Throwback Tuesday: Animal Kingdom - No Doubt
With No Doubt’s first studio album since 2001 being released today, what better time to look back at the album that started it all for them, Tragic Kingdom? I know it is not technically their first album released under the band name No Doubt but this album was the first one that featured the No Doubt that people came to know and adore.
No Doubt burst onto the nation music landscape in 1995 gave an alternative to the alternative music that was out there for consumption. The music world was knee deep in grudge music and there was little room for any other sound to stand out. No Doubt found that little bit of room and made sure they did not waste it.
I remember when I first heard “Just A Girl” and saw the subsequent video on MTV way back in 1995. It took me a minute to fully understand what I had just heard. The more I saw the video the more I became to really like it. Then I remember feeling somewhat embarrassed that I dug that song and that band as much as I did because they were a ska-influenced band that was fronted by this girl lead singer. Not to mention the very girl power feel the song had to it. I am not talking some B.S. Spice Girls type girl power crap. Gwen Stefani made sure that not only did the bad stand out from the crowd, but she did as well.
Any embarrassment or reservations I had about my enjoyment in listening to No Doubt quickly went away once I heard “Spiderwebs”. That is the song that really sealed the deal with me for being a fan of this band. I listened to Tragic Kingdom all the way through for the first time in about a decade. I wanted to see if it still holds up 17 years after its release. My personal favorites like “Spiderwebs” and “Sunday Morning” still steal the show and even lesser know tracks like “The Climb” still have a freshness about them.
I do find it interesting that No Doubt became as big as they are and the cultural music force they are with small amount of work they have produced. The current incarnation of No Doubt has only three studio albums to their name. I guess it just shows that it is not about the number of albums you put out but more the quality that you do it and making the most of it. No Doubt definitely did the most with their opportunity to make sure people took notice. Count me as someone who noticed.
By Craig Brenner
