Concert review: The Cranberries at Rams Head Live
It's been almost seven years since the Cranberries last hit the road.
Last night, the Irish rockers officially ended their hiatus with a 90-minute sold-out show at Rams Head Live. The concert kicked off an international tour which stretches through late March. What have they been up to in the meantime?
"I can't believe it's been six and a half years," said singer Dolores O'Riordan. "Babies were born. We had fun in the bedroom."
Aha ...
That's not all, though. O'Riordan recorded two solo albums, the most recent being "No Baggage," which came out in August. Last night's show was heavy on classic Cranberries material, but also included some of O'Riordan's solo work.
The band emerged at 9 p.m. sharp, and started with "How" a mellow track from their debut album, "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?" Early on, it was clear the concert would succeed or fail on the strength of the songs and O'Riordan's voice.
The four other musicians in the band (guitar, bass, keyboard and drums) had a few miscues, and several songs ended up sounding flat. I'm sure the band will find their footing in the coming weeks.
On the whole, the show was a fairly strong showing, especially considering how long it's been since the last time they toured.
O'Riordan has lost none of her spunk. Dressed in a tight, sparkly black dress and black leggings, her dark hair cut short, O'Riordan cut a fierce and captivating figure. Her impressive range and vocal acrobatics were on full display, too. O'Riordan's singing can switch from gentle to savage in a heartbeat, and her warbling and cracking can be polarizing.
The pace picked up with "Wanted," and shifted gears with "When You're Gone," an ambling, '50s inspired ballad. O'Riordan had the crowd in her corner all night. Fans sang and clapped along with her, and one audience member gave her a bouquet of flowers.
The first encore, "No Baggage" featured just O'Riordan and the keyboardist, which showcased the softer side of O'Riordan's singing. The inevitable closer, "Dreams," suffered from some disappointing guitar work, but O'Riordan carried the song -- as she did most of the night.
Welcome back, Cranberries. Don't make it so long next time around.
Here is the setlist:
1) How
2) Animal Instinct
3) Linger
4) Ordinary Day
5) Wanted
6) Just My Imagination
7) Dreaming My Dreams
8) When You're Gone
9) Daffodil Lament
10) new song?
11) I Can't Be With You
12) Ode to My Family
13) Free to Decide
14) Waltzing Back
15) Insomnia
16) Salvation
17) Ridiculous Thoughts
18) Zombie
Encore
No Baggage
Empty
The Journey
Dreams
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
This is the first time we have ever seen the Cranberries, even though we have been fans for a long time. We were not disappointed. We think Doloris is part pixie/part pit bull, and she portrays both aspects well. She is a commanding presence on stage, and the rest of the band just blew us away! The Cranberries are back!
Posted by: Will & Karen | November 13, 2009 8:43 AM
Saw them 10 years ago on a tour with Collective Soul. Dolores has an amazing voice. Sorry I missed the show.
Posted by: sturmy | November 13, 2009 9:19 AM
its not "No baggage" its actually "Lunatic" from the album no baggage. and i wouldnt say how is melllow...
Posted by: Yusef | November 13, 2009 10:46 AM
can't believe I missed this!
Posted by: a_nic | November 13, 2009 10:55 AM
actually, TWO audience members gave her flowers!!!
Posted by: dmbandie | November 13, 2009 12:58 PM
How was the guitar on "Dreams" dissapointing? The audience certainly did not seem to think so.
Posted by: V | November 13, 2009 1:36 PM
did anyone open for them or is it 100%
cranberries?
Posted by: cdman | November 13, 2009 4:54 PM
Yusef, thanks for catching that. That's what I get for writing the review at midnight.
Cdman, a band named Griffin House opened up, but I didn't get there in time to catch them.
V, the guitarwork on the album version of "Dreams" is so expansive, and the guitarwork on it last night started out offbeat and sounded muddled at best.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | November 13, 2009 5:20 PM
Was front row and center what a show! She took my hand twice even giving me a "hey baby" ! Even got her set list after a mad grab with other fans,still tripping!
Posted by: bill | November 13, 2009 9:25 PM
Hi cdman, thank you for the wonderful review!
You didn't mention the names of the other original members of The Cranberries so here they are:
Noel Hogan - Guitars
Mike Hogan - Bass
Feargal Lawler - Drums
and musician from Dolores' Solo project
Denny DeMarchi - keyboard / guitar / backing vocals.
Posted by: vanilla | November 13, 2009 9:46 PM
Just saw this show in Boston tonight. I think only Dolores was the only original Cranberry on stage. Should have been titled a la Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Posted by: Hello from Boston | November 13, 2009 11:09 PM
Griffin House is a solo act. Kinda folksy. Decent though. First time seeing the Cranberries and they didn't disappoint. I would agree there were some sound issues to work out but nothing major. Rams Head is an awesome live music venue.
Posted by: Dusting | November 14, 2009 8:23 AM
Two of my sons and I saw the show and were not disappointed. Wow! Dolores, an on-stage composite of Tinker Bell, adrenaline and vocal opus, gave the crowd what it wanted. Wish they could have Lingered longer. Great show in the right venue.
Posted by: Thomas Madigan | November 14, 2009 10:10 AM
I thought Griffin House was disappointing. Though I kept silent during his set, many of my neighbors did not, which I thought was rude.
Posted by: Hello from Boston | November 14, 2009 4:29 PM
INSOMNIA? what's that? Are you sure they sang that song? According to another site, they sang Switch Off The Moment instead.
http://www.cranberries.com.mx/news/index.php
And was there any "10) new song?"
Reply to VANILLA:
Thanks for the info about the "new guy", Denny DeMarchi.
Nice to see him at the board. Will he be a stabile member of the Cranberries?
Posted by: hungarianissimo | November 16, 2009 12:54 PM
Saw the Boston show.... absolutely fabulous! They nailed almost every number. Dolores' voice was dead on for ebery tune. Was like watching "Beneath the Skin" DVD from the 3rd row.
Note to "Hello from Boston" poster....all of the original Cranberries were on stage. these were not fill-ins.
Posted by: bf | November 17, 2009 11:54 AM
The song "Switch off the Moment" is a song from Dolores' 2nd solo album, "No Baggage" and is a song ABOUT insomnia. There is no song titled 'Insomnia'. All original members of the Cranberries were there. Thanks for the review.
Posted by: ME2 | November 17, 2009 7:59 PM
I went to the Boston and Hampton, NH shows and had a great time. Giffin House was a nice opener and people responded well to him. The Cranberries did great versions of all their songs. Dolores was spot on with her vocals. Her solo songs were good and the band did a decent job playing them considering having to probably learn them for the tour. The band really seemed to be enjoying themselves. If you're a Cranberries fan do not miss them
Posted by: Jamband | November 18, 2009 12:59 AM
just an amazing concert! a mix between new songs, and good old ones ! cranberries rocks!
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