slightly better, but still not impressed. WHY ARE SOME OF YOU CALLING THIS R&B? This is far from R&B. There are a few tracks that have an R&B vibe, but in it's entirety it's more of a pop/punk/disco 80's type of vibe. Being the same age as GS, the 80's vibe is my guilty pleasure. I appreciate all genres & era's of music in a variety of genres including pop, rock, r&b, contemporary country, classic rock, alternative, easy listening, classical, etc. My reaction to Sweet Escape is way different from my initial reaction to L.A.M.B, which I loved from the first listen. Even though this cd is within the realm of my musical interests, much of the music/production sounds rushed and simplistic. There is no depth or structure. It's not a cd I will throw in the garbage, but Gwen certianly will not be sharing a spot with Christina's "Back to Basics" CD, which is now a permanent fixture in my cd player at home and in my car. I haven't written her off, but I will admit that this CD could have been better.
  
  
• Not good.
  By A2IBTJA1STONZ2 on 2006-12-11
  Enough of the generic hip hop stuff. And she keeps on dropping the "LAMB" stuff...I know it's her clothing line but this materialistic stuff is just disgusting now. And for a 30-something woman to behave this way is pathetic. I was a huge fan of hers, but this leaves me cold. Cool cover though.
  
  
• I must be taking crazy pills!!!
  By A1BG5QDX0SPPXY on 2006-12-17
  
  
  
  Maybe I'm drinking the kool-aid or perhaps I am in fact taking crazy pills either one of these could be cause for my immense enjoyment of Gwen Stefani's new album "The Sweet Escape". Or it could be that I had little to no real expectations beyond a decent pop album from my fave platinum blonde bomb shell....though I ended up with a disc that was not only above average, but far superior to her solo debut.
  You see though I liked L.A.M.B. it took it for what it was. A cute pop record from an artitst who either was smart enough (or frankly naïve enough) to write songs for 16 yr old girls. Eitehr way it payed off as the album was a success...and it should have been. It was a fun electro pop/hip hop party record that did everything it should have done....that is to say rock the party.
  So that leaves us with the new record. If you listen to the first track only (the hollaback esque "Wind it up") you might think this album will end up being merely L.A.M.B. part 2 with all the pitfalls that plague yr average Hollywood franchise sequel. This seems to be what most are saying about The Sweet Escape. I would probably agree with this assessment only I chose to continue listening to the album. Having done so I discovered that not only is Gwen's sophomore solo effort superior to her debut its probably one of the more daring pop records I've listened to in a while. This is a thoroughly modern record, unlike the decidedly retro L.A.M.B. On my first listen I remember thinking how weird some of this music was (well for a pop record) but it worked. I found myself playing the disc repeatedly and yes...singing along. I know I'm a dork, but that fact aside I think the fact that one can sing along is kind of a good thing.
  Ok so lets break it down to the pro's and conts. In the pro column I would have to put the fact that this album have wonderfull pop ballads such as "Early Winter" and the wonderfull "4 in the morning" Quite honestly these two songs alone are worth the price of admission as they are better than any ballad on the first record for sure and arguably her best solo efforts to date. One other for the pro column has to be that this album as a whole dosnt seem to be so blatanly targeted to 16 yr olds...to anyone older than that target demographic this is a good thing.
  Now to be fair lets have some cons. As a amateur dj I would have to say that there are few tracks on this record I would feel comfortable dropping at a party. There simply aren't any songs that are as "hot" as "What you waiting for" or "Hollaback girl". To many this means the record is a disappointment....that's just not the case to me. To my way of thinking there exists a time for all music. Party records though fun whilst drinking it up and hitting on the ladies get old in just about any other social (or non social) setting. But if having great but shakeing tunes is a criteria then this album might disappoint (when compared to other artists making wonderfull party records these days)
  
  
• What are you all comlaining about? Keane + Gwen Stefani = Custard Cream Pie!!
  By A21Z4IVGGR7ZJ5 on 2006-12-26
  The main reason why I went to purchase this album in the first place was the fact that I was reading on a website of my favorite group Keane where the songwriter/piano player Tim Rice-Oxley was invited by Gwen to write and produce a song for her new album The Sweet Escape called "An Early Winter." What I have heard on just this song alone has exceeded my expectations. And, by the way, the rest of her album kicks major [...] and I think is even far better than her last solo album. Despite the fact that there are a few songs on here that I would prefer to press the "skip" button on, most are at least half-way likable. Before listening to the horribly inaccurate reviews here on Amazon regarding this latest splendid sophomore solo effort, go ahead and give the album a few spins yourself before judging it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
  
  
• Hits and misses aplenty...
  By AF3L7GVC6T94P on 2006-12-06
  This album is not horrible as I've seen many blast it as... but it isn't as "superb" as others have declared either. This is purely an average effort... with spikes in both good and bad directions. For one, the rap-talking style that seems to be becomming a popular pop staple is starting to wear out its welcome and listening to Gwen do it on nearly every other song doesn't do this "movement" any favors. That said, her lyrics are quite creative and even on songs that seem to mimic other songs out there... (Yummy sounds similar to Milkshake by Kelis) she seems to be a little ahead of the game verse wise. Paricularly cleaver is her break up song that is set up as if it is a cell-phone dropped call ad. What is different this time around from her last album is the fact that beatwise she is all over the place... and with an array of well known producers, it is easy to say why. She proves that she is an ecclectic performer and while that could be good in many cases it seems to also weigh her down a bit. No one can deny that she is a good performer... but her waffer thin voice seems to not do much for some of the songs on this collection and to be perfectly honest, when she rap talks the songs seem a little flat. Toss in some songs that are just blah and this album is saddly peppered with mediocrity. Still, there are some gems amoung the average tid bits. "Early Winter" is a slight throw back to No Doubt and it shows that she still has a sensible approach to music in addition to her adventurous approach. "U Started It" is fresh and poppy... although it sounds a little like another song from her previous album as well. A glaring misstep falls onto the "Orange county Girl" which finds Gwen attempting to be like "everyone else" but not really comming off scincere about it. I am not disapointed that I bought this CD... as there are good songs... and even when at her most average she is much more entertaining than some of the other generic artists out there. If she does another album, I hope she sticks more to songs similar to "Early Winter" and interjects more vocal prowess as opposed to that talk thing which is not a very good way to display ones true talent.
  
  
• Where's the singing?
  By A271LWQDOWQJF1 on 2006-12-08
  This album is the furthest departure from where Stefani began her ride to pop stardom. After spending some time with the album - I'm just wondering... where's the singing? If I would have wanted to buy some inane hip hop, two words together to a cheese beat, I would have bought the Fergie CD... If you're expecting her previous effort - you're in the wrong place. It sounds like Justin Timberlake and Gwen wrote and recorded their music together but in the end JT got slicker production.
  
  On a pass/fail - this album doesn't work for me. Anyone want to buy my copy?
  
  
• Looks like an early winter.
  By A3AL8GQ69QE7WN on 2006-12-16
  Mr. Rossdale should speak to his wife. I imagine that Gavin must upchuck at the sound of his wife's music as Bush was nothing like what's on "The Sweet Escape". I don't know why Gwen doesn't just work with her husband. That would make an interesting musical collaboration which might just restore all the old fans she's lost with her last two solo albums. She appears to have hopped on the creamy-sweet hip hop bandwagon. I mean, am I tired of seeing The Neptunes spring up on almost everything these days? Pharrell only recycles what little talent he has--see "Yummy", which is a dead ringer for The Neptunes produced, Kelis hit "Milkshake". Why all the producers on "LAMB" and now "The Sweet Escape"?
  
  The best songs on "The Sweet Escape" are, without a doubt, "Early Winter" and "4 In The Morning". "Wind It Up" is nice, but it's a regurgitation of "Hollaback Girl". Other potential hits are the Akon (how trendy) produced title track, the (ultra) trendy "Now That You Got It", replete with background siren, because you know you can't have a hip hop song without that these days, and "Wonderful Life". Some songs almost made the mark like "Don't Get It Twisted", "Yummy" and "Fluorescent". By far, the worst track is "Breakin' Up". If anyone says that's a great song, they're deaf.
  
  "Orange County Girl" and "U Started It" are just okay. I'll tell you what, if Gwen wants to pick producers why not try Ric Ocasek (of The Cars), Billy Corgan (of Smashing Pumpkins), Brian Eno (of Roxy Music), Daniel Lanois (U2, Robbie Robertson), Flood (U2, Erasure), Stephen Lipson (Annie Lennox), or, as I said before, her husband, Gavin Rossdale (of Bush).
  
  Also, enough with the navel-gazing lyrics. Gwen is a 37 year old woman, and now a mother. It's time to grow up and write about something meaningful. The party's over, time to get serious.
  
  One more thing, now that Gwen has hit the stratosphere of fame as a solo artist, how in the world will she get back together with No Doubt and make any new material work? Or will this be a Phil Collins/Genesis thing where you end up being unable to distinguish whether it's Gwen or whether it's No Doubt?
  
  Overall, "The Sweet Escape" is slightly better and more cohesive than "LAMB", but they're both about equal.
  
  
• Gwen Stefani's B-Sides Album
  By A2ULSA0IRUE09E on 2007-03-27
  Any Gwen Stefani / No Doubt fan will immediately figure out that this material IS INDEED substandard upon the very first listen. It really is. In no way is it the equal of the vastly superior "Love Angel Music Baby" CD from 2004.
  
  I am not sure why this album disappointed me so much. Sure, the lead singles - "Wind It Up" and "The Sweet Escape Ft Akon" are singable and novelty pieces at best, but musically they are obviously inferior to the major hits from her debut (such as "Rich Girl Ft Eve", "Cool" and the wonderful "Serious").
  
  I guess this is because the album was created out of the remnants of the LAMB First Album Sessions (a fact that Gwen does not entirely discredit). On some tracks such as "Early Winter", she ALMOST breaks out of the rut of insipidity, but then slides back into it with inane music such as "Orange County Girl" (which I personally thought was too childish for her to attempt).
  
  Yes, Gwen is in her late thirties now and her music should evolve. She can be as fun as she wants to, but she disappointed me with the 'forced', 'cheap' feel of this CD. There is no other word for it.
  
  Get this for about four solid tracks. The rest is pure filler.
  
  Hope this helps.
  
  

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