NO DOUBT

Let's get this out of the way: Gwen Stefani is a goddess. If 1995 was the year of Alanis, 1996 was the year of Gwen. The blonde haired, blue eyed Stefani has now entered the star stratosphere occupied by the likes of Morissette and Madonna. No Doubt's record, "Tragic Kingdom," is currently the top selling record in the country, and everyone at the band's sold out show at Asbury Park's Convention Hall knew it (right down to a "We Want Gwen" chant before the encores).

The key to Stefani's popularity is her nice girl persona, which makes fans feel like she is their very best girlfriend. She also has throngs of teenage boys in the palm of her tattooed hands, soliciting charming cries of "show us your tits" (perhaps these young men missed the go-go bar in the charming town of Asbury Park).

The band's recent time off from touring -- due to Stefani's vocal chord problems -- hasn't killed No Doubt's explosive live energy. Far from it, the ska-influenced Orange County, California band is exhausting to watch. Bassist Tony Kanal and guitarist Tom Dumont (who now sports platinum blonde hair) leap and skank all night with breaks only for guitar changes. Drummer Adrian Young is plain acrobatic on the set, while horn players Gabriel McNair and Phil Jordan try to out-jump each other during the hyperactive numbers. Stefani, of course, is unstoppable-kicking, jumping, climbing to the top of the speakers. She's a one woman wrecking ball.

Opening with the caffeine rush of "Excuse Me Mr." and "Sunday Morning", No Doubt whipped their very young crowd into hysterics. Stefani was the main arbiter of all this, demanding the audience jump on command. She even had the entire floor turn around and yell "Stand Up" to the stiffs in the back. Of course, she didn't have to work that hard when they performed "Just A Girl", the first anthem of the evening. After goading a "boys only" singalong (complete with middle finger salute), she got the "dear, sweet, little girls" to scream "Fuck you, I'm a Girl". This must have gone over great with the parents in attendance.

In all fairness to No Doubt, it is better to see pre-teens at this than the New Kids on The Block shows they had attended in the late 80s. With No Doubt riding this wave of popularity, it can only mean a wave of good ska bands can finally take over modern rock radio. Perhaps even new wave can enjoy a renaissance. No Doubt is essentially, a ska version of Blondie.

Or not. Dear, sweet little girls do love the slow stuff. The biggest reaction of the evening was predictably the ballad "Don't Speak," which the audience sang word for word, nearly drowning out the band. Stefani, for a moment, seemed touched, gushing, "You guys are amazing." However, it was during "Don't Speak" and an acoustic version of "Hey You" that Stefani's vocals shone. She apparently has worked with a vocal coach, and her control is much stronger than it was a few short months back.

Bringing out both the opening bands Shelter and Shootyz Groove for a chaotic cover of The Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", No Doubt capped off the night by showering their audience with flowers.