10 Best Rock Bands From Ireland
3. The Cranberries
Few bands can have come out of the gate with as strong an opening statement as The Cranberries. Their 1993 debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? was produced while most of the members were barely out of their 20s, and set out the band’s stall right away.
Their stock in trade was jangly indie of the American school, but with melodies and lyricism that could fit perfectly within the Irish folk tradition. Much of their oomph came from the incredible vocal talent of Dolores O'Riordan, whose versatile vocals were equally at home on ephemeral pop like “Dreams” as full throated rock outrage like “Zombie”.
Their mid period saw a steady release of records that were perhaps less exciting but never less than solid, but their reunion albums in the ‘10s saw something close to their original form, with "Astral Projection" from Roses a particular highlight.
Dolores O'Riordan’s tragic 2018 death spelled an end for the band, but this is a group of immense talent with a back catalogue far wider than many may realise.