If you got in line and settled down to watch No Doubt‘s “Settle Down” video, then you’re well aware that the Orange County band are back in a big way, thanks to their party-packed, trucker-themed clip. It’s the first offering from Gwen Stefani & Co.’s upcoming album Push And Shove — their first in 11 years (it’s out September 25) — and critics are raving, for the most part, over the Sophie Muller-directed vid. In fact, judging by the reviews we rounded up below, this could be the most welcome comeback of the year.
:: Says The Hollywood Reporter, “The video is chock full of colorful visuals, wild fashion and outrageous antics, with Stefani jumping, kicking, partying and applying lipgloss (she is a L’Oreal spokesmodel, after all.)”
:: The Huffington Post got teary-eyed over the band’s first new video in a decade: “The reunion that happens a minute and a half in is particularly memorable, as Stefani, Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal and Adrian Young — together with their touring trumpeter Stephen Bradley and trombonist Gabrial McNair — are happily reunited. It’s a heartwarming moment that will make even the toughest rockers get a little verklempt.”
:: Spin gives the band props: “Directed by Sophie Muller, who has previously helmed some of the band’s best videos, the well-executed clip feels like a homecoming of sorts, as the band members embrace each other, and Stefani struts around in those kinds of tank tops she once made her signature. But it also, in a way that Stefani’s most recent solo album — and, frankly, most new music by ’90s standbys — does not, looks remarkably of the moment.”
:: Ology is having a flashback: “Apart from the fancy big rigs, it’s sort of a Build-A-Bear version of a No Doubt video; all the old staples are here, from Gwen Stefani’s impressive collection of tank tops to Adrian Young’s dependable oddball-ness. The set pieces begin to wear a little thin towards the end (how many different shots of Gwen Stefani smothered in a crowd of people do we need?) but, in tone and execution, at least, this could have been a No Doubt video in 2001.”
:: Chart Rigger feels Gwen is hella good in the visual: “I already flipped my lid earlier today over the song itself. All I can add about the video is that Gwen is looking pretty flawless.”
:: The Prophet Blog concurs: “I’m dead and buried at Gwen Stefani still looking virtually the same as she did over fifteen years ago. Whatever anti-aging products she and Jennifer Lopez are using, I need them. When I turned Sweet Sixteen I still looked older and more haggard than Gwen does now.”
:: TwentyFourBit summed it up with this: “All told, it’s a fine reunion tune complete with an appropriately reunion-themed clip, in which the 11-year gap feels nearly vanished after a mere 6-minute jam.”
Let us know your own thoughts on No Doubt’s Mack truck romp below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!
I find it mediocre at best. Loved ND from the beginning but this is very average.
This is an awful tune. Sounds like some watered down Rock Steady track that was left over. Very disappointing.
Love having them back for good! this sounds a thousand times better than hey baby or bathwater, huge successes in ND’s history. push and shove will be the album of the decade :)
(excuse my english)
I
i love this songgg. ND is awesome!