The Cranberries

In a nifty change-up, Irish band the Cranberries hit it big in the States before their own countrymen took notice. On the strength of the single "Linger," with its lush strings, liquid guitars, and the blazing expression of singer Dolores O'Riordan's lead vocal, the Cranberries shot to the top of '90s alt-pop scene Stateside, then on both sides of the pond. It was there that the band lingered, topping themselves with atmospheric soundscape of "Dreams" and the melodic rock drone of "Zombie." Feast on more of the Cranberries in Next Steps.

Dreamy, polished pop with a twist was the Cranberries' true talent, with inspired touches like the trill of Irish pipes on the ethereal "Daffodil Lament," the acoustic guitars and beat of Irish drums on "Empty," or the lilting brogue vocals of "I Will Always." Of course, exceptions are what make the rule, and so we bring you the fierce and vivid "Forever Yellow Skies," the pulsating power and wail of "How," and the moody rock ride of "Hollywood." Hit Deep Cuts to explore more of the Cranberries' best.

Searching far and wide so you don't have to, we bring you the best of the Cranberries' Deep Cuts, with previously unreleased numbers like a rough-and-rocking "New New York" and bonus-track bonanzas ("Liar" and a haunting "God Be With You"). We've got Dolores O'Riordan's lovely solo ode to her daughter, "Ordinary Day," as well as knockout collaborations ("Ave Maria" with Luciano Pavarotti), and the perfect pop covers "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and "Go Your Own Way."

Irish band the Cranberries broke through the old fashioned way, touring and performing to spread the word. When they finally hit it big in the early '90s, they didn't just make a name for themselves; they came to define a certain brand of the era's haunting alternative music, with songs like the hit "Ode to My Family" and "When You're Gone," powered by sweeping washes of chiming guitars, tongue-tripping lyrics, and the vocals of frontwoman Dolores O'Riordan, whose pipes could lilt and whisper one second and swoop and soar the next. Download the Cranberries Essentials and you get the band's best in one shot, from previously unreleased tracks (a sparkling "Stars") to rock-heavy missions ("Salvation") to their trademark nuggets of melodic alt-pop ("Just My Imagination").