Customer Reviews

The Singles Collection

5 star:		(163)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

I've never been to big on pop music; but No Doubt is like crack for me. There is so much to love about No Doubt. All of their albums are great. Each one of them stands very well on their own. "Tragic Kingdom" (their best in my opinion) and "Return To Saturn" are both fantastic Ska/Pop recordings. "Rock Steady" was definitely a huge change in which they needed at that point in their careers. If they released another Ska record with Gwen singing about the her and bassist's failed relationship again, they would have plummeted in the pop music scene.

Enough about their albums. Lets talk about this singles collection. No Doubt was made for a record like "Singles 1992-2003". No Doubt wasn't directly inspired by punk, or ska; they have always stood out from the bunch, steming from the new wave genre unlike many of their grunge rock peers. Their music is happy, giddy and fun to listen to. Their melodies mixed with their incredibly catchy hooks transformed a generation of music to come. This collection is untouchable; I couldn't make a much better compilation myself.

Lets run through the track listing here:

1. Just A Girl: Their first huge single from their "Tragic Kingdom" album. Featured in the movie "Clueless". A classic tune. 5/5

2. It's My Life: The only new track on the CD. A great cover of Talk Talk's "It's my Life". I was so happy to see No Doubt win the MTV music video award for it. All the other nominees were horrible as usual; they definitely picked the right band.

3. Hey Baby: featuring Bounty Killer: The first single off of "Rock Steady". Very catchy and poppy. 4/5

4. Bathwater: This is my favorite single off of their "Return To Saturn" album. I remember them doing this song live; Gwen is just gorgeous. 5/5

5. Sunday Morning: Another sweet single from the "Tragic Kingdom" album. 5/5

6. Hella Good: Hands down, my favorite single and the first track off of "Rock Steady". I love that guitar riff. 5/5

7. New: One of the better tracks from "Return To Saturn" 4/5

8. Underneath It All - featuring Lady Saw: A fantastically dreamy single from the "Rock Steady" album. 5/5

9. Excuse Me Mr.: A classic tune from the "Tragic Kingdom" album. 5/5

10. Running: A quality song from their "Rock Steady" album. 4/5

11. Spiderwebs: This was a classic single back in the day, from their "Tragic Kingdom" album. Sweet video too. 5/5

12. Simple Kind Of Life: Another one of my favs from the "Return To Saturn" album. This is a slower number; a Gwen Stefani original. 5/5

13. Don't Speak: My favorite No Doubt song of all time. I've never gotten sick of this one. A sweet song and video from their "Tragic Kingdom" album. 5/5

14. Ex-Girlfriend: Their first single from their "Return To Saturn" album. She looked very unique in the video with bright pink hair and make-up; looking very hardcore. 4/5

15. Trapped In A Box: Their first single ever, from their self-titled first album - "No Doubt" 5/5

Singles 1992-2003 holds up just as strong as their studio efforts. It is a great collection for long time fans of No Doubt, and a great introduction for first time listeners.

In reference to some previous customer reviews, I just wanted to say that the whole point of this album was to rerelease on one comprehensive CD all of No Doubt's singles that had already been released as *official* singles. If you'll notice, all of the songs on this CD have had videos made for them too. With this in mind, it would not have made sense to have "By The Way" or "Open The Gate" on this CD since they were never released as official singles. I know all this has been said before but I thought it would be wise to reiterate since it doesn't appear in any of the recent customer reviews.

And now on to the CD itself...

This CD is a perfect fit for the No Doubt fan that doesn't already own all 5 previous albums. However, if you are like me and already have them, it would probably be better for you to buy the No Doubt Boom Box [Box Set] which includes this disc along with 3 others (2 DVDs and 1 B-sides/rarities/remixes CD). It is a bit pricier but I think that the B-sides and rarities make it completely worth the extra money. If you still must own this CD, be warned that while the only new song on there is amazing (a Talk Talk cover of "It's My Life"), I don't see it justifying an $11 purchase if it's the only new material on there for you.

No Doubt wisely didn't name this CD "Greatest Hits", because only about 6 of the 15 songs on here were bonafide hits. They also were smart not to call it "Best Of No Doubt", because few of the songs on here are really the best No Doubt has to offer. Most of their finest material can be found on their albums, especially Return of Saturn and Tragic Kingdom. Nevertheless, this album is exactly what it claims to be: a collection of all the singles No Doubt has officially released between 1992 and 2003. The standouts range from the recent: the new single, a quality rock-driven cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life", and Rock Steady's "Hella Good"; to the obvious: their biggest hits, "Don't Speak", "Just A Girl", and "Spiderwebs" from their most popular album, Tragic Kingdom; to the underrated: "Ex-Girlfriend", "New", and "Simple Kind of Life" from the woefully overlooked Return of Saturn.

Chances are if you are buying this, you are either a No Doubt fanatic who buys everything they release (such as myself), or you are a casual fan, who knows a few of their radio songs and want them on one disc. To the hardcore fans: buy Boombox instead: you get this CD, a b-sides and rarities CD, all their videos on DVD, and Live In The Tragic Kingdom on DVD. All this for less than $50!
If you are a casual fan, don't let your No Doubt collection stop here: buy all 5 of their albums (1992's No Doubt, 1995's Beacon Street Collection, 1995's Tragic Kingom, 2000's Return of Saturn, and 2001's Rock Steady). You will not regret it. Listen to how this great band has evolved over the years--from the ska-driven band they were in in the late 80's and early 90's (as demonstrated on "Trapped In A Box", included here)to the innovative New Wave/Pop-Rock band they are today.

A great way to get into this excellent band.

No Doubt has been my favorite band for years. This album sums up their greatest hits from their first single "Trapped on a Box" from 1992 to their most recent cover of "It's My Life".
Here are all of the songs featured on this amazing greatest hits album.

No Doubt, 1992-"Trapped in a Box"

Tragic Kingdom, 1995-"Just a Girl", "Don't Speak", "Spiderwebs", "Sunday Morning" and "Excuse Me Mr.".

Return of Saturn (my fave album), 2000-"Ex-Girlfriend", "Simple Kind of Life", "Bathwater" (my fave song) and "New".

Rocksteady, 2001-"Hey Baby", "Hella Good", "Underneath it All" and "Running".

Plus the previously unreleased cover of "It's My Life".

This is a great album for No Doubt's loyal fans or a good place for new fans to get started.

No Doubt is the perfect hybrid of both the current trend of reggae in popular music and bands influenced by 80's New Wave. Consider that No Doubt can sound like a Jamaican party band and still rock the house with U2-like riffs. "The Singles 1992-2003" chronicles the band's chart history from their unknown debut with "Trapped In A Box" to their current success as superstars with bonafide chart toppers like the tropically-tinged ballad "Underneath It All." No Doubt have succeeded in that they can achieve both musical merti and a genuine sense of fun all at once. When you think of party music you may generally imagine only repetitive beats with typically hollow lyrics, but a jam like "Hella Good" with it's driving rhythms can serve as both a party song and as interesting studio experimentation with New Wave flavors. "Bathwater" is a wonderful little take on 20's cabaret with a lot of style and humor. "Hey Baby" and "Hella Good" are dancehall attractions, but the songs with real muscle are the ones that are taken straight out of lead singer Gwen Stefani's diary entries. The albums "Tragic Kingdom" and "Return Of Saturn" were riddled with insights into Stefani's personal life (especially her love life) ranging from her break-up with bassist Tony Kanal to her relationship and engagement with Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. "Simple Kind Of Life" is a melodic gem that is an example of this kind of personal songwriting Stefani and the band practice, even the more driving "Ex-Girlfriend" feels deeply personal. And of course there's "Don't Speak," one of the immortal break-up anthems like U2's "With Or Without You." Speaking about 80's bands, it's no wonder that the band adds a new track to the set, an intoxicating cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life" which doesn't even feel like a space-filler, it instead shines in glossy production. It has of course been reported that Gwen Stefani has begun work on a solo record, but all reports indicate the band hasn't split but obviously we will have to wait a while for No Doubt's next outing. Until then, "The Singles 1993-2003" is a good, quick fix for fans and a charming introduction for those new to the group and sound.

How could anyone give this album a bad review???

We're talking NO DOUBT --- in my opinion, the BEST rock/alternative/pop/top40 band of the last decade!

Put all of their songs on one album --- were talking one of the greatest musical orgies of all time!

Unless you only listen to classical music (like my Dad), then this is one album that belongs in the library collection of ALL music lovers!

Whether it be the reggae beats of Underneath It All, the raver beats of Hella Good, or the ska beats of Spiderwebs --- this band has shown that no one else has perfectly created a fushion of so many different musical genres, with a sound that everyone can love!

Unless you already own every single No Doubt album, I highly recommend this album --- if you are only going to own ONE No Doubt album, then as of 2004, let this one be it!

Heading the ska boom in the middle 90's was risky. Releasing an album about nearing your 30s was risky. Following 10 years of ska with a reggae pop album was almost ridiculous. No Doubt has done it all, and found phenomenal critical and commercial success at every turn. This, a simply extraordinary greatest hits package (which spans from 1992 to 2003) proves No Doubt has released some of the most important musical revelations on the radio in the past 11 years.

"Tragic Kingdom" was the album that started it all. A brash combination of show tunes, ska, rock, and pop, it spawned several smash singles, all of which are covered here. "Just a Girl" shines in all of its new wave glory and funky guitar riffs. "Sunday Morning" and "Spiderwebs" are pure bliss, with soaring vocals and crunching melodies. "Don't Speak" is still the glistening breakup anthem it always has been, melancholy, moving, and totally amazing. Their second mainstream album, "Return of Saturn," is responsible for some of the best tracks on here: the melancholy, effective "Simple Kind of Life" (in all of its folk/punk glory), and the different "Ex-Girlfriend" with its addictive loop beat. Their best hit, however, has to be "Bathwater." A vibrant hodgepodge of jazz, rock, ska, show tunes, and cabaret, it's eclectic sound is by far the most vibrant on the CD and it's sardonically fun delivery comes from frontwoman Gwen Stefani's powerful pipes with resonance and clarity. "Rock Steady," the band's foray into reggae pop, provides some of the weaker moments here, what with the bland and annoying "Underneath It All." However, the fun and bouncy "Hey Baby" and the gorgeous ballad "Running" are good more than enough to compensate for its missteps. A glorious return to the pop airwaves comes with their perfect cover of Talk Talk's 80's hit "It's My Life"--techno-synth sounds wash over drums and electric guitars with the classic 80's horn soundtrack. The ground No Doubt manages to cover in a mere 15 tracks is mind-boggling. They do it all with cohesive charm, every track blending together in a seamless stream of enjoyment. It's difficult to compare No Doubt to anyone, as they are the quintessentially cool crossover band. Perhaps influences by Blondie (evident from some of the rockier cuts off of "Rock Steady) is worth mention, but they emerge with a style all their own. This is truly a collection that should not be missed-in fact; none of their albums should slide underneath your radar. They are an invaluable addition to your music collection.

A great classic cd that includes the latest and the greatest.
Just please ignore the idiot below-----> mauricio porco "trance tot the sun" who writes that kind of review. Ok, so you dont like that type of music. Well thats not what this is about. There are many genres of music I don't well like, but they are not deserving of such a juvenile review.

This cd is well worth the money for any collectors collection.

I've been a big fan of No Doubt for quite some time now, and this CD was the perfect thing to tie me over until I could get some more money to buy all of their other CD's. This CD, as it says, includes all of No Doubt's singles, from Trapped In a Box (1992), to the fabulous cover of Talk Talk's It's My Life (2003). I've been hearing people complain that it's not in chronological order, but I believe this CD benefits from that.

1. Just a Girl (Tragic Kingdom, 1995) The one that started it all. It's one of those girl power anthems, but not a man hating one. It's totally original. 5/5
2. It's My Life (previously unrealesed, 2003) This cover is absolutley amazing, and totally blows the original out of the water. 5/5
3. Hey Baby (Rock Steady, 2001) This song was the start of their new reggae infused sound. It's a good song to dance to, but I find it can get kind of annoying after a while. 4/5
4. Bathwater (Return of Saturn, 2000) This song makes me laugh. It's about washing in someone elses bathwater (hence the name). It has a really cool kind of jazzy sound to it. 4/5
5. Sunday Morning (Tragic Kingdom, 1997) This song is one of my favorite singles from No Doubt. It has a catchy as hell beat, and some pretty comical lyrics. It should have been a #1 hit... 5/5
6. Hella Good (Rock Steady, 2002) This song was a bit of a summer anthem in 2002. It was playing everywhere. It was a bit overplayed, but it's a great dance song, and it'll keep you moving ;) 5/5
7. New (Return of Saturn, 1999) In my opinion, this is one of No Doubt's lesser hits. It was off of the Go Soundtrack, and was included on Return of Saturn a year later. It's okay in my opinion, but nothing better. 3/5

8. Underneath It All (Rock Steady, 2002) This song is different from any of the other releases off of Rock Steady. It's a really nice song. 5/5
9. Excuse Me Mr. (Tragic Kingdom, 1996) This is another one of their lesser hits, in my opinion. It's a pretty hardcore, in your face, flat out rock song. Not to bad. 3/5
10. Running (Rock Steady, 2003) This song is a nice little ballad. It sounds kind of childish at first, and the lyrics are a little bit cheesy, but it's still good. 4/5
11. Spiderwebs (Tragic Kingdom, 1996) I love this song. It is probably No Doubt's catchiest song to date, and a great song to go crazy to :P 5/5
12. Simple Kind of Life (Return of Saturn, 2000) This is probably my favorite No Doubt song ever. It's a great sort of ballady song, and very simplistic on what it uses. Amazing. 5/5
13. Don't Speak (Tragic Kingdom, 1996) Who hasn't heard this song? This is No Doubt's biggest song ever, and rightfully so. It's one of the most amazing ballads I've ever heard, and always gives me chills. And Gwen sounds so beautiful, it's haunting. 5/5
14. Ex-Girlfriend (Return of Saturn, 2000) In my opinion, this a good song to play after you break up with someone... that's if you don't wanna like them anymore ;) Very good rock song. 5/5
15. Trapped In a Box (No Doubt, 1992) No Doubt's first single ever. It didn't fare very well on the charts, and is pretty different then anything else on the album. 3/5

So, all in all, this is a great album, and I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone.

I had never really taken the time to listen to 'No Doubt' until I bought this album, i had none of their previous albums and bought this as i had enjoyed some of their singles. The album certainly surprised me and was a lot better than i thought it would be. I wasn't sure of what genre the album would be as i had heard No doubt were predominantly a ska band and more recenly dancehall/reggae. However i have labelled it alternate, it offers everything with the more modern dance influenced songs such as Hella good and hey,baby which are great party songs but i can see how some people would find them annoying. There are also ska/reggae/rock songs on the album all containing elements of pop in them.The best songs i believe are the older tracks from 'tragic Kingdom' album which seem to be more ska/pop rock songs.Hits such as don't speak and the irresistable 'just a girl' are fantasticly catchy, among other great songs like underneath it all, sunday morning and excuse me mr. This album i would highly recomend to most people who are into ska,pop,rock. their is enough variety here for fans of most genres. And even i myself who only buys'rock albums' appreciated these hits alot. However dont be led into thinking this is a rock album as their are only elements of rock in it. Highly enjoyable!