Roses (ADDITIONAL LIVE DISC AND EXPANDED BOOKLET) [CD]

From the first track Conduct with heart wrenching lyrics about a relationship that is not working, to the catchy, Raining in my heart, and excellent Waiting in Walthamstow, Astral Projection and Perfect World ( a b side on the deluxe addition) , I think the cranberries have demonstrated again that they are very talented at righting catchy rock songs. This album is a return to form and whilst it captures a small piece of the old Cranberries sound it also feels fresh and new, and seems to be a departure from the heavy rock sound that has dominated the last three albums and returned to the more gentle alternative pop rock of the first two albums.

Vocally I think O'riordan has perhaps taken a step back, from the die hard power vocals found on Hollywood, Salvation and Promises, there is a softer more gentle side to her vocals in Walthamstow for example; this softer vocal has perhaps not been heard since `Put Me Down' from Everybody else is doing it, the rediscovered tenderness of her voice does not stop there, her vocals on Fire and Soul, Astral Projection, Conduct and Tomorrow, and the song Roses are all sang distinctively, softly and beautifully, Roses could have been on No need to Argue album, it has that alternative unusual Cranberrie sound that made them so popular in the first half of the 1990s.

I would like to see this album do well and chart in the UK and USA and for it to have success with several top twenty hits, Raining in my heart, Astral projection and Walthamstow, Show Me, would all make good singles. Unfortunately I don't think this album will catch on, with what is deemed as music these days, I can not see it selling over a million units, I think it may do better in Europe and Asia were the cranberries are still as popular as ever. Unlike the successful Everybody else, No need to argue, Faithful departed and Bury the Hatchet, this album may go the same way as, the much understated Wake Up and Smell the Coffee which did not spawn any successful hits and failed to make any impact on the charts. I am pretty sure they have not had a big chart hit since 1999's Promises which charted well in the UK and the USA, its follow up the excellent Animal Instinct failed to chart in the UK.

There are no massive rock songs on Roses, like Hollywood, Promises, Zombie, This is the Day instead you have Schizophrenic Playboy and Show Me the Way, which compared to previous rock outings are both rather tame, but still very catchy.

The album is a must for every cranberries fan it's the ultimate chill out album with heart wrenching love songs sang bye the distinctive voice of O'riordan, sometimes warbling, sometimes singing softly, and always in her distinctive Irish lint, a voice like marmite you either love it or you hate it, I have and always will love it.

Also in the deluxe addition you have the excellent B side track Perfect World that I think would make a great single, it has a classic early 1990s Cranberries sound to it. This deluxe addition also has over 30 tracks, as it also has a live CD plus a digital booklet making it a bargain!

I also find it slightly annoying that once again the B sides are different depending on what country the deluxe album is released in, for example the Japan release has the song Someday, the Canada release has a track called stop me, the UK release has the excellent Perfect World, although I live in the hope of one day they will release a ultimate B sides collection CD! These are all mild complaints in what is a excellent album!

As an avid Cranberries fan this was a must buy. Though not quite finding the level of No Need to Argue there are some high points throughout and the bonus live tracks make it even more of a must for fans!

This new album of The Cranberries is rooted in the sound of their first two albums from nearly twenty years ago: "Everybody Else is Doing It..." and "No Need to Argue". If you're a previous fan of the band, then it really depends on what era of theirs you prefer to gauge whether or not you'd be enthused by this: if, like me, "To the Faithful Departed", or even one of the later albums, is your favourite, then this won't excite you. However, it seems that most fans prefer the first two albums' slightly softer, folkier material to the more rock driven "...Faithful...", so it seems like this will be a crowd pleaser. An why not?: it's melodic, pleasant, full of good tunes and a strong performance from the band...just your own personal taste to factor in...