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11/07/2006: "New albums and unreleased tracks"
Song of the Day: Heather Nova - Heart and Shoulder
A while ago, talk began bubbling on the internet that Gwen Stefani's second solo album (titled The Sweet Escape) would be comprised of tracks that were recorded for Love. Angel. Music. Baby. but did not actually make it onto the album. The general consensus was that this idea was crap; Gwen is lazy, Gwen is riding on her own coattails, Gwen is taking advantage of her fans. I was quite puzzled by this attitude. After all, unreleased tracks are often coveted by fans and are shared with triumph on mp3 blogs. If an artist decides to make them commercially available, this can only be a plus, right?
After listening to the first single off this upcoming second album, I'm starting to lean slightly towards the "not such a great idea" side. "Wind It Up" does indeed sound like it belongs smack in the middle of L.A.M.B., which isn't a bad thing in itself. However, I found myself thinking that I'd rather hear Gwen Version 2.0.
Artists who are blessed enough to have more than one album tend to evolve with each new release. Part of the fun of following artists through the years is seeing how they change, while still holding onto the essence of themselves. It's a tricky balance they're asked to strike, in still sounding the way that made people like them in the first place, while at the same time sounding different enough to suggest some sort of forward movement.
I'll reserve final judgment for when I pick up The Sweet Escape in December, but for now, I'm hoping that if it is simply L.A.M.B. castoffs, more of them sound like "The Real Thing" instead of "Hollaback Girl."