The Cranberries: Bury The Hatchet : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

For all their success since 1993's "Linger," the Cranberries never convincingly rocked. The Limerick, Ireland, quartet's fourth album gives in to their solid melodic instincts once and for all. Amid the simple, shimmering pop numbers ("Animal Instinct," "You and Me," "Saving Grace") and earnest acoustics ("Shattered"), the Cranberries goof on rhythm and singer Dolores O'Riordan tempers her harsh Celtic nasalities. "Desperate Andy" bounces and dips tirelessly; "Loud and Clear" features silly lyrics ("People are stranger/People in danger") and a vaguely ska beat; "Just My Imagination" could pass for "Our House" drained of Madness' wacky stridency. The band's arena-size arrangements pump up these modest tunes - "Copycat" races like "Salvation" did, without that single's self-righteousness, and "Delilah" pounds away mercilessly. On "Promises," O'Riordan sounds characteristically shrill and perky while guitar chords whang and the drums audition for Survivor. These youthful old pros have never sounded more winning or unified.