With their second album,
No Need to Argue,
the Cranberries have managed to avoid a sophomore slump by turning in a set of songs that builds on their debut's finest moments. With the exception of the distorted march of "Zombie," there aren't that many great departures from the band's atmospheric, melodic guitar pop. Most of the credit goes to the gutsy, beautiful singing of
Dolores O'Riordan, who manages to squeeze emotion out of even the most mundane lyrics ("Ode to My Family"). ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine