Not sure why the average on this album is so low when it offers so much. Gwen Stefani's original sound exists as one of the forerunners in 90s-00s female alternative rock. Tragic Kingdom is noticeably better, but Comforting Lie may very well be my favorite No Doubt song.
This album generally has a terrific grunge sound but has an airy, almost superficial tone. It creates tracks that drag out and makes for incongruently paced album. Some songs such as "Dying" and "Awful" strike a nice balance, but songs like 'Boys on the Radio" are almost entirely drown out.
Though my enjoyment of this project is immense, the country elements definitely drag some tracks down for me. I find this to be especially true with Second Hand News and Never Going Back Again. Still, making a project with your ex lover will always be iconic.
I think this is very masterfully organized, as a person who really appreciates sampling. I take some points off because it does have the tendency to take you out of the project in some areas.
while this album embarks on a journey encompassing emotional depth, there's a certain shallowness to some tracks. i hope i find in their next album that they are more daring.