Au$tin
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Post by Au$tin on Sept 26, 2014 0:30:18 GMT -5
I prefer The Sweet Escape to Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
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CammyCan
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Post by CammyCan on Sept 26, 2014 0:41:59 GMT -5
"What You Waiting For?" was the first song I ever bought on iTunes, ten years ago during my senior year of high school.
But I don't like to think about that because it just makes me think about being 10 years younger. :'(
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popbox
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Post by popbox on Sept 26, 2014 0:42:17 GMT -5
WYWF literally BOGGLES my mind why it wasn't a SMASH (or even moderate hit). I still remember hearing it for the first time, driving around the Bronx feeling like I was a superstar while I listened to it. Meanwhile I was 1. In the passenger seat 2. next to my dad 3. getting picked up from high school 4. with my ghetto ass Jansport backpack full of textbooks. THE POWER It's mind boggling it wasn't a massive smash in the context of the top 40 scene as we've known it for most of the last decade. However when you look at it from a 2004 standpoint it starts to make a bit more sense. Top 40 and US mainstream music was still very urban rooted. I'd say 2002-2004 was the height of that period in mainstream music. Even a year later might have made a huge difference for a song like WYWF. But even still I think Gwen was one of the ones who did actually help start to shift the mainstream scene with the likes of WYWF and Cool, even if they weren't the album's biggest hits. If she had released one of the more urban flavored songs like Luxurious or Hollaback Girl first, and then went into the poppier Rich Girl next, and then finally the straight up dance pop of WYWF, I think the song could have been a much bigger US hit then. But she would have needed that momentum first and then been able to ease into it for it to hit big in the US back then. That said, WYWF is pretty much the perfect lead single she could have had to introduce herself as a solo artist, so I certainly understand why it was first. Maybe she should have just done it first in Europe though, since they were more than ready for that sound in '04.
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kmbgs
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Post by kmbgs on Sept 26, 2014 5:29:35 GMT -5
Since I was bored and excited thinking about this, decided to rank her solo catalog with grades and brief reasons why: 24. Orange County Girl: F (the desperate lyrics to create an "anthem", the weird nearly spoken and monotonous chorus, the cringe worthy my girls/boys say "la la la" bit. No. Just no Gwen.) I will say, I first heard OCG on the LAMB tour at MSG, about a year before TSE was even released, and it was NOTHING like the album version. It was this completely rocked out stadium jam, that actually did feel like an anthem. I couldn't have been more disappointed with the lazy and almost child-like (I get the idea but it didn't work) vocal delivery on the album. It really was inspiring live and I was looking forward to hearing it recorded from the moment I left the concert (in December 2005, WELP)
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Eloqueenβ’
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Post by Eloqueenβ’ on Sept 26, 2014 11:56:39 GMT -5
Gwen is one of those artists who makes music I either absolutely love or walk away from listening thinking "wtf". There isn't much middle ground. I've loved all her singles though, like, every damn one. But some of those album cuts tho.....
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Tea-why
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Post by Tea-why on Sept 26, 2014 12:06:53 GMT -5
I prefer The Sweet Escape to Love. Angel. Music. Baby. you and me both ;) I don't know why but I do too. A lot of it has to do with the title track and 'Wind It Up" being my two favorite songs from her.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2014 12:06:55 GMT -5
I'm admittedly nervous. She's been gone for so long that coming back with the sound of her heyday wouldn't really be viable, but I don't want her to conform to the current state of pop either. She's always been ahead of the curve, but the other greats from her era (Justin, Nelly, and even Fergie based on the clip of her latest) haven't been able to adapt in their absence. At least to my standard anyway.
So, yeah. I'm not really sure what to expect.
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BDGeek
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Post by BDGeek on Sept 26, 2014 12:53:45 GMT -5
I feel like she would kill an "All About That Bass"-type of song.
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dzjx
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Post by dzjx on Sept 26, 2014 12:54:48 GMT -5
I'm admittedly nervous. She's been gone for so long that coming back with the sound of her heyday wouldn't really be viable, but I don't want her to conform to the current state of pop either. She's always been ahead of the curve, but the other greats from her era ( Justin, Nelly, and even Fergie based on the clip of her latest) haven't been able to adapt in their absence. At least to my standard anyway. So, yeah. I'm not really sure what to expect. Justin did really well in his most recent releases, both commercially and critically.
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Post by Live Your Life on Sept 26, 2014 12:55:13 GMT -5
I'm not really sure what I want from her in 2014, but I do know that I have absolutely no interest in hearing her over anything involving Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco. But, who knows, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by the song.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2014 12:59:08 GMT -5
I'm admittedly nervous. She's been gone for so long that coming back with the sound of her heyday wouldn't really be viable, but I don't want her to conform to the current state of pop either. She's always been ahead of the curve, but the other greats from her era ( Justin, Nelly, and even Fergie based on the clip of her latest) haven't been able to adapt in their absence. At least to my standard anyway. So, yeah. I'm not really sure what to expect. Justin did really well in his most recent releases, both commercially and critically. "At least to my standard anyway." I was basing my commentary entirely on my own opinion of the materiel released. I wasn't talking about the critical perception or commercial performance.
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Hurricane Lee
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Post by Hurricane Lee on Sept 26, 2014 13:27:07 GMT -5
NOT OC Girl hate. That song pops up a lot on my phone and I always bop. Also, The Sweet Escape >>>>>>>> LAMB. I actually bought that special box version of LAMB. I took the CD out to make a copy of it and then put it back in its box never to look at it again. I don't even remember what is inside the box. I think the case was made of fabric? Anyway, LOVE her on The Voice. Her personality is so fun and she works well with her lover friend Pharrell. I am definitely excited for new Gwen AND No Doubt. I feel like I am one of the few that loved Push & Shove. Undercover is classic No Doubt. One of my favorite songs on that album. Of course, that title song is ace, as is Settle Down.
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dzjx
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Post by dzjx on Sept 26, 2014 13:51:12 GMT -5
NOT OC Girl hate. That song pops up a lot on my phone and I always bop. Also, The Sweet Escape >>>> LAMB. I actually bought that special box version of LAMB. I took the CD out to make a copy of it and then put it back in its box never to look at it again. I don't even remember what is inside the box. I think the case was made of fabric? Anyway, LOVE her on The Voice. Her personality is so fun and she works well with her lover friend Pharrell. I am definitely excited for new Gwen AND No Doubt. I feel like I am one of the few that loved Push & Shove. Undercover is classic No Doubt. One of my favorite songs on that album. Of course, that title song is ace, as is Settle Down. I enjoyed the Stand and Deliver cover as well as mainly tracks 1 - 7. I think Rocksteady is by far their best album though. Really excited too for new music from both.
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Kurt
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Post by Kurt on Sept 26, 2014 14:17:39 GMT -5
oh
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allow that
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Post by allow that on Sept 26, 2014 14:21:54 GMT -5
Justin did really well in his most recent releases, both commercially and critically. "At least to my standard anyway." I was basing my commentary entirely on my own opinion of the materiel released. I wasn't talking about the critical perception or commercial performance. ...and it's not just you. Justin may have a free pass from the media, but his material this time around sounds EXACTLY like watered-down retreads of his past material. No evolution. Fortunately for him, he had a brilliant PR team who somehow managed to convince the public that he was being "revolutionary" by staying the same.
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bat1990
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Post by bat1990 on Sept 26, 2014 14:22:51 GMT -5
WYWF literally BOGGLES my mind why it wasn't a SMASH (or even moderate hit). I still remember hearing it for the first time, driving around the Bronx feeling like I was a superstar while I listened to it. Meanwhile I was 1. In the passenger seat 2. next to my dad 3. getting picked up from high school 4. with my ghetto ass Jansport backpack full of textbooks. THE POWER It's mind boggling it wasn't a massive smash in the context of the top 40 scene as we've known it for most of the last decade. However when you look at it from a 2004 standpoint it starts to make a bit more sense. Top 40 and US mainstream music was still very urban rooted. I'd say 2002-2004 was the height of that period in mainstream music. Even a year later might have made a huge difference for a song like WYWF. But even still I think Gwen was one of the ones who did actually help start to shift the mainstream scene with the likes of WYWF and Cool, even if they weren't the album's biggest hits. If she had released one of the more urban flavored songs like Luxurious or Hollaback Girl first, and then went into the poppier Rich Girl next, and then finally the straight up dance pop of WYWF, I think the song could have been a much bigger US hit then. But she would have needed that momentum first and then been able to ease into it for it to hit big in the US back then. That said, WYWF is pretty much the perfect lead single she could have had to introduce herself as a solo artist, so I certainly understand why it was first. Maybe she should have just done it first in Europe though, since they were more than ready for that sound in '04. Another thing is that all the rest of the singles from the album were released AFTER Digital track sales were included in the Hot 100 (starting Winter 2005). "What You Waiting For?" was a top 5 hit on the Digital Tracks chart and probably would've peaked significantly higher with a sales component included.
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Hussy
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Post by Hussy on Sept 26, 2014 20:58:47 GMT -5
I feel like she would kill an "All About That Bass"-type of song. Oh God plzzzz NO
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maine
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Post by maine on Sept 27, 2014 0:51:08 GMT -5
All Access has this going for adds on October 14. Pretty much all confirmed except by Gwen and the label (to a certain standard).
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Post by KeepDeanWeird on Sept 27, 2014 12:34:35 GMT -5
It's mind boggling it wasn't a massive smash in the context of the top 40 scene as we've known it for most of the last decade. However when you look at it from a 2004 standpoint it starts to make a bit more sense. Top 40 and US mainstream music was still very urban rooted. I'd say 2002-2004 was the height of that period in mainstream music. Even a year later might have made a huge difference for a song like WYWF. But even still I think Gwen was one of the ones who did actually help start to shift the mainstream scene with the likes of WYWF and Cool, even if they weren't the album's biggest hits. If she had released one of the more urban flavored songs like Luxurious or Hollaback Girl first, and then went into the poppier Rich Girl next, and then finally the straight up dance pop of WYWF, I think the song could have been a much bigger US hit then. But she would have needed that momentum first and then been able to ease into it for it to hit big in the US back then. That said, WYWF is pretty much the perfect lead single she could have had to introduce herself as a solo artist, so I certainly understand why it was first. Maybe she should have just done it first in Europe though, since they were more than ready for that sound in '04. Another thing is that all the rest of the singles from the album were released AFTER Digital track sales were included in the Hot 100 (starting Winter 2005). "What You Waiting For?" was a top 5 hit on the Digital Tracks chart and probably would've peaked significantly higher with a sales component included. Great point. It also hit 17 on the Pop Chart, so the 47 H100 peak is a bit misleading. Had sales been included just a few months earlier, it would've likely been a Top 20 H100 and no one would doubt it as the right choice. (Remember sales were far more heavily weighted during the first couple of years they were included in the chart, so sales would've pushed it up much higher on chart than airplay.)
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Eloqueenβ’
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Post by Eloqueenβ’ on Sept 27, 2014 17:14:05 GMT -5
Ready for this though.
I've been alternating between "Early Winter" and "What You Waiting For?". Effin anthems my gawdddd.
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someguy
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Post by someguy on Sept 27, 2014 23:38:22 GMT -5
Can't wait for this. Gwen's one of my absolute favourites. If anyone from that era can cone back, sounding modern but not 'selling out', it's her.
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Enigma.
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Post by Enigma. on Sept 28, 2014 8:45:00 GMT -5
Listening to LAMB now, flawless album. TSE is a bit more divisive but oh my god it has gems such as TSE, 4ITM, EW, Fluorescent and WL.
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someguy
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Post by someguy on Sept 28, 2014 10:12:54 GMT -5
LAMB was better I guess l, but TSE had so many gems. The title track, "4 In The Morning", "Early Winter", "Wonderful Life", "Yummy", "Orange County Girl", etc.
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Post by cause_for_celebration on Sept 28, 2014 10:34:11 GMT -5
LAMB was a masterpiece! Sweet Escape not so much.
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allow that
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Post by allow that on Sept 28, 2014 13:57:47 GMT -5
I always felt that if you swapped the worst 1/3 of L.A.M.B. for the best 1/3 of The Sweet Escape, you'd have one hell of a PERFECT pop album.
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foxxden
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Post by foxxden on Sept 29, 2014 14:34:55 GMT -5
The LAMB singles were perfectly chosen with maybe the exception being "Bubble Pop Electric" should have been released over "Luxurious". For The Sweet Escape I would have gone as follows.
1. Yummy 2. The Sweet Escape 3. Now that You Got It 4. Early Winter
Something more upbeat should have been released after "The Sweet Escape"....I knew from the moment it was announced that "4 in the Morning" was too slow to be a follow up in the summer months and it totally killed the album's momentum...Although ironically so many people swear that "4 in the Morning" and "Cool" are their favorite Gwen solo singles to this day.
If handled better "Early Winter" could have been a smash too.
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Post by Devil Marlena Nylund on Sept 29, 2014 14:39:55 GMT -5
Reading these comments makes me want to go back and relive LAMB's release, along with other albums from around that time.
I worked at a music store for the holidays when this album came out so it always reminds me of the busy Xmas shopping season. Memories...!
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inclinations
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Post by inclinations on Sept 29, 2014 14:47:29 GMT -5
The LAMB singles were perfectly chosen with maybe the exception being "Bubble Pop Electric" should have been released over "Luxurious". For The Sweet Escape I would have gone as follows. 1. Yummy 2. The Sweet Escape 3. Now that You Got It 4. Early Winter Something more upbeat should have been released after "The Sweet Escape"....I knew from the moment it was announced that "4 in the Morning" was too slow to be a follow up in the summer months and it totally killed the album's momentum...Although ironically so many people swear that "4 in the Morning" and "Cool" are there favorite Gwen solo singles to this day. If handled better "Early Winter" could have been a smash too.'' I think they should have released The Real Thing before Luxurious, with Bubble Pop Electric following. The Real Thing would have done great. But all the only single choices I agreed with. For The Sweet Escape 1. The Sweet Escape 2. Now That You Got It 3. Early Winter 4. 4 In The Morning/Wonderful Life
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YourFaveIsAFlop
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Post by YourFaveIsAFlop on Sept 29, 2014 14:49:17 GMT -5
How did a thread about Gwen's new song turn into a 5 page discussion of her back catalog?
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Post by josh on Sept 29, 2014 14:52:00 GMT -5
How did a thread about Gwen's new song turn into a 5 page discussion of her back catalog? There's nothing else to talk about.
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