Though they've suffered death, departure and fraught internal and external relationships, No Doubt have kept faith with fun throughout, as The Singles very clearly proves. As their troubles have made them far from prolific, it's culled almost entirely from three albums--Return of Saturn, Rock Steady and their mega-hit Tragic Kingdom--with just the quirky, warped ska of "Trapped in a Box" to represent their eponymously titled major label debut. As said, it's excellent fun, from the opening power anthem "Just a Girl", through the ultra-modern, Madonna-like "Hey Baby" and the urgent, melodious power pop of "Excuse Me Mr" to the Chicago-style break-up ballad "Don't Speak". It's easy to see how this colourful band of Anaheim skanksters came to be seen as an energising antidote to the crushing male miserabilism of grunge. There are a few extras; a reverent cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life", a dance-metal "Hey Baby" remix and a live repeat of the cute, Leonard Cohen-quoting "Underneath It All", featuring Gwen Stefani's vocal and a simple acoustic guitar. But, naturally, it's the hits that count and they're all here, every bouncing, beaming one of them. It's a fine testament to one of America's most enduring pop acts. --Dominic Wills (Review copyright Amazon.co.uk)
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