Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?: The Complete Sessions 1991-1993 [Import]

The Cranberries | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal Japan
• ASIN: B00006BGYG
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #288,814 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Still Do

2. Dreams

3. Sunday

4. Pretty

5. Waltzing Back

6. Not Sorry

7. Linger

8. Wanted

9. Still Can't...

10. I Will Always

11. How

12. Put Me Down

13. Reason [*]

14. Them [*]

15. What You Were [*]

16. Liar [*]

17. Pretty [Pret a Porter Movie Remix][*]

18. How [Radical Mix][*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Angst, Anger and Love, November 17, 2005

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?: The Complete Sessions 1991-1993 (Audio CD)

This CD was the Cranberries' first, and was refreshing even though they deviated little from middle of the road pop. Dolores O'Riordan's lovely Irish voice delivered periodically in a grunge style made this debut fun to hear. In general the music here is safe, though the lyrics sometimes are not. The Cranberries have a history of choosing sometimes distressing topics for their music. It can sometimes be uncomfortable to confront their world, which seems to be tainted by despair and a variety of angst.

"I Still Do" is an angst-ridden track, heavy on mellow bass, about someone who is in love, and wants to break it off, even though the person is still in love. The reason for breaking it off is not clear, and perhaps it need not be. This song is the generic break up song when you have mixed feelings about the relationship but realize that it is in at least one person's best interests to end the relationship.

We go from the angst of a possibly impossible relationship to the dream relationship in "Dreams," which was featured in "You've Got Mail." A pretty, fast-paced, song, Dolores tells her significant other that she has given herself to him, and he now has her heart, so please don't hurt her. Even more, she also says that she is amazed by his mind and how caring and understanding he is. The ethereal music with a rock beat I personally find to be very satisfying.

We go back to angst again with "Sunday." This time the singer cares for or loves someone, but can't seem to make the connection. This situation has happened to me, and I'll bet it's happened to many of you. Dolores starts singing this one is a grunge style, slowly, then the pace picks up and the song attains a solidly pop beat. Seems like anything Dolores sings is pretty.

"Pretty" has throwaway lyrics to vaguely blues-sounding music with heavy bass. Dolores gets to trill her voice in that endearing way. My guess is that the intent of the lyrics is to be there for the sound more than for the meaning. It works!
"Waltzing Back" is an angry song. How did these people come back into your life? They are going to take you away from me. It's not fair. In the end, there's nothing she can do about it; it's your life. It doesn't mean she has to be happy about it.

I like the next song. The style of "Sorry" makes solid use of Dolores' ability to hit high notes. This song is combination anger and angst; she's upset and angry, but at the same time you sense that she wanted it to work out. She still misses him, but is still angry too. The rock beat in the background punctuates her anger with heavy bass and percussion, and a fast beat. There is a good contrast musically between her bluesy angst laments and her anger.

The Cranberries love angst about love. "Linger" tells how she saw her significant other with someone else, and communicates the hurt she feels. She wonders why he can't just go with her instead of letting her believe that they have any hope of a relationship. This song is all string laments; solid angst.

And the angst just keeps on rolling with "Wanted." A fast-paced song, here Dolores sings about the communication gap between two people, and their ability to understand each other's needs. Just what is it you want, what are you trying to say?

"Still Can't..." starts acoustically, and then takes off with bass and backing drums. Dolores' sultry voice expresses her anger that her significant other is telling lies about the situation between her and him. He won't apologize, he's laughing about the situation behind her back. I don't think I'd want to be the other person in this song.

"I Will Always" expresses the simple thought that she gives everything of herself to him. He needs to do whatever he will do, and she'll be there. The music here is slow and mellow, Dolores sings very slowly, mournfully. She still manages to hit the high notes with a grunge flavor, even though it's not really a grunge song. Grunge blues maybe.

I get the feeling that "How" is the Cranberries version of "You're so Vain," sung by Carly Simon. The words express how he is self-centered, and he left her alone, at least emotionally, if not physically. Dolores was looking for a closeness that he isn't providing. There is a heavy drum beat in this relatively fast-paced song.

"Put Me Down" again makes such wonderful use of Dolores' voice, sultry to start and then going for the high notes. The topic of the song is pretty much like the title says: she keeps getting put down; she keeps trying, but keeps getting treated like a second-class person; this is a lovely song to finish off the CD.

This CD is full of heavily orchestrated music, very well played. Dolores has an incredible vocal range, and the Irish accent adds something to these songs. There are so many influences that it is hard to categorize the music. I call it lovely and mellow, and my favorite Cranberries CD. I give this CD five stars plus.

Note that this version of the CD is a Japanese re-issue that features six additional tracks, five of which are also included in the "Complete 1991-1993 Sessions" version of this CD. I recommend that you see which versions are available and their price prior to selecting the version that is best for you needs.