Each day in November, I’m revisiting a song from the 90’s — a decade that was a sorta coming of age for me. In that span, I experienced high school, college and my time as a young single guy in New York City. It was a decade of ups and downs, and the music never stopped playing during that span. It was always there with me. #30DaysOf90sSongs
The great paradox of The Cranberries is this: While they seemed right at home in the 90’s alternative music scene, at the same time no one else sounded like them. Nobody. Then again, most rock singers don’t yodel. And most rock band’s can’t fluctuate with ease in a single album from apocalyptic bangers like “Zombie” to jangly strut fests like “Ridiculous Thoughts” to one of the most unrock & roll songs ever written and recorded by a rock band: “Ode To My Family”.
It might not even be my favorite Cranberries anthem, but “Ode To My Family” is undoubtedly one of the most endearing songs I’ve ever heard from any band or artist. It’s the antithesis of rock & roll — this was Dolores O’Riordan’s look back at simpler times before stardom and sold-out arenas. It’s unapologetically tame, not trying to be palatable for the masses. There is nothing exceptional about the guitar or bass lines. It’s all about O’Riordan’s lyrics and vocals delivering one of the most genuine musical expressions of the decade. The words say it all: “Does anyone care?”
“Understand what I've become. It wasn't my design. And people everywhere think something better than I am.”