lambchops's Full Review: No Need to Argue (The Complete Sessions 1994-95) [...
At times, radio and MTV tend to overplay certain songs. It seems as though you flip on the station and sure enough…that track is on once again. This was nearly the fate of some of the tracks on No Need To Argue.
Regardless of how technically good a song is, it can become worn out if played too often (see: Santana uber-popular Supernatural). The Cranberries nearly met with the same problems on tracks like Zombie and Ode To My Family. The tracks and the album as a whole were mainstream success stories while the Irish band somehow managed to retain some semblance of creative integrity.
I would guess that lead singer and guitarist Dolores O'Riordan helped the band to continue seeming serious. Her voice is unlike any other in the history of mainstream alternative. It quivers and shrieks; creating a noise generally unaccepted by radio. Except in the case of The Cranberries. Other members of the band include: Noel Hogan (guitars), Mike Hogan (bass), and Feargal Lawler (drums). The Irish band was formed in 1990.
No Need To Argue, released in late 1994, was the band’s sophomore effort. As a follow-up to the successful debut Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, the album proved fulfilling and politically charged. Infusing Celtic rhythms and sounds with rock sentiments, this album was a musically worthy hit featuring thirteen tracks. Among the most notable efforts are Ode To My Family, Zombie, and Disappointment. The tracks all were written by O’Riordan while Hogan assisted on about half the songs. Overall, this album is much harsher and more intense than the debut. That characteristic is also what makes it appealing to me.
The song that initially drew me to this album was the pointed and angry Zombie. I suppose that at times the song comes off as self-important and exploitive, but as a whole I find that the merit lies with the music and O’Riordan’s strange vocal talents. As she wails laments about the atrocities of war in Ireland, I find myself transfixed by the heavy electric guitars that somehow back a delicate melody. For just a moment, set aside the purposeful political theme of the song and relish in its creativity.
A song that’s much more user-friendly is the first, Ode To My Family. O’Riordan sounds comfortable and relaxed instead of frenzied and angry. I prefer her vocals when she attempts to sing beautifully rather than screaming. The song recalls happiness and contentment as children, but then reflects on the pain that war and strife causes. I say “screw the topic!” This is a great track. Don’t recall it? Maybe these lyrics will help out a bit:
Unhappiness, was when I was young
And we didn't give a damn
'Cause we were raised
To see life as fun and take it if we can
Yeat’s Grave is also a delicate and plaintive track. The acoustic guitars and Celtic sentimentality makes this a standout track. The track is pretty yet hollow. It sounds much like you would expect a journal entry. The redeeming quality of this track is encapsulated by its musical safeness. Disappointment is also melodic and gentle. The words and music see more concise and more truthful than some of the other more cliché tracks.
I would be repeating the same themes if I spoke about each track individually. Each has good points, but also problems. The Cranberries are musically a tight band. Lyrically, O’Riordan tends to take herself and her plight a bit too seriously. Her voice is certainly unique, but beyond that the band has little unique to unite the music with the lyrics. The one thing beyond O’Riordan’s voice that is interesting and creative really is the use of Celtic music in a very rock and roll fashion.
Overall, this is a decent album. Actually, it’s better than average on the whole. Other songs that may be of interest are the faintly folk Twenty One, the ethereal Ridiculous Thoughts, and the dark and brooding Daffodil Lament. I recommend this album to fans of rock music and fans of female vocalists. O’Riordan’s voice may not be for everybody, but it certainly is something different in a sea of Britneys and Mariahs. I give this album 4/5 stars for simply being an easy listen.
Track Listing:
1. Ode To My Family
2. I Can't Be With You
3. Twenty One
4. Zombie
5. Empty
6. Everything I Said
7. Icicle Melts, The
8. Disappointment
9. Ridiculous Thoughts
10. Dreaming My Dreams
11. Yeat's Grave
12. Daffodil Lament
13. No Need To Argue
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