No Doubt are known for two things - one huge hit and Gwen Stefani being Gavin Rossdale's other half.   'Don't Speak' was number one in 1996 and the break-through the ska band were looking for.  Ironic Stefani's band had got what Rossdale's Bush (sorry, does that sound rude?) had been craving for (and still are) - recognition over this side of the Atlantic.

Since then, the glitter-babe and her buddies have had a few more respectable chart entries (largely from the last LP Rock Steady) but not enough to deserve a greatest hits album.  So, it is with some surprise a live DVD has been issued of a gig they played for in front of several thousand people in California.  When?  It doesn't say on the sleeve. 

Knowing quite well No Doubt aren't fantastic live (just from their live TV appearances alone), what little optimism remaining is quickly wiped out when Stefani hits the first note for the opening song 'Hella Good'.  A superbly sexy song on record, it's a damp squib live, with Stefani's vocals bizarrely deeper (How?  Why?)  and all her jumping around and scissor-kicking does nothing to hide the lacklustre performance.

The camera work is horrendous, shot at awkward angles around the stage, often far away from the band and the overall performance has no life - it's simply boring.

While they could be forgiven for including bonus material comprising of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the nature in which they are shown is confusing, insipid and pointless.  An example of Stefani getting ready to go to a club where she's performing with Christina Applegate and Carmen Electra in front of Cameron Diaz and Hugh Hefner is excruciatingly dull.  All it is, is her camp stylist preening Stefani while she asks for her boots and clothes to be laid out (albeit politely).  The trouble she goes to just to step out of the front door involves hours of meticulously applying some slap on her face and tying scraps of fabric over a tiny bikini top. 

The only thing that rocks on here is Gwen's glittery gold eye-shadow.  The DVD, like the drummer's habit of not wearing a shirt and trousers, is pants.
(1/5)

Release Date: 24 November 2004

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Rock Steady