Album Review: The Cranberries — Bury the Hatchet (1999)
Released on April 19, 1999, Bury the Hatchet is the fourth studio album by Irish alternative rock band The Cranberries. It marked the band’s return from their first hiatus (1996–1998) and reflected a period of personal change — particularly for frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan, who had spent the break recovering from stress‑related illness and giving birth to her first child, Taylor.
Musically Bury the Hatchet stays rooted in the band’s signature alt‑rock and jangle pop sound but leans into more mature, introspective themes — from motherhood and relationships to loss and personal struggles.
Tracklist & Highlights
The album’s standard international CD includes 13 tracks:
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Animal Instinct – A strong opener about maternal instinct and protection, inspired by Dolores’s new role as a mother.
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Loud and Clear – Upbeat with punchy riffs and clear melodic hooks.
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Promises – One of the album’s most memorable songs; powerful guitar work and emotional conviction.
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You and Me – A sweet, tender track written about Dolores’s son, balancing simplicity with heartfelt lyrics.
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Just My Imagination – A melodic pop‑leaning song adding a lighter vibe early in the tracklist.
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Shattered – Melancholic yet striking, a standout for many listeners.
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Desperate Andy – Emotional and raw, with soaring vocal moments.
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Saving Grace – A shorter, thoughtful song that keeps the album’s reflective feel.
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Copycat – Short and punchy with a catchy chorus.
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What’s On My Mind – Introspective and rhythmic.
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Delilah – A rock‑oriented track with lyrics of personal conflict.
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Fee Fi Fo – Confrontational and intense, it addresses child abuse with raw honesty.
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Dying in the Sun – A reflective closing song with a warm, contemplative atmosphere.
Bonus tracks appear on some regional versions — like “Sorry Son” and “Baby Blues” in Australia and Japan.
Overall, the opening half of the album is strong with several classics, while some later tracks have mixed reception among listeners — but it shows the band’s emotional breadth and evolving complexity.
Musicians & Album Credits
Band Members:
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Dolores O’Riordan – Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
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Noel Hogan – Electric & acoustic guitars
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Mike Hogan – Bass guitar
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Fergal Lawler – Drums & percussion
(all credited collectively with production alongside Benedict Fenner)
Production:
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The Cranberries & Benedict Fenner – Producers
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Benedict Fenner – Engineer
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Mike Plotnikoff – Mixing engineer
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Storm Thorgerson – Album cover design (famous for surreal imagery)
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Andy Earl & Rupert Truman – Photography
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Jon Crossland – Graphics & illustration
The band recorded at top studios including Metalworks (Canada), Windmill Lane (Dublin), LeMiraval (France) and Sarm West (London).
Themes & Style
The album’s title — Bury the Hatchet — literally means to let go of past conflicts, and reflects the band’s own regrouping after time off and personal struggles. Its songs explore a mix of maternal love, adulthood, introspection, conflict and resilience — a contrast to their earlier politically charged material.
Dolores’s increasingly direct songwriting on topics like family and childhood gave the album a more personal, human perspective compared to the broader social themes of earlier records.
Commercial Performance & Legacy
Bury the Hatchet performed solidly worldwide but did not match the blockbuster success of earlier albums like No Need to Argue.
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US – Shipped ~500,000 copies and earned Gold status early on.
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Worldwide sales are estimated at around 2.36 million+ in 25 countries, with notable markets including the US, France, and Italy.
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Chart peaks include #1 in Europe (Billboard Eurochart) and #2 in Spain and Singapore, plus high placements across Irish and Italian charts.
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In the UK, the album reached Top 10 on the Official Album Charts.
While critics were mixed — some praising its emotional maturity and others finding it inconsistent — Bury the Hatchet remains a fan‑favorite chapter of The Cranberries’ discography and an important moment of artistic reinvention.
Fun Facts & “Did You Know?”
🎨 Did you know? The album cover — designed by Storm Thorgerson — was criticized in some lists as one of the “Worst Record Covers” for its surreal, stark imagery of a naked man in a desert under a giant eye.
👶 Personal inspiration: Dolores’s experiences of motherhood directly influenced tracks like Animal Instinct and You and Me.
🎤 Fun Fact: Bury the Hatchet was the first album after the band’s break — symbolically signalling a new beginning and creative rebirth after 1996–1998.
📀 Singles: Key singles included Promises, Animal Instinct, Just My Imagination and You and Me — several of which received substantial radio play and music videos.
Conclusion
Bury the Hatchet captures The Cranberries at a transitional moment — returning from hiatus with renewed emotional focus and a blend of introspective ballads and melodic rock. While not a universal critical darling, it offers compelling glimpses of personal growth and stands as a worthy entry in the band’s legacy. Whether you favor its anthemic singles or the deeper cuts that reflect on life’s complexities, the album remains an essential listen for fans of ’90s alternative rock and The Cranberries’ evolving artistry.
