The Cranberries To The Faithful Departed (Deluxe Edition) 2LP

To the Faithful Departed, the Cranberries' monumental third album, was originally released in 1996. The album has sold over six million copies worldwide and became the band's highest-charting album on the U.S. Billboard Top 200.

The expanded 2LP set includes three previously unreleased album demos recorded with Tim Palmer in Paris, two tracks from 2002's To the Faithful Departed (The Complete Sessions 1996-1997) and the original 1LP 15-track album remastered by John Dent at Metropolis. Available on 2LP black vinyl.

To The Faithful Departed finds the quartet in near-perfect balance. The more shoegaze-inspired numbers have the downswinging punch of a rock band and the heavier material is lightened nicely by Noel Hogan's glimmery tone and the sweetness that trickles around the edges of late Dolores O'Riordan's voice. The new pressing lets that push-pull come through but also bears the unfortunate muddiness that befalls most vinyl sourced from digital masters. The true delights of this reissue can be found on the fourth side with three demo versions of material from the original LP and the band's faithful rendition of 'Go Your Own Way,' originally issued on a 1998 tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours.

On the 2023 reissue of the Deluxe Edition, the surviving members of the band collected a wealth of demos, outtakes, B-sides, and live versions from the era.... The most exciting portion of this release is the third disc, which captures their 1996 Free to Decide tour, consisting of live performances from Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre and Pine Knob Music Center in Clarkston, Michigan.