This album is a crafty amalgamation of styles, sounds, grooves, producers, and guest artists. It's a long way from No Doubt's earlier ska sound, but at this point it's time to come to grips with the fact that they've grown musically and aren't going back. Rock Steady is instead laced with hip hop, dance grooves, funk, and reggae. It plays fun and loose, and the only downside may be the repetitiveness. On the lyrical side it's not incredibly deep, mainly dipping into those so-often ignored topics of sex and relationships.
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksNo Doubt has discovered the key to pop music mega-success. Rock Steady plants itself comfortably in the ultra-popular urban hip-hop genre while still having elements of pop rock, thus drawing fans from both genres and being the kind of cross-genre favorite that MTV drools over. It also helps that front-woman Gwen Stefani oozes with the sexual coyness of Britney Spears, but with more attitude and…Similar sounding releases
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