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Rating:
Eleven years of break, children, solo careers, an album canceled in 2003. This is all it took to change the Cranberries, a significant Irish band in the '90s, from a great alternative rock group to an ordinary pop rock band. They seemed to have recovered in 2003, after "Wake Up And Smell The Coffee", with pleasant singles like "Stars" and "New New York" (still orphans), when, after a series of promotional tours, they decided to take yet another break. The break then took on the connotations of a coma, and as any doctor can confirm, when a coma persists for a long time, the damage is irreversible.
"Too young, too proud, too foolish" Dolores says in the first single from "Roses" "Tomorrow", but if they were too young in the '90s, a more appropriate title for this album would have been "too old". As expected, they waited too long to return and, in the meantime, music has changed, and they have found not inconsiderable difficulties in adapting. "Tomorrow" is not a bad track, but neither is it a great one like those from "No Need To Argue", and it completely contradicts what they have done: how can one say "tomorrow might be too late" when you delay an album for eleven years?
Eleven years and half the work already done, only served to produce ordinary pop rock tracks like "So Good" or "Losing My Mind" which in fact remain consistent with the policy of all the non-single tracks of the album, with a rhythmic and sweet verse, a somewhat over-the-top and excessively repetitive chorus. "Raining In My Heart", "Astral Projection", "Someday" and "In It Together" are tracks written in 2003, in an attempt to ride the wave again, and actually retain some of the charm of the old Cranberries songs, which in another context might have been more appreciated. "Show Me" curiously reminds of songs from Dolores's first solo album and, despite being a banal and repetitive track, manages to convey a certain energy. In my opinion, the tracks that alone make the album pleasant or at least distinctive are "Schizophrenic Playboy", "Waiting In Walthamstow", and "Roses". "Schizophrenic Playboy" was written in 2006 and is the perfect example of the goals the band should have aimed for in creating this album: a rock vein, Dolores's slightly edgy voice, and topics that perhaps deviate from the usual love drama. "Waiting In Walthamstow" can boast substantial string arrangements in a piece with a noir atmosphere, demonstrating that experimentation is not yet over. "Roses" is a song that presents nothing new in the Cranberries' style, but due to its lyrics and performance, it proves to be an inspired, sweet, and melancholy track. "Fire & Soul" is a song in which, for the first time, we clearly see Noel's style and not Dolores's, with a simple but catchy instrumental part, which could have been better enhanced by more creative lyrics. "Conduct" is the first track of the album, and while it may not be exceptional, it deserves praise for its position, as it provides a good introduction to the entire album in its 5 minutes and 10 seconds, in an album where songs on average slightly exceed 3 minutes. If you listen to the b-side, it seems they made sure to remove all the cheerful songs to hide them behind some singles.
In short, an album that is a bit contrived, designed for a comeback in the best possible way, perhaps not too successful. In my opinion, it is penalized by the fact that there are songs like "Zombie", "Linger", "Daffodil Lament" or "Cordell" which make this album incomparable to any of the first three, and maybe even the fourth. Perhaps in one or two years, a new "Zombie" will arrive, who knows, for now this is what we have. In conclusion, let's say that the Cranberries are intelligent, just not applying themselves.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Shattered (05:32)
I'm trying to control myself
So please don't stand in my way
I've waited for the longest time
This is what I wanted in my way
Move over, move over
There's a climax coming in my way
Move over, move over
There's a climax coming in my way
I don't like you, don't compromise
Shattered by your weakness
Shattered by your smile
And I'm not very fond of you, and your lies
Shattered by your weaknesses
Shattered by your smile
All the kids are going back to school
The summer's over it's the golden rule
And now I'm coming out to play
So please don't stand in my way
And all the things that seemed once to be
So important to me
Seem so trivial now that I can see
Move over, move over
There's a climax coming my way x2
Please don't stand in my way
07 Salvation (02:33)
To all those people doing lines
Don't do it, don't do it
Inject your soul with liberty
It's free, it's free
To all the kids with heroin eyes
Don't do it, don't do it
Because it's not, not what it seems
No, no it's not, not what it seems
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
To all those parents with sleepless nights
(Sleepless nights)
Tie your kids home to their beds
Clean their heads
To all the kids with heroin eyes
Don't do it, don't do it
Because it's not, not what it seems
No, no it's not, not what it seems
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
08 Ridiculous Thoughts (05:19)
Twister oh, does anyone see through you
You're a twister oh, an animal
But you're so happy, how?
I didn't go along with
You're so happy how?
Nananana
But you're gonna have to hold on
You're gonna have to hold on
You're gonna have to hold on
hold on hold on
Or we're gonna have to move on, we're gonna have to move on
Or we're gonna have to move on
move on move on
I feel alright
And I cried so hard the
Ridiculous thoughts (ahah how)
I feel alright alright alright alright
Twister, oh, I shouldn't have trusted in you
Twister, oh, Ananana
It's not gonna happen now
You're not gonna make fun of me
Happen now, Ananana
Chorus
I feel alright
And I cried so hard the
Ridiculous thoughts (ahah how)
I feel alright alright alright alright
Ahahahahahah
You should have lied
But I cried so hard the
Ridiculous thoughts (ahah how)
We should have lied, a lied a lied a lied
But you're gonna have to hold on
You're gonna have to hold on 8+
hold on hold on hold on hold on hold on
Well you're gonna have to hold on
You're gonna have to hold on, to me
11 Zombie (05:09)
Another head hangs lowly
Child is slowly taken
And the violence causes silence
Who are we mistaken?
But you see, it's not me
It's not my family
In your head, in your head
They are fighting
With their tanks, and their bombs
And their bombs, and their guns
In your head, in your head
They are crying
In your head, in your head
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie
What's in your head, in your head?
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie-ie-oh
Another mother's breaking
Heart is taken over
When the violence causes silence
We must be mistaken
It's the same old theme
Since 1916
In your head, in your head
They're still fighting
With their tanks, and their bombs
And their bombs, and their guns
In your head, in your head!
They are dying
In your head, in your head
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie
What's in your head, in your head?
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie-ie-oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, hey-oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
17 Free to Decide (03:21)
It's not worth anything more than this at all
I live as I choose or I will not live at all
So return to where you've come from
Return to where you dwell
Because harassment's not my forte
But you do it very well
I'm Free To Decide, I'm free to decide
And I'm not so suicidal after all
I'm Free To Decide, I'm free To decide
And I'm not so suicidal after all (at all, at all)
You must have nothing more with your mind to do
There's a war in Russia and Sarejevo, too
So to hell with what you're thinking
And to hell with your narrow mind
You're so distracted from the real thing
You should leave your life behind (behind)
I'm Free To Decide, I'm free to decide
And I'm not so suicidal after all
I'm Free To Decide, I'm free to decide
And I'm not so suicidal after all (at all, at all)
I'm Free To Decide, I'm free to decide
And I'm not so suicidal after all (at all, at all)
At all, At all, At all
18 Promises (04:03)
You'd better believe I'm coming
You'd better believe what I say
You'd better hold on to your promises
Because you bet you'll get what you deserve
She's going to leave him over
She's going take her love away
So much for your eternal vows, well
It does not matter anyway
Why can't you stay
Here a while
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh oh oh oh oh
All the promises we made
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed praaaayed
Oh oh oh oh oh
All the promises we broke
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke spooooke
What of all the things that you taught me
What of all the things that you'd say
What of all your prophetic preaching
You're just throwing it all away
Maybe we should burn the house down
Have ourselves another fight
Leave the cobwebs in the closet
'Cause tearing them out is just not right
Why can't you stay
Here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh oh oh oh oh
All the promises we made
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed praaaayed
Oh oh oh oh oh
All the promises we broke
Promises we broke
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke Spooooke
Oh oh oh oh oh
All the promises we made
Promises we made
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed praaaayed
Oh oh oh oh oh
All the promises we broke
Promises we broke
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke Spooooke
Oh eh, oh eh, oh eh
Oh eh, Oh Eh x3
Do-do-do, Do-do-do
Do-do-do, Do-do-do
20 Analyse (04:24)
Close your eyes, close your eyes
Breath the air, out there
We are free, we can be wide open
For you opened my eyes to the beauty I see
We will pray, we will stay wide open
Don't analyse,don't analyse
Don't go that way, don't live that way
That would paralyse your evolution
Lah ah ah this greatest moment
(Last Chorus greatest changes to strangest)
Lah ah ah the strangest day
Lah ah ah the greatest love of them all
Close your eyes, close your eyes
Breath the air, out there
Fantasise, fantasise we are open
For you opened my eyes to the beauty I see
We will pray, we will stay together
Lah ah ah the greatest moment
Lah ah ah the greatest day
Lah ah ah the greatest love of them all
22 Ode to My Family (05:10)
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Understand the things I say
Don't turn away from me
'Cause I spent half my life out there
You wouldn't disagree
D'you see me, d'you see
Do you like me, do you like me standing there
D'you notice, d'you notice
Do you see me, do you see me
Does anyone care?
Unhappiness was when I was young
And we didn't give a damn
'Cause we were raised
To see life as fun and take it if we can
My mother, my mother she hold me
Did she hold me when I was out there
My father, my father, he liked me
Oh, he liked me, does anyone care?
Understand what I've become
It wasn't my design
And people everywhere think
Something better than I am
But I miss you, I miss
'Cause I liked it, 'cause I liked it
When I was out there
D'you know this, d'you know
You did not find me, you did not find
Does anyone care?
Unhappiness was when I was young
And we didn't give a damn
'Cause we were raised
To see life as fun and take it if we can
My mother, my mother she hold me
Did she hold me, when I was out there
My father, my father, he liked me
Oh, he liked me, does anyone care?
Does anyone care?
Does anyone care?
Does anyone care?
Does anyone care?
Does anyone care?
Does anyone care?
Does anyone care?
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo-doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
23 Linger (04:57)
If you, if you could return
Don't let it burn, don't let it fade
I'm sure I'm not being rude
But it's just your attitude
Is tearing me apart
It's ruining everything
And I swore, I swore I would be true
And honey so did you
So why were you holding her hand
Is that the way we stand
Were you lying all the time
Was it just a game to you
But I'm in so deep
You know I'm such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger
Do you have to, do you have to
Do you have to let it linger
Oh, I thought the world of you
I thought nothing could go wrong
But I was wrong
I was wrong
If you, if you could get by
Trying not to lie
Things wouldn't be so confused
And I wouldn't feel so used
But you always really knew
I just wanna be with you
And I'm in so deep
You know I'm such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger
Do you have to. do you have to
do you have to let it linger
And I'm in so deep
You know I'm such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger
Do you have to, do you have to
do you have to let it linger
You know I'm such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger
Do you have to, do you have to
do you have to let it linger
24 Animal Instinct (03:47)
Suddenly something has happened to me
As I was having my cup of tea
Suddenly I was feeling depressed
I was utterly and totally stressed
Do you know you made me cry
Do you know you made me die
And the thing that gets to me
Is you'll never really see
And the thing that freaks me out
Is I'll always be in doubt
It is a lovely thing that we have
It is a lovely thing that we
It is a lovely thing, the animal
The animal instinct
So take my hands and come with me
We will change reality
So take my hands and we will pray
They won't take you away
They will never make me cry, no
They will never make me die
And the thing that gets to me
Is you'll never really see
And the thing that freaks me out
Is I'll always be in doubt
The animal, the animal,
the animal instinct to me
It's the animal, the animal,
the animal instinct to me
It's the animal, it's the animal,
it's the animal instinct in me x2
25 Wanted (02:08)
Sitting in an armchair
with my head between my hands
I wouldn't have to be like this
if you'd only understand
Too many misunderstandings
causing such delay
And if it doesn't work like this
Well, I'll try another way
Oh, if this is the way you wanted it
oh, I didn't understand
Oh, if this is the way you wanted it
oh, I didn't understand
You know that all I wanted
was to be there by your side
And if you didn't want it
Well, you should have denied
You knew that you were someone special
right form the start
But if you treat me badly
We'd be better off apart
Oh, if this is the way you wanted it
oh, I didn't understand
Oh, if this is the way you wanted it
oh, I didn't understand
Understand
27 Desperate Andy (03:57)
He always holds on to his girlfriend
That's where he likes to be
He like to wear the ball
and the chain on his neck
A false sense of security
And when he goes he goes with a smile
And when he goes he goes with a smile
And when he goes he goes with a smile
And when he goes he goes with a smile
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la la la la
The world is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get high
and get whatever you want to
Ma-na-na, ma-na-na,
ma-na-na, ma-na-na
Ma-na-na, ma-na-na,
ma-na-na, ma-na-na
He used to be a closet biker they say
A 1957 BSA
He used to collect writing paper
They wonder wonder wonder
wonder wonder of
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Ra la la la la la la
Isn't it dandy a-a-a-a
Ra la la la la
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Ra la la la la la la la la la
The world is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get high
and get whatever you want to
The word is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get laid
and get whatever you want to
The world is your oyster
The world is yours
It's yours it's yours
it's yours it's yours
It's yours it's yours
it's yours it's yours
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