SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE CRANBERRIES – EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING IT, SO WHY CAN’T WE? (33rd ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

THE CRANBERRIES
EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING IT, SO WHY CAN’T WE? (33rd ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
ISLAND RECORDS

There’s something achingly beautiful and achingly sad about hearing these songs all over again on the 33rd (a peculiar choice, but perhaps it’s the Irish accent that sells it) anniversary. Sure, the songs are still supercharged with softness and want, as well as the bite that some of their later work would have, but it’s like listening to a memory.

The new mixes are nice and add some life to proceedings, but mostly you’re here for the same reason I was drawn to reviewing the album in the first place – the beautiful voice of Dolores O’Riordan. Luckily, the remixing work (by the fabled Stephen Street) brings her to the forefront in many songs, with even long-spun classics like “Linger” given something of a fresh coat of paint.

Some songs deserve a reappraisal, too – I was surprised to find how much I loved “Not Sorry” after so many years – but really, this is a celebration of an album that launched a small band from Ireland into the stratosphere. It’s not hard to hear why, and it’s nice to live it again. That there are some peculiar choices of additions (a Spanish version of “Dreams” isn’t something I knew I needed, and I still don’t) only adds to the story; 33 years on, this band’s songs still sound vibrant, fresh, and “get it” as they did then. It’s just a shame we’ll never get to hear them at the peak of their powers again.

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE CRANBERRIES – EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING IT, SO WHY CAN’T WE? (30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

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