The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani

Clever lyrics about the twists and turns of love.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
4
Heard the music? Review it
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Music details
  • Artist(s): Gwen Stefani
  • Genre: Pop
  • Label: Interscope Records
  • Parental Advisory: Yes
  • Edited Version: Yes
  • Release Date: 12/05/2006

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that Gwen Stefani's voice has a way of cutting through. Lyrics can be heard loud and clear, so parents who are sticklers for sexual innuendo (addressing complex sexual and relationship issues) and occasional four-letter words (mostly "s--t") will definitely notice them when they pop up. The "clean" version is well-produced, providing an alternative that's edited less clumsily than most.

Families can talk about the unique percussion tracks Gwen Stefani uses on these songs. How does the beat affect mood or message? If you played any of these songs with a different rhythm, would that change the meaning?

Message

Social Behavior:

All over the map... alternately pissy and poignant. Also Stefani said in an interview with EW that the look she was going for on the album cover was that of a "coke whore."

Consumerism:

CD includes insert ad for ringtones.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Some heavy-breathing innuendo. One song is about a pregnancy scare.

Language

"S--t" is used several times.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Not surprisingly, Ms. Stefani's clever phrasing and intelligent lyrics, along with her in-your-face delivery, are the stars of the show on her second solo album, THE SWEET ESCAPE. But the fun doesn't end there, as we move from the loopy counter-intuitive changes on "Wind It Up" (beginning with a bit of "The Lonely Goatherd" from The Sound of Music), through a hypnotic bongo-beat on "Yummy," all the way through to the dance-club ambiance of "U Started It." Lyrics are quick-witted and contain a lot of heavy breathing, mostly dealing with the twists and turns of romantic entanglements.

Is it any good?

4
Quirky surprises, often involving the creative use of percussion and rhythm tracks, make this CD percolate and sizzle. Songs careens through a variety of statements and styles, including R&B, pop, and even musical theater influences. Though there's no breathtaking energizer like "Hollaback Girl" here, you'll still find a collection of worthwhile songs. Once again, Gwen Stefani has presented the world with a smart, passionate, and eclectic collection of tunes.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 26 reviews.

Age 13+
4


Posted on 07/28/08 by singersmartguy17 Adult contributor

not for kids!!!!

This is a great album for people mature enough. As an adult, I love this album. It's full of fun, catchy songs! However, parents must be warned about several profanities. Also, sexual innuendos are everywhere, especially in "Yummy." This is definitely not for kids, but is a great cd for adults and older teens.
4


Posted on 01/04/08 by bloodstained_temptation Kid contributor, age 16

Great from Stefani.

Excellent CD, not for under-11s. It has fun, up-tempo songs, some b!%chy, some post-breakup depressed, everything in-between. Me likey!
5


Posted on 01/02/08 by PambaMaster Kid contributor, age 14

Out of Context

I just want to point out that that coke whore remark is out of context. She is copying the look from a character in Scarface who she describes as a coke whore. Gwen is a good person who makes good music.
4


Posted on 10/27/07 by awfuldude32 (Formerly gamecubefreak32/evildude32) Kid contributor, age 13

Awesome CD

I love Gwen Stefani. She's like a visionary. Her new CD is very funky, sounds like Partridge Family or The Beatles, but not as good as them of course. The Parental Advisory is totally unneeded. There's an f-word in "Orange County Girl" and a few s-words scattered around. Also there's a lot of sex. One song is called "Yummy" for one reason only! And "5 In The Morning" is about a pregnancy scare. That's all, I think it's ok for 12+.
5


Posted on 09/28/07 by KelandryOfTortall Kid contributor, age 13

I love gwen stefani

Gwen Stefani's CD is not innappropriate (except Yummy- um.... just um.), its a ton of fun. I LOVE the song 'now that you got it.' Thats my new favorite! :D Gwen Stefani's like my role model. usually Not for kids under 11 years old. Depends on the kid, though. xoxo K of T P.S. If you dont like Gwen Stefani then why did you buy or listen to her CD? And if you're a parent and you're complaining about 'innappropriate material', what did you think the "parental advisory" sticker was for? sheesh.
4


Posted on 09/11/07 by jezzel Kid contributor, age 17

i love this album!

gwen is clever. its kind of funky but clean.
Age 13+
4


Posted on 08/18/07 by Michael G. Adult contributor

Gwen Gwen's Second Solo!!

I loved "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." "Hollaback Girl" rocked. "Rich Girl" smoked. "Cool" is one of the best soft rock songs ever. "Crash"...is okay.:) I have mixed feelings about this album. I definitely don't like it as much as Gwen's first. The singles from this album were/are "Sweet Escape", "4 in the Morning", and "Wind It Up". I don't really like "Sweet Escape". It's annoying..."4 in the Morning" is an okay song, not the best, not my favorite. "Wind It Up" is not that great..Sort of..disturbing? Actually? The best songs off of the album are "Wonderful Life", "U Started It", "Orange County Girl", and "Flourescent". "Early Winter" is a fine song too..*winks* I actually like "Yummy"..no matter how messed up that song is...*giggles* "Now That You've Got It" sucks...big time...Really bad, Gwen!! "Breakin' Up" is an okay song..I like it...And...that's it...isn't it?? *did I forget any?* :) Yah...buy this album is you're a Gwen fan...Or if you like to dance your --- off!! :) I think that "Orange County Girl" is the best song on the album...Others might not say so, but, compared to the other material on the album...*cough* "Now That You've Got It" *cough*
5


Posted on 08/06/07 by movies make me :) Kid contributor, age 9

sweet song

4


Posted on 07/14/07 by moviecritic Kid contributor, age 14

4

Posted on 07/05/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

Hmmm

Well, this is defiantly not appropriate for my age(11) but it has some good songs in it. Yummy is just about the worst song I've ever heard, and Don't Get It Twisted has many curses. But overall, most of her songs are pretty good.

See all 26 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

Age 13+
4


Posted on 07/28/08 by singersmartguy17 Adult contributor

not for kids!!!!

This is a great album for people mature enough. As an adult, I love this album. It's full of fun, catchy songs! However, parents must be warned about several profanities. Also, sexual innuendos are everywhere, especially in "Yummy." This is definitely not for kids, but is a great cd for adults and older teens.
Age 13+
4


Posted on 08/18/07 by Michael G. Adult contributor

Gwen Gwen's Second Solo!!

I loved "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." "Hollaback Girl" rocked. "Rich Girl" smoked. "Cool" is one of the best soft rock songs ever. "Crash"...is okay.:) I have mixed feelings about this album. I definitely don't like it as much as Gwen's first. The singles from this album were/are "Sweet Escape", "4 in the Morning", and "Wind It Up". I don't really like "Sweet Escape". It's annoying..."4 in the Morning" is an okay song, not the best, not my favorite. "Wind It Up" is not that great..Sort of..disturbing? Actually? The best songs off of the album are "Wonderful Life", "U Started It", "Orange County Girl", and "Flourescent". "Early Winter" is a fine song too..*winks* I actually like "Yummy"..no matter how messed up that song is...*giggles* "Now That You've Got It" sucks...big time...Really bad, Gwen!! "Breakin' Up" is an okay song..I like it...And...that's it...isn't it?? *did I forget any?* :) Yah...buy this album is you're a Gwen fan...Or if you like to dance your --- off!! :) I think that "Orange County Girl" is the best song on the album...Others might not say so, but, compared to the other material on the album...*cough* "Now That You've Got It" *cough*
Age 11+
5

Posted on 04/21/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Wind It Up!!!!!!!!

Realy good album has some language like in Don't get twisted but is ok.
Age 13+
5


Posted on 04/12/07 by VolleyGalMAD Adult contributor

Sweet Song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A MUST Listen To Song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Age 13+
4

Posted on 02/25/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Woo-hoo,,.yee-hoo..

This a good CD. My daughter (13) has it and I listen to it now, too. It's pretty much appropriate for her age, so 13+.
Age 2+
5


Posted on 12/21/06 by kuteyg Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 20 reviews.

4


Posted on 01/04/08 by bloodstained_temptation Kid contributor, age 16

Great from Stefani.

Excellent CD, not for under-11s. It has fun, up-tempo songs, some b!%chy, some post-breakup depressed, everything in-between. Me likey!
5


Posted on 01/02/08 by PambaMaster Kid contributor, age 14

Out of Context

I just want to point out that that coke whore remark is out of context. She is copying the look from a character in Scarface who she describes as a coke whore. Gwen is a good person who makes good music.
4


Posted on 10/27/07 by awfuldude32 (Formerly gamecubefreak32/evildude32) Kid contributor, age 13

Awesome CD

I love Gwen Stefani. She's like a visionary. Her new CD is very funky, sounds like Partridge Family or The Beatles, but not as good as them of course. The Parental Advisory is totally unneeded. There's an f-word in "Orange County Girl" and a few s-words scattered around. Also there's a lot of sex. One song is called "Yummy" for one reason only! And "5 In The Morning" is about a pregnancy scare. That's all, I think it's ok for 12+.
5


Posted on 09/28/07 by KelandryOfTortall Kid contributor, age 13

I love gwen stefani

Gwen Stefani's CD is not innappropriate (except Yummy- um.... just um.), its a ton of fun. I LOVE the song 'now that you got it.' Thats my new favorite! :D Gwen Stefani's like my role model. usually Not for kids under 11 years old. Depends on the kid, though. xoxo K of T P.S. If you dont like Gwen Stefani then why did you buy or listen to her CD? And if you're a parent and you're complaining about 'innappropriate material', what did you think the "parental advisory" sticker was for? sheesh.
4


Posted on 09/11/07 by jezzel Kid contributor, age 17

i love this album!

gwen is clever. its kind of funky but clean.
5


Posted on 08/06/07 by movies make me :) Kid contributor, age 9

sweet song

4


Posted on 07/14/07 by moviecritic Kid contributor, age 14

4

Posted on 07/05/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

Hmmm

Well, this is defiantly not appropriate for my age(11) but it has some good songs in it. Yummy is just about the worst song I've ever heard, and Don't Get It Twisted has many curses. But overall, most of her songs are pretty good.
4


Posted on 06/19/07 by maddie.moo Kid contributor, age 11

loved

on sexual content do you want it to talk about how gettig pregnant at 16 is good
3

Posted on 05/23/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 9

i laughed

well i think this is good
See all 20 kids reviews >

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