Album Review: The Cranberries — Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
Released on 22 October 2001, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee is the fifth studio album by Irish alternative rock band The Cranberries. It also marked the band’s last album before a long six‑year hiatus (they wouldn’t release another studio record until Roses in 2012).
This record finds the band revisiting their melodic strengths with a lighter, more optimistic sound than some of their darker mid‑’90s work, shaped by frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan’s reflections on life, family, and appreciation of the present moment.
Produced once again by Stephen Street, who had worked on many of their classic albums, the record blends pop rock and alternative rock in a way that’s melodic, accessible, and rooted in the band’s strengths while exploring fresh emotional territory.
Tracklist & Musical Highlights
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee consists of 13 main tracks:
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Never Grow Old – Short, upbeat opening rocker that sets a positive tone.
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Analyse – Laid‑back, catchy lead single about reflection and understanding life’s pace.
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Time Is Ticking Out – Slightly urgent and rhythmic, with social awareness in its lyrics.
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Dying Inside – Tender and melancholic, highlighting O’Riordan’s expressive vocals.
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This Is The Day – Bright, driving pop‑rock with an encouraging message.
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The Concept – Breezy and melodic with an easy charm.
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Wake Up and Smell the Coffee – Title track with a mix of urgency and optimism urging awareness and presence.
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Pretty Eyes – Gentle ballad with a soothing, reflective feel.
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I Really Hope – Up‑tempo and spirited, capturing emotional hopefulness.
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Every Morning – Simple, warm, and catchy short tune.
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Do You Know – Acoustic‑leaning track with a defiant spirit.
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Carry On – Quick, uplifting closer that reinforces persistence.
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Chocolate Brown – A sweet, melodic ending with a classic Cranberries feel.
Different regional editions add bonus tracks like Cape Town, Salvation (Live in Paris), In the Ghetto, or live versions of Zombie and Dreams.
Musicians & Credits
Band members:
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Dolores O’Riordan – Lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
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Noel Hogan – Electric & acoustic guitars
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Mike Hogan – Bass guitar
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Fergal Lawler – Drums & percussion
Production & Artwork:
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Producer: Stephen Street
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Engineered & Mixed: Cenzo Townsend & Stephen Street
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Mastered: George Marino
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Cover Design: Storm Thorgerson (renowned for many iconic album artworks)
The album was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, the band’s longtime creative base.
Themes & Style
Unlike some of the band’s earlier, more politically charged material, this album is often warmer, more introspective, and hopeful — shaped by Dolores’s experiences of family life, maturity, and perspective about living in the moment. Tracks like Analyse and This Is The Day reflect everyday introspection and optimism, while the title track’s lyrics encourage listeners to “wake up” and appreciate life’s simple gifts.
Musically, the album leans into pop‑rock melodies and rhythmic grooves, blending tender balladry with bright, accessible rock arrangements that echo, in places, the melodic sensibilities of earlier classics.
Commercial Performance & Legacy
While Wake Up and Smell the Coffee didn’t reach the blockbuster heights of the band’s early ’90s peak, it sold respectably worldwide and showed that The Cranberries still had strong musical identity.
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In the United States it had sold around 170,000 copies by 2007.
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Worldwide sales reached approximately 1.3 million copies by 2002.
Upon release, it charted in various countries and demonstrated that, even after years in the music business, the band could still craft emotional, melodic rock that resonated with fans across generations.
The album was also reissued on vinyl for the first time in 2023 for Record Store Day, highlighting ongoing fan interest.
Fun Facts & “Did You Know?”
☕ Did you know? The album title — and especially the song Wake Up and Smell the Coffee — grew out of a life‑affirming philosophy embraced by Dolores and the band at this stage of life, emphasizing awareness of life’s beauty and challenges.
📀 Fun Fact: This was The Cranberries’ only album released on MCA Records, due to a major label merger at the time.
🎨 Artwork Trivia: The cover concept — involving gym balls on a beach — was designed by iconic artist Storm Thorgerson, known for imaginative, surreal album visuals.
🎶 Bonus Content: Various regional releases included extra live tracks and B‑sides like Cape Town — a treat for collectors and fans.
Conclusion
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee captures The Cranberries in a season of reflection and maturity — an album that’s introspective, melodic, and often uplifting. While it may not have eclipsed their early *90s masterpieces in commercial impact, it remains a meaningful and heartfelt entry in their catalog, showing the band’s continued evolution and emotional honesty. Whether you’re drawn to its warm pop rock charm or its lyrical depth, this record holds a special place as the band’s final studio statement before their extended break
