Dolores O'Riordan - No Baggage (2009)
Tracklist front / back album covers
Dolores O'Riordan - No Baggage
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1. "Switch Off the Moment" 3:18
2. "Skeleton" 3:24
3. "It's You" 4:11
4. "The Journey" 3:52
5. "Stupid" 4:45
6. "Be Careful" 4:20
7. "Apple of My Eye" (New Version) 4:47
8. "Throw Your Arms Around Me" 4:26
9. "Fly Through" 3:54
10. "Lunatic" 4:28
11. "Tranquilizer" 3:51
Total length: 45:16
Dolores O'Riordan Band Members / Musicians
Dolores O’Riordan – vocals, piano
Dan Brodbeck – guitar; bass on "The Journey"
Marco Mendoza – bass except on "The Journey"
Denny DeMarchi – piano
Ger Farrell – drums except on "Stupid"
Steve DeMarchi – guitar on "Stupid"
Corey Thompson – drums on "Stupid", percussion on "Throw Your Arms Around Me"
Matt Grady – digeridoo
No Baggage is the 2nd and final solo album from Dolores O'Riordan. It was released on 21 August 2009 in Ireland, most of the world on 24 August 2009 and on 25 August 2009 in North America. The first single, "The Journey" was released to radio on 13 July in North America and on 10 August in Europe.
It includes a new version of "Apple of My Eye", a song featured on O'Riordan's debut solo album, Are You Listening?.
On the week beginning 27 August 2009 No Baggage entered the Irish Albums Chart at number 80. In 2010 it was awarded a silver certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, which indicated sales of at least 30,000 copies throughout Europe.
Producer Dan Brodbeck won the 2010 Juno Award for Recording Engineer of the Year for his work on the songs "Apple of My Eye" and "Be Careful" from No Baggage. The second single is "Switch Off the Moment". The music video for "The Journey" was filmed in 16 mm, at Howth Beach Pier and Howth Summit, Dublin, Ireland, on 8 May 2009. The music video aired on 29 July 2009.
Album Review: Dolores O’Riordan — No Baggage (2009)
Released in August 2009, No Baggage is the second and final solo studio album by Irish singer‑songwriter Dolores O’Riordan, best known as the voice of The Cranberries. It followed her 2007 solo debut Are You Listening? and was issued during a hiatus of The Cranberries, capturing insight into her life, emotions, and evolving artistry outside the band context.
The album balances alternative rock and pop‑rock with introspective lyrics and melodic arrangements that foreground O’Riordan’s distinctive voice. The record was co‑produced by Dolores herself alongside Canadian producer Dan Brodbeck, with recording taking place at EMAC Recording Studios in Ontario, Canada.
Tracklist & Highlights
The standard release contains 11 tracks:
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Switch Off the Moment – A strong, vibrantly paced opener with memorable hooks.
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Skeleton – Driving guitars and emotive vocals often draw comparisons to classic Cranberries sound.
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It’s You – A more tender, melodic song about love and connection.
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The Journey – The lead single; dynamic and anthemic, driven by percussion and vivid lyric imagery.
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Stupid – Piano‑anchored ballad showcasing O’Riordan’s emotional range and clarity.
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Be Careful – A shimmering mid‑tempo tune with a thoughtful message.
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Apple of My Eye – A new version of the song originally from Are You Listening?; it’s more polished and airy here.
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Throw Your Arms Around Me – Features layered percussion and folkish touches in its structure.
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Fly Through – Described as “quasi‑Beatlesque”; melodic, somewhat retro in flavor.
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Lunatic – Closed‑eyes, emotional ballad with rich vocal performance.
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Tranquilizer – A moody, introspective closer dealing with emotional desensitization and coping.
Some deluxe or bonus editions include extra tracks like You Set Me on Fire, Loser or extended versions, but the core 11 songs define the album’s tone.
Musicians & Album Credits
Primary Artist:
• Dolores O’Riordan – Vocals, piano, co‑producer
Supporting Musicians:
• Dan Brodbeck – Guitar, bass on “The Journey”, producer, engineer, mixer
• Marco Mendoza – Bass (most tracks)
• Ger Farrell – Drums (most tracks)
• Dennis DeMarchi – Piano
• Steve DeMarchi – Guitar on “Stupid”
• Corey Thompson – Drums on “Stupid”, percussion on “Throw Your Arms Around Me”
• Matt Grady – Didgeridoo contributions
• Mastered by George Marino
The collaborative production blends Dolores’s creative instincts with Brodbeck’s studio skills, emphasizing clear vocals and warm instrumentation.
Themes & Style
No Baggage delves into personal reflection, emotional resilience, and life beyond fame. Dolores described the record as some of her most heart‑on‑sleeve songwriting since The Cranberries’ No Need to Argue, exploring life’s ups and downs with honesty and openness.
Lyrically, the album covers self‑examination, love, inner conflict, and recovery, while musically drawing from rock, mellow pop, acoustic, and folk influences. It blends introspective ballads like Stupid, uplifting tracks like The Journey, and evocative mid‑tempo tunes.
Reception & Impact
Upon release, No Baggage received mixed to average reviews from critics: publications noted that while Dolores’s voice remained a compelling asset, the songwriting and musical impact varied in strength. Critics’ consensus on Metacritic averaged around 47/100, indicating mixed views overall.
Some reviewers praised emotional sincerity and vocal warmth, while others felt the album lacked standout hooks or fully engaging material. Still, fans of Dolores’s voice and songwriting found value and depth in many songs.
Chart performance was modest: in Ireland the album entered national charts (e.g., around #80), and across Europe had varying chart placements — in Switzerland it reached around #25 — but it did not achieve major mainstream success.
In 2010, producer Dan Brodbeck won the Juno Award for Recording Engineer of the Year for his work on No Baggage tracks “Apple of My Eye” and “Be Careful,” highlighting technical achievement on the album.
Fun Facts & “Did You Know?”
🎤 Did you know?
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No Baggage is Dolores O’Riordan’s second and final solo studio album — she didn’t release further solo albums before her passing.
📀 Fun Fact:
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The album includes a new version of “Apple of My Eye” — a song originally featured on her first solo record Are You Listening? (2007).
🎬 Single history:
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The lead single The Journey was released to radio in mid‑2009, and its 16 mm music video was shot at Howth Beach Pier and Howth Summit near Dublin.
🧠 Title meaning:
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The album title No Baggage reflects Dolores’s intention to make music free of past weight and constraints, addressing life with an open‑hearted view.
Conclusion
No Baggage stands as a deeply personal chapter in Dolores O’Riordan’s solo career — a mix of introspective lyrics, melodic rock sensibilities, and her unmistakable vocal presence. While it didn’t reach the commercial heights of her work with The Cranberries, it offers a sincere, intimate listening experience that showcases her artistic evolution and emotional depth.
