Roses is the sixth studio album by Irish alternative rock[13] band The Cranberries, released in the Republic of Ireland[14] on 22 February 2012 and globally on 27 February 2012 through Cooking Vinyl and Downtown Records.[15][16] Produced by Stephen Street, it was the band's first studio release in ten years. Originally planned to be released in late 2003,[17] the recordings for the follow-up to Wake Up and Smell the Coffee were scrapped after the band decided to go their separate ways.[18][19] After a six-year hiatus, The Cranberries announced their intention to record a new album during their 2009–2010 reunion tour. The title Roses was announced on The Cranberries website, on 24 May 2011.[20][21]
The Cranberries worked on 19 tracks for the Roses album in Toronto and London between April 2002 and June 2003 with producer Stephen Street,[15] who previously collaborated with the band on Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, No Need to Argue and Wake Up and Smell the Coffee. Seventeen tracks were finished for the album. According to producer Stephen Street, the recordings recapture "the delicate darker mood of [the earlier Cranberries albums]".[23] The album included string arrangements.[24]
First session (Metalworks Studios, Mississauga, Ontario)
The Cranberries recorded 18 tracks at the Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada) from 18 April 2002[25] to 29 June[26][27] 2003. All album tracks, except "Tomorrow", were recorded during the first session.[28][29] "Losing My Mind" was first titled "Eyelash".
Second session (Miloco Studios, London)
The band and producer Stephen Street went into the studio st the Miloco Studios[30] in London and "Tomorrow", was recorded during April 2011, and the other tracks were completed during this recording session. "Stars" was replaced by the new track "Tomorrow".
Composition
Asked about "Tomorrow", O'Riordan told Billboard that "it's about the way we sometimes hyper over-escalate things in our minds, overthink about things...when sometimes spontaneity and just jumping in is better. Tomorrow you might not have that moment back again. So it's really about moving on and also about kind of looking at the younger generation and how they worry about all kinds of silly things. They don't think they're silly, but when you're older you know better."[16] A one-minute preview of the song was released on 31 July 2011.[15]
"Astral Projection" is described as "a dreamy rock song which could be catchy", while "In It Together" "is a very feel good song creating the same type of atmosphere as 'Stars' – colourful".[31]
"Schizophrenic Playboy" is a rock song dealing about the risks of sexual encounters. Noel Hogan described the studio mix of the song as "very James Bond".[32] A one-minute preview of the song was released on 31 August 2011.[15]
"Fire and Soul" is a ballad with drum loops and light electronica elements. A one-minute preview of the song was released on 13 October 2011.[15]
The songs vary in pace and mood, from the soft and summery "Fire and Soul" to the reggae-infused "Raining in My Heart" and the sweeping storm that rages within "Conduct."
The title track "Roses" is described as a "very sparse [...], but a very strong track". The music was written by guitarist Noel Hogan a few years before the band went back into recording sessions.[20]
The songs were planned to be included on the cancelled 2003 album.[33] The band first worked on those titles with producer Stephen Street during some recording sessions in 2003, before re-recording them for the Roses album in 2011.
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Dolores O'Riordan; all music is composed by O'Riordan and Noel Hogan, except tracks 2, 7, 8 and 10, which are by O'Riordan
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Conduct"
5:10
2.
"Tomorrow"
3:56
3.
"Fire & Soul"
4:31
4.
"Raining in My Heart"
3:26
5.
"Losing My Mind"
3:39
6.
"Schizophrenic Playboys"
3:39
7.
"Waiting in Walthamstow"
4:18
8.
"Show Me"
3:26
9.
"Astral Projections"
4:44
10.
"So Good"
3:53
11.
"Roses"
3:40
iTunes bonus tracks – Ireland[34] and UK[35] extended version (includes Live in Madrid)
No.
Title
Length
12.
"Dreams" (live)
4:35
13.
"Always"
3:10
14.
"Perfect World" (Deluxe edition only)
3:44
iTunes US bonus tracks
No.
Title
Length
12.
"Always"
3:10
13.
"Linger" (live in Madrid 2010 – deluxe edition only)
4:57
14.
"Zombie" (live in Madrid 2010 – deluxe edition only)
5:09
iTunes Canada deluxe edition (includes Live in Madrid)
No.
Title
Length
12.
"Always"
3:10
13.
"Stop Me"
3:12
Exclusive Amazon Germany digital edition[36](includes Live in Madrid)
In France, the album debuted at number 5 on the French Albums Chart, selling 8,950 copies, in Canada, the album debuted at number 6 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 3,100 copies.[39]
During an interview with Billboard magazine in October, lead vocalist Dolores O'Riordan revealed that the album would be released in February 2012.[16]
On 21 July, guitarist Noel Hogan suggested the possibility of releasing an EP before the release of Roses.[citation needed]
^ abcde"Roses". The Cranberries official website. Retrieved 4 January 2012. The official release date for 'Roses' is confirmed, and it will be February 14th, 2012.
^"Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 11.Týden 2012 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
