Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

by

The Cranberries

Edit

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.

I've been wanting to write a review on this CD ever since it was released. I knew that if I were to write a review right away that my review would be biased. I wouldn't have given enough time for the art to settle and I would of given a higher rating or a better review than I should have.

Anyway...

The Cranberries find themselves once again with their old friend Steven Street. Steven Street produced The Cranberries first two beautiful albums, "Everyone Else is Doing it so Why Can't We?" and "No Need To Argue". On this album like all of their albums the music is crisp and clear. The songs are never drowned out by overdubbed guitars or miscellaneous sounds. Dolores O'Riordan's Vocals are as prestine as ever. What I like about her vocals is that it gets stronger on every album. She sings with clarity and her guys back her up with their music.

On the opening track, "Never Grow Old" her breathy vocals floats and touches you in the most perfect ways...

On "Dying Inside" her clear vocals expresses the meaning of the song in the most powerful way. Her change of pitch in this song is done in a way that runs smoothes and is nothing short of breathtaking.

On the fast pace "I Really Hope" Dolores has to use different vocal muscles to sing the song. She again does this with no problem. Beautiful...

On the Played and Record Live "Chocolate Brown" Dolores's vocals recorded on one mic reminds me of Sinead O'Connor. Beautiful Song.

On the American version bonus track "Cape Town". The main and backup vocals are amazing and VERY fun to sing to.

The Guitars are vibrant. Throughout the album, Noel Hogan's soft picks at the guitar really adds character to the songs.

On the opening Track "Never Grow Old" his soft lullable like picks at the guitar help make the song float.

On "This is the Day" his heavy guitar helps make this song one of the best Rock songs by the Cranberries to date. His artistic influence in the middle of the song definitely help take the Cranberries to a different level.

On the do whop 60's feel "Every Morning", again soft picks at the guitar help set the mood. Exquisite...

Even on the cover song "In the Ghetto"(not available on the North American Version) the guitars are simple yet beautiful. I get great joy just by listening to the guitar.

The upbeat older song "Do You Know" has acoustic guitars as their older songs. Refreshing...

When this album came out I went back and listened to their old albums. Mike Hogan the bassist has always been in the background. He seems to be always at the back burner... On each new album, the bass guitar seems to be more and more noticable.

On the title track, that opening guitar riffs that merge into the beatings of the drums JUST WOULDN'T BE the same without the clever use of the bass.

The soft "Carry On" the melody is carried by the soft touch of Mike's Bass.

The political "Time is Ticking Out" the ska influence skip of a beat is transformed by the different sounds that Mike picks out. Every major change is made by the bass. Great song. The Club Remix of the song is pretty good as well.

And Fergal Lawler who adds percussion to the whole mix. His influence on the songs have always been noticable. He has always had great ideas ad again on WUASTC he proves himself again.

The poppy "The Concept" he uses a drum loop. It says that the Cranberries are still in the game. They know that the influence on today's music is pop stars. But, don't get me wrong. This song by far is better than any pop song on the radio.

On the first single "Analyse" the song begin with Fergal showing off this talent on the drums. This "Dreams" like song has similar percussion as their first single "Dreams".

On "Pretty Eyes" the snare drum used by fergal is one of the main focuses of the song. Far from distracting. Only Improvising.

All and all, the Cranberries music have always been good and on this album they prove to be great at what they do. But, from listening to their older albums, the first three. I notice one thing missing... The Irish/Celtic Influence in their music that made us fall in love with them in the first place. It is absent in "Bury The Hatchet" as well as on this album. It's Unfortunate. Though the music is good, the lack of their roots make them sound like just a Rock band. And though Dolores' vocal are as strong as ever and she does different things with her voice as in softer, breathier, etc, her back up vocals on this album fails to impress me. I miss the beautiful back up vocals she had on the first and third album. On this album some songs have beautiful back up vocals but nothing new. I hope that on the next Cranberries Album, they will somehow find a way to return to their roots. If not, I will still buy their albums and enjoy them as I always have. Great job on your fifth effort!