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1. Bibliographic Information
Stefani, G. (2004). Love, angel, music, baby [CD]. Santa Monica, Ca: Interscope Records.
12 songs
48.3 minutes
UPC: 02498 63850
2. Plot Summary
Love, Angel, Music, Baby (L.A.M.B.) is Gwen Stefani’s first solo album following her departure from the band No Doubt. The CD, which features 12 songs, includes collaborations with artists Eve, Johnny Vulture (Andre 3000’s alter-ego), and Andre 3000. Songs were produced by a variety of artists including former band mate, Tony Kanal and rap artists Dr. Dre, and Andre 3000. The album is heavy with common pop themes, as well as synthesizers. The song “Rich Girl” takes inspiration from “If I Were a Rich Man,” made popular from the musical Fiddler on the Roof. Another single, “Hollaback Girl” became Gwen Stefani’s first number one single on the United States pop charts. L.A.M.B. also includes references to Harajuku Girls which became an entourage of sorts for Gwen Stefani, as well as references to her clothing line which happens to have the same name as the album title. L.A.M.B. also received favorable reviews from music critics.
3. Critical Evaluation
The songs on this album should be taken lightly. They do not form a cohesive sound, but rather appear to be experiments between Gwen Stefani’s attempts to become a solo artist and the contributions from other artists. The songs themselves have interesting beats; however the lyrics are not demanding and simplistic. In fact, some songs just do not seem to fit. In “Long Way to Go” Gwen Stefani and Andre 3000 mix their lyrics with sound bytes from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. No other song in the album seems to have the same focus; therefore, it seems odd to include this song in the album. It’s interesting to note what kind of values that Gwen Stefani promotes in this album. Her songs reflect mostly attitudes of love, sex, and money. Her songs about love seem somewhat insincere, though since most of the songs about love feature sexual innuendo which leads listeners to question its validity. Throughout the album she also promotes her clothing line, sounding self-serving especially when it is referenced in songs about money like in “Rich Girl.” Overall, it is the sound that will appeal to teenagers. The lyrics, though catchy, lack depth or real value.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Love, Angel, Music, Baby is Gwen Stefani’s first solo album. Featuring chart toppers such as “Hollaback Girl” and “Rich Girl,” listen to when Gwen Stefani first made it big without that other band.
5. Information about the Author:
Gwen Stefani was born in Fullerton, California. From 1986 to 2004 she was the lead singer in the band No Doubt, most notable for its successful albums Tragic Kingdom and Rock Steady. In 2004 she began her solo career. She is currently married to fellow music artist Gavin Rossdale of the band Bush and has two children.
6. Genre
Pop
7. Curriculum Ties
This might be used in a dance or drama class for inspiration.
8. Booktalking Ideas:
N/A
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this CD would appeal most to girls aged 15-18.
10. Challenge Issues
There are instances of mature language (“Hollaback Girl”) as well as sexual innuendo (i.e. “Bubble Pop Electric,” “Crash”). Since this CD does not include any parental warning labels and is not the clean edit version, there is a possibility that some parents would not find this material appropriate. If anyone wanted to challenge this CD, I would refer to the ALA’s Challenge form at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Stefani, G. (2004). Love, angel, music, baby [CD]. Santa Monica, Ca: Interscope Records.
12 songs
48.3 minutes
UPC: 02498 63850
2. Plot Summary
Love, Angel, Music, Baby (L.A.M.B.) is Gwen Stefani’s first solo album following her departure from the band No Doubt. The CD, which features 12 songs, includes collaborations with artists Eve, Johnny Vulture (Andre 3000’s alter-ego), and Andre 3000. Songs were produced by a variety of artists including former band mate, Tony Kanal and rap artists Dr. Dre, and Andre 3000. The album is heavy with common pop themes, as well as synthesizers. The song “Rich Girl” takes inspiration from “If I Were a Rich Man,” made popular from the musical Fiddler on the Roof. Another single, “Hollaback Girl” became Gwen Stefani’s first number one single on the United States pop charts. L.A.M.B. also includes references to Harajuku Girls which became an entourage of sorts for Gwen Stefani, as well as references to her clothing line which happens to have the same name as the album title. L.A.M.B. also received favorable reviews from music critics.
3. Critical Evaluation
The songs on this album should be taken lightly. They do not form a cohesive sound, but rather appear to be experiments between Gwen Stefani’s attempts to become a solo artist and the contributions from other artists. The songs themselves have interesting beats; however the lyrics are not demanding and simplistic. In fact, some songs just do not seem to fit. In “Long Way to Go” Gwen Stefani and Andre 3000 mix their lyrics with sound bytes from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. No other song in the album seems to have the same focus; therefore, it seems odd to include this song in the album. It’s interesting to note what kind of values that Gwen Stefani promotes in this album. Her songs reflect mostly attitudes of love, sex, and money. Her songs about love seem somewhat insincere, though since most of the songs about love feature sexual innuendo which leads listeners to question its validity. Throughout the album she also promotes her clothing line, sounding self-serving especially when it is referenced in songs about money like in “Rich Girl.” Overall, it is the sound that will appeal to teenagers. The lyrics, though catchy, lack depth or real value.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Love, Angel, Music, Baby is Gwen Stefani’s first solo album. Featuring chart toppers such as “Hollaback Girl” and “Rich Girl,” listen to when Gwen Stefani first made it big without that other band.
5. Information about the Author:
Gwen Stefani was born in Fullerton, California. From 1986 to 2004 she was the lead singer in the band No Doubt, most notable for its successful albums Tragic Kingdom and Rock Steady. In 2004 she began her solo career. She is currently married to fellow music artist Gavin Rossdale of the band Bush and has two children.
6. Genre
Pop
7. Curriculum Ties
This might be used in a dance or drama class for inspiration.
8. Booktalking Ideas:
N/A
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this CD would appeal most to girls aged 15-18.
10. Challenge Issues
There are instances of mature language (“Hollaback Girl”) as well as sexual innuendo (i.e. “Bubble Pop Electric,” “Crash”). Since this CD does not include any parental warning labels and is not the clean edit version, there is a possibility that some parents would not find this material appropriate. If anyone wanted to challenge this CD, I would refer to the ALA’s Challenge form at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
11. Why was it Selected?
I was hesitant to include a CD, since most teens are now downloading music, but I wanted to make sure that I included music in the database.
12. Citation Page
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Picture
Amazon.com (2010). Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Love-Angel-Music-Baby-Stefani/dp/B00064AEJW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1269203295&sr=1-1
Amazon.com (2010). Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Love-Angel-Music-Baby-Stefani/dp/B00064AEJW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1269203295&sr=1-1
13. Awards
At the Billboard Music Awards, Stefani won the Digital Song of the Year award for "Hollaback Girl" and the New Artist of the Year Award
At the 2005 Grammy Awards, Stefani received a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "What You Waiting For?"
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