Tragic Kingdom

Gwen Stefani's relationship with bassist Tony Kanal became part of the material for Tragic Kingdom, including the breakup song “Don't Speak.” No Doubt placed that private history beside brisk ska rhythms, guitar-heavy pop and the pointed frustration of “Just a Girl.”

“Spiderwebs” opens with horns and a quick rhythmic bounce, establishing a different mood from the album's best-known ballad. The sequence makes room for both without losing the band's character. Stefani's movement between playful phrasing and a more exposed delivery helps connect songs that approach tension from very different angles.