Are You Listening?

Dolores O'Riordan

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 2007)
• Original Release Date: May 15, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B000O170YY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,408 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
It's been a long wait for the solo debut from Irish icon Dolores O'Riordan. After all, the Cranberries issued their swan song in 2001. After their break up, O'Riordan collaborated with Germany's Jam and Spoon, Italy's Zucchero, and David Lynch composer Angelo Badalamenti. She also appeared, as herself, in the 2006 comedy Click. All the while, she toiled away on her first solo effort. Fortunately, good things come to those who wait. Co-produced by Youth (the Verve, U2), Are You Listening? is a throwback to 1980s-era Siouxsie and the Banshees and Sinead O'Connor--sweeping keyboards, forceful drumming, and muscular guitar work. It may seem like a melodramatic move, but the music never overwhelms the slight yet steely figure at the center of the maelstrom, particularly on the lilting "Ordinary Day" and haunting "Black Widow." Cranberries fans expecting something more demure may be taken aback, but O'Riordan's supple voice should win over most skeptics. And lyrically, she compensates with tender words inspired by her husband ("Apple of My Eye"), the death of her mother-in-law ("Black Widow"), and the birth of her youngest child ("Ordinary Day"). --Kathleen C. Fennessy

More from Dolores O'Riordan and the Cranberries

Ordinary Day (Single)	Everybody Else Is Doing It So Why Can't We? (The Complete Sessions)	No Need to Argue (The Complete Sessions)
To the Faithful Departed (The Complete Sessions)	Bury the Hatchet	Stars: The Best of the Cranberries, 1992-2002

Product Description
2007 solo debut from the former Cranberries vocalist. Written and recorded in Dublin and Canada and featuring production from Dan Broadbeck and acclaimed musician/producer Youth, whose many production credits include Paul McCartney and U2. The album was written and inspired by her personal experiences over the last four years including her marriage, the birth of her third child and the death of her mother-in-law. 12 tracks including the first single 'Ordinary Day', 'Loser' and 'Apple'. Sequel. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I dread this place without you, June 10, 2007

By	incubus1 - See all my reviews

It seems to me that every person buying Dolores O'Riordan's debut solo release Are You Listening? is only doing so because they loved The Cranberries. Tis the reason I did so I'm not saying that it's a bad idea at all. In many ways, this IS a Cranberries record, maybe even better at certain points. If you loved Dolores in The Cranberries there's absolutely no reason for you not to be head-over-heels for Are You Listening?

It's no secret Dolores has a voice you either love or hate. However, love or hate, everyone seems to be in agreement that her voice definitely stands out. That's one thing every single song has going for it. Another thing is the band backing her. At times it's nothing big, a piano-laced track with mild use of the guitar and drums maybe. Other times your jaw will just hit the ground because of how unexpected something they did is. And lucky for us, that happens quite a bit throughout the CD. Dolores' lyrics have always been questionable, and they still are at points here, but she's actually gotten a lot better with words.

Looking for a few songs that will jump out at you immediately? In The Garden, Stay With Me, and Black Widow are the most powerful tracks featured. Dolores' delivery in these songs never fail to stun me and the band really proves to be quite excellent. When We Were Young, Loser, and Apple Of My Eye all feel as if they were ripped straight out of The Cranberries catalog, and do them every bit of justice. As for the rest of the CD, sure there's a few influences that are easy to spot but for the most part there isn't a dull moment to be seen. Human Spirit, Accept Things, and Ecstacy are the more notable songs of that certain pack.

My favorite songs are In The Garden, Stay With Me, Apple Of My Eye, Black Widow, and Accept Things. If you like The Cranberries or have always been fond of Dolores' voice, definitely check this out. For everyone else, there's such a variety on this CD that it'll be easy for most people to find a few songs they like. Are You Listening? is highly recommended.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ireland's pride and Joy!!, July 3, 2007

By	Amre the king (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

What an amazing album. A great effort from the unique Limrick girl. I did like the Cranberries to some extent but this is much more a mture and outstanding effort.
The music is catchy and clean at the same time. My favorites are "Ordinary day", A beautifully written piece of art with tender words oozing with honesty. Rich melodies and easy flowing arrangements. The absolute stunner on the album is "Ecstasy", Once again beautifully written and produced. The lyrics are controversial but I'm sure one can understand what the lass is talking about! and the music is absolutely devine. I think this is the best song she has ever written! I'm hooked!!

The great thing about the album is that there isn't a bad song on it and you can listen to the whole album without skipping tracks, something very hard to find nowadays. I wish Dolores would be more widely promoted as the world deserves to know of her talent which is genuine and generous but unfortunately it's the manufactured Irish boy band Westlife with all their repititious hollow songs that are more clever with promotion and playing on a sickly boring image that seem to be the better sellers but then again, so are the likes of Britney and Crazy Frog!!!. Never mind Dolores, you have your loyal fan base and most of all, you know you're true to yourself. Both thumbs up!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DOLORES HOW I WORSHIP THEE!!!!!!, June 29, 2007

By	J'Ro "The Only One" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

GOD I LOVE THIS WOMAN!!!

She IS my favorite artist of all time. Of course I purchased her solo cd without having heard one song on it. Her first solo cd "ARE YOU LISTENING" is amazing. The cd is definitely Dolores throughout since she wrote every song. There's rock, alt rock, ballad, love songs -- something for everyone. Not to be crude, but Dolores could poop on a pancake, call it a cd, and I would buy it.

The cd starts out with "Ordinary Day" reminescent of her old Cranberrie days. Then you notice the change or "the growth" as she calls it.

"When We Were Young" is straight forward rock. I like that she's utilizing synthesizer now. Then the love song to her daughter "In The Garden" which has a harder, darker edge. Next, "Human Spirit" which I love because it's such an odd rendering. I believe she's added violins and a piccolo along with old fashioned tambourine. It is a likeable, odd kind of alt-rock song with almost a hint of Middle East to it.

Next, and OH MY GAWD comes my favorite song on her cd. It is the hard rocking and VERY, VERY catchy song, "Loser." Here she shows she still has that biting sarcastic sense of humor: "You think you're clever, but you haven't got a clue. A two watt light bulb is brighter than you." It is a great, straight-forward rock song. The next rock style song is "October." All of her up-tempo songs have strong catchy riffs, great production sound.

The other songs on the cd are mid-to-low tempo songs. The lyrics of these songs sometimes convey a sense of pain or loss -- probably due to events she's endured the last couple of years (multiple deaths of those close to her). The lyrics also convey at times her inner struggle with coping and accepting loss (if you're gone, why are you still here? Don't come near, I don't want to cry any more. Memories, illusion versus reality)

I've read some reviews that suggest Dolores' vocals can be annoying. But one of the things I like most about this woman is that she does NOT have tremendous vocal ability and she doesn't seek to hide that fact. Many of her songs rely on straight-forward vocal/falsetto/vocal/falsetto. Which gives her that unique lilting sound.

She has a new band behind her but she, as always, plays piano and guitar (so very, very well).

I will never forget the first time I saw Dolores on stage. A diminuitive elf of a creature playing a big guitar that made such a big, incredible sound, and then there's that unique voice.

I wish this cd was getting air play. I hope it does and that it is a successful solo venture for her so that she will continue to create music.

My world is truly such a better place because of this lovely little Irish musician/singer. I think if you bought the cd, you might just feel the same.