Musical Over Dose is proud to present Rls Name : The Cranberries - Roses Rls Date : Feb-23-2012 Rls Type : Album Company : Vertigo Berlin (Universal) Genre : Rock Source : CDDA Tracks : 11 Total Time : 44:34 min Size : 79,3 MB URL : www.cranberries.com Encoder : LAME 3.98.4 -V 0 Quality : VBR kbps / 44.1kHz / Joint-Stereo Bitrate : avg. 248kbps 01. Conduct 05:11 02. Tomorrow 03:56 03. Fire & Soul 04:32 04. Raining In My Heart 03:27 05. Losing My Mind 03:41 06. Schizophrenic Playboy 03:40 07. Waiting In Walthamstow 04:20 08. Show Me 03:27 09. Astral Projections 04:45 10. So Good 03:54 11. Roses 03:41 ____________ 44:34 Min It's been 10 years since the Cranberries released an album. On Roses, the reformed quartet continues to showcase the distinctive Gaelic lilt of vocalist Dolores OÆRiordan. Although itÆs been more than 10 years since The CranberriesÆ last studio album, the bandÆs 2012 crop, Roses, simply picks up the melodic strains of yesteryear and carries on. The reformed quartet continues to showcase the distinctive Gaelic lilt of vocalist Dolores OÆRiordan over chiming guitars, silken strings, and military rhythms. With longstanding producer Stephen Street at the helm, the overall effect is pretty seamless. ThereÆs a sense of mutual respect that shines through the tight ensemble playing. The record shows a certain growth and maturity, but if you were hoping for a sharp left turn in musical direction, you wonÆt find it here. Roses beds in quickly with arguably the two strongest cuts up first. ôConductö is a compelling starter, developing an argument for saving a relationship as sentiments move from a position of ôNow itÆs too late, I can see that we should not be togetherö to that of ôWhen we get along, weÆre really strong.ö The battle tone is neatly set by martial drums in the opening instrumental build and resolved through a progressive melody colored by OÆRiordanÆs assertive vocal. ItÆs followed by an equally classic Cranberries cut in the shape of ôTomorrow,ö an older and wiser call to cast angst aside and seize the day. Its breezy melody is decorated with crisp guitar picking, and busy percussion finds OÆRiordan in that smooth, effortless gear of hers. The opening songs represent a high ground that the rest approaches but does not quite reach. While the music continues to flow and lyrics duly explore elements of love, sex, and death, the path is a well-trodden one. We reach a subdued yet heartfelt ending in the ghostly title track. ôLife is no garden of roses, more like a thistle in time,ö OÆRiordan intones in breathy phrases, squeezing out mortality among the crescendos. It is a sparse, melancholic turn that takes a bit of sheen off the tuneful heart of the album, yet sits well against the more contemplative material, such as the gentle electronica of ôFire & Soul.ö In contrast, the strident rocker ôSchizophrenic Playboyö seems destined to be a crowd pleaser, designed to be played loud live and even sung along to lustily as it warns of sexual predators. The violin break in the bridge is a nice counter to the raunchier progressions. The Kinks-like ôWaiting In Walthamstowö adds further variety. Walthamstow is a district in northeast London; it hasnÆt enjoyed too many moments in the sun musically, even though its dog racing stadium graced the cover of BlurÆs 1994 album Parklife. Yet the way OÆRiordan eases its syllables into the lyric, we could be talking Paris in spring. ôShow Meö could do with a similar spark of originality. ItÆs a bit too radio-friendly for its own good and comes across as a composite Cranberries song without real finesse. All the elements are there, from punchy strings to potent guitars with a beefy chorus accented by powerful percussion, but as a song, it doesnÆt convince. ItÆs a rare flat spot. Much better is the wistful, dream-like ôAstral Projection.ö in which the signature big chorus plays out far better against the softer verses. Taken as a whole, the album conveys a sound that is uniquely Cranberries with the production polish youÆd expect. Arguably mellower, definitely matured, Roses is a collection that will please more than enough people to chart without quite winning best in bloom.