Disco de The Cranberries: “No Need to Argue (The Complete Sessions 1994-95) [”

If you had to buy only one CD by the Cranberries it would undoubetly have to be this one. Though the Cranberries' efforts have been spotty throughout their career, this is the one instance where they don't fall prey to writing bad lyrics and stealing other bands' melodies.

What did they do wrong on all their other CDs? To put it simply, they were trying too hard--whether it be trying to deliver some sort of social message or to contrive a certain sound. In conrast, nothing on "No Need to Argue" sounds forced. Songs such as "Ode to My Family" "Empty" and "Yeats' Grave" are just so naturally beautiful, in terms of both lyrics and melody. It's hard not to fall in love with this album.

It was the video to "Zombie" that first made me notice The Cranberries. At first I didn't care for the song, but as it grew on me, I began to be pulled into the emotion and story behind the song. Finally I paid attention in detail, and I was hooked. While The Cranberries first album was full of love and angst, this album is darker and about violence.

The first song, "Ode to My Family", is very much in the style of the songs from "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?" As full of angst as the former album, but this time about her feelings about her family. The sentiment is positive, but the tone of the song feels grunge.

"I Can't Be with You" has a faster pace, and harkens back to the angst-filled love and relationship songs of their previous CD. The tone of the song is ironic, because it sounds as though it wants to be happy, but is a song of separation and frustrated love.

The next song has simple lyrics, and I am unsure of the subject matter. "21" may be about turning 21 and being on your own, and being able to do what you want to do. The song is mellow with Dolores' beautiful voice.

The outstanding song "Zombie" follows. Containing grunge elements, this song has a heavy beat that crescendos with the chorus, punctuating the anger regarding the "Troubles" in Ireland. The mental images and the video are graphic and sobering, visual art successfully marrying musical art. A beautifully performed song that is political and sad and angry and despairing all at once. Stop the violence she sings.

The next song is another angst-filled song. "Empty" could apply to a lot of situations, but given The Cranberries penchant for relationship songs, my guess is that it is about someone who either didn't notice someone who wanted to be noticed, or didn't get the relationship they wanted, leaving the singer "Empty".

I sometimes find it emotionally difficult to listen to "The Icicle Melts", because the subject is about the death of a child, and the sadness of the mother. It is difficult for a man or a woman who has not carried a child for nine months to understand the special bond that exists between the child and its mother. It is sad when any child dies, but for the mother it will always be worse. This song is very serious, and incredibly sad. You must be in the right kind of mood for this one.

"Disappointment" is about ending a relationship for a serious error on his part. While these songs seem like one sad song after another, they are so beautiful and mellow that sometimes they just really fit my mood. "Ridiculous Thoughts" is another song along the same lines. "Dreaming My Dreams" could have been happy, but the song is about a glass half empty instead of half full, very slow, very mellow, and very full of bass.

"Yeat's Grave" has a little quicker beat. I must admit that the subject matter of this one is beyond me. I suspect that it relates to Irish history or folklore, of which I have only marginal knowledge. It is very pretty though.

As you might have suspected, "Daffodil Lament" is another relationship song, about her thoughts of breaking up and not being able to stay with him. Dolores gets to exercise the full range of her voice on this, punctuating the song sharply in several places.

The last song, "No Need to Argue", is a kind of coda. The reason there's no need to argue is because the relationship is over. The song starts with an organ sound, very very slow. This song would seem to tie all the relationship songs on this CD together to form a vague concept. If you assume that songs like "Zombie" and "Yeat's Grave" form a background to the relationship, then perhaps this is a concept album, the story of the trials and tribulations of a relationship that ends with the last song.

Musically, lyrically and vocally beautiful, this CD is a bit more polished than "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?" If you like mellow music, especially like Enya or Lorena McKinnitt, you might find this CD to your taste. Just be prepared for the angst.

"No need to argue" is a piece of art. It is high art,and very few artists could ever reach such a level. Listening to the album takes you somewhere else: this album is unique, the music is so different from any other sort of music ! I wonder how the musicians used their instruments so that they don't sound like a guitar or keyboards but as mysterious elements used in the creation of a new music. Each song is simply beautiful and pure,and so is Dolores's voice. If you hear the sound of it, you will never forget it. Of course, we all know "Zombie". But listen to the 12 other songs. If you feel like moving and yelling, play "I can't be with you" or "Ridiculous thoughts". If you feel as melancholic as Dolores, listen to "No need to argue" or to "Empty", which is probably the most powerful song on the album. This album reaches perfection, both lyrically and musically, for the words are profoundly touching, and the music is technically perfect. It is just AMAZING how music can change your life !

Back in 1993 the Cranberries emerged from their multiplatinum success, Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We? The clever Irish foursome was not about to stop. In 1994 the group released this album, No Need to Argue and it proved that they were here to stay.

On No Need to Argue the Cranberries take more of a punch than on their previous album. More politically charged songs and they start to get in touch with their rockside. But that doesn't mean Dolores doesn't use her electric voice for a few beautiful ballads.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Ode to my Family, The Icicle Melts, Zombie, Ridculous Thoughts, Daffodil Lament and Yeat's Grave

This is definatly the CD that made me like the cranberries.... unfortunatly they have not done anything like it again :-(.

This album is wonderful, full of emotion, good rock mixed with amazing vocals and very very touching... I think that Zombie is a good song but NOT the best song this album can offer (my fav is Ridicules Thoughts). The reason this album doesn't get 5 stars (some of the trackes definalty worth it) is that although most of the songs are spell-bonding few are not and they 'spoil the line'.

All in all this is a real classic.