Wake Up!
by The Roots
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 21, 2010
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. NOW Magazine
    60
    The Roots aren't averse to a good cover song, so it's not surprising to see them team up with R&B crooner John Legend for a set of throwback soul tunes.
  2. Spin
    60
    The results don't always play to the singer's melodic strengths; ?uestlove sounds a bit reined-in, too. Occasionally, though, they send up some serious sparks, as with a raw garage-funk take on Baby Huey's "Hard Times."
  3. AllMusic
    60
    On Wake Up!, the funkiest, most flexible band on the planet backs one of the most skilled and accomplished singer/keyboardists in modern R&B.
  5. Slant Magazine
    50
    Pedantic spoken-word sections heighten the feeling of this-is-good-for-you laboriousness and make Wake Up! come off as heavier than it needs to.
  6. Urb
    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.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. yeayeayea
    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… Full Review »
  2. greenstrings
    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.… Full Review »
  3. dijavantewow
    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.… Full Review »
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