New Albums

* No Doubt, “Rock Steady,” Interscope. After some serious soul-searching on last year’s “Return of Saturn,” Gwen and the gang come back with a dance record--as in danceable and generally upbeat. The album’s big-pop sound suits the fluffy material, which mixes pledges of romantic devotion with undercurrents of insecurity in Stefani’s tough-yet-traditional-girl style. With so many collaborators (including Prince and producer William Orbit) giving each track the right vibe, it’s a wonder the band still sounds like itself. But not even the sonic polish can make the ideas interesting.

*

Also: Chava Alberstein, “Foreign Letters,” Rounder

Blaque, “Blaque Out,” Columbia

The Church, “Numbers,” Thirsty Ear

Krishna Das, “Breath of the Heart,” Triloka

Nate Dogg, “Music and Me,” Elektra

Warren G, “Return of the Regulator,” Universal

Joe, “Better Days,” Jive

Mobb Deep, “Infamy,” Loud/Columbia

Scissorfight, “Mantrapping for Sport and Profit,” Tortuga

Slaughter & the Dogs, “Beware Of,” TKO

Various artists, “The Majestic,” soundtrack, Hollywood

Various artists, “The Royal Tenenbaums,” soundtrack, Hollywood

Various artists, “Vanilla Sky,” soundtrack, Reprise

*

--from the review by Natalie Nichols