Return Of Saturn (European Version)

Pop-ska rockers No Doubt make their long-awaited return with the follow-up to the hugely successful TRAGIC KINGDOM. The band's fiery dynamic remains intact as vocalist Gwen Stefani's penchant for emotionally charged tales of heartbreak drive the single "Ex-Girlfriend", "Simple Kind Of Life" and "Bath Water". In "The Magic's In The Makeup", Stefani's lyrics speak of yearning to be appreciated beyond surface beauty for who she really is while the band reaches for a thicker sound and more complex arrangements. more...

Illusions and metaphors exploring the darker side of love set the tone of "Artificial Sweetener". "Marry Me" uses a melodic, staccato bass line to drive the reggae-tinged tale of the insecurities and doubts surrounding commitment. In "New" Stefani metaphorically compares fresh batteries to the optimism and excitement of a new relationship. "Too Late" is an atmospheric, bittersweet power ballad while "Staring Problem" throttles with the quirky punk energy that long-time fans will embrace. With two years in the making, RETURN OF SATURN finds No Doubt a tighter, more mature unit, focused more on pop songs and production and leaning slightly away from the ska/horn dominated sound of their past.

Rolling Stone (1/4/01, p.114)
- Included in Rolling Stone's "Top 50 Albums of 2000".

Rolling Stone (4/27/00, pp.65-6)
- 4 stars out of 5 - "...A rare achievement: a superstar follow-up that not only betters its predecessor but also radically departs from it....a collection of uniformly well-crafted, vigorously performed tunes that run the gamut from grungy to giddy, playful to pensive..."

Vibe (5/00, p.176)
- "...Their aggro-ska construct has real legs, thanks to the group's strong songwriting chops....Stefani continues to play her compelling linchpin role...taking the familiar tropes of classic girlie pop, heartbreak, bad-boy attraction, and the matrimonial urge and turns them upside down..."

Q (5/00, p.116)
- 3 stars out of 5 - "...A clutch of well-crafted songs....Pale and sometimes interesting."

Melody Maker (4/11/00, p.48)
- 4 stars out of 5 - "...A great pop album. In a strange incidence of role-reversal, SATURN runs rings around most of its rivals."

Entertainment Weekly (4/14/00, pp.71-2)
- "...[They] still bounce around on the kind of perky, reggae-inflicted trampolines that can give you motion sickness....concentrating on smoother, layered mid-tempo ballads as creamily textured as extra-thick napoleon pastries..." - Rating: B

CMJ (4/24/00, p.24)
- "...Once again, Stefani sits at the helm....Success hasn't freed [her] from her heartache, incessant yearning or self-analysis, but it has given the band the confidence to bring their new wave tendencies to the forefront..."