No Doubt (1992)

No Doubt’s debut album was released independently and then produced by Interscope Records as a studio album. This ska-punk album released one single, “Trapped In a  Box,” and  only sold 30, 000 copies. No Doubt ticket sales were strong for the new band but failed to gain them any mainstream attention.

1.     “BND”
2.     “Let’s Get Back”
3.     “Ache”
4.     “Get on the Ball”
5.     “Move On”
6.     “Sad for Me”
7.     “Doormat”
8.     “Big City Train”
9.     “Trapped in a Box”
10.    “Sometimes”
11.    “Sinking”
12.    “A Little Something Refreshing”
13.    “Paulina”
14.    “Brand New Day”

The Beacon Street Collection (1995)

Selling 100,000 copies, over three times more than their first album, The Beacon Street Collection was released independently because Interscope refused to finance another album. They recorded in their own studio and, once sales came in, received future backing from their record label. Considered to be their raw album, The Beacon Street Collection combines the Sid Vicious with the Nirvana. Disagree? Comment below!

1.     “Open the Gate”
2.     “Blue in the Face”
3.     “Total Hate 95″
4.     “Stricken”
5.     “Greener Pastures”
6.     “By the Way”
7.     “Snakes”
8.     “That’s Just Me”
9.     “Squeal”
10.   “Doghouse”

Tragic Kingdom (1995)

I had to be around eleven or twelve when this album came out; my parents were constantly screaming at me to turn down my shiny new, albeit monstrous, CD player with “Just a Girl” pumping in my room. I even bought myself a cheap tube of cherry red wet ‘n’ wild lipstick and a sparkly bindi for my forehead so I could be just like Gwen. Tragic Kingdom was No Doubt’s third and most successful studio album with Trauma Records earning them diamond status and a home on the list of best selling albums of all time. Much different from No Doubt’s past recordings, Tragic Kingdom was written by Gwen instead of her brother and featured simpler, catchy tunes that built a huge fan base in a short period of time. Top singles released were “Just a Girl,” “Spiderwebs,” “Sunday Morning,” Excuse Me Mr.” and my personal favorite “Don’t Speak.”

Because I couldn’t bargain on that cheap bottle of peroxide to dye my ebony curls platinum, my mom bought me some No Doubt tickets instead. Some band that reminded me of a cross between The Cranberries and Green Day opened for them, and when No Doubt finally came on, I nearly lost my voice! Ah, childhood memories…did anyone go to this show?

1.     “Spiderwebs”
2.     “Excuse Me Mr.”
3.     “Just a Girl”
4.     “Happy Now?”
5.     “Different People”
6.     “Hey You”
7.     “The Climb”
8.     “Sixteen”
9.     “Sunday Morning”
10.     “Don’t Speak”
11.     “You Can Do It”
12.     “World Go ‘Round”
13.     “End It on This”
14.     “Tragic Kingdom”

Return of Saturn (2000)

The Y2K scare came and went and No Doubt flew back on the scene with another release – Return of Saturn (and Gwens pink hair!). Although nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards in 2001, Return of Saturn couldn’t measure up to Tragic Kingdom’s success. Their first release “New” was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads and was featured in the Doug Liman movie “Go.” Other singles include “Simple Kind of Life,” “Bathwater” and my personal favorite “Ex-Girlfriend” strategically released during my first childhood breakup. Have any interesting stories related to No Doubt? Write them below!

1.     “Ex-Girlfriend”
2.     “Simple Kind of Life”
3.     “Bathwater”
4.     “Six Feet Under”
5.     “Magic’s in the Makeup”
6.     “Artificial Sweetener”
7.     “Marry Me”
9.     “Too Late”
10.   “Comforting Lie”
11.   “Suspension Without Suspense”
12.   “Staring Problem”
13.   “Home Now”
14.   “Dark Blue”

Rock Steady (2001)

Released less than a year after Return of Saturn, Rock Steady became another critically acclaimed album which Rolling Stone commented, “It’s impressive to hear No Doubt summon the musical imagination to transcend the formula that used to imprison them – even if you liked “Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak” and “Spiderwebs” in 1996, you wouldn’t have guessed they had “Running” or “Don’t Let Me Down” in them.” I have to admit that upon initial expose to the record I felt a little betrayed, the band I owe my musical preferences to had become virtually unrecognizable. When I listened again I instantly became hooked! With dance hall style rhythm, synthpop beats and a healthy mix of reggae and post-grunge, it seemed like No Doubt had finally lifted the ska label they’d been trying to shake for years.

What’s even better is that each song on the album is completely different from the next, creating a unique listening experience. As the first album to be regularly played in clubs throughout the world, Rock Steady was clearly dance worthy- and boy did I dance it up when I got my No Doubt tickets for their Rock Steady tour which I successfully pulled of an outfit involving leggings! Singles include “Hella Good,” “Underneath it All (a track that most resembled their past work) and my personal favorite “Hey Baby.”

1     ”Intro”
2     ”Hella Good”
3     ”Hey Baby”
4     ”Making Out”
5     ”Underneath It All”
6     ”Detective”
7     ”Don’t Let Me Down”
8     ”Start the Fire”
9     ”Running”
10    “In My Head”
11    “Platinum Blonde Life”
12    “Waiting Room”
13    “Rock Steady”

The Singles 1992-2003 (2003) and Everything in Time (2003)

Talk about nostalgia, these two CDs hit the spot when it came to 1) transporting me back to the 90’s aand 2) exposing me to some sweet B-sides and remixes. I have my favorites highlighted below

The Singles

1.     “Just a Girl”
2.     “It’s My Life”
3.     “Hey Baby”
4.     “Bathwater”
5.     “Sunday Morning”
6.     “Hella Good”
7.     “New”
8.     “Underneath It All”
9.     “Excuse Me Mr.”
10.    “Running”
11.    “Spiderwebs”
12.    “Simple Kind of Life”
13.    “Don’t Speak”
14.    “Ex-Girlfriend”
15.    “Trapped in a Box”

Everything in Time

1.     “Big Distraction”
2.     “Leftovers”
3.     “Under Construction”
4.     “Beauty Contest”
5.     “Full Circle”
6.     “Cellophane Boy”
7.     “Everything in Time”
8.     “You’re So Foxy”
9.     “Panic”
10.   “New Friend”
11.   “Everything in Time”
12.   “Sailin’ On”
13.   “Oi to the World”
14.   “I Throw My Toys Around”
15.   “New & Approved”
16.   “A Real Love Survives”
17.   “A Rock Steady Vibe”

So what will No Doubt’s newest album be like? It’s anyone’s guess, all I know is that you have to see No Doubt live in order to hear those new tracks- and how would I do that you ask? ? By getting No Doubt tickets of course!

-Liv