Perseverance in the quest to achieve lofty goals (“The Climb”), and maintaining a healthy self-image through uncomfortable adolescent years (“Sixteen”) are among the project’s more optimistic cuts. The ability of common folks to do uncommon things and leave a mark on their world is the focus of “Different People” (“You don’t have to be a famous person . . . A mother can be an inspiration to her little son”).
The singer takes a cynical view of marriage, throwing a wet blanket on a bride’s hopes for happiness (“Hey You”). She lets loneliness and a lack of self-respect lead her to grovel for a man’s affection on the contextually vague “Excuse Me Mr.”
An interesting blend of musical influences escorts lead singer Gwen Stefani-passion oozing from the confident cry in her voice-through Tragic Kingdom‘s fourteen tracks. Noted exceptions aside, No Doubt delivers a generally upbeat and worthwhile release.