short shelf live
Just one song in this album enjoyed significant airtime: "Analyse." I remember even hearing it blaring from a jeepney in the Philippines. This album was born in 2001, right after 9/11. The video of "Analyse," with the silhouette of a man walking among high-rise buildings, took on a particular poignancy. But the songs were still Cranberry-hopeful. In "The Concept" Dolores chants: "Hold on to the concept of love, always darling/ Hold on to the concept of love, always/ Night all night, all night/ Night all night, all night."

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee sounds like a rehash of the third album, with all its sins intact. To the Faithful Departed earnestly sang of the Bosnian conflict; it was panned by critics. I remember a review from Time magazine. It said the band's understanding of theconflict was wrong, that it was a case of music and politics mixing badly. Wake Up and Smell the Coffee also couldn't let go of clichéd didacticism/preachiness (item: "Looks like we've screwed up the ozone layer/ I wonder if the politicians care") and whimsical existentialist yearnings (item: "I hope you'll never grow old/ I hope you'll never grow old / I hope you'll stay/ Forever Young"--"Never Grow Old"). The songs in this album have a very short shelf life.

A fine brew
Wake Up and Smell The Coffee has become one of my favorite Cranberries CDs. Dolores O'Riordan seems to have worked through a lot of the issues from Bury the Hatchet, and this reflects in the calmer, more hopeful music. The lyrics are more introspective, the depth of the lyrics is broader and the music is less angry and more cheerful. The hidden track, Cape Town, is one of best songs on the entire CD, a true gem about escaping the daily grind and going off on your own to do what you want.

If you are a fan of the Cranberries at all, this is well worth any investment might make.

The Cranberries: Wake Up And Smell The Coffee (A&M)
Did you enjoy that Evanescence record you bought? Well, can I recommend an album to you? While listening to The Cranberries 2001 release "Wake Up And Smell The Coffee", I end up listening to the title track. And for some reason, my original view was that the title track sounds too similar to Evanescence. From then, I was baffled. I am listening to two spiritually-influenced rock bands. I predict that you'd say, "It's simple. The Cranberries are poser rock. Because they copied from another poseur band". Hang on there, Trusty stallion. The Cranberries do sound like Evanescence lyric-wise and only on that song. I listened to this album because they were mentioning on the "I Love The 90's" marathon that they make sweet music, but it is not something that you would want to listen to all of the time...unlike Evanescence today. But enough. This album should be in every Rock fan's CD Player. Let me try to evaaluate the album, shall I? In "Never Grow Old" she dreams of a day in which we live a beautiful life. Many may say that "Analyse" is yoga material, but the drumming and Dolores' sweet voice makes the sound a little more accessible and sensible in life and love. "Time Is Ticking Out" talks so much about the bad things going on in the world like the fact that "it looks like we've screwed up the ozone layer". The clock sound may be a bit much to not scrunch your face, but it goes with the effect that time may be about to end, and none of the things we do are making it better. "Dying Inside" is a song about a woman who has a light that went out and causes her to break down and sulk. The album thus far is a more emotional view and spiritual rounds up the rest. "Wake Up And Smell The Coffee" is a hard rocking anthem telling you to wake up and smell the reality of life. In the song, the guitar playing came WAY before Lacuna Coil and Evanescence, and they didn't even have to turn it to 11. Amazing. That is also the showcase of Dolores' yodel-worthy voice. "Carry On" is a song of celebration with wine and laughter and living each day like the last. "Every Morning" (not a Sugar Ray cover) is a Cranberries custom birthday tune. So it looks like The Cranberries have plenty to offer than just hard rocking riffs full of usage for the Bible. The band has enough longevity and staying power to inspire the best of fans. The only problem is longevity in the mind of the listener. That must be the reason VH1 calls it a bit unmemorable musically. Well, give it a whirl. The best records aren't really memorable on the first listen.
Rating: 7.5/10

Just as good as the others.
In 2001, the Cranberries seemed to be a band the public had forgotten about. But they proved that they were still around on their 5th (and final) album. It's sad to say that the Cranberries have dismembered, but it is the truth. On their final effort, the Cranberries give it one last go round and it is quite a success.

Maybe it's Dolores' angelic voice or the light strumming of the guitar but I truly have not disliked any album and think "Wake Up..." is yet another grand success. The lyrics are bit simpler on some songs and less politically charged but Dolores' voice is as pure as it ever was especially on the whispy and dreamlike "Pretty Eyes".

The band keeps an up-tempo feel throughout the whole album only stopping a few times to slow it down. "Analyse", "Time Is Ticking Out" and "Do You Know?" are delightful fast-paced tunes that will have you singing "La-la-la the strangest moment...La La La the strangest day...La-la-la the greatest love of them all..."!

But the last track on the album is really a perfect ballad. It showcases Dolores' songwriting and singing ability and is called "Chocolate Brown" defienatley a must listen.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Time Is Ticking Out, Chocolate Brown, Dying in the Sun and Analyse

Wake up and smell the luke warm coffee.
I own all five of their albums, and what I seem to notice, is that each album isn't as good as the one before it. Ok, maybe "No Need To Argue" is the exception, but this is my least favorite of the bunch. It's not bad of course, it just seems to be alot of filler to me. I only really like 5 songs alot, and 3 of them are also on "Stars", which means I'm pretty much keeping this just for "Never Grow Old" and "Dying Inside". I hope they make a comeback sometime soon, but as far as "Wake Up And Smell The Coffee" goes, get the other 4 first.