Tragic Kingdom

by No Doubt

Overview

Led by the infectious, pseudo-new wave single "Just a Girl," No Doubt's major-label debut, Tragic Kingdom, straddles the line between '90s punk, third-wave ska, and pop sensibility. The record was produced by Matthew Wilder, the auteur behind "Break My Stride" -- a clever mainstream co-opting of new wave quirkiness, and, as such, an ideal pairing. Wilder kept his production lean and accessible, accentuating No Doubt's appealing mix of new wave melodicism, post-grunge rock, and West Coast sunshine. Even though the band isn't always able to fuse its edgy energy with pop melodies, the combination worked far better than anyone could have hoped. When everything does click, the record is pure fun, even if some of the album makes you wish they could sustain that energy throughout the record. Tragic Kingdom might not have made much of an impact upon its initial release in late 1995, but throughout 1996 "Just a Girl" and "Spiderwebs" positively ruled the airwaves, both alternative and mainstream, and in 1997 No Doubt cemented their cross-generational appeal with the ballad hit "Don't Speak." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/10/1995
Label:	Interscope / Trauma/Interscope
UPC:	0606949258023

Tracks

1. Spiderwebs
2. Excuse Me Mr.
3. Just a Girl
4. Happy Now?
5. Different People
6. Hey You
7. The Climb
8. Sixteen
9. Sunday Morning
10. Don't Speak
11. You Can Do It
12. World Go 'Round
13. End It on This
14. Tragic Kingdom

Album Credits

Performance Credits

No Doubt   Primary Artist
Stephen Perkins   Guest Artist,Drums (Steel)
Matthew Wilder   Guest Artist,Keyboards
Bill Bergman   Guest Artist,Saxophone
Tony Kanal   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Gabrial McNair   Trombone,Percussion
Les Lovitt   Trumpet
Gerard Boisse   Saxophone
Aloke Dasgupta   Sitar
Eric Stefani   Piano,Keyboards
Greg Smith   Sax (Baritone)
Nick Lane   Trombone
Melissa Hasin   Cello
Albhy Galuten   Director
Gwen Stefani   Vocals
Adrian Young   Drums,Percussion
Tom Dumont   Guitar

Technical Credits

Tony Kanal   Composer
Phil Kaffel   Engineer,Recording
Matthew Wilder   Producer
Shelly Robertson   Photography
Dan Arsenault   Photography
John Potoker   Recording
Thomas Dumont   Composer
Paul Palmer   Mixing
Eric Stefani   Composer
Johnny Potoker   Engineer
Robert Vosgien   Mastering
No Doubt   Composer
Matt Hyde   Engineer,Recording
Ray Blair   Engineer,Recording
Gwen Stefani   Composer
George Landress   Recording,Engineer
Tom Dumont   Composer