... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A record that's maybe more of a 90s classic than anyone might have thought at the time – in part because of the tragic early passing of the group's lead singer, which maybe gave The Cranberries a way to freeze a bit in time, and stay strong before running out of steam! The songcraft and production aren't completely revolutionary for the time, but they're a rock-solid example of the way that 80s Brit indie modes found a way to filter into the mainstream in the following generation – a kinder alternative to "alternative" – and a reminder that sometimes the best pop doesn't need to hit you over the head. Titles include "Yeats' Grave", "Empty", "Ode To My Family", "I Can't Be With You", "Zombie", "Twenty One", "Disappointment", "The Icicle Mets", and "Ridiculous Thoughts". Cassette

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

There's a 4AD-styled image on the cover – and the set looks at a moment in late 80s music when things were nicely swirling together – when production was getting a bit more layered and sophisticated from a few years before – yet not in a way that was overly polished or commercial! Instead, the style represented a new level of sonic sophistication – ways of taking core sounds and spinning them out with greater depth – which made for some really wonderful textures and shapes in the music – pushing things forward in ways that helped the vocals a lot too! The title references a few styles of the time, but there's plenty more going on within – a huge array of work on a special book-style, 4CD package that comes complete with loads of detailed notes on the music. Dozens of tracks in all – work by Ultra Vivid Scene, This Mortal Coil, Shelleyan Orphan, The Chameleons, Louis Philippe, Cranes, Breathless, Kitchens Of Distinction, The Wake, Lush, His Name Is Alive, Lycia, The Sweetest Ache, Smashing Orange, Sweet Jesus, Cranberries, Telescopes, Innocence Mission, Mazzy Star, St Etienne, Low, Dubstar, Pale Saints, and many others. CD

Tracks by Sonic Youth, The Cranberries, Cracker, Babes In Toyland, Matthew Sweet, Shonen Knife, and others. Cassette

With Green Day, Cypress Hill, Nine Inch Nails, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Crosby Stills & Nash, Bob Dylan, Traffic, Cranberries, and many more. Cassette