Gwen Stefani Cool

We've all had that moment when we sense that things are about to change. For Gwen Stefani that epiphany occurred as a high school senior in Orange County. "I remember being this 17 year-old girl, in love and really excited about my future with the boy that I thought was going to be my husband and we'd have babies and that, "she pauses, "was my passion. Then I learned that I could write songs and that is when my life changed. I went from being this really passive girl to 'Oh my God. This makes me feel so powerful when I write these words.' It was such a turning point to find that I had a talent and I had something to contribute, somewhere."

Mission accomplished. As lead singer and songwriter for Grammy-winners No Doubt, and over the course of the group's four platinum-plus albums, Gwen Stefani has reigned as one of rock's most iconic and cool females.

The name of Gwen Stefani's much anticipated debut album is Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and it is absolute Gwen. It's rhythmic, rebellious, confessional, sexy, fierce, playful, funky, ballsy, emotional and oh yeah, very f'in cool. Working with an eclectic array of musicians and producers who rep everything from new wave to hip-hop, Gwen has fashioned an album that shimmers with exuberance, which was the plan from the start. "I definitely wanted to make a record that would get underneath the skin," Gwen offers. "I wanted to make a very good feeling, classic upbeat dance record that when you first heard it, it would be your guilty pleasure."

A "solo" effort from a member of a popular band always begs the question: how will this be different? "That was the big controversy because for years people were pulling (No Doubt) apart. I never for one minute thought that I'd go solo. It never crossed my mind, except when people would ask me. The real difference is that with No Doubt everything is a full collaboration, everybody has their vote and their energy: we're a real band. Nothing would be without all of us. Working with (new collaborators) and letting people in to try new melodies and new lyrical ideas was very hard. The idea was to be open and let my ego shut up and sit over in the corner and make something great based on a concept. That's why I don't really see this as a 'solo' record in the typical sense. It's an art project; it's me collaborating with some different people to create something magical."

For more on the amazing Gwen Stefani Story visit: www.gwenstefani.com