She has the voice of a saint stuck in a glass harp while being pelted with ice cubes by vicious clangers.

Their shyness is not only painful, but infectious too.

(…) it’s even more embarassing to watch because they’re so shamingly perfect!

These are the most beautiful high notes you’ll ever get to hear outside of La Scala

 

Those words belong to Sally Margaret Joy and were published in the Melody Maker on July 13th 1991. She went to see The Cranberries live in concert in a pub called The Old Trout in Windsor (UK) on June 29th 1991 and her concert review is one of the earliest if not the earliest review known to this day.

It may be very possible to find a few earlier articles/reviews inside rare local newspapers or fanzines (and if you know or have one please let us know) but her article might definitely be one of the very first if not the very first about The Cranberries published in a mainstream musical media.
And not bad for a first!
You can read or re-read the complete review by clicking on this link.

The Old Trout is now called Fort & Firkin

Sources: Melody Maker, Dolores picture by Pete Grant