To the Faithful Departed - The Cranberries

Once again I wield my pen for the band that I love sooo much.... To The Faithful Departed is considered their 3rd best album to date and is mainly the reason for the decline of their popularity :( ...... the reason being a sudden change in the mood of the music, which The Crans had patronised.... While making the third album, the priorities of the band were as follows :- 1) Louder Drums 2) More Energy 3) Less Slick 4) More Rough Edges 5) Less Compressed 6) Rock Harder

But I guess the formula didn't work.... and though they continued to live in the hearts of most of their fans, this album sold less than 9 million, unlike its predecessor, managing sales of more than 17 million.....

Tracks : -

1) Hollywood :- The Only Single of theirs without a video..... legend has it that the band themselves didn't know that this track had been released as a single untill a fan came up to them to have his/her copy signed.... It's an amazing Rock track, though it hasn't anything special about it....

2) Salvation :- This song talks about god knows how many teenage problems... It's probably the most popular track of the album.... and if you don't like this track, you probably don't like good music at all.... this track REALLY gets the fans pumping..... infact, it's live performance (IN paris, 1999) was released as a bonus track in their fifth album (Wake Up n Smell The Coffee)

3) When You're Gone :- A painful love song, really touches those who are atleast somewhat romantic... it was performed REALLY well at Korea in 2002

4) Free To Decide :- This track is definitely my favourite.... Here's the story behind it.... In a particular concert, Dolores actually took off her pants and was hopping about in her pa*ties, for which she was attacked by the press..... this song is based totally on her reaction to it, which becomes obvious when one watches the video....

5) War Child :- Another politically motivated song..... fans don't like it, mainly 'cos it doesn't fit in with the rest of the album... but I find it a BEAUTIFUL song with amazing https://lyrics..... ''Who's the Loser now, eh? Who's the Loser Now?''

6) Forever Yellow Skies - Here's another favourite.... a pumping track, really gets you jumping.... Unfortunately, I haven't been able to figure out the meaning to it... but I love it all the same...

7) The Rebels :- Oh MY GOD! Can they get ANY better? This song makes me very emotional.... it kind of reminds you about your childhood and teenage years and how time flies by..... Awesome music, amazing https://lyrics.... this should have been a single....

8) Intermission :- Just a little bit of sweet instrumental music....

9) I Just Shot John Lennon :- You could guess what it's about and get it right too.... Unfortunately, I don't love this track.... just like it... it's a little too loud... But the band has always given it quite some importance.....

10) Electric Blue :- The Intro of this song is enough to make you fall in love with it.... Fabulous song.... and passionate... about mystrey men....(Not that I care about men, being a guy n all ;) )

11) I'm Still Remembering :- Very nice track, also performed beautifully on MTV Unplugged

12) Will You Remember :- ''Very Cute'' is the correct way to describe this song..... Merry Vocals accompanied by the music of a Fete (OR a merry-go-round to be precise) makes the song fun to listen to, on a date.....

13) Joe :- Written in the memory of her deceased grandfather, ''Joe'' could honestly bring us close to our own.... the memories that she shares thorugh this track makes us want to have the same experiences with our loved ones....

14) Bosnia :- Yet another ''War'' song, and yet, a dynamic track it is..... quite in the lines of ''Daffodil Lament'' from No Need To Argue, this track pleases some, bores others.... I totally love it..... It sounds amazing when on loud volume.....

BONUS TRACKS (Found on ''Complete Sessions 1996-97)

15) Cordell :- Written about their deceased Danny Cordell, one has to be grateful to him for inspiring such an amazing song... so sad, so melancholy.....Just suits the theme of the album....

16) The Picture I View :- Strange track! Never liked it much!

17) Ave Maria :- Performed live with Pavarotti, this performance left most of the crowd (including Princess Diana) dumbstruck....

18) Go Your Own Way:- I wish this wasn't a ''Fleetwood Mac'' cover and their own instead, because this could have qualified for the best song of the album... MUST d'load if not buy.....

19) God Be With You :- This IS considered as Dolores's best Solo track by many... for good reason too... it was recorded for ''The Devil's Own'' movie, and can be heard during the movie once or twice.... so the next time you're watching it, keep your ears open will ya? 'cos this track is HEAVENLY...... That's all for now Folks! my e-mail for other fans who wish to contact me : thedragonxvii@hotmail.com CRANBERRIES FOREVER! Loved reading other reviews by them...

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Salvation is free…does everybody get it then? The songs on the Cranberries' third album touch on painful topics, dealing mainly with loss and the difficulties of growing toward true adulthood. Tragic inspirations include the deaths of singer-lyricist Dolores O'Riordan's grandfather (''Joe'') and John Lennon. Much of this material is bittersweet, but the songs are saved from dreary melancholy by the characteristic quirky Cranberries sound of O'Riordan's angelic voice, scattered with her trademark yelps and other vocal tics, juxtaposed against energetic, hard-edged guitar work by O'Riordan and Noel Hogan. In addition to the newly mature lyrics, there is also a new, rougher-edged sound to this album's production, which puts the music within easy reach and lends TO THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED an earthy appeal. The other song which remains in my memory is “I’m free to decide” which exhibits constrained emotions and painful vocals. Altogether this is another album that should definitely be checked out.

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