Fridae

Ms Scary was practicing her Camille walk ("This is my signature walk, and this is what's going to make me famous." - America's Next Top Model 2) at The Heeren when she heard a most distinctive voice screeching from HMV.

Recognising the demented banshee-like voice, Ms Scary rushed into the shop to pick out Ms Gwen Stefani's Love, Angel, Music, Baby (or LAMB for short) and was naturally thrilled that the former No Doubt frontwoman has finally gone solo (good riddance to bad band mates I say!).

As an ardent Gwennabee, Ms Scary has always looked to the funky fashionista for style tips - especially on how to dress like a mall slut - and was therefore pleased to bits when Ms Stefani appears on the gorgeous lava-lamp effect inspired cover in all her tacky glory!

With the release of LAMB, Ms Stefani has discarded the signature ska and punk sounds of No Doubt and embarked on an adrenaline filled sonic adventure that draws influence from a dizzying array of styles and genres.

Produced by an impressive list of who's who in the music industry including Nelle Hooper, Dr Dre, Andre 3000 (Outkast), The Neptunes, etc; LAMB features top notch production and idiosyncratic pop tunes quite unlike any Ms Scary has ever heard before (and that's saying a lot since Ms Scary listens to sounds of mating sperm whales and freestyle country yodeling).

Sounding brash yet sexy, opinionated yet playful, the platinum blonde bombshell sings about her passions: fashion ("Is it Comme des Garcons? Vivienne Westwood can't go wrong..." ["Rich Girl"]); Japanese pop culture ("Harajuku Girls"); and girl power ("Working so hard every night and day. And now we get the pay back" ["Luxurious"]) etc.

Featuring 13 tracks, LAMB includes the electro-funk "What You Waiting For?", the first single and best track on the album; the Dr Dre produced "Rich Girl" reworked from "If I Were A Rich Man" (Fiddler on the Roof); two versions of "The Real Thing" featuring New Order and Wendy and Lisa; and the Bring It On worthy "Hollaback Girl" which nearly causes Ms Scary to reach for her poms poms and execute groin threatening midair splits.

Naturally, as this is her first solo outing, there are dubs such as the discordant sounding "Bubble Pop Electric" in which she duets with Andre 3000's alter ego Johnny Vulture and the other Andre 3000 collaboration "Long Way To Go" in which Ms Stefani does a commentary on race relations only to end up sounding like a pop strumpet suffering from Premature Serious Artiste Syndrome.

Overall, a commendable, though uneven, pelvis pumping first effort.