Rolling Stone (May 19th 1998)

‘Magic’ To Follow No Doubt’s ‘Tragic’

Five months into writing their fourth album, No Doubt have completed twenty songs and have a tentative title: Magic's in the Makeup. "That's what I'm leaning toward right now," said singer Gwen Stefani, adding that it's also the title of her favorite new track. Others potentially slotted for the follow-up to the thirteen-million-selling Tragic Kingdom album include Dark Blue, New and I Think I'm Pregnant.

"Only kidding about that last one," Stefani said, noting that she and boyfriend Gavin Rossdale of Bush don't have any foreseeable announcements to make. "There was a song called that but it changed."

Speaking at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards Monday night -- where No Doubt scooped up most-performed-song nods for "Don't Speak" and "Spiderwebs" -- Stefani said her band still has half the writing process ahead of it. "I'm hoping to write another twenty songs," the singer said, and she described the material summoned so far as having "a really cool vibe."

The Anaheim, Calif. quintet has been quietly working in a rented house on Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills. "It's got a beautiful view," said Stefani. "Tony (bassist Kanal) is the only one that's living there, but we come every day and work on songs." The new album is due late this year or early next.

In other No Doubt news, the band will reportedly cover "Hateful" for an upcoming tribute to punk pioneers the Clash, due August 25. In addition, the band's recording of a song called "I Throw My Toys Around," written and produced by Elvis Costello, will appear on the soundtrack to the Rugrats movie, due through Interscope by year's end. And on the Brian Setzer Orchestra's next album, Dirty Boogie, Stefani duets with the former Stray Cat on "You're the Boss," a tune recorded by Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret for Viva Las Vegas but edited out. Look for that one June 30.