Gwen Stefani was like vishnu this year. While No Doubt have taken a hiatus, she has seemingly had a hand in just about everything. She released her first solo outing, Love, Angel, Music, Baby, a frothy disc that blends hip-hop attitude with the Eighties club music she loved as a kid: Prince, Lisa Lisa, L'Trimm. She also cranked out a clothing line, L.A.M.B., and played Jean Harlow in the Howard Hughes biopic The Aviator.

It would seem, with all you've done, that this was the best year of your life.

Well, I had this idea of doing a dance record that I thought was going to be so fun and easy, and it just turned into a major challenge, with all these expectations and pressure. I feel like I was chasing the White Rabbit. So, no, it wasn't my favorite year or anything. It was a hard-core work year.

Describe it in five words.

Creative. Draining. Intimidating. Exhilarating when the songs came. A year I'll never forget. How do you say that in one word?

"Unforgettable." What, for you, was the best album of the year?

I don't ever listen to records. I listen to the radio -- I'm one of those girls. But I love that Keane record. The head of my label actually gave it to me because he wanted me to write with those guys. It's such a beautiful record.

How about the best concert this year?

I saw Madonna in London, and I was really impressed. Her singing was amazing, and I know what it takes to do a show like that. We were in the third row, and she kept wandering on our side and making me feel embarrassed because I was right there. I was like, "Oh, my God, she just looked at my husband."

Who did you meet this year who really impressed you?

I got to hang out with Robert Smith. My first kissing boyfriend in high school, he was Robert Smith. He had the hairdo and the makeup.

How about 2004's most surreal moment?

Your audition for The Aviator with Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio?

Talk about pressure. . . . You should have seen my underarms.

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