Truth Be Told, Gwen Stefani's Borrowing From Her Past Glory

Gwen Stefani's the fashion plate who loves to party. I have fond memories of "Hey Baby" the cocktail sipping star attraction from No Doubt's "Rock Steady" LP. She's had another baby, this one called "Baby Don't Lie". She manages to incorporate elements of "Hey Baby" with the sassy panache of "Hollaback Girl". The "am I getting warm" build up is proof enough. Gwen definitely adopts a different persona solo than she does with No Doubt. I'm of a mind to think Gwen's inner devil comes out to play whenever she goes solo. "Hollaback Girl" was her way of getting even with Courtney Love for insinuating her music is cheerleader-based in nature. Turns out that was sweet revenge. Went straight to #1 and served as catalyst for an Asian posse themed video. Gwen goes for unapologetic production values in her videos as "Baby Don't Lie demonstrates. The special effects should be praised no end. The minus side? "Baby Don't Lie" doesn't dress to impress harmony wise. I'm not sold on the way she barks out syllables either. Such a technique doesn't make me covet her bod. Far too much artificiality to convince me she's playing the femme fatale as it was meant to be played. "Hollaback Girl" skewed higher on the slap you in the mouth scale. "Baby Don't Lie's" background accompaniment makes itself at home in processed studio magic trick land. Her previous efforts ("Wind It Up", "The Sweet Escape", etc..) had a bite which took you away to a universe that you wouldn't mind making repeat visits to. Gwen's on a quest to unearth the truth behind those masculine eyes. The chorus gets on my nerves. Again, too trumped up. Gwen doesn't need to put on act like the contestants she passed judgment on during her stint on "The Voice". Oh Gwen, we hardly knew ya'! We recognize your imprints on the new track but, it unfortunately is an example of an artist treading water rather than bravely swimming forward to untamed conquest. I get a kick out of Gwen's vibrancy. "Baby Don't Lie" isn't difficult to listen to. Shame of shames it's also not difficult to go on about your business like nothing substantial happened. That's because, as I alluded to before, Gwen's guilty of pulling off a mash up of previous phases of her career. The chorus is "Hey Baby's" half-sister. The studio witchcraft calls out to "Hollaback Girl" era Stefani in the early to mid 2000s back when she was just starting to gain traction as a solo proposition. None of these reveals pose a problem if you are homesick for what Gwen laid out on the table at that point. Growth isn't in the cards. We knew Gwen was skilled at mugging for the camera which she does fashion mogul style at the open and close of the video. That's encouraging. Why the music didn't mirror the bold color designs puzzles me. I doubt a suitable answer's forthcoming. In truth "Baby Don't Lie" wins the charm school award but it's not likely to be a classic in any appropriate genre you can name.