Eh Tu, Gwen?

Gwen Stefani has betrayed me.

Don't get me wrong. It happened awhile ago. Nothing she's done lately could really surprise me.

It all started back in high school when Gwen introduced me to SKA as a young girl. And like any young girl with her head full of ideals, I fell in love. The "Tragic Kingdom" CD was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I loved the combination of Gwen's incredible voice and the big band sound of horns in the background. When people always asked me what my favorite kind of music was and I said SKA, they invariably asked "What?" with a confused look on their face. I always explained it to them as a mix of swing and punk rock. How could a teenager NOT love that?

When "Return of Saturn" came out I don't think I really noticed that there weren't as many horns in the background. I could tell it was a little more techno like, but it didn't really bother me because Gwen's incredible voice was still being used to good effect. I liked the CD pretty well.

And then when I was in college my dad bought me "Rock Steady."

I'm not a total idiot. I know R&B crap when I hear it.
No horns at all.

Gwen's gorgeous voice, barely utilized.

I was so disgusted I gave it to my sister so I would never have to hear it again.
What happened to the Gwen who loved SKA? The Gwen who made me fall in love with that incredible combination of instruments and amazing singing?

Gwen had betrayed me. And not just me. Punk rock and SKA lovers everywhere.

This crap with no instruments where she barely used the amazing set of pipes she had was a complete travesty. The Gwen Stefani I knew and loved was gone.

Now it's like my friend David says. Every time Gwen Stefani sings "Hella Good" somewhere a little punk rocker yells out "Oi!" and dies.

Recently I heard a Gwen Stefani song on the radio that actually had horns in the back. It reminded me of the good old days with No Doubt. Dare I hope perhaps she's repented of her evil ways and will see the light and go back to the SKA sound so many of us love?

I doubt it. She probably just wants another excuse to musically knife me in the back.

Shame on you Gwen Stefani for forgetting who you are so you can run around with rappers and cute little Japanese girls that you won't even let speak English in public.

And someone please tell her she's not black.

If she truly comes back to SKA, stops appearing with all those artists and people who are nothing like her, then and only then will I consider forgiveness. She was the one artist I thought would always stay true to her roots. She seemed like a misfit, like me and others. The pink hair, the crazy videos, they really spoke to me, and I know I'm not the only one. Sure I was in high school at the time but it hasn't changed the fact that I still love the old Gwen, and the old No Doubt music. To this day I think it's some of the best.

So I just can't help but think, et tu Gwen?