Waking Up
by OneRepublic
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. BBC Music
    Feb 22, 2012
    60
    Second album Waking Up is a set of polished arrangements so middle of the road they make Snow Patrol sound like Animal Collective.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    60
    As the marginal progression of Waking Up attests, OneRepublic gladly mix things up a little. Unfortunately, whether it be through compromise, confusion or otherwise, they are still to find their consistent sweet spot.
  3. AllMusic
    50
    OneRepublic adds many production flourishes to their second album Waking Up: sawing strings, children's choirs, minor-key piano, cavernous U2 reverb, long ponderous instrumental sections of piano and orchestra duets, a title track that bears echoes of the Killers.
  5. The Guardian
    60
    What's indisputable is that every last song is incredibly catchy.... The other side of the coin, though, is their penchant for quivering balladry and bland arrangements that make Maroon 5 sound like Fuck Buttons.
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    Having cornered the market in MOR pop, he brings these well-honed chops to bear on OneRepublic's second album, throwing up an immaculately mixed cocktail of soft-focused rock, white-bread R&B and heartstrung balladry. [Mar 210, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Discussed Album of 2009
63
#63 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 72
  3. Negative: 7 out of 72
  1. Barry
    Nov 21, 2009
    9
    Solid solid album!great listen and at least 5-7 songs that you will love from it my face is waking up:Dbuy it!
  2. BenTheBeast
    Nov 24, 2019
    10
    OneRepublic has emerged into the music business with 2007’s platinum album “Dreaming Out Loud”. The album was an awesome kickstarter to theirOneRepublic has emerged into the music business with 2007’s platinum album “Dreaming Out Loud”. The album was an awesome kickstarter to their career. It had two big hits in “Apologize(the Timbaland Remix)” and “Stop and Stare”. Along with two hits, the album had many songs still beloved by fans today. After that, it was important that OneRepublics follow up had to be good. Two years later OneRepublic released their sophomore album “Waking Up” and it was as if they took any flaw from the first album, and made it a strength. “Waking Up” is truly a gem. This album is overflowing with style, personality, and sounds that will have you bopping your head to them long after they’re finished. The album starts off with the song “Made For You”. This song has to be one of OneRepublics most re-listenable songs, with its incredible piano beat and it’s infectious melody. The song ends with a children’s choir which perfectly leads into one of OneRepublics best, “All the Right Moves”. This song is one of OneRepublics biggest hits and for good reason. Everything about this song is music to the ears. “Secrets” is next and this has to be one of my favorite songs ever. The amazing lyrics which are about a man regretting his life of lies and is going to straighten up. The melody which has been playing in my head since I was a child. After that, “Everybody Loves Me” soars onto the track list and dominated its 3 minutes. It’s so catchy, and is something you want to play again and again. “Good Life” is of course one of the bands most known songs. The songs catchy melody, classic whistle, and lyrics about living a good life even when their are ups and downs to life have stayed with me for years. After that “All This Time” is one of the best songs on the album undoubtably. It’s slow melody and romantic lyrics are unforgettable. “Fear” is one of the bands most underrated songs, and “Waking Up” is one of their most unique. “Marchin On” is also awesome. As you can tell, I hold most of the songs on this album very highly. I hope people are not off put by the mediocre Metacritic score, because I really think something is on the album for everybody. I didn’t hear this until years after it’s release, and I was shocked by the number of songs I grew up with and also how many of the other songs on the album we’re just as good. In my opinion, this is the bands third best album(after Native and Oh My My” and putting it third is almost hard. My problems with this album are very minimum, and I hope you give it a try.… Full Review »
  3. mike4444
    Dec 30, 2013
    9
    I remember I initially hated Good Life but at this point, I do like the song a lot. All the Right Moves and Secrets are also very nice. TheI remember I initially hated Good Life but at this point, I do like the song a lot. All the Right Moves and Secrets are also very nice. The album as a whole is also very good too. I think the songs released as singles are the best (as they should be)… Full Review »
See all user reviews »