The first time I listened to this album, I wasn't that impressed. The more and more I listen to it, the more addictive it becomes. Everyone has heard "Wind It Up" by now, some people love it and some people hate it, but this album has so much more to offer. The best songs are: "Yummy", her mellow collaboration with Pharell, "Sweet Escape", another collaboration, this time with Akon. It has a catchy pop/reggae sound. "Now That You Got It", which is probably my favorite. This is a fun song with a good beat that I could listen to over and over. Another song I could listen to again and again is the reggae-ish "Don't Get It Twisted". Last but not least, are the 80's inspired "Wonderful Life" and "Early Winter", which are both terrific songs. They're probably the best-written and her voice sounds great on these songs. I listen to these songs when I'm on the treadmill and they're so fun and upbeat, it makes the time pass very quickly.

I have listened to many albums from artists that have managed to come up with a single hit with other songs included as filler. Unfortunately, This album falls exactly into this category.

The hit song on the album - "The Sweet Escape" is far and away one of the best and one of the most popular songs according to the number of downloads for it. Unfortunately, the other songs on the album are not even close to this masterpiece. I think Gwen Stefani is very talented, but she should work with very talented song writers (like A. Thiam and G. Tuinfort - the other authors of Sweet Escape). I give 5+ stars for the Sweet Escape and maybe a generous 2 stars for the other songs...

Gwen is showing us that she may not win the Grammys but she is a superstar with staying power. Though a tad below Hariku Lovers, it shows that Gwen doesn't need No Doubt to be great (her single style is more "pop" than the more "metal" No Doubt sound). She announced that her next project is with No Doubt. I hope that she continues to do both solo and group stuff.

Im really 15 and a huge Gwen Stefani fan but when I got this album i was a little bit dissapointed. I was expecting a follow up of L.A.M.B. after hearing 'Wind It Up' (it sounded kind of like Gwen's first single 'Whatcha Waiting For') but it is nothing like that. Most of the songs on the album sound similar to 'Luxurious'.

Good Songs on C.D. - 'Wind It Up' - 'The Sweet Escape' - 'Early Winter' - 'Yummy' - 'Don't Get It Twisted'

5 out of twelve songs is not very good but hopefully she will not dwell on this album and will relese a new one within the next year.

Sorry Gwen... Not your best:(

The melody interwoven with Gwen Stefani's staccato delivery and the beat of each song created an excellent pick-me-up album. From "Wind It Up," through each song--"The Sweet Escape," "Now That You Got It," "Breakin' Up," "Don't Get It Twisted," and others in between--to "Wonderful Life" offer imaginative variations to a thematic score: the first encounters of lust through the complexities of a physical and emotional relationship to self-realization. The Sweet Escape is a wonderful musical journey through emotions.