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Wake Up! Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

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Top Track

Wake Up Everybody
Wake up everybody, no more sleepin' in bed No more backward thinkin' time for thinkin' ahead The world has changed so very much from what it used to... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Dec 20, 2010
    100
    The set is a masterclass in how to respectfully update and enhance classic music, and proves how vital and relevant 30-year-old music remains today.
  2. John Legend and The Roots have followed the most important rules when covering material from other artists: you need to keep that signature sound that made the original important, while also adding that something special to make it your own.
  3. It's just a shame that, with the exception of a single original that understandably doesn't measure up to the high standards set by the covers, Legend and The Roots had to reach so far into the past to find songs that comment so powerfully and insightfully on the issues of today.
  4. What could have come off as a mediocre-to-good novelty project has, perhaps predictably, instead reaches the public coming just short of being a genuine contender for album of the year.
  5. The Roots are about to get flooded with production offers, since if they can lend John Legend serious street cred and make him more thrilling than he has ever been, they ought to be able to do this for everyone.
  6. This well-intentioned collection never surpasses the strong originals from which it draws. But in pointing young listeners back to the work of fine if mostly forgotten artists such as Baby Huey and Prince Lincoln, Wake Up! serves a worthy purpose.
  7. 50
    Albums such as Wake Up! – best intentions aside – run the risk of coming across as entirely cheesy and contrived. Unfortunately, John Legend and The Roots are no exception to the rule.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Mar 18, 2012
    10
    amazing, I listened to this album almost everyday for like half a year and sang along. I feel you guys, and I **** love this album like itsamazing, I listened to this album almost everyday for like half a year and sang along. I feel you guys, and I **** love this album like its my brother Expand
  2. Oct 29, 2010
    10
    A fantastic album. They adeptly add new flair to still manage to do the original artists justice. The 'I Can't Write Left Handed' cover isA fantastic album. They adeptly add new flair to still manage to do the original artists justice. The 'I Can't Write Left Handed' cover is hands down one of the best songs of the year. Expand
  3. Oct 9, 2010
    6
    I want to like John Legend (he's just seems like such a great guy) but I just can't. Listening to him botch the classics just confirms myI want to like John Legend (he's just seems like such a great guy) but I just can't. Listening to him botch the classics just confirms my suspicion. He's a limited vocalist with Top of the Pops aspirations. I hung in until track 9, Marvin Gaye's classic "Wholy holy," then I just couldn't take it any more. The entire album made me crave an insulin shot. God knows given the current climate of hopelessness and despair we could all use a message of hope but this album vaguely reminds me of President Obama's health care plan. It sounds great until you realize that without the public option it simply hands 31 million additional customers over to the insurance companies. Collapse
  4. Oct 13, 2010
    6
    It's good because it's The Roots and John Legend, but I would have liked an collabo album with original content. I was really excited aboutIt's good because it's The Roots and John Legend, but I would have liked an collabo album with original content. I was really excited about this album, and I could still listen to both of them for a long time before it getting old. Expand