The Cranberries’ ‘To the Faithful Departed’ Anniversary Edition: Review

The Cranberries’ third album, To the Faithful Departed, garnered decidedly mixed reviews when it first appeared in 1996. Some critics loved it, but others panned the musical and lyrical changes it introduced, with Rolling Stone, for example, giving it one-and-a-half stars out of five. Fans of the Ireland-based group had the last word, though, making the album a six-million seller and the band’s highest-charting record.

Certainly, there’s a lot to like on the CD, and even more to appreciate on a new 25th anniversary edition. The original record, which has been remastered for this release, includes a few missteps, such as the plodding hard-rocker “Salvation,” but also some extremely tuneful material. The Cranberries’ late lead singer, Dolores O’Riordan, is in fine form throughout the set and often sounds redolent of fellow Irish artist Sinead O’Connor.

There are some melancholy songs here, including the mandolin-spiced “Joe,” which is about Riordan’s late grandfather, and “Cordell,” a tribute to record producer Denny Cordell, who died of lymphoma the year before this album’s release. Ultimately, though, the record is as uplifting as it is moving.

The original 13-track U.S. CD has been significantly expanded for this October 2023 three-disc package, whose liner notes include commentary from the group’s surviving members. Among the 30 bonus tracks are demo versions and early and alternate mixes of many of the album’s tracks, including the sublime, early-rock-influenced “When You’re Gone,” which may remind you of Julee Cruise, and a fine cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way.”

There are also 13 live recordings drawn from 1996 concerts in Toronto, Michigan and the U.K. In addition to several numbers from To the Faithful Departed, those concert tracks include versions of “Dreams,” “Linger,” “Sunday” and “Waltzing Back,” which first appeared on the group’s debut LP, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?; and “Zombie,” “Dreaming My Dreams,” “The Icicle Melts” and “I Can’t Be with You,” from its sophomore collection, No Need to Argue.

Related: We lost Dolores O’Riordan in 2018

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Jeff Burger

Jeff Burger's website, byjeffburger.com, contains more than four decades' worth of music reviews and commentary. His books include the recently published Dylan on Dylan: Interviews and Encounters as well as Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon, Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen: Interviews and Encounters, and Springsteen on Springsteen: Interviews, Speeches, and Encounters.

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