No Doubt - Everything in Time - CD

When a great band like No Doubt comes along -- and that's all too rarely -- there's a need (and a demand) to get everything they've done down on CD. Everybody knows the plethora of hit singles and hot album tracks, but what about the hidden gems that have been kept in the shade? Everything In Time answers that question for the beloved pop-ska outfit from Anaheim. The sub-title describes the content to a tee, and the disc is broken down into those sections: B-sides, rarities and remixes. So not only are you going to like what you're listening to, you're going to know exactly where it came from.

As you'd expect, there's plenty of that deliciously hectic, ska-laden material that's come to be emblematic of this Orange County fun bunch -- the pick of which is the raucous "Oi To The World." Quick and darting, with a rock backbone, it's fun and furious at the same time. In fact there are plenty of excellent up-tempo selections here. The soft-hard "Under Construction" evokes the '80s, with its mix of slickness and jagged guitars, while "You're So Foxy" could easily be seen as a tribute to Blondie (a meeting of "Heart of Glass" and "One Way or Another").

Sometimes the three boys and a girl kick back and chill. "Everything In Time (Los Angeles)" is a delicate ballad that finds Gwen Stefani singing with great expression and pathos. There's a second, "London," version of the song that's equally as moving but employs strings to full advantage and has a much more ornate feel. Meanwhile, the wafting "Panic" has a Mid-Eastern flavor that takes you away on a different cloud of soft emotions.

Other high points? Check out the Queen-like "Big Distraction," the disc's opening cut. Its insistent bass and splashes of rock grandeur are a distinct departure from the band's roots. "Sailin' On" combines reggae and rock in a way that would have made The Clash proud, and "I Throw My Toys Around" (featuring none other than Elvis Costello) is a swaying number that harks back to '50s pop. But if it's a tasty curiosity you're after, the eerie, slow funk of "Beauty Contest" is the song you're seeking.

The disc closes with three remixes: a new version of "New & Approved," the hip-hop laced "A Real Love Survives (Rock Steady Remix)" featuring Ms. Dynamite, and the rasta jam "A Rock Steady Vibe (Rock Steady Remix)" which brings on the reggae stylings of Sweetie Irie.

If you want to complete your No Doubt collection, or you just dig great music from classic bands, you ought to lend an ear to Everything In Time.

By Adrian Zupp