For those who are not up on their astronomy or who don't get the Discovery channel, Return of Saturn refers to the 29 years it takes the ringed planet to circle the sun. Meaning, from the day you're born, you'll be 29 before you see Saturn again. And theoretically, by that time a person is supposed to be entering a new stage of personal growth and introspection. Hmm, sounds like someone's been planting Scientology comic books on the tour bus again.

Regardless, Return of Saturn is sure to satisfy the legion of "Gwenabees" who've been anticipating its release. The band may humble themselves in interviews and express uncertainties about their ability to repeat the multi-platinum accomplishments of Tragic Kingdom, but with their first single "Ex Girlfriend" already in the top 10 of Billboard's modern rock charts and a VH1 "Behind the Music" special adding to the promo push, it'll be a while before Miss Stefani and company get a crack at the Simple Kind of Life she nearly sincerely pines for on the new CD. Besides, Gwen baby, who ya trying to kid? If you really wanted a cookie-cutter lifestyle, you'd have never quit your day job or dyed your hair pink and you would have kept your hyper-talented little butt off stage and out of the spotlight in the first place. But that wouldn't have been much fun for No Doubt's army of adoring supporters, whose ranks include countless fans and critics alike.

No Doubt, for the few who don't already know, are lead singer and cover girl Gwen, drummer Adrian Young, Gwen's ex boyfriend from the early '90s bassist Tony Kanal and guitarist Tom Dumont. Admirably, the band was not content with rewriting Tragic Kingdom. Rather, Return of Saturn’s sound is much bigger and thankfully less ska influenced than the last album. I firmly believe trombones have absolutely no place in rock 'n' roll. This will probably irk a few of the faithful, but the group's new sound is a mature progression from the jerky jives of their last big hits. Personally, if I never hear "Spiderwebs" again, I'll die a happy arachnid.

King-sized credit is due to new producer Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette, Aerosmith) for helping guide No Doubt down a path toward the end of the hit-radio rainbow. Tempos are slowed down just enough for the band to show how much they've grown as musicians. There's a lushness in the harmonic overtones, acoustic flourishes and percussive flavorings of new songs like "Six Feet Under," "Home Now" and "Comforting Lie" that contrast ironically at times with Gwen's lyrics of insecurity and embarrassment.

Not to say that Return of Saturn is the greatest thing since day-glo hair spray. An entire CD of Stefani's diary readings can become a tad tiresome as she desperately yearns for the love of a bad boy she can tame all the way to the altar. It doesn't get more obvious than a song called "Marry Me." And if Stefani was as imaginative with her wordplay as she is honest, Return of Saturn would be a more satisfying experience. But lyrics like "Too Late's" "I just want to take you away from everyone/ And keep you stashed under my pillow" were certainly not written for Motorheads like me to appreciate. Surely such girlish sentiments will zing the heartstrings of No Doubt's female fans who form an almost psychic bond with their slightly bigger sister. This obviously ain't the new AC/DC CD we're talking about here, though about halfway through Return of Saturn, I begin to wish it were. One suggestion that might improve things on the band's next huge album would be to include some backup vocals from the rest of the band, or, best of all, a duet with Gwen's beau, Bush lead singer Gavin Rossdale. This might give listeners a little relief from Stefani's somewhat incessant warbling.

So there it be, four and a half years, fourteen songs and guaranteed at least four million sold by the time No Doubt's Return of Saturn tour reaches American shores in early summer. Gwen and the gang have done well, without wandering too far from their spunky punky roots and have pushed the creative envelope just enough to keep their artistic development from getting arrested. Drummer Adrian Young probably sums up the new CD best, "Some people are going to love it. Some people are gong to hate it. Whether it sucks or it's good, it's definitely No Doubt."

Honest Adrian's definitely right about that. If you're rabid for raunchy rock 'n' roll, gangsta rap or any musical genre with the word "core" tacked on, you're best advised to avoid Return of Saturn the way MTV avoids playing music videos. But for mainstream pop fans who're ready to let their tastes expand like Britney Spears' bustline, Return of Saturn is sure to be spinning on discmans across No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom for many moons to come.

April 2000