...Why Can't We" you'll probably enjoy "Bury The Hatchet." The Cranberries shed their political anthemic rocker costumes to return to the unique brand of melodic pop they pioneered on their first album. You won't find a single track here with the anger and intensity of "Zombie" or the frantic energy of "Salvation". Nonetheless, the songs are consistently good and listenable. I especially like "Animal Instinct", "You And Me", "Just My Imagination", "Shattered", and "Dying In The Sun". The one song that sounds out of place is "Delilah". It sounds like a refugee from a mid-80s Duran Duran album!

I heard quite a few negative comments regarding the Cranberries' third CD, so when their fourth CD came out, I was initially reluctant to buy it. However, the reviews were somewhat positive, so I decided to give it a shot. My conclusion: I believe the first two CDs they released are better, but this one is very listenable and worth buying.

This CD still has some of the angst that seemed to be a common thread of the Cranberries' first two CDs, but some of these songs stray quite far from those heavily angst-ridden songs. Some of this music is more rock-influenced than some of their earlier music as well. "Loud and Clear," as an example, has overlaid vocal tracks, a fast rock beat, some synthesized horn, though with a relationship theme. "Promises" similarly has a heavy rock beat with strident lead guitar; a very impressive song that makes full use of Dolores O'Riordan's vocal talent.

There are also songs reminiscent of their first two albums; for example "You and Me," though in the case of this song the theme is love forever, a very positive song. Another lovely song is "Just My Imagination," which has a fairy-tale theme, rock-influenced but still solid Cranberries. "Saving Grace" is just plain pretty, and another positive song. This song perhaps could have been released as a single. "What's on My Mind" is another positive love song, which again sounds very similar to the music on the first two Cranberries CDs.

There are a several other songs I really enjoy from this CD. "Shattered" is a laid back song, with an acoustic guitar taking the musical lead with the principal focus being Dolores's voice. "Desperate Andy" has a good beat and some interesting vocal effects. The very last track, "Dying in the Sun" is principally piano with occasional synthesizer, and Dolores's lovely voice; a gorgeous song for a concert.

"Delilah" is quite an unusual track for this CD. This song has a little metal flavor to it. I like the change of pace musically and vocally, though a song like this risks losing traditional Cranberries fans.

My favorite song on this CD is also the saddest and most poignant. "Fee Fi Fo" deals with the subject of sexual abuse of children. The vocals and the music here are ethereal, bordering on and perhaps edging into progressive rock. The song is sad and angry. You would not want to get into the way of the person singing this song.

Not every track on this CD is a winner, but generally there is good quality here. I think The Cranberries are trying to experiment with their music without being totally commercial. I must approve whole-heartedly. They continue to bring their own flavor to a spectrum of musical styles. I did have a hard time getting into this CD initially, and had to listen to it several times before I finally began getting into the topics and the music. However, I also was dealing with the paradigm of their first two albums, and was expecting much the same. While there is some music that is similar to the first two albums, there are some striking differences as well. I think the Cranberries are making changes that should be positive ones for their future, and I look forward to purchasing their next CD.

This Band Is The Best, I have purchased all their CD's and haven't been disappointed yet, O'Riordan's voice is so pretty and unique. Their music has changed a little since their first CD but it is a good change. All the songs on this CD are great, my favorite's are probably "Track 2" and "Track 9," if you like The Cranberries you will like this CD.

Reading some of the other comments has reaffirmed my opinion that this album is best for gurl-ranting! It is maybe not as moving as their first two albums, but it is far superior to To the Faithful Departed (which I still like alot, but always have to skip "I just shot John Lennon", and the Sarejevo references date it too much).

This album makes me feel good. I enjoy listening to it and singing along. The tunes are catchy and more melodic than TTFD (alot of which sounded like circus music).

Anyway, I recommend it completely.

I also think it is funny that there is an "explicit" and "clean" cover. It's hardly explicit - it's more goofy-silly. : )

The Cranberries' fourth album shows two new qualities of the Cranberries: humor and happiness. All of the vocals are still charged with emotion (and occasional anger), but overall most of the lyrics are jocular and/or sarcastic. Dolores O'Riordan's voice has been excellently produced: her tones are "loud and clear". Musically, The Cranberries show influences from 80's Brit Pop like The Smiths and Depeche Mode as well as more rootsy artists like Fleetwood Mac on this album. But fans of more edgy Cranberries songs need not fret; the album contains several guitar-charged powerhouses like "Promises", "Delilah", "Fe Fi Fo", and "Desparate Andy"