Bury The Hatchet: The Complete Sessions – A Cranberries Deep Dive That’ll Leave You Shattered (In a Good Way)
Let’s get one thing straight: when The Cranberries drop an album, it's not just music—it's an experience. And boy, does Bury The Hatchet: The Complete Sessions deliver. Released in 2000 under Island Records, this rock masterpiece blends Pop Rock and Alternative Rock with the kind of raw emotion only Dolores O’Riordan could pull off. It’s like biting into a chocolate cake that looks simple but secretly has layers of caramel, nuts, and existential dread baked inside.
What’s On My Mind? Oh, Just “Animal Instinct”
Take “Animal Instinct,” for example. This track is basically the musical equivalent of walking through a jungle at night—dark, mysterious, and full of vibes you can’t quite explain. Dolores' vocals are haunting yet soothing, like she’s whispering secrets directly into your soul. Meanwhile, Noel Hogan’s guitar work adds just enough grit to keep things edgy without going full-on metalhead. Honestly, every time I hear this song, I feel like I’m part Indiana Jones, part emo teenager journaling about life’s mysteries. If that doesn’t scream iconic, I don’t know what does.
And then there’s “Shattered (Live).” Man, if walls could talk, they’d probably beg you to turn this up louder. The live version strips away some studio polish and lets the raw energy shine through. Feargal Lawler’s drumming hits harder than my attempts at adulting on a Monday morning, while Mike Hogan’s bassline grooves so smoothly it feels like melted butter on toast. Dolores belts out lyrics with such conviction that even your pet goldfish might start headbanging. This isn’t just a performance; it’s a vibe, a mood, a whole lifestyle.
Behind the Scenes Shenanigans
Props also go to the unsung heroes who made this magic happen. Benedict Fenner didn’t just engineer or produce—he practically birthed these tracks. Jon Crossland’s artwork? Pure eye candy. And let’s not forget Andy Earl and Rupert Truman’s photography, which somehow manages to capture the band looking cooler than anyone has any right to be.
Oh, and fun fact: Dolores wrote most of these songs herself. Like, come on! Vocals, keys, guitar, AND penning bangers? She wasn’t just talented—she was basically a superhero disguised as a musician.
Why This Album Still Matters
What makes Bury The Hatchet: The Complete Sessions stand out isn’t just its killer tracks—it’s how real it feels. There’s no overproduced gloss here, no attempt to chase trends. Instead, it’s packed with honesty and heart, wrapped up in moody melodies and crunchy guitars. Listening to it now feels like rediscovering an old mixtape from a friend who really got you.
So, next time you’re stuck in traffic or need something to drown out your noisy neighbors, throw this bad boy on. Let Dolores remind you why we fell in love with The Cranberries in the first place. And hey, maybe grab a tissue—because by the end of “Delilah (Live),” you’ll either be sobbing uncontrollably or fist-pumping like a maniac. Either way, mission accomplished.
Now excuse me while I go listen to “Promises [Live]” on repeat and pretend I have my life together. Spoiler alert: I don’t. But thanks to The Cranberries, neither do I care.
