The Cranberries
No Need to Argue (Island/Universal)
30th Anniversary Edition
Whenever one of these 30th anniversary reissues of an album from the '90s comes out, this writer feels as old as dirt. Not to utter an obvious cliche, but it really does feel like the singles from the Cranberries' breakthrough album were just on the radio and TV, for the first time. The fact that we've now lost front woman extraordinaire Dolores O'Riordan really makes those memories all the more poignant. Because, my god, what an album this is.
Of course, everyone heads straight for the singles, and "Zombie" in particular. That song might well sit alongside RATM's "Killing In the Name" and Springsteen's "Born in the USA" in the ranks of "heard by millions, understood by thousands." "Zombie" was of course written about the political unrest in Ireland, and specifically the children killed.
"People say we shouldn't have done 'Zombie but, excuse me, I'm Irish. I'm a human being,” explained O’Riordan about the song. “I'm allowed to have feelings about the North, the same way I'm allowed to have feelings about what's going on in Bosnia. I express those feelings in my songs. It's up to people whether they want to listen to them or not.”
True enough. This reissue offers an opportunity, should we need one, to revisit the album tracks and the likes of the orchestral, beautiful "Empty" and the haunting "Twenty One" simply stun.
The Cranberries would go on to release seven more studio album, one of them after the death of O'Riordan. Fans will all have their favorites, and thankfully we don't have to choose. But the debut certainly shines bright. The remixes and live tracks on this anniversary edition add extra joy.
Keyshia Cole
The Way It Is (A&M/Universal)
R&B artist Keyshia Cole's debut is getting a 20th anniversary release in time for a tour celebrating that exact same thing. This is the albums first vinyl drop since it first landed back in 2005.
“I’m so grateful to be celebrating The Way It Is 20 years later with the fans who have been with me since day one,” says Cole. “This album changed my life, and being able to take it on the road — from city to city, country to country — is truly a full circle moment, and blessing.”
We received the standard black vinyl, although it's also out on snazzy pink. The songs still shine though, particularly singles "Love," "I Should Have Cheater" and "I Changed My Mind." Put those next to songs like "(I Just Want It) To Be Over" and "You've Changed," and Cole certainly seems to have been going through some challenging relationship two decades ago.
"Released in June 2005, The Way It Is marked a pivotal moment in R&B—introducing Keyshia Cole’s unfiltered storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and signature blend of vulnerability and strength," a statement reads. That tracks.
