This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Five years ago, all Gwen Stefani wanted were the simple things, the simple kind of life. And all she needed was a simple man, so she could be his wife.
What a difference 1,826 days makes. On her nostalgically new wavy solo debut Love Angel Music Baby, the saucy, sassy No Doubt nymphet has other goals in mind — like putting on her weirdest outfit, flying to Japan and partying like it’s 1989.
Naturally, Gwen has no trouble finding companionship — in this case a who’s who crew of pals and producers. Dr. Dre fiddles on the roof on the slinky Rich Girl; Nellee Hooper helps Gwen get all Lene Lovich on the single What You Waiting For?; The Neptunes loop-de-loop on the jump-rope groover Hollaback; Andre 3000 cruises in to duet on Long Way To Go and the perfectly titled Bubble Pop Electric; and Jam and Lewis dress their natty funk in a kimono on Harajuku Girls. And like most of these tracks, it’s a perfect fit.
Kooky and playful, the dozen cuts on this 48-minute post-disco bash sharpen the classic beats and bleeps of ’80s pop of Madonna, Blondie and Toni Basil with the cutting-edge cool of contemporary hip-pop and funk.
Simply put: It’s a blast.
