As huge fan of "Everybody Else..." and "No Need to Argue", it's tough for me to say that "To the Faithful Departed" was under par and as a result, I never really gave "Bury the Hatchet" a chance. I didn't let their latest CD "Wake Up & Smell the Coffee" go past and I'm really glad that I didn't. Despite the review that blasted this album's lack of creative lyrics, I've never bought a Cranberries album for the lyrics. I've always been more interested in the music and Dolores' sweet voice. My initial reaction (having listened to this album for about four days now) is that this album is most like "No Need to Argue" with its mix of fast & hard songs with slow & melodic ones. My favorite songs are "Analyse" (which sort of reminds me of "Dreams"), "Never Grow Old", "This is the Day" and the title track. If you are able to listen to at least those four, I think you'll be convinced that this is an album definitely worth buying.

... While most fans of the Cranberries will tell you that they like the band for their unique rock sound and crystalline vocals, Dolores O'Riordan's lyrics are indeed some of the most refreshingly sublime lines around today. Listen to them closely and you will discover that they are simply human, approachable verses that reflect a close examination of life itself.
In addition to O'Riordan's lyrics, listeners will find that all four members of the band have grown in maturity and musical range. After a bit of a break since "Bury the Hatchet," in which Dolores and bandmate Noel Hogan welcomed new children into their separate families, the band returns with a renewed, optimistic approach to the album. You won't find anything as intense as "Zombie" here (WUASTC comes closest), but the disc does provide an assortment of the styles that Cran fans have come to love.
If you like the band's lighter songs, like "Dreams," and "Linger," you'll like the new songs, "Analyze," and "Every Morning" (not to be confused w/ the Sugar Ray song), among others. If you like their harder stuff, like "Zombie," and "Salvation," you'll find some new anthemic rockers, like "WUASTC," and "This is the Day." And I don't know anybody who wouldn't like the U.S. bonus track, the upbeat, exotic "Cape Town."
Listening to the Cranberries is the musical equivalent of standing under a cool, clear waterfall in a lush Irish forest - Refreshing! Don't Analyze, just let the music wash over you.

The question: What would it be like if the Cranberries created a collection of music that somehow combined two of their surprisingly incongruent albums, `Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?' and `To the Faithful Departed'? The answer: They'd call it `Wake Up And Smell The Coffee'...an album that re-defines the rock music genre to create a collection of music that you'll definitely want to own.

The Cranberries' new MCA release, `Wake Up And Smell The Coffee' not only marks the return of producer Stephen Street, but also the return of the sound that introduced audiences to the band in 1993. Still, the Cranberries' new album also reflects a distinct level of intensity that fans will remember from 1996's `To The Faithful Departed'.

The album opens with the apprehensive yet soft song "Never Grow Old". Dolores's lyrics sing of the optimism that comes with a newfound revelation vis-à-vis life's wonder. Still, underneath the obvious, her voice suppresses a fragment of sadness as the lyrics timidly explore the notion of maturity. The song's acoustic guitars, soft piano, and gentle vocals make "Never Grow Old" a haunting opening track to a salient album full of mystique and passion.

Though `Wake Up And Smell The Coffee' as a whole, is generally soft and melodic, (think the Cranberries debut album, `Everybody Else Is Doing it, So Why Can't We?') the band didn't ignore the power of a good rock song or two. "This Is The Day" is an absolutely incredible song founded on guitar and drums. The spiritual undertones of the song's lyrics have the ability to evoke concentrated emotions; while corroborating the feel, drummer Fergal Lawler creates a steady, unfettered rock beat on drums. Bassist Mike Hogan demonstrates, as is represented within the entire album, an increased strength on bass guitar.

Correspondingly, the album's title track "Wake Up And Smell The Coffee" is a song that will likely start the set at live performances for The Cranberries in 2001. The percolating mood sounds of the intro disguise the song's overall (excuse the pun) flavor. It takes listeners over a minute to hear the striking guitar chords that will continue to pound through the harder, yet still leisurely-performed song. Lyrically, "Wake Up And Smell The Coffee" explores what fans might expect: the idea of recognizing self-worth while ignoring the fickle expectations of the world. Still, the song goes deeper to become more specific to vocalist Dolores O'Riordan herself, as she exposes personal experiences in overcoming feelings of inadequacies.

Another highlight on the album, is the upbeat pop-like tune "Every Morning" picks up the melody of the album and creates a blissful song that's incomparable in style to any other Cranberries song to date. The theme of "Every Morning" hinges again on the notion of time...or in this case, the notion of growing older and losing track of time. But if you think all of that sounds like a downer, it's actually quite the opposite. The message speaks of personal contentment; and the music backs it up with a fun, simple chorus.

Perhaps the biggest departure for the band thus far can be heard within the `Wake Up..." song entitled "The Concept". With its unexpected drum-loop opening with phonographic static, it isn't until the song's close that fans can detect the hint of a familiar sound. "The Concept" is a slower, beat-driven song encouraging the continued belief in (not to quote Celine Dion, but) the power of love.

Similar in lyrical message, is the love song "I Really Hope"- a rocking song that speaks of a persistent desire to maintain the zeal in a romantic relationship. Musically, "I Really Hope" is another up-tempo song that creates a lush blend within the overall sound of The Cranberries' `Wake Up And Smell The Coffee'.

The two new songs that most reflect the feel and sound of the band's debut album and earlier works, are "Dying Inside", and "Do You Know". The link to the band's earlier modus operandi is musical in "Do You Know" and vocal in "Dying Inside".

"Do You Know" is a somewhat confrontational piece about perspective, while the music is reminiscent of 1993's "Wanted". "Dying Inside" probes deeper to expose the soul corruption that can occur as prosperity leads to the love of money. Vocally, this song clearly captures Dolores O'Riordan's wraithlike voice as it peacefully soars and descends the breadth of the music, creating a rhythmical opus that steadily mollifies as it unabashedly absorbs the listener's attention.

From the hit single, "Analyse", to the bonus track, "Cape Town" (found only on US versions of the album), `Wake Up And Smell The Coffee' is not only the strongest, best-written and performed album of the Cranberries career; but also an irresistible album for any music collection.

If you're ready for an album where every track from open to close is a song with which you can easily identify and appreciate, `Wake Up And Smell The Coffee' is undeniably for you.

My expectations for the new Cranberries album, were high, to say the least. Usually when expectations are that high, one ends up being disappointed with the final result. When I popped "Wake Up And Smell The Coffee" into my cd player and listened to it for the first time, all of my prior expectations were blown out of the water, it was 100 times better then I could ever hope for!

The music haunts me, I find myself humming the tunes that I can't get out of my head. From the absolute beauty of songs like "Never Grow Old", "Chocolate Brown", and "Dying Inside", in which Dolores sings: "The lady loved her gold, the lady lost her soul.", It's lyrics like that that give me chills down my spine.

Of course the true rocker in me has worn out tracks like "I Really Hope", "Wake Up And Smell The Coffee", and "This Is The Day", the song that in my opinion has surpassed the previously untouchable "Zombie" as the best rock song ever!

All in all, this album is a must have! I only hope that The Cranberries will be making music for many years to come.

--Richard Ortiz

Even thought they never went away, the Cranberries are back with another strong effort. This album certainly has the feel of their first two releases, but yet has a fresh and updated sound. Alright, so Shakespare or Hemingway might find the lyrics a little on the simple side, but the songs themselves are so easy to listen to with the catchy melodies and of course Dolores' voice. Some real nice guitar work, kind of like how George Harrison's non-flashy but oh so effective style just seemed to fit and fill where needed on those great Beatles songs. A couple of experimental sounds and effects are kept to a minimum, but just enought to make it interesting.

"Wake Up And Smell The Coffee" and "This Is The Day" show that the band can rock. "Never Grow Old" and "The Concept" display the band's softer side. "Analyse" is the obvious choice for the first single with it's clever and overall "pop" sound.

I really like this album a lot and I think that Cranberries fans will like it too. I thought "Bury The Hatchet" was a very good album too, but this release should put the bad memories of "Faithfully Departed" behind us.