Originally from Limerick, The Cranberries were a rock band formed by guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan, drummer Fergal Lawler, and the iconic singer Dolores O’Riordan. They reached international success with the release of their second album No Need To Argue in October 1994, which redefined not only alternative rock but also the Irish musical scene. With their massive hit “Zombie” they turned into one of the most notable bands of the 1990s. Now, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the album, let’s dig into the work that has sold over 17 million copies worldwide.
No Need To Argue starts with one of the most introspective and personal compositions of the album, the track titled “Ode To My Family”. In it, O’Riordan yearns for simpler times as a kid and the comfort of one’s family. The personal and intimate lyrics go hand in hand with the ethereal and magical instrumentation that characterises O’Riordan’s music. Besides being a marvellous songwriter, she has made herself one of the most distinguishable singers thanks to her signature use of lilting, a traditional form of Goidelic singing, reinforcing her national Irish sense.
In the fourth track titled “Zombie”, the album shifts into a more aggressive mood. The grunge-infused tune discusses the horrors of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, particularly the bombing in the English town of Warrington. One could sense the anger that O’Riordan felt when writing the track, as it stands out from the chill and whimsical world that the rest of the album is set in.
The mood goes back to its usual calmer and quirky rock ballads and digs into other topics such as loss with “Empty” and “Daffodil Lament”, which ends with an astonishing ethereal vocal melody sung by O’Riordan. Other tracks present themes of love as an unreachable thing, as seen in “I Can’t Be With You” and “Everything I Said”. The many shaky guitar riffs and the tambourines in the album act as echoes of the 1980s indie scene, in particular, of the Scottish band The Cocteau Twins, who seems to have been one of the main inspirations for the record.
This album takes you on a telltale-like journey full of bittersweet stories and hauntingly beautiful instrumentals. The title track closes the album with a soft piano ballad filled with heavenly-like vocal harmonies. No Need To Argue is a masterful of emotion and melody, capturing the pure essence of The Cranberries. Even though some tracks may come across as repetitive at times, they work brilliantly as different pieces of the same puzzle, embroidering the band’s magical aesthetic.
The Cranberries stand out as a remarkable Irish rock band, and to celebrate their legacy, a reissue of the album was released in 2020 as part of its 25th anniversary, featuring a remastered version of the LP, together with B-sides and covers. So go on and get yours!
