Cranberries’ Sass: Winning Live Video : ***; THE CRANBERRIES, “The Cranberries Live”(<i> PolyGram Home Video</i> )

Because this Irish band has sold more than 1 million albums without checking in with a high-profile U.S. tour, this 65-minute video gives most pop fans their first chance to see how the quartet handles itself live.

Is the band, led by singer Dolores O’Riordan, as seductive and smart as suggested by the best moments of that debut album--”Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?”--or is it a one-hit wonder?

Based on the group’s performance, which was taped in January in London and includes seven songs not on the album, the Cranberries are indeed a promising young band. The quartet balances the accessibility and craft of such radio-friendly singles as “Linger” and “Dream” with a budding vision and passion that give the depth required for longevity.

O’Riordan’s vocals, frequently brightened by an aggressive Celtic coloring, move between sweet innocence and alarming intensity as she explores various emotional contours of contemporary relationships.

Items are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).