This album album became a phenomenon in the mid-90's which was a weird time for pop music. Grunge was pretty much dead, Gangsta rap was huge and teen pop was beginning to bubble up to the front of the line. Somewhere amongst all of this, No Doubt and their album "Tragic Kingdom" became one of the decade's biggest hits. One listen says why.

This album was truly unique and sounded much different than anything that was on the radio at the time. "Don't Speak" is the pop hit it's most remembered for. An awesome power ballad, it was the #1 song of 1997. Not bad. The other singles were huge hits on MTV and on alternative radio. "Spiderwebs" is a punky piece of ear candy and "Just A Girl" has since become a punk/pop anthem. "Sunday Morning" was also a minor hit. Other stand-outs are the poppy, yet angry "Happy Now," the soaring "Climb" and my favorite song, the title track "Tragic Kingdom" which is a complete head-trip to listen to. I would've loved for it to have been a single.

No Doubt have gone on to have successful projects with "Return of Saturn" and their latest more pop-ish effort "Rock Steady" which gave them a decent handful of hits. Yet, they haven't matched "Tragic Kingdom" in sales or musically. This is highly recommended. A great CD just to blast in your car and sing along to.

Gwen Stefani.The two most exciting words in music.This latest cd by CA band No Doubt is an ode to its members many song styles.The album starts with the ska-ish Spiderwebs which has Gwens voice accompanying loud blaring horns.The next track, Excuse Me MR,is a rather punk like song about lack of attention.Just A Girl is a new wave song about stereotypes portrayed in the media.Happy Now? provides a rather Alanis Morisette flavor to the cd. Different People is a look at the many groups of people in the world.Hey You is a song about crushed dreams of marriage.The Climb is simply a masterpiece about the bands trials and tribulations.Sixteen is a punk/metal song about being a misunderstood teenager.The reggae tinged Sunday Morning is a catchy song about other points of view.Dont Speak is a power ballad that talks about a great relationship going to pieces.You Can Do It is a song that adds a disco like flavor to this album. World Go Round is a song about the world today. End It On This is a break up song and Tragic Kingdom is a twisted view on Disney World. In essence this is a wonderful akbum that you should own no matter who you are.

The alterna craze of '96 was an era not an error. The musical genre was full of eerie and haunting music that was moving but it didn't exactly get you all cheery. No Doubt was different. Their music was not sad or depressing at all. Maybe the lyrics weren't the most harmonious ones in the world, but, the music certainly was. Catchy tunes that put you in a good mood and make ya wanna dance are what No Doubt are all about. The attention-drawing lead singer Gwen Stefani has a knack for really getting into the songs and making them emotional and believable. She really is the empress of ska. From the amazing singles "Just A Girl, "Don't Speak", and "Spider Webs" to the more underground but fun songs like "Happy Now", "Sixteen", "Hey You", and "Excuse Me Mr", No Doubt give you plenty to enjoy for as long as you like. Although there are songs on this album that are less enchanting and not as memorable like "Different People" and the title track "Tragic Kingdom", this band is still not a jester in their kingdom.

I bought this after hearing Don't Speak, which is still my favourite song on the album. And I'll admit, when I first listened to the CD, my initial reaction was "weird". But I always give a CD a second chance, and as I listened to the songs again, they really began to grow on me. Now they're almost addictive, and I frequently find myself humming one of the many songs which I love. It is now one of my favourite CDs and I have since went on to buy other No Doubt albums too. I have about 7 favourites, but only one song which I don't like (world go round) which is pretty impressive. Also, the songs cover a very wide range, which means it covers a wide range of tastes. There should be at least one song which you love. But probably more.

Released all the way back in 1995, this album went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide (over 15 million in the US alone). This CD includes the hits Just a Girl, Spiderwebs, Don't Speak, Excuse Me Mr., and Sunday Morning.

The album opens with 1. Spiderwebs (5/5) This song is pretty much instantly catchy, and if your a person who likes to bang your head around, the chorus is perfect for that. 2. Excuse Me Mr. (4/5) This song is a pretty hardcore, in-your-face kinda song. It's probably the worst of their single releases from this album, but it's still really good. 3. Just a Girl (5/5) Now this is THE song that put No Doubt on the map. It's a girl anthem, but unlike alot of them, it isn't a man hating one! It opens with that famous, catchy guitar riff, and the song just goes from there. 4. Happy Now (4/5) I think it's pretty obvious that this song is about Gwen and Tony's break-up, but, it's not a bad song. It's pretty catchy to. 5. Different People (3/5). Another catchy song, about people being, well... different... It seems like a bit of a filler, but it's still an okay song. 6. Hey You (4/5) Lol, the chorus is kinda weird ("Your just like my Ken and Barbie doll"), but weird in a good way. The song is catchy, and I love the way they use the Sitar. 7. The Climb (4/5) Definitely the longest song on the album, topping the 6 minute mark. The only thing that keeps this song from reaching 5 stars, is the fact it seems to drag. Other than that, it's a great song.

8. Sixteen (5/5) One of my favorite songs not to be released from this album. It's really catchy, and has a great chorus. Great song. 9. Sunday Morning (5/5) I think this is one of No Doubt's most underrated songs. The big long drum roll at the beginning is great. Everything about this song is great. And, it's so damn catchy. 10. Don't Speak (5/5) My favorite song off of this album, and maybe my favorite No Doubt song ever. I mean, who hasn't heard this song. It's one of the most beautiful break-up ballads of all time. This song shot straight to #1, and became No Doubt's biggest single ever. Gwen sounds so heartbroken in this song, it gives me chills. Believe me, if you listen to this song when your sad, you might just cry. 11. You Can Do It (3/5) Another song that seems like a filler, and is probably the worst song off of the album. It's not a terrible song mind you, and is pretty catchy. 12. World Go 'Round (5/5) This is my other favorite song not to be released off of this album. Everything sounds great on this song, and it's so catchy. 14. End It on This (4/5) This is pretty good song. Another song that is most likely about Gwen and Tony's break-up. It seems to drag a bit at the end though. And finally, 15. Tragic Kingdom (4/5) I think this song is the perfect way to end the album. It's a good song, but it can be kind of confusing. It drags a bit at the end to.

All in all, this album is great. I recommend if you're looking to become a fan of No Doubt's music, you start with this album. But, if you only like a few of their songs, I'd recommend buying The Singles 1992-2003.