•
Rating: This is a story with a happy ending: that of a band on the edge of the abyss, but looking up with the hope of one day knocking on heaven’s doors. They are called No Doubt, they come from Anaheim, California, and are led by the gritty Gwen Stefani. They spent five years cutting their teeth playing live in small clubs, got a record deal in 1990, and two years later released their self-titled debut album: a tremendous flop, just 30,000 copies sold, crumbs by American standards. The record label tried to drop them, so much so that "The Beacon Street Collection," their second album, was self-released in 1995 on the band’s own label, Sea Creature Records. Another flop, but at least it sold three times the debut album.
Far from being a compilation, "The Beacon Street Collection" assembles recordings previously discarded from various studio sessions: ten tracks with a rather varied style, attributable to a (pop) rock territory where you can detect grunge undertones (as in the opening track, "Open The Gate," or in "Snakes") and ska, the style that marked their debut (as in "Total Hate 95," in "Squeal," and in the concluding "Doghouse").
An interesting album that stays, without excelling, on a good overall level. It certainly lacks the spark, the touch of brilliance that would make it memorable for at least one or two tracks.
As mentioned, with this work, No Doubt dangerously leaned on the brink of the abyss: they’ve already had two chances and perhaps won't be given a third. But they have the merit of believing in themselves, of not giving up. Later that same year, in 1995, "Tragic Kingdom," the third album, was released, which was a resounding success: eight times platinum after its release, an international tour lasting 27 months, 16 million copies sold to date.
In 1995, therefore, a star was born: her name is Gwen Stefani. She and No Doubt have come so far as to knock on heaven’s doors.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Open the Gate (03:40)
I see you from a distance
From beyond the fence you've made
Hiding all your feelings
behind your barricade
Have you been invaded
Is this the reason why you hide
I know just how your feeling
I know so let me inside
Open the gate up
Open the gate up, hurry
Open the gate up, hurry
I want to get near you
But you just won't let me in
You're so scared of losing
Everything you've got within
Come on now you can trust me
Come on open the door
I know just how you're feeling
I know, I've been there before
Open the gate up
Open the gate up hurry
Open the gate up hurry
Do it right now
Open the gate up...
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down!
05 Greener Pastures (05:05)
You're always tellin' me to go out more
Go ahead, get out and see the world
But then I think, why should I
I'd rather stay home and cry
I never thought that I could be the other
The other way like the other ones
Let me open wide, let you see inside
And then you might agree
Would you say they find me unstable
'Cause they see me act a little bit different
But I know my way to greener pastures and
Think about it, won't you think it over
Please
Without you I can move
I can stretch my arms out, I can feel it
And when I'm in my room alone I feel good
Because I don't have to deal with you or the outside world
Would you say they find me unstable
'Cause they see me act a little bit different
But I know my way to greener pastures and
Think about it, won't you think it over
Please
I guess I'll get over it
Ooh - I guess I'll get over it
I guess I'll get over it
I guess I'll get over it
Would you say they find me unstable
'Cause they see me act a little bit different
But I know my way through greener pastures
Would you say they find me unstable
'Cause they see me act a little bit different
But I know my way through greener pastures
Would you say they find me unstable
Cause they see me act a little bit different
But I know my way through greener pastures
Greener pastures
See me act a little bit different
But I know my way through greener pastures
07 Snakes (04:37)
Open the basket
Listen to the flute play
Open the basket
Listen to the flute play
Toot toot toot toot play
Snakes in the basket
Lie to lead you astray
Snakes in the basket
Force to make you betray
Your innermost truths hid away
Falling down to the underground
As you slither down to your lair
Hidden in the many trenches of a hopeless war
Those who were sold out by a corporate board
Carry the casket
Never mind the gun spray
Bury the casket
Pawns in someones gameplay
Shoot shoot shoot shoot obey
Subscription to the spreading of lies
Soldier catches a glimpse of his demise
Deep down inside even he knows
Snakes come in many shapes and sizes
snakes have no hands to be tied
Concoction of malicious lies
deep inside the general despises
himself... listen to the flute play
another reptile in line
Snakes without grass cannot hide
Falling down to the underground
As you slither down to your lair
Forked tongues spread the poison with a toxic sting
So much pain their serpentine inhibitions bring
08 That's Just Me (04:08)
You think that I will change
But you know that will never be
I'm just that way and that's just me
Well it's just the way I am
And I am doing all I can
Why can't you see I just can't change
I could care less what you see
I'm just never the less here for me
You're always getting what you want
But you still keep looking
I guess you're just never getting what you need
With your eyes wide open
You still keep looking for your dreams
That's just me
It doesn't matter what you say
My confidence will lead the way
Words will never do, sad but true
And if I didn't act this way
Well it just wouldn't be the same
That wouldn't do, 'cause I'm not you
And I could care less what you see
I'm just never the less here for me
You're always getting what you want
But you still keep looking
I guess you just never getting what you need
With your eyes wide open
You still keep looking for your dreams
That's just me
That's just the way I am, I am no larry or a sam
Why can't you see, I'm just that way!
Well there it is, it's right here, so crystal clear
Well there it is, it's right here, so crystal clear in front of my face!
I could care less what you see in me....
Loading comments slowly
