Bouquet (Alternate Artwork)＜Orchid Vinyl＞

The middle-of-the-road contemporary country of Gwen Stefanis fifth album, Bouquet, is far removed from the electrifying pop of her earlier solo work, let alone the energy and attitude she brought to No Doubt. Based around a loose, running theme of flower metaphors and references, Bouquet is a collection of toned-down, affable tunes with glints of country twang embroidered into their hyper-clean production. The country affectation is at its heaviest in the sleepy, shuffling balladry of "Empty Vase" (complete with pedal steel licks tastefully low in the mix) and "Purple Irises," a duet between Stefani and her country star spouse, Blake Shelton. While it almost exclusively opts for mellow, reflective tones, Bouquet isnt completely disconnected from the excitement and verve of Stefanis earlier catalog. Opening track "Somebody Elses" musters up some of the bounce and punch that flowed naturally out of every corner of The Sweet Escape, and the mature, reserved acoustic verses of "Swallow My Tears" make way for hooky choruses. For the most part, however, Bouquet is a hollow shell of the artistry that Stefani once displayed at every turn. As basic, personality-free country-rock records go, Bouquet is perfectly serviceable. Coming from Stefani, however, even over a decade removed from her last truly stunning creative statements, the embrace of mediocrity feels especially glaring. ~ Fred Thomas

ソロ・デビュー20年の節目で届いた通算5作目。ここ数年で改めてヒップホップ～レゲエ路線の曲を出したり、五輪絡みでアンダーソン・パークとのコラボなどもあったが、今回は夫のブレイク・シェルトンと共演した"Purple Irises"路線の楽曲で固められている。全編をブレイクと同じスコット・ヘンドリックスが制作しつつ、そうした布陣やジャケの雰囲気に反して実態はカントリー作品ではなく、70～80年代テイストのポップ・ロックが満載。ふとシンディ・ローパーを思い出す冒頭の"Somebody Else's"から気を衒わないストレートなポップさが清々しい。進歩的だった彼女が伝統的な側面を強調した意欲作だ。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ