Salvation is free…does everybody get it then? The songs on the Cranberries’ third album touch on painful topics, dealing mainly with loss and the difficulties of growing toward true adulthood. Tragic inspirations include the deaths of singer-lyricist Dolores O’Riordan’s grandfather (’’Joe’’) and John Lennon. Much of this material is bittersweet, but the songs are saved from dreary melancholy by the characteristic quirky Cranberries sound of O’Riordan’s angelic voice, scattered with her trademark yelps and other vocal tics, juxtaposed against energetic, hard-edged guitar work by O’Riordan and Noel Hogan. In addition to the newly mature lyrics, there is also a new, rougher-edged sound to this album’s production, which puts the music within easy reach and lends TO THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED an earthy appeal. The other song which remains in my memory is “I’m free to decide” which exhibits constrained emotions and painful vocals. Altogether this is another album that should definitely be checked out.