No Doubt Space Out On Return Of Saturn
Guitarist Tom Dumont discloses on website
that band's first new album in five years is
due in April.
Staff Writer Teri vanHorn reports:
No Doubt will move from their Tragic Kingdom to explore an
inner universe in April, with the release of their first album in
five years, Return of Saturn, guitarist Tom Dumont disclosed
on the band's official website.
The album title refers to the time it takes the planet Saturn to
circle the sun, according to Dumont.
"We had a difficult time deciding on the title," the guitarist told
SonicNet Music News in an e-mail. " 'Return of Saturn' is from
the lyrics in one of the songs, and it refers to an astrological
concept about the turmoil in peoples lives in their late 20s.
We're not into astrology or anything, but the underlying
concept seems to be a lyrical thread that runs throughout the
album."
The LP's first single, the midtempo, jangly
pop song "Simple Kind of Life," carries the
theme prominently, as frontwoman Gwen
Stefani sings, "All I wanted was a simple
kind of life."
"Everyone around us just loves the song,"
Dumont said of choosing the single. "It's
one of two songs on the album that Gwen
wrote all the music and lyrics for all by
herself." "Simple Kind of Life" was among
the handful of new songs that No Doubt
previewed on their recent club tour. The
new material demonstrated the Orange
County, Calif., pop foursome's wide variety
of approaches this time around, from the
ragtime-esque "Bathwater," to the
reggae-inflected "Marry Me" to
punchy-pop-styled "Staring Problem."
Earlier this month, Dumont disclosed the
title of the album and first single on the
band's official website (www.nodoubt.com),
as part of his frequent updates on the
group's activities and musical endeavors.
No Doubt 霠Stefani, Dumont, bassist Tony Kanal and
drummer Adrian Young 霠initially had set a November release
date for the disc but decided to head back to the studio to
record a few more uptempo songs.
In an interview in the current issue of Alternative Press
magazine, Stefani elaborated on the musical themes on the
disc. "The whole record was written during that stage of turning
from 28 to 29, which is supposedly this 'Return of Saturn'
thing, a time of reflection," she reportedly said. "I think
everyone kind of goes through it and you start to second
guess everything and clean house and say, 'Who am I and
what's going on?' I think a lot of the songs on the record reflect
the whole period of that age for me."
As No Doubt's previous records have featured overtly personal
lyrics by the band's charismatic frontwoman, Young is also
quoted in the magazine as saying the new LP is no exception.
"The last album was about Tony and this album's about
Gavin," he said, referring to Stefani's former boyfriend, Kanal,
and her current squeeze, Bush singer Gavin Rossdale.
Formed in 1987, No Doubt toured and released two albums,
including their 1992 self-titled debut, before breaking through
with 1995's Tragic Kingdom. That record was the source of
such hits as "Just a Girl" (RealAudio excerpt) and "Don't
Speak." The band released the single "New" (RealAudio
excerpt) in the summer; the song appeared on the "Go"
soundtrack. Stefani told SonicNet Music News earlier this year
that the new LP represents the culmination of the band's time
together.
"The 13 years we spent being in this band is going to be
reflected on this one," she said.
(This story was updated at 5:45 PM EST on Friday, Dec. 14,
1999.)
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