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Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee is a bit of an anomaly. Happiness, the music industry truism goes, doesn't lead to good songs--but the Cranberries' new sense of contentment, as parents and as seasoned musicians, has resulted in their best album yet. Gone is the slight tendency towards turgid rock fare, or the sense (as with 1999's Bury the Hatchet) of going through the motions. This offering is strictly focused and emotionally direct, with all 13 songs welded to Stephen (Smiths, Blur) Street's crystal clear pop production. There's a new honesty to the songwriting, too. "I, at 24, was insecure / Would do whatever it takes," sings Dolores O'Riordan in the title track, a passionate song about how motherhood changed her life. Moving from hard-edged rock ("Do You Know") to the quietly reflective ("Chocolate Brown"), the Cranberries prove they're still major contenders. --Lucy O'Brien
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
So it's two days since I bought the album and I'm not amazed to say it hasn't grown on me yet. That's not to say though, I'm disappointed. This one's another new journey to embark upon, an adventure if you will. My 7th year as a Cranberries fan, you do a lot of growing up in between 14-21, and as you follow a band, you grow up to the music, with the music and with the band. As for the band, they too grow up, musically, thematically and lyrically. Which is why we've seen such a 180 degrees change since the very grim 1996 release of "To the faithful departed". Another review has said that 10 years of recording still hasn't taught Dolores how to write a good song lyric. And what is it we're after as fans or just plain old music lovers? Something to make us interested, intrigued, something to empathise with in our lows and aspire to, and at the end of the day, when we're happy, we need a soundtrack (I for one do) to make a moment a bit more memorable and lasting, music does that to moments, good and bad alike, and this is exactly what this album is about. Finding peace. Simplifying things, clarity, prespective, priorities. Dolores O'Riordan has changed a lot in the last few years, and the music is the biggest testimony of that.
This album oozes of parenthood, motherhood, acceptance of one's past, embracing of one's future, and it reflects the rare ability O'Riordan has demonstrated of looking at a moment and having a clear enough mind to say "This is a happy moment, I am happy". It's a personal album, full of intimate hopes, anxieties and revelations. Songs like "I really hope" and "Chocolate Brown", are about those treasured moments of bonding with your children, and the fears and hopes that you'll live up to your expectations of yourself as a parent. The simplicity of "Analyse", speaks for itself, when you stop over analysing, it all sounds more simple, and yes, clearer. "Wake up and..." is a very self reflective track, and it is the spirit of the album, waking up and realising who you are, where you are and what you want your life to be. I have a lot more listening ahead of me but I'll say this in conclusion, while this is not a lyrically complex album as one might expect, and some would claim to be able to write better songs in their sleep... that's all fair enough.
But! We should all be lucky to be able to feel someday a tenth of what Dolores was feeling when she was writing this album.
That's peace of mind.
Well done guys. 5 stars as usual.
This album oozes of parenthood, motherhood, acceptance of one's past, embracing of one's future, and it reflects the rare ability O'Riordan has demonstrated of looking at a moment and having a clear enough mind to say "This is a happy moment, I am happy". It's a personal album, full of intimate hopes, anxieties and revelations. Songs like "I really hope" and "Chocolate Brown", are about those treasured moments of bonding with your children, and the fears and hopes that you'll live up to your expectations of yourself as a parent. The simplicity of "Analyse", speaks for itself, when you stop over analysing, it all sounds more simple, and yes, clearer. "Wake up and..." is a very self reflective track, and it is the spirit of the album, waking up and realising who you are, where you are and what you want your life to be. I have a lot more listening ahead of me but I'll say this in conclusion, while this is not a lyrically complex album as one might expect, and some would claim to be able to write better songs in their sleep... that's all fair enough.
But! We should all be lucky to be able to feel someday a tenth of what Dolores was feeling when she was writing this album.
That's peace of mind.
Well done guys. 5 stars as usual.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Cranberries have never attempted to reinvent themselves in an attempt to impress critcal acclaim.Thankfully Dolores has not,as yet,felt the urge to become a jazz or blues chantuese,Nor have the musicians broken out into avant-garde Tangerine Dream territory or become a Guns & Roses pastiche band.
No...The Cranberries remain firmly entrenched within their own unique genre of melodic Irish Indie rock with pop and folk undercurrents.
'Wake up and smell the coffee' continues in a familiar vein as previous Cranberries albums.Acoustic intros,spunky guitar riffs and Dolores giving it some !
It's good...very good in fact.Not quite 'No need to argue'in quality but chock full of meaty goodness nontheless.The eponymous title track and the live version of 'Promises' really stand out though.
Can't wait for the next instalment from the west of Ireland crew !
No...The Cranberries remain firmly entrenched within their own unique genre of melodic Irish Indie rock with pop and folk undercurrents.
'Wake up and smell the coffee' continues in a familiar vein as previous Cranberries albums.Acoustic intros,spunky guitar riffs and Dolores giving it some !
It's good...very good in fact.Not quite 'No need to argue'in quality but chock full of meaty goodness nontheless.The eponymous title track and the live version of 'Promises' really stand out though.
Can't wait for the next instalment from the west of Ireland crew !
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Hat's off to this wonderful Limerick based band. Delores's vocals reverberate the words with the echos of self-reflection borne from life's journey and experiences.
In a recent television gig on RTE the Cranberries remain coherent exhibitours of a group that are well-grounded as friends who enjoy each other's company and the music that is created when their energies combine.
Wake up and smell the Coffee may reflect the importance the Cranberries feel for family life and not taking things for granted, despite their success - and its energy remains clear.
While this is a stand-alone CD I recommend that you listen to its words, melodies, and rhythms with the journey in mind.
Great job Delores, Noel, Michael, and Fergal.
There is also a bonus track on the official Cranberries Web Site. You must have the CD to download it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Probably Only One For Fans
I love the Cranberries; they are one of my favourite bands. Their best work though, I feel is the earlier albums. Read more
Published on 15 May 2009 by Gemma Hilliard
A return to genius by the Limerick four that was sadly not recognized
A return to genius by the Limerick four that was sadly not recognized. The Collaboration with The Cranberries original Producer Steven Street is worth a listen too, Dolores is in... Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2008 by A. Memari
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
4 albums later, Cranberries return with Wake Up... Since their debut, Cranberries have churned out rather wishy washy albums carrying a small number of standouts. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2006 by L. Omelasz
Disappointment
The Cranberries fifth outing should deserve better than to have a life of the shelf, collecting dust at the bottom of a towering pile. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2002 by Mr. Kirk J. Wagstaff
Looks like they've taken their own advice!
The last Cranberries album (Bury the Hatchet) was inconsistent and patchy - to say the least. Hoever, WUASTC marks a splendid return to form. Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2002
Their Best Album - But Lacking Masterpieces
'Wake Up And Smell The Coffee' is the best album The Cranberries have released so far. That is to say, its songs' average level is higher than earlier releases - but it lacks true... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2002 by Bjorn Clasen
back to basics, fantastic again
Really good music again. None of the recent rubbish like the last album (ie not starting the album with the line 'suddenly something had happened to me, as I was having my cup of... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2001
The Cranberries return to greatness
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee marks a return to greatness for Limerick quartet The Cranberries. Raise your glasses to the return of Stephen Street who produced their breathtaking... Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2001 by ell_dub@hotmail.com
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