When I reflect back on my constantly shifting musical taste through the years, The Cranberries were definitely a part of my vastly growing CD collection, so when I learned that the Irish rock band was getting back together for the first time in 10 years, I was pretty excited. Released on February 27th, Roses is the sixth studio album by The Cranberries and their first album in 10 years. It’s AMAZING to me that it’s been that long. Produced by Stephen Street (The Cranberries, The Smiths, Blur), Roses serves as the follow up to 2001’s Wake Up and Smell The Coffee. After a six year hiatus, which included a two album solo run by lead singer Dolores O’Riordan, the band is back to their old Irish rockin’ ways.
Back in January The Cranberries released a video for their first official single, “Tomorrow.” In a recent interview with Billboard, O’Riordan described what the song is all about;
“It’s about the way we sometimes hyper over-escalate things in our minds, over think about thinks…when sometimes spontaneity and just jumping in is better….It’s really about moving on and also about kid of looking at the younger generation and how they worry about all kinds of silly things. They don’t think they’re silly, but when you’re older you know better.”
Nice to see that the band is still mellow as ever. When I heard about the reunion, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from the sound but I am pleased with the results. They sound just as they ever did. Roses peaked at #17 on the Irish Album charts, and at #39 on the Billboard 200. Hey! I’ll take it! That’s a better showing than Wake Up and Smell The Coffee, which only managed to come in at #46 back in 2001.
When I think back to the time of my life when I would blast songs from their first three albums; Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, No Need To Argue and To the Faithful Departed, I was a completely different person. When I was younger, “Alt Rock” kind of fit my mood. It wasn’t until after high school that my tastes really started to shift in a more Top 40 direction. This shift correlates almost perfectly with my coming out story. Before coming out my Junior year of high school, I was heavy into alternative rock music, listening to everything from Creed and Nickelback (SHOOT ME NOW) to The Cranberries, Green Day and Tonic. Going even FARTHER back to my Junior High years, “gay” vs. “straight” wasn’t even a fathomable concept for me. During these years I was singing my heart out along with Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Paula Abdul. It wasn’t until I started having to suppress who I really was that I started listening to “Alt Rock.” I find that really interesting. Now that I am completely comfortable with who I am, pop and electronica rule the roost, but every so often I like to go back and listen to favorite tracks from yesteryear. Good music is good music and The Cranberries are still making good music.
Download Roses on U.S. iTunes HERE and watch the Colin McIvor-directed video for “Tomorrow” below.
Check out The Cranberries on the web: