English, baby!

No Doubt

Date: Jun 01 2009

Themes: Friend, Party

Grammar: Direct vs. Reported Speech

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Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

go with
ska

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

It’s been five years since the last time No Doubt went on tour, and even longer since they released their last studio album, Rock Steady. But it’s not like the band members haven’t been keeping busy. After leaving the group to go solo in 2004, lead singer Gwen Stefani put out two hit albums of her own. Oh, and she also got married, started a clothing line, and had a couple of babies.

Now there’s good news for fans of the band who felt betrayed when Stefani went solo. No Doubt has reunited, with plans to go on tour and start working on a new album this summer.

Devan has been a No Doubt super-fan for years. She’ll probably be one of the first people in line to buy tickets for their summer tour. Listen to her and Dale talk about the band.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dale

Devan

Dale: Have you heard of No Doubt?

Devan: Of course! I only spent my entire childhood being obsessed with them. And did you know that they’re going on tour this summer for the first time in five years? I’m so excited.

Dale: So during those five years when they separated, Gwen Stefani did her own thing, right?

Devan: Yeah. She was doing her solo thing. It’s like she took a break from the ska band. It was kind of like almost as if she was cheating on the band.

Dale: Do you think she was cheating?

Devan: A little bit, I think so, because she said before that she would never go solo, and then she did. And she completely just dumped their ska roots and went and did her own pop thing. But…but no, they’re back together now and I’m really excited.

Dale: So she’s not going to go back to being a solo artist?

Devan: I think she’ll probably do another solo album again too. But for now she just wants to reunite with the band. Yeah, they’re going on tour, and I’m definitely gonna see them, and I’ll be skanking in the audience.

Dale: Do you think Gwen Stefani is better as a solo artist or with the band?

Devan: I gotta go with the band.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Devan is excited for No Doubt to go on tour this summer. She’s loved them since they first became popular, in the mid-1990s.

Dale asks Devan about lead singer Gwen Stefani’s solo career. Devan feels like Stefani betrayed the band by going solo, since she once said that she would never leave No Doubt. The music she made on her own had more of a pop sound. Some people were upset that she abandoned her ska roots.

Do you like Gwen Stefani better as a solo artist, with her band, No Doubt? Do you think it’s wrong for a lead singer to quit her band and go solo?

Comments

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ciberd7

Brazil

I really adore Gwen and her style of music and life. I think She´s a great lead singer and she was not wrong in doing what´s better for her, althought it´s a hard work to do.

Singer cannnot please everyone, they must do what´s necessary for helping them keeping on the music scene. If she decided to take a break and start singing by her own, it´s all a choice of hers and I think She got along with her fans like when she was singing together.

kusachaya

Russian Federation

Question four in Quizz – why "ska" doesn't belong?

venia

Ukraine

As for me I like music of Gven Stefeny and NoDoubt. They have a different type of music, and I can't compare them. Songs of Gven have a romantic, love fellings and NoDoubt has more rock and energy character. I'm glad they're together now…..Let's Rock!!!!

boujour

China

I noticed this repleys and someone recommend their song DON'T SPEAK。 I have listened to it and download it this today morning. Really very nice song and deserved to listen. So,whatever it happend, I just know they had given us nice songs, for sure. That's enough^. That's just my opition.

Sculpture

Latvia

I like No Doubt, the song Don't speak is may favourite. and I also like song – 4 in the morning (Gwen Stefani). I like Gwen better as a solo artist.

autumn leaf

China

I have no idea about this band. But I think it is really great from this article.

Dellsey

Slovakia

you just can't sue people.. everything is changing .. so sometimes even this kind of decision can means something good..

tiagon85

Brazil

When I was a teenager I used to listen No Doubt´s songs and I liked it. Actually, I own one CD of them, but They have been out of media that I just forgot that band!!

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

In fact, i dont know much about gwen stefani`s carrier, i really like one no doubt`s song `dont speak`, then i think all artists have their dreams and sometimes they leave their bands cause they want do their own thing, some make it some not, its like they just shine with their band, together, i cant imagine big bands like U2 break up, or bono does his own thing, he`s talented but i dont know im used to see him with his band.

Vivian83

Taiwan

I like No Doubt!

Fernandinha

Brazil

Nice they are back. I wasn't a big fan of them but I will listen to their new songs from now.

Whitney S

Colombia

there is NO DOUBT this band rocks, it's one of the best bands all over the world

I like all of their songs

miffoo

Slovakia

No Doubt is great band!!!

rebel lee

China

None of my business. whatever her what

marry jane

Viet Nam

i think that Gwen Stefani is the best singer on over the world so she must escape herself from small band to develop her music life-work. It's real!

Radiowagner

Brazil

I listen No Doubt since 90', but I don't listen Gwen Stefani solo. No Doubt is a differente group and I think that is positive the return.

bartek

Poland

I like No Doubt when I was younger, I think that left band and solo career was wrong. I don't like her, when she was played as a solo artist. But it depends – sometimes quit a band and start a sign solo is better for the artist, someone can do huge success

Zeerak

Australia

well, i think you have to tolerate if your in band, and most of time you can not show up your skills which you can do by go solo. So it depends to the band.

n0b0dyzperfect

France

I think it's a good idea for a lead singer to quit his/her band. Many lead singers do that. It's a good experience for them. Then, they can bring much to the band eg: J.R Richards from Dishwalla. My fav' rock band :)