The Cranberries - In the End

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An album than ensure the Cranberries will linger in people's hearts

The Cranberries had their peak period during the nineties with songs such as ‘Linger’ and ‘Zombie’ and it was quite a peak having sold over fourty million albums to date. They had been back together and wrote and recorded this album ‘In the End’ over the course of 2017 - 2018. It was during this recording that Dolores O’Riordan was sadly found dead in her hotel room having drowned in the bath, seemingly after excessive alcohol intake.

It is hard not to see with these tragic events in mind when you listen to the album despite their being no indication she intended to end her life. This is especially the case when the opening tracks is titled ‘All over Now’ but it is her final gift to the World and hopefully it provides the legacy she deserves. From said opening track it certainly does, it is classic Cranberries with her strong vocals leading the way backed by the Pop / Rock sound we came to love.

‘Wake me up when it’s Over’ again sounds like back to their heyday of their social messages “fighting’s not the answer” mixed with a strong powerful chorus. ‘Catch Me If You Can’ is much slower starts and end with a more downbeat tone, reminding us of the different sides the band that made them stand out from the crowd. ‘Illusion’ is similar in that it moves away from the heavier side and has a feel a bit like their previous hit ‘Linger’.

‘Summer Song’ has a very upbeat feel but with the slightly cutting vocals that almost became part of their staple “maybe we’ll have an accident” adding a slight twist to what otherwise comes across as a love song of sorts. The album end with the title track ‘In the End’ which again it hard not to see last sad years events in the title. A swirling track that closes the album nicely, when you realise it is the last Cranberries track you will get to hear.

Whilst not written to be one, this has become Dolores O’Riordan final words or epitaph and it does do her the justice thirty years of good song writing and the great music it produced deserves. Alongside the obvious personal tragedy to her family and friends you really see the loss to the music World, The Cranberries were back at the top of their game and it would have been nice to think we could have heard more in the future. She has left a great musical legacy which this adds to and should be enjoyed as such, I remember going to see them at the Wembley Arena... and glad I got the chance. They were a great live act, and made their mark on the music industry at the right time.

Check Out the Video to 'All Over Now' below...