Description

Irish alt-rockers the Cranberries became Top 40 superstars following the stateside release of their debut album, 1993's EVERYBODY'S DOING IT SO WHY CAN'T WE? The band's blend of alternative rock and dreamy pop was the perfect musical backdrop for lead singer Dolores O'Riordan's distinct combination of brassy rock vocals and ethereal crooning. Despite considerable chart success, the band went on an indefinite hiatus in the early 2000s.

Biography

This band, emanating from Limerick, Eire, boasts the honeyed voice of frontperson Dolores O'Riordan (b. Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan, 6 September 1971, Ballybricken, Limerick, Eire). From a conservative, rural Catholic background, she had sung since the age of four in schools and churches. Her guitarist and main co-songwriter is Noel Hogan (b. 25 December 1971), and the line-up is completed by his brother, Mike (b. 29 April 1973; bass), and Feargal Lawler (b. 4 March 1971; drums). The male members had been involved as a band for some time but it had never amounted to much until they joined forces with O'Riordan. The band's original vocalist had given them their previous name - The Cranberry Saw Us. Their debut EP Uncertain was released in late 1991 on the Xeric label, whose owner, Pearse Gilmore, became their manager. With its circulation the buzz surrounding the band transferred to the UK, where Island Records underwent tough negotiations (not least due to Gilmore's self-interested protectionism) to tie up a six-album contract. However, Uncertain disappointed many journalists who had been given a preview of the far superior songs on the demo (which included "Put Me Down", "Dreams" and "Linger"). Sessions for their debut album also produced rancour, with Gilmore attempting to act as producer, leading to the end of that relationship.
The band contacted Rough Trade Records founder Geoff Travis, who had been interested in signing them but who instead took over management (with Jeanette Lee, a former member of Public Image Limited). The album was started from scratch at Windmill Studios, Dublin, with Stephen Street. Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? was finally issued in March 1993, following the release of "Dreams" and "Linger" as singles. By now much of the original impetus had dissipated, though a 1993 tour with Belly at least seemed to offer some exposure. It helped the band renew their confidence, and was followed by dates with Hothouse Flowers. However, it was American audiences who would first truly appreciate the band. On 10 June they began a six-week tour with The The and they were picked up by college radio. The USA proved to have none of the preconceptions associated with the capricious British press, and the band soon became a hot radio and concert ticket.
In July 1994, O'Riordan married their tour manager, Don Burton, in a ceremony distinguished by her see-through bridal attire. The Americans kept buying the album in their droves, and it was also successful in the UK, reaching number 1 in the album chart in June 1994. No Need To Argue followed in October, and with its release the Cranberries were crowned as the new kings of AOR. Including the strong single "Zombie" (despite its rather crude and untimely lyrics concerning the Northern Ireland struggle), the album caused the band to be welcomed anew by the UK media that had long since deserted them. The only doubt hanging over the band's future was the much-repeated opinion that O'Riordan was the star and that, ultimately, she did not need her compatriots.
Fortunately this notion was in abeyance on To The Faithful Departed, as both chiming guitar and solid drums were very much in the picture. The instruments were solid as O'Riordan wafted in and out with more political diatribes and tortured love stories. This time, "Bosnia" and the anti-drugs song "Salvation" shared space with the perplexing "I Just Shot John Lennon" and the wonderful doo-wop-styled "When You're Gone', all contributing to another hit of considerable magnitude, although those undecided should digest John Mulvey's highly critical review in the UK's New Musical Express, which offers a different appraisal and food for thought. After an extended hiatus, the band returned with 1999"s Bury The Hatchet, which struggled to reassert their commercial and critical status.
DISCOGRAPHY: Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (Island 1993)****, No Need To Argue (Island 1994)****, To The Faithful Departed (Island 1996)***, Sa Va Bella (For Lady Legends) (Qwest/Warners 1997)****, Bury The Hatchet (Island 1999)**, Wake Up And Smell The Coffee (Island 2001)***.
COMPILATIONS: Treasure Box 4-CD box set (Island 2002)****.
l CD-ROMS: Doors And Windows (Philips 1995)**.
VIDEOGRAPHY: Live (Island 1994), Beneath The Skin: Live In Paris (Aviva 2001), Stars: The Best Of Videos 1992-2002 (Universal 2002).
BIBLIOGRAPHY: The Cranberries, Stuart Bailee.

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