The Cranberries Album: “Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (The”

Well...I have to agree completely with the previous reviewer; with so many pre-1990's artists re-releasing albums originally recorded in analog (ie. Pet Shop Boys, Tears for Fears, Cocteau Twins), and doing it well (digital sound quality, expanded liner notes, extra tracks & remixes), The Cranberries unfortunately rank at the bottom of the "must-have remasters" list. Shame, because "EEIDISWCW?", and "No Need to Argue" are two of the most important albums of that decade, but with no noticable improvement in sound quality, the purist's sole reason for purchasing these revamped versions has been removed. The new packaging and two or three extra tracks on each release are a nice bonus, but do not warrant purchasing all of these albums again, if you already own them (and everyone certainly should). In short, buy "Everyone Else...?" only if you do not have it, as it IS one of the most important records of the 1990's, but if improved sound quality is what you are looking for, steer clear of these releases. Five stars for album, one star for "remaster"

As in any other vehicle of expression, the woman in modern pop music was and is pressured to slide into a specific personae: the Neurotic Bad Girl (Amy Winehouse), the Glamorous Sextress (Lady Ga-Ga), the Doe-Eyed Innocent Totally Into Self-Discovery (Britney Spears, if she still counts). The Dream Girl, She of Ethereal Voice and Airy Lyric, has been around at least since Joan Baez and definitely since record producers and talent seekers recognized Her as an image that sells. Fortunately for those men--and women--who tend to forget there's more to life than this, a performer appears, rarely, who fills the personae and then grows out of it, shatters it, even, the performer who in doing so not only sells but compels. Case in point: the Cranberries, fronted by honey-voxed Irish lass Dolores O'Riordan. Not even O'Riordan escaped the pressure once she went from Performer to Pop Star, but for one album at least O'Riordan and her band put on the Dream Girl suit and left it in pieces.

"Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We?" is an album for dark corners on rainy spring days. It's not quite pop, the Cranberries' music, which harkens back to old country folk and flirts with techno. "Sunday" isn't exactly a whispy daydream, and "Pretty" is still a few steps from noir fantasy. One thing it is is energetic: saccharine nonetheless, maybe, but if so it's saccharinity with a pulse. The bass vibrates like few bass lines I've noticed. The drums thump and crackle and smash, really smash, like waves on the Irish shore ("I Still Do"). The guitar reverbs, undulates, echoes, and pierces, just like the emotions O'Riordan's trying to convey. O'Riordan's voice itself goes up and down, dreamy and mad, hurt and in love. She's more than a pop Dream Girl--she's a dream woman because she's a real woman, a person with vivid dreams, excruciating feelings, and exciting thoughts. Those that get that will get the most from this album, a dream well worth falling into. Because the best dream of all is often the real thing.

This CD was the Cranberries' first, and was refreshing even though they deviated little from middle of the road pop. Dolores O'Riordan's lovely Irish voice, delivered periodically in a grunge style, made this debut album fun to hear. In general the music here is safe, though the lyrics sometimes are not. The Cranberries have a history of choosing sometimes distressing topics for their music. It can sometimes be uncomfortable to confront their world, which seems to be tainted by despair and a variety of angst.

"I Still Do" is an angst-ridden track, heavy on mellow bass, about someone who is in love, and wants to break it off, even though that person is still in love. The reason for breaking it off is not clear, and it need not be. This song is the generic break up song when you have mixed feelings about the relationship but realize that it is in at least one person's best interests to end the relationship.

We go from the angst of a possibly impossible relationship to the dream relationship in "Dreams," which was featured in "You've Got Mail." A pretty, fast-paced, song, Dolores tells her significant other that she has given herself to him, and he now has her heart, so please don't hurt her. She also says that she is amazed by his mind and how caring and understanding he is. The ethereal music with a rock beat I personally find to be very satisfying.

We go back to angst again with "Sunday." This time the singer cares for or loves someone, but can't seem to make the connection. This situation has happened to me, and I'll bet it's happened to many of you. Dolores starts singing this one is a grunge style, slowly. Then the pace picks up and the song attains a solid pop beat. Seems like anything Dolores sings is pretty.

"Pretty" has throwaway lyrics to vaguely blues-sounding music with heavy bass. Dolores gets to trill her voice in that endearing way. My guess is that the intent of the lyrics is to be there for the sound more than for the meaning. It works!

"Waltzing Back" is an angry song. How did these people come back into your life? They are going to take you away from me. It's not fair. In the end, there's nothing she can do about it; it's your life. It doesn't mean she has to be happy about it.

I like the next song. The style of "Sorry" makes solid use of Dolores's ability to hit high notes. This song is combination anger and angst; she's upset and angry, but at the same time you sense that she wanted it to work out. She still misses him, but is still angry too. The rock beat in the background punctuates her anger with heavy bass and percussion, and a fast beat. There is a good contrast musically between her bluesy angst laments and her anger.

The Cranberries love angst about love. "Linger" tells how she saw her significant other with someone else, and communicates the hurt she feels. She wonders why he can't just go with her instead of letting her believe that they have any hope of a relationship. This song is all string laments; solid angst.

And the angst just keeps on rolling with "Wanted." A fast-paced song, here Dolores sings about the communication gap between two people, and their ability to understand each other's needs. Just what is it you want, what are you trying to say?

"Still Can't..." starts acoustically, and then takes off with bass and backing drums. Dolores' sultry voice expresses her anger that her significant other is telling lies about the situation between her and him. He won't apologize, he's laughing about the situation behind her back. I don't think I'd want to be the other person in this song.

"I Will Always" expresses the simple thought that she gives everything of herself to him. He needs to do whatever he will do, and she'll be there. The music here is slow and mellow, Dolores sings very slowly, mournfully. She still manages to hit the high notes with a grunge flavor, even though it's not really a grunge song. Grunge blues maybe.

I get the feeling that "How" is the Cranberries version of "You're so Vain," which was sung by Carly Simon. The words express how he is self-centered, and he left her alone, at least emotionally, if not physically. Dolores was looking for a closeness that he isn't providing. There is a heavy drum beat in this relatively fast-paced song.

"Put Me Down" again makes such wonderful use of Dolores's voice, sultry to start and then going for the high notes. The topic of the song is pretty much like the title says: she keeps getting put down; she keeps trying, but keeps getting treated like a second-class person; this was a lovely song to finish off the original CD.

There are several versions of this CD. This version has five tracks added to the original release. I am a little mixed on the value of these tracks. I like the Cranberries a lot, and so the bonus tracks are nice to have. However, are they worth the extra money this CD costs over the previous version? That depends on how much you like the Cranberries. If you are a huge fan, the extra tracks are nice to have. Otherwise, if you have the original version, this CD did not have any improvement over the previous version that I could tell.

This CD is full of heavily orchestrated music, very well played. Dolores has an incredible vocal range, and her Irish accent adds something to these songs. There are so many influences that it is hard to categorize the music. I call it lovely and mellow, and my favorite Cranberries CD. I give this CD five stars plus.

When I first heard this album it was many years ago, but even now its still sounds fresh and beautiful. Doris' voice has a natural beauty about it which shines throughout the entire album and reminds you of a better, more innocent time. Great production, good lyrics and strong support from the other members. On this album, they transcended to a place reserved only for a choice few. A great piece of Art and Music.

Even though their 2nd album is usually thought of as their best, this one is actually my favorite. It seems very genuine, innocent, and "Pretty", much like "The Sundays". It does include "Linger", and possibly their most well known song "Dreams", but I enjoy it for the other tracks even more. I like the moodier songs "Put Me Down", "Not Sorry", and "I Will Always" alot more than some of their later pop-rock stuff, though that's good too. The bonus tracks here are all good, but nothing to buy this twice for. More casual fans might just want "Stars: 1992-2002", but I couldn't do without this one.