Music Review by Bill Rendall

The Cranberries

Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We? demonstrates amazing subtlety and maturity of sound for a debut album. A good example is the ambient reversed sounds in 'Not Sorry.' The lengthy album title is a reference to the restrictions imposed on the people of Ireland.

Dolores O'Riordan, the band's singer and principal songwriter, gets most of the credit for the band's sound. However, the contribution of Feargal Lawlor on drums should not be underestimated. Listen to 'Dreams' for a good example of an interesting drum track alternating between a sparse reggae influenced beat and a driving rock beat. I have heard a cover version of "Dreams' which uses a bland generic drum pattern to the great detriment of the song.

O'Riordan writes refreshingly direct lyrics. Personal relationships are a common subject. She also draws inspiration from the political and religious problems that have long plagued Ireland. Some lyrics work on multiple levels. For example, the title track of the Cranberries second album No Need to Argue is about a personal relationship, but I have no doubt the title is also a message for all the people of Ireland, and the world. The anti-war message in the lyrics of the hard rocking 'Zombie' is more direct.

O'Riordan produces many interesting vocal effects, often using multiple overdubs. Sometimes the vocal effects are a bit over the top, such as the yodel-like effect used in the second album in 'Ode to My Family' and 'Zombie' but they are generally very good. At the end of 'Daffodil Lament' and in 'No Need to Argue' she demonstrates that she can perform the choir of angels vocal effect made famous by the Irish musicians Clannad and Enya.

With their strong debut album The Cranberries set themselves a very high standard to follow. They didn't risk changing their formula with their second album. Although very similar in style it does contain a lot of good songs and is a worthy successor.

Their third album, To The Faithful Departed, signals a change in musical direction. 'Hollywood' opens the album with clean, chorused guitar arpeggios in typical Cranberries style. But then after a pause there is a sharp contrast with a heavy distorted guitar playing a jarring tritone. I can see fans scuttling for cover on first hearing this.

There is also a change in the lyrical content with politics featuring more overtly. The overall quality of the songs is a bit patchy compared to Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We? but there are enough good tracks to make it worth a listen.

Like many other bands The Cranberries have struck difficulty in varying their musical style in an effort to keep their music fresh and relevant. The Cranberries have been unable to repeat the commercial success of their early albums with their later releases.