Bury the Hatchet [The Complete Sessions]

The Cranberries: Dolores O'Riordan Burton (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Noel Hogan (acoustic & electric guitars); Mike Hogan (bass); Fergal Lawler (drums, percussion).
Producers: The Cranberries, Benedict Fenner
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
The Cranberries: Dolores O'Riordan Burton (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Noel Hogan (acoustic & electric guitars); Mike Hogan (bass); Fergal Lawler (drums, percussion).
Producers: The Cranberries, Benedict Fenner.
The Cranberries: Dolores O'Riodan Burton (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Noel Hogan (acoustic & electric guitars); Mike Hogan (electric bass); Fergal Lawler (drums, percussion).
Producers: The Cranberries, Benedict Fenner.
Engineers: Benedict Fenner, Mike Plotnikoff.
Personnel: Noel Hogan (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Mike Hogan (bass guitar); Fergal Lawler (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Mike Plotnikoff.
Recording information: Le Miraval, France (1998-1999); Metalworks, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (1998-1999); Olympic, London, England (1998-1999); Sarm West, London, England (1998-1999); Windmill Lane, Dublin, Ireland (1998-1999).
Illustrator: Jon Crossland.
Photographers: Rupert Truman; Andy Earl.
Though Ireland's Cranberries began by churning out sparkling, breathy rock-pop, they soon ventured into a darker, heavier brand of rock that reflected the sociopolitical strife of their homeland. On BURY THE HATCHET the band achieves the perfect marriage between luxurious pop stylings and a darker, more unsettling vision. Dolores O'Riordan's strong, clear voice rides smoothly over simple, engaging melodies fleshed out by a chiming blend of acoustic and electric guitars for much of the album. But on songs like "Promises," the guitars get heavier, and the mood turns darker, showing a deeper side of the Cranberries' work. No matter the darkness expressed in the lyrics though, the invigorating, upbeat strum and crack of the guitars and drums keeps things moving at a good clip. And that occasional catch in O'Riordan's voice is just arresting enough to draw you in, without ever seeming like an affectation or a distraction.