Chalk up a point for the music industry. It once again managed to coerce another group over to the evil corporate dark side. It seems as if No Doubt has placed musical integrity second to image and appearance – literally. Glitz and glamour are in, boys in your band are out. Our little Gwen has grown up with aspirations of her name being uttered in the same breath as Whitney, Madonna or Elton. (Yes, he is too a diva!)

“Rock Steady” is guilty of “broad audience appeal” due to “multiple genre recombination.” Here’s the formula: surf the tail end of the “pop” sensation with an overly cheesy chorus in “Hey Baby,” attempt to push the hip-hop envelope with the uninspired “Making Out,” get back to your nonexistent reggae roots with “Underneath It All,” and squeeze in a bit of synth a la everyone’s favorite indie band, The Faint.

But it’s the new wave revival that garners “Rock Steady” any hope of salvation or redemption.

“Don’t Let Me Down” is about the closest the band comes to retaining a sound more suited to their earlier releases. It would track wonderfully between “Just What I Needed” and “Since You’re Gone” on The Cars Greatest Hits. And why not, Cars’ frontman Ric Ocasek produced it. Despite Ocasek’s clever knob-twistin’ talents, No Doubt couldn’t help but allow a blatantly recycled “Spiderwebs” chorus to seep into “Don’t Let Me Down.” (Give it a listen, it’s not that hard to hear.)

Hopefully, this release is just an experiment in applied economics forced upon the band by some company execs. Unfortunately, some fans may indeed be disappointed with this lackluster work.

Those who never liked No Doubt to begin with won’t take kindly to this either. Don’t be fooled to think this album is a shining example of bountiful growth of musicianship or a maturation of talent. Just leave it alone. Don’t look at it. But some will never listen. If one absolutely need own “Rock Steady,” visit a used CD shop in a month or so. It won’t be long before they start popping up. It will follow Mr. Big’s “Lean Into It” in the racks of abundantly sold-back discs.

“There was like, some outside force looking over us, helping us find our way,” Stefani said on the multi-media portion of the “Rock Steady” album. Can’t help but think the force was reacquainting her with old friends “Andrew Jackson” and “Uncle Ben.” Get my drift? Tune into MTV or your local Clear Channel affiliate for a daily dose of disappointing crap.

– Boonie Boone