The Sweet Escape
by Gwen Stefani
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 211 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 151 out of 211
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 211
  3. Negative: 38 out of 211

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  1. stephenv
    Dec 13, 2006
    6
    best songs: early winter, 4 in the morning, wonderful life and the sweet escape. worst song: breakin' up.
  2. Rodkrieg
    Apr 3, 2020
    10
    People don’t know anything, this album is great and she sounds better than some other pop trashy female artists out there, she’s between Madonna and Kylie Minogue...
  3. ScarTissue1990
    Feb 23, 2013
    5
    This album actually isn't a particularly "bad" album. It just has some major flaws. Highlight tracks: "Early Winter", "Sweet Escape", "4 in the Morning", "Wonderful Life", "Now That You Got It."
  4. vina
    Jan 3, 2007
    10
    Wow..a lot of people saying Gwen should go back to No Doubt. Well I personally think that No Doubt suck and Gwen should stick to her far more interesting solo work - this album is pretty good.
  5. TylerM
    Jan 4, 2007
    9
    I enjoyed it a lot. True there are some *weird and horrible* songs but i love... Wind It Up Orange County Girl Yummy Don't Get it Twisted
  6. J.J.Rouce
    Mar 30, 2007
    4
    i gave it a four....because thats how many songs on this album are any good.....the rest are abismal at best.....it fell WAY short of LAMB
  7. Sublimonade
    Dec 10, 2006
    9
    I Absolutely LOVE Gwen's New Album. All the songs are wickedly infectious! The tunes are catchy and upbeat. I know "The Sweet Escape" ft Akon will hit the top charts next. I love Pharrell's work too. She's got the LAMB and he's rocking the Ice Cream blend it together they got something fresh and kinda in between.
  8. GMaster
    Dec 10, 2006
    2
    Other than the sweet escape, this CD is horrible. GWEN GET BACK WITH NO DOUBT!!!
  9. SkyM
    Dec 22, 2006
    9
    I absolutely loved this album, personally I like it better than the first one which is saying alot. I find it intresting that so many people are calling her a "wigger" when the whole album is much more pop based than hip-hop. You should listen to it in it's entirety more than once and I promise you won't be disappointed.
  10. tonyg
    Dec 4, 2006
    7
    I like most of it. I like the music and beat of breaking up but it is too monotonous for me fast becomes annoying. stand out tracks in my opinion: sweet escape, 4 in the morning, yummy. Wind it up would have been better with more mature lyrics and less rap. worst songs: dont get it twisted and orange county girl. Still, I have listend to the whole album a million times already.
  11. ChrisW
    Dec 5, 2006
    0
    There's only only one White Female Rapper that pulled it off correctly. Anyone remember Tarrie B? Gwen's debacle on Wind it up was the most treacherous thing I've heard since I heard Milli Vanilli try and talk. Gwen needs to grow-up and go back to No Noubt and make some REAL music. Stop the Pop and go back to your roots... please!
  12. PaulR
    Dec 5, 2006
    9
    This album is completely amazing. Almost all the tacks are instantly memorable and catchy...and doesn't that make for a great album?? I hate these little comments about Gwen trying to catch up to Fergie....excuse me if I'm wrong but Fergie's "London Bridge" sounds like Hollaback girl with a little more melody...and Fergie's "Glamorous" sounds an awful lot like This album is completely amazing. Almost all the tacks are instantly memorable and catchy...and doesn't that make for a great album?? I hate these little comments about Gwen trying to catch up to Fergie....excuse me if I'm wrong but Fergie's "London Bridge" sounds like Hollaback girl with a little more melody...and Fergie's "Glamorous" sounds an awful lot like gwen's "Luxurious"...if anything..Fergie's a few years behind..though both album are very good....Gwen's sound isn't for the older type of listeners..which seem to be the professional critics rating her… Expand
  13. ShamekaJ
    Dec 5, 2006
    10
    A triumph. Yes, some of its songs are a tad sappy, but every one (besides the wretched "Breakin' Up, but I'll ignore that) is a pleasure to listen to. "Wind It Up," "Don't Get It Twisted," and "Yummy" are among the most fun and the funniest songs of Gwen's career, and "The Sweet Escape" is positively brilliant. On the whole, a spectacular album.
  14. Devin
    Dec 5, 2006
    0
    Throw one more on the pile of treasonous, unlistenable garbage from Gwen Stefani's recent years. Once one of the most compelling female figures in all of mainstream music, Gwen seems to be doing all she can to bury her personality under a thick coat of gloss and thumping beats. Wheras her voice once spoke of both power and pathos, it now falls flat on track after track, lifeless and Throw one more on the pile of treasonous, unlistenable garbage from Gwen Stefani's recent years. Once one of the most compelling female figures in all of mainstream music, Gwen seems to be doing all she can to bury her personality under a thick coat of gloss and thumping beats. Wheras her voice once spoke of both power and pathos, it now falls flat on track after track, lifeless and soulless. Did Gwen homogenize herself willingly, or is she yet another victim of bad decisionmaking by her record label? Either way, on Sweet Escape, Stefani is even less than a shadow of her former self. She's a shadow of every other cloying, disposable female booty-shaker out there.… Expand
  15. JohnW
    Dec 5, 2006
    10
    This album is 1000 times better than L.A.M.B., though the first single "wind it up" is a horrible song.. the rest of the album has amazing songs, such as Wonderful LIfe with Depecho mode,, or Early Winter with Keane... go and get it...
  16. Pee-DroughA
    Dec 6, 2006
    9
    This Album is something speacial, this breaks into her R&B side. Gwen did an awesome job. Sounds to me like the Hills still have music! ha!
  17. MichaelC
    Dec 7, 2006
    1
    'the sweet escape' wins this year's 'worst comeback album' - gwen's half-assed attempt on her second solo album gives listeners the impression that she just doesn't care anymore, and her confidence in the album's success doesn't help either (in one of the song's lyrics, saying she'll get a grammy...pfft - as if). half the album makes 'the sweet escape' wins this year's 'worst comeback album' - gwen's half-assed attempt on her second solo album gives listeners the impression that she just doesn't care anymore, and her confidence in the album's success doesn't help either (in one of the song's lyrics, saying she'll get a grammy...pfft - as if). half the album makes you want to spew, tracks such as 'orange county girl', 'yummy' and the most tragic song you've ever heard, 'breaking up', in which gwen repeats every line about 5 times each. 'breaking up' reeks of a washed up singers career - i'm sorry gwen, but it looks like 'the sweet escape' listeners of the album will be wanting is your retirement...give it up… Expand
  18. JulesM
    Dec 7, 2006
    4
    I love gwen, but this album has no edge. It sounds like everything on the radio.
  19. Scott
    Dec 9, 2006
    7
    It has its hits, and its misses. But all in all, it's a pretty decent album. Most of the best tracks are in the ballads, like "Early Winter". Some of the powerpop songs seem a bit forced and recycled.
  20. ToniK
    Jan 1, 2007
    10
    great album.. lamb was better but... gwen is awesome
  21. BrandonW
    Jan 26, 2007
    1
    I really wish she'd get off of her solo aspirations, because honestly without the aid of her band, producers don't know what the hell real music is. And if I hear Wind It Up one more time, I'm going to snap.
  22. AmandaC
    Jan 3, 2007
    9
    IF you haven bought this album i do recomend it. If you Havent listen to the album and only listend to the single wind it up. i recomend that you hear the single The Sweet Escape featuring Akon. i have heard that the single Wind it up wasnt a big big hit but it was good. Just beacuse u didnt like the first single that doesnt mean that the album is annoying
  23. ficlare
    Jan 9, 2007
    8
    it waz real gd!
  24. christianv
    Feb 6, 2007
    3
    This album isnt as good as the first solo album from gwen, i mean, it could have been better, muchh better
  25. NickM
    Mar 1, 2007
    3
    I never bought this cd with the intention of hearing highly sophisticated lyrics, all i really expected was some catchy tunes, much like her first solo, which i thought was amazing. however this cd mostly had lame beats, and lyrics that were so horrible that at some points it made me cringe. sorry gwen, but ya shoulda stuck with just one solo like ya said ya would.
  26. GauravS
    Mar 2, 2007
    10
    Excellent Album.Though it is not as good as the previous Gwen Stefani's previous album,But our of the 13 songs,i liked 9 of them.Excellent album.
  27. EmoKid
    Mar 5, 2007
    8
    Really well done with catchy beats. But still not the best album of the world.
  28. MC
    May 14, 2007
    7
    I Rated Each Song: Wind it up - 8/10 The Sweet Escape- 9/10 Orange County Girl - 6/10 Early Winter - 6/10 Now That you Got It - 7/10 4 in the morning - 10/10 Yummy - 9/10 Fluorescent - 7/10 Breakin' Up - 7/10 Don't Get It Twisted - 6/10 U Started it - 6/10 Wonderful Life - 8/10
  29. LeandraW
    Dec 10, 2006
    5
    Lackluster effort from Mrs. Stefani. Sounds rushed with no evident hits.
  30. paulac
    Dec 10, 2006
    10
    This album is so catchy i loved it although there are some songs that i wasnt particularly fond of they all were sweet i hope she keeps making more cds like this their all so catchy and u cant stop singing them.
  31. ArtM
    Dec 4, 2006
    2
    I would really like to hear that she just threw this together. The idea that she spent time working on this album seem wasteful. No doubt she should return to No Doubt.
  32. GregD
    Dec 4, 2006
    3
    What happened here? I was a big fan of Gwen in No Doubt, as well as her first solo album "L.A.M.B." "The Sweet Escape" is a different story; everything from the uneven production, awful lyrics and oddly pitch corrected vocals make this escape anything but sweet. Half of the album sounds finished and somewhat fresh ("Early Winter", "The Sweet Escape"), and the other half is perplexingly What happened here? I was a big fan of Gwen in No Doubt, as well as her first solo album "L.A.M.B." "The Sweet Escape" is a different story; everything from the uneven production, awful lyrics and oddly pitch corrected vocals make this escape anything but sweet. Half of the album sounds finished and somewhat fresh ("Early Winter", "The Sweet Escape"), and the other half is perplexingly awful ("Breaking Up", "Now That You Got It", "Orange County Girl"). Gwen seems to be under the impression that every hip-hop-esque song she does has to follow the blueprint of Hollaback Girl with chanty, military drill like choruses ("Now That You Got It", "Breaking Up", "Wind It Up" all suffer from this) or have to involve Gwen talking about how great but down to earth she is. This is the sound of Gwen stepping into cringe-worthy Jenny From The Block territory. The pop structured songs work better, but Gwen's voice sounds extremely pitch corrected on the album highlight "Early Winter", as well as "Flouresant". Wha't's hard to ignore is the traces of Peaches, with all the "talk-singing" Gwen does and Kelis ("Yummy" has the exact same beat as "Milkshake") just to name a few of familiar vibes on the album. Either way, this album is a mess, a misguided and decidedly unhip mix of hip-hop and pop, with flat song structures and production.… Expand
  33. JerrodL.
    Dec 4, 2006
    8
    The Sweet Escape is great. Its highs may not be as high as those on L.A.M.B. but it doesn't have as many low points as that album did. Pharrell's productions on The Sweet Escape are overshadowed by songs by Swizz Beatz, Akon, Nellee Hooper and Tony Kanal. Overall, it's a mindless fun CD.
  34. vqi
    Dec 4, 2006
    1
    there is nothing listenable on this album. pharrell can't save this.
  35. BonnyB
    Dec 5, 2006
    7
    L.A.M.B. was better, but the more you listen to Sweet Escape the more you're gonna appreciate it. Song 12 Wonderfull Life is wonderfull and Song 4 Early Winter is one of the best songs by Gwen.
  36. ToddW
    Dec 5, 2006
    3
    Gwen, darling, while I no doubt love your band, this second solo album is a hint that you have some serious inclinations toward jumping a shark tank in your near future. I mean, look at the cover photograph. Who are you trying to emulate, a female Moby? You sure don't look like Madonna, who tried - in vain - to cop some of Marilyn's heat. But at least Madonna has a set of Gwen, darling, while I no doubt love your band, this second solo album is a hint that you have some serious inclinations toward jumping a shark tank in your near future. I mean, look at the cover photograph. Who are you trying to emulate, a female Moby? You sure don't look like Madonna, who tried - in vain - to cop some of Marilyn's heat. But at least Madonna has a set of cajones; I mean, anyone who walks down an interstate au natural is either crazy or has thicker skin than the rest of us, and also wants us to see it. This offering seems to indicate that you're running out of ideas and you're just going for weird to buy time. Are you looking for a sweet escape from the terribly boring life of the garden variety rock star, or is this your pathetic plea for help?… Expand
  37. [Anonymous]
    Dec 5, 2006
    9
    almost as much fun as the first album! cheers to Gwen...what a funky peice of hot ass she is! :)
  38. Tristan
    Dec 5, 2006
    10
    Wow!! Gwen has done it again. She has made another decent fully-listeneable album, which is also an album which you don't feel like skipping a single track... thats a rareity these days. Love every moment of "The Sweet Escape". standout tracks = "4 In the Morning", "Yummy", "Now That You Got It", "Breakin' Up". What a delight it is to see Ms. Stefani back at it!!
  39. WayneC
    Dec 6, 2006
    8
    It's no L.A.M.B - but it is still a respectable album - and Fergie needs to back off on the cloning of Gwen- keep it up- and bring back No Doubt!
  40. sams
    Dec 6, 2006
    10
    It is a great fun follow-up .... Gwen rules
  41. JordanI
    Dec 8, 2006
    10
    This album is great, it has great songs and it can do no wrong. There's an 80's dance vibe on some songs but she does it well
  42. RafaelS
    Dec 8, 2006
    9
    Most of the songs in "The Sweet Escape" are GREAT. I mean, just great! You can find so many diversity, like the crazy beats in "Wind It Up" and "Yummy", the circus theme in "Don't Get It Twisted", the reggaeton-ish "Breakin' Up", and the CLASSIC ballads (which are the best thing off the album), "4 In The Morning" and "Early Winter". The problem is (and that's why Im not Most of the songs in "The Sweet Escape" are GREAT. I mean, just great! You can find so many diversity, like the crazy beats in "Wind It Up" and "Yummy", the circus theme in "Don't Get It Twisted", the reggaeton-ish "Breakin' Up", and the CLASSIC ballads (which are the best thing off the album), "4 In The Morning" and "Early Winter". The problem is (and that's why Im not giving a 10 to the album), is that all the songs together in 1 album are not quite interesting. It's sort of like they were rushed and picked up randomly. Except for that, the songs are amazing! Even though I can't wait for Gwen to return to No Doubt, which should be soon!… Expand
  43. AlfredoM
    Dec 8, 2006
    9
    I enjoyed it very much. The track "The Sweet Escape" is brilliant..I also love Yummy. It's a lot of fun. Gwen brings interesting music.
  44. przemekp
    Dec 9, 2006
    3
    I love Gwen, but this album is a piece of crap. Ony 'the Sweet escape' and 'Early winter' are good, rest are not worth to listen.
  45. josha
    Jan 25, 2007
    4
    this album is for fans only. and not necessarily fans of gwen's music, because we all are, but fans of gwen. people who may be perfectly content to sit around and think about gwen for the entire duration of the album. it's full of her personality but lacks the musical discipline that shot her to the top.
  46. MairiK
    Jan 5, 2007
    0
    This CD is going in the garbage
  47. JordanA
    Jan 6, 2007
    4
    Just isn't on par with the genuis of No Doubt. Fun for a day, gets old quick. Gwen is so forgettable.
  48. JorgeS
    Jan 6, 2007
    9
    I think it is really good music, perhaps not a deep album, but it works well, here my review of every song: 1. Wind It Up.- Fun, upbeat, neptunes-production 7/10 2. The Sweet Escape.- Damn! What a great tune. Reminds me the old Gwen 10/10 3. Orange County Girl.- Love the beat 8/10 4. Early Winter.- Nice down-tempo, coulda sound better 7/10 5. Now That You Got It.- Mmmm I didn't like I think it is really good music, perhaps not a deep album, but it works well, here my review of every song: 1. Wind It Up.- Fun, upbeat, neptunes-production 7/10 2. The Sweet Escape.- Damn! What a great tune. Reminds me the old Gwen 10/10 3. Orange County Girl.- Love the beat 8/10 4. Early Winter.- Nice down-tempo, coulda sound better 7/10 5. Now That You Got It.- Mmmm I didn't like this song, but it's pretty catchy 6/10 6. 4 In The Morning.- What can i say?? Just a piece of art 10/10 7. Yummy.- I can almost be sure this would be a single, it's a great tune, like it was Hollaback Girl 4 L.A.M.B. 9/10 8. Fluourescent.- At first I skip this song but then it just start to grew up on me and now I really like it 8/10 9. Breakin' Up.- Nice beat, bad lyrics, too boring 5/10 10. Don't Get It Twisted.- Another outstanding song, I just can't get sick of this 10/10 11. U Started It.- Cool but something's missing 7/10 12. Wonderful Life.- The only left-over of L.A.M.B., enjoyable 8/10 Avarage: 7.9… Expand
  49. laurels
    Jan 9, 2007
    2
    First and last tracks take a chance. (I personally love the step off into The Sound of Music.Fun. Who cares if no one else gets that?! Hope their Lederhosen chafe them.) But dear Gwen, you coulda waited a while to holla back if this is all you had to offer. I have faith that you'll climb your next musical mountain and kick ass again. love to you--you talented amazing young woman.
  50. HennyH
    Feb 12, 2007
    10
    WOW! amazing CD!
  51. MarcusL
    Feb 5, 2007
    10
    This was a great album Gwen Did Great Job!
  52. JakieM
    Apr 8, 2007
    8
    I think it is a good CD. The quality and sound of her music is great and I think she gets an 8.
  53. WK
    May 5, 2007
    6
    This album is not half as bad as some say, but L.A.M.B. was a far higher quality album than this. For overall strength this one was pretty weak; some good songs, some bad. But Gwen has conceded to the 'trends' and 'raps' way too much instead of singing, which she does best. And ironically enough, the best track would have to be 'The Sweet Escape'. This is This album is not half as bad as some say, but L.A.M.B. was a far higher quality album than this. For overall strength this one was pretty weak; some good songs, some bad. But Gwen has conceded to the 'trends' and 'raps' way too much instead of singing, which she does best. And ironically enough, the best track would have to be 'The Sweet Escape'. This is what pop should be, clean and simple. Other than that other good tracks would be Early Winter (9/10; emotional and a decent follow up to Cool, although not as good), Fluorescent (9/10; very well put together and catchy/retro), 'Wind It Up' (7.5/10; a little weird, but it's decent listen), Yummy (9/10; catchy and fun song lyrically), and Wonderful Life (9/10). But really there are some shockers on this album, like 'Orange County Girl' (3/10; horrible production values, and truly annoying), 'Now That You Got It' (4/10; not in Gwen's style at all and doesn't suit her), 'Breakin' Up' (1/10; this song is awful. Spare yourself and skip it). And the rest just aren't very strong, '4 in the Morning' (7/10; too sappy), 'Don't Get it Twisted' (5.5/10; an attempt to be quirky), and 'U Started It' (6/10; OK but nothing great). So with only five of the tracks being strong enough to comprise of a decent album, I'd only be able to say 'OK'. The others are just average or downright awful.… Expand
  54. inad.
    Sep 15, 2007
    10
    love this so much!!
  55. JamieW
    Dec 11, 2006
    10
    More of a mix bag then anything, but it's a mix bag where everything is awesome. I love the different styles and stuff she's used, totally unique album
  56. Ouas
    Dec 13, 2006
    7
    if you liked L.A.M.B then you will like this one not as much but it's still good though.
  57. DericMC
    Dec 13, 2006
    10
    Excellent stuff that grows on you with more listens. It's not better than L.A.M.B but it's just as good. More cohesive, just as crazy as before, but maybe less diverse. I love the futuristic and modern feel to the music. No bad tracks here too.
  58. ssskkk
    Dec 17, 2006
    2
    another brick in the wall
  59. JosephA
    Dec 17, 2006
    7
    Great CD, Got some great tracks, some good tracks and some really interesting ones. The melodies and hooks will have you back for more, and upon repeated listens the good tracks and interesting ones get better. Excellent "straight-thru" CD
  60. lenny
    Dec 24, 2006
    0
    oh what has happened to gwen..........i would of liked to be there when she told no doubt that she was leaving the band to pursue a carear in crap hop music.
  61. JayM
    Dec 25, 2006
    6
    For the most part a great album, make no mistake, it's no L.A.M.B. From the lead "Wind It up" to the title track, and "Yummy" a dance track produced by Pharrell, and in my opinion the best song on the album is the final track "Wonderful Life" in lieu of a "The Real Thing"-esque light dance track. From its highest points, I beleive that "Breakin' up" was the worst excuse for For the most part a great album, make no mistake, it's no L.A.M.B. From the lead "Wind It up" to the title track, and "Yummy" a dance track produced by Pharrell, and in my opinion the best song on the album is the final track "Wonderful Life" in lieu of a "The Real Thing"-esque light dance track. From its highest points, I beleive that "Breakin' up" was the worst excuse for music Stefani has ever produced simulating a fake cell-phone conversation. All in all, if you're a die-hard fan, as am I, it is a great choice, otherwise, you may not like it, but it's worth a shot.… Expand
  62. MC
    Dec 29, 2006
    1
    horrible, produces a continous flow of drivel
  63. EricW
    Dec 4, 2006
    10
    i love her almost as much as i love gary. i love to dress like her and sing to her music and she is really popuular at the gay bar i go to its called the dirty sattle i love her
  64. Alexis
    Dec 4, 2006
    4
    4 good song. 1 point for each: 1. wonderful life 2. early winter 3. the sweet escape 4. 4 in the morning
  65. BonnieL
    Dec 4, 2006
    8
    There are a few clunkers... but the tracks Wonderful Life, Early Winter, Flourescent, and The Sweet Escape abolish any bad feelings I have toward the other songs.
  66. mikes.
    Dec 4, 2006
    5
    A confusing album, at first listen i was not sure whether i liked it or hated it. The whole album is a mess and lacks focus, but at the same time; it is what makes gwen unique and refreshing to listen to. However, I will have to say that this album does suffer from the lack of a consistent musical genre that gwen has still not chosen. She's at her best when she goes new wave pop. The A confusing album, at first listen i was not sure whether i liked it or hated it. The whole album is a mess and lacks focus, but at the same time; it is what makes gwen unique and refreshing to listen to. However, I will have to say that this album does suffer from the lack of a consistent musical genre that gwen has still not chosen. She's at her best when she goes new wave pop. The album is a hit and miss throughout. The album has a weird complexity to it that requires repeated listenings. Overall, there is a depth in gwen's new album that is not often found in major pop releases, but at the same time; the album is not instantly catchy and is off the wall weird on some songs.… Expand
  67. zachh
    Dec 5, 2006
    10
    YUMMY!
  68. EDWARDS
    Dec 5, 2006
    4
    Save your money! I just bought this album and was very dissapointed. I could go on but it sucked the enrgy right out of me. Sorry Gwen
  69. RandyB
    Dec 6, 2006
    6
    THE SWEET ESCAPE, Gwen Stefani's follow-up to her multiplatinum debut solo album L.A.M.B. is point blank another perfect guilty pleasure candidate. To start off, you have to have a fondness for Gwen's quirky Debbie Harry-esque lyrical indulgences and genre-switching tendencies to really appreciate this album. Without it, the majority of THE SWEET ESCAPE will just get on your THE SWEET ESCAPE, Gwen Stefani's follow-up to her multiplatinum debut solo album L.A.M.B. is point blank another perfect guilty pleasure candidate. To start off, you have to have a fondness for Gwen's quirky Debbie Harry-esque lyrical indulgences and genre-switching tendencies to really appreciate this album. Without it, the majority of THE SWEET ESCAPE will just get on your nerves. That said, it's Gwen's personality that carries songs such as hit "Wind It Up", "Orange County Girl" and "Breakin' Up". If they had been recorded by someone else (such as Fergie) the songs would have been unbearable; "Wind It Up" for example is eventually infectious and grows on you with it's Sound of Music sampling, but there are parts of the song that still remain horrid after you've learned to like it, and it's only my soft spot for Gwen that made me give the song more than one chance. Not surprisingly it's her collaborations with frequent No Doubt producer Nellee Hooper that provide the album's best tracks. "Wonderful Life" is wonderful indeed, and the gorgeous ballad "Early Winter" is a nearly genius song. THE SWEET ESCAPE has a different vibe from L.A.M.B. and is unfortunately less fun as well, but that doesn't mean it's not fun at all. The thing that bugs me the most when discussing these solo projects is people saying how much better her work with No Doubt was, how she "sold out" and went pop. While her lyrical contributions to No Doubt were of a better quality most of the time, songs such as "Makin' Out" from 2001's much overrated ROCK STEADY are just as dumb and frivolous as anything off of L.A.M.B. and THE SWEET ESCAPE. It's not like Gwen was in a band like Hole and then suddenly decided to usurp Madonna's crown. There was always this poppy side to her waiting to fully explode. What many people fail to realize is that these albums are about having fun with a musical project, not about making artistic statements-Gwen was never trying to make VESPERTINE. At 47 minutes THE SWEET ESCAPE is a breezy listen. If you let it, it just might carry you away with it's sweet oddity.… Expand
  70. steoC
    Dec 8, 2006
    8
    ohh yess
  71. DudeDoe
    Jan 23, 2007
    0
    Didn't expect anything good from an album lead by a "lady sovereign'esque pop grime beat meets yodel"-single like "Wind It Up", and boy, how right I was. This album is a frankenstein made of pop-cultural remains, just like Ms. Stefani herself.
  72. andrewarctic
    Feb 17, 2007
    9
    best pop album of 2007
  73. MaxImum
    Jun 18, 2007
    0
    This album is so annoying! and so is Gwen Stefani.
  74. dyker
    Dec 12, 2006
    0
    Are your folks serious? Gwen was cool when she emulated Bjork. She was ok when she looked on Madonna for inspiration. Now on this record, she sounds like a cheap desperate wannabee hiphop ho who can neither rap nor sing.
  75. SabrinaG
    Dec 19, 2006
    0
    Nothing new...same ole...all of the wigga girls in the industry can sing each other's bubble gum stuff and you wouldn't miss a thing. You're 39, not 19.
  76. ValtteriH
    Dec 19, 2006
    8
    "Early winter" is an absolute beaute of a song - best track on the album. "Wonderful life", "4 in the morning" and "U started it" are good poptunes as well. She got lucky with "Wind it up", "The sweet escape" and "Now that U got it". The rest we have already heard... Gwen, a word of advice: get rid of The Neptunes and look for new talent.
  77. Jenny
    Dec 19, 2006
    2
    Gwen didn't seem to know the difference between wonderfully wacky and totally annoying. This album is awful.
  78. ixata
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    i dont understand d critics... n evn allmusicguide gave less den 80 when diz record shud be 100!! i agree wit Valterri, "early winter" is a masterpiece... an emotional number, too... wind it up is an ingenious production and the sampling of "the sound of music" is a hell of an idea -in a good way-! this rocks even better than LAMB!
  79. GagaForGhibli
    Nov 7, 2012
    8
    I Like This Album Alot! I Do Feel Like A Few Of The Songs Felt Rushed Which Effected This Album With Critic's And Fans.. But I Really Enjoyed It Alot! Gwen If Fore Sure Not Going Down Hill!
  80. Frogmime
    Jul 11, 2012
    9
    The songs that are best are The Sweet escape , Early winter , 4 in the morning , Don't get it twisted and Wonderful life The other songs are ok and good but the worst song is breaking up which is totally stupid but ignore that its a good album :)
  81. MusicForever
    Dec 23, 2012
    8
    Just A Great Classic Album!
  82. BWETMatangi
    Aug 14, 2013
    9
    I love it! With songs like "Orange County Girl", "Don't Get It Twisted", and "Breakin' Up", what's not to love? Gwen is a much better solo singer than in No Doubt.
  83. Glitter
    Aug 30, 2013
    8
    Cementing herself as a pop staple with her debut, L.A.M.B., Stefani returns with a sophomore album that boasts as an athenaeum of marriage between zany dance-pop and classic slow-jam. Tracks such as Wind It Up, Breakin' Up, and Yummy are bizarre, jarring, and alien to the mainstream pop world. But with glistening production and perfect execution, Stefani delivers avant-garde in a time whenCementing herself as a pop staple with her debut, L.A.M.B., Stefani returns with a sophomore album that boasts as an athenaeum of marriage between zany dance-pop and classic slow-jam. Tracks such as Wind It Up, Breakin' Up, and Yummy are bizarre, jarring, and alien to the mainstream pop world. But with glistening production and perfect execution, Stefani delivers avant-garde in a time when pop was lacking such. The Sweet Escape is equally solidified by the aforementioned slow-jams. With tracks such as Fluorescent and U Started It, balancing out the upbeat circus that precedes them. In album where the product is complete, Early Winter and Wonderful Life beg to steal the show, as planets in a sky of stars.… Expand
  84. Annah305
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Gorgeous iconic album, I don't know why people on here have been so negative.
  85. RARE
    Aug 8, 2016
    10
    "The sweet escape" remains one of the best albums of Ms Stefani, the divergeance is incredible include all different styles but this mixture wonder is always something that stopped me in this creation, it is really great
  86. gabsgomes
    Jul 10, 2018
    10
    The album is incredible. Early Winter, 4 In The Morning and so many other tracks are well performed.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2006
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. The Guardian
    80
    Pharrell Williams' production and Stefani's fizzy personality make for an unexpected Christmas treat.
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  2. Slant Magazine
    60
    It's not that The Sweet Escape is an unwelcome diversion or that it comes too soon on the heels of Stefani's debut (it's been two full years), but it's starting to feel like No Doubt's future—you know, the one left in question after 2001's Rock Steady, the band's third consecutive creative zenith—is being squandered amidst all the solo stargazing.
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  3. AllMusic
    60
    If the dance production on The Sweet Escape were better, these hipster affectations would be easier to forgive, but they're not: they're canned and bland, which only accentuates Stefani's stiffness.
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