Wake Up The Nation
by Paul Weller
  • Record Label: Yep Roc
  • Release Date: Jun 1, 2010
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The Guardian
    100
    The fearless try-anything spirit of Paul Welly, it seems, is still alive and well.
  2. Q Magazine
    100
    With the exception of Bob Dylan, there isn't a single artist, living or dead, who has managed a record this audacious 30-plus-years into a career. Wake Up The Nation is that good. [May 2010, p.114]
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  3. Dot Music
    90
    Compact and succinctly direct, its 16 tracks rarely break the three-minute mark but are packed with a greater density of ideas than its predecessor.
  5. PopMatters
    90
    Wake Up the Nation, once again illustrates not only his perennial songwriting prowess, but also his incredible staying power amidst artists for whom influence is sporadic and brief at best.
  6. AllMusic
    90
    This is music of the mind that remains fiercely visceral, music that feels of a piece of Weller's entire body of work, but is quite unique in its execution and impact.
  7. Prefix Magazine
    85
    Wake Up The Nation comes across as a lean, physical record with enough lucid zingers to make you hungry for more.
  8. The A.V. Club
    83
    Taken all together, Wake Up The Nation is either a standout album from a brilliant career, or utter wankery. One thing's certain: It ain't dull.
  9. Mojo
    80
    An astonishing landmark, and great record, wherein the Mod once again becomes The Modernist. [May 2010, p.94]
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  10. BBC Music
    80
    Nevertheless, what the album lacks in depth, it more than makes up for in the length and breadth of Weller's imagination.
  11. Clash Music
    80
    Lean, mean and as uncompromisingly focused as its maker, this is an album for everyone's collection, and whilst Weller is perhaps not the man he once was, the man he is now is most definitely still a force to be reckoned with.
  12. musicOMH.com
    80
    Overall Wake Up The Nation is an impressive achievement which sees Weller's brand of psychedelic soul-rock revitalized. Retro has rarely sounded this fresh.
  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    It's a collection of ludicrously fresh-sounding, short and sharp material (the majority of tracks are under two-and a-half minutes) that confirms he's in the midst of a seriously impressive rebirth.
  14. Slant Magazine
    80
    Wake Up certainly stands as a collection of top-notch material, representing the second part of a late-term renaissance for an artist who already had a reputation as an innovator.
  15. Uncut
    80
    Wake Up The Nation, an album that goes a long way to differentiate itself from its predecessor in sound, texture and atmosphere.
  16. Pitchfork
    77
    That's just about a half-hour shorter than 22 Dreams, but the disc in turn is twice the fun.
  17. Hot Press
    70
    Modfather gets his weird on.
  18. Under The Radar
    70
    In the end, Wake Up The Nation serves as a set of songs that will prompt listeners to shuck preconceptions and just enjoy an album. [Spring 2010, p.66]
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  19. Spin
    70
    The aptly titled Wake Up the Nation hardly feels like a nostalgia trip; in the taut, two-minute boogie-punk number "Fast Car/Slow Traffic," Weller could be describing himself in relation to his heritage-rock peers.
  20. Los Angeles Times
    63
    "Wake Up the Nation," if anything, is at times too manically experimental.
  21. Drowned In Sound
    60
    Overall, Wake Up The Nation isn't a bad record, but it can be a bovine test of endurance, at least if one is to devour all sixteen tracks in one sitting. Had the quality control officers had the guts to stand up to its creator in chief, this could have been an endearing re-affirmation.
  22. Boston Globe
    50
    Wake Up the Nation rocks with abandon, to be sure. What it needs is cohesion.
  23. No Ripcord
    Jan 7, 2011
    40
    Lyrically Wake Up The Nation is largely inscrutable, while sonically it remains a shambling and ungainly listen.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Album of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Ricko
    Nov 20, 2020
    7
    Although representing a change in direction, it is unmistakable Weller. It's an intriguing and testing record. There is no hanging around onAlthough representing a change in direction, it is unmistakable Weller. It's an intriguing and testing record. There is no hanging around on "Wake Up The Nation". Each of the albums 16 tracks comes, makes it point and then leaves before you get stuck into it. As a result, the album requires many listens to hear, let alone to appreciate. Often, the repeated listening rewards, for other tracks less so. "Wake Up the Nation" is more of interest than enjoyment, it lacks classic tunes but makes up for it in ideas and experiments.… Full Review »
  2. GoodDevilTr
    Jun 23, 2012
    7
    Just a average album from Paul Weller. I wish He was more popular than He is now. You can buy this album and listen to some good music butJust a average album from Paul Weller. I wish He was more popular than He is now. You can buy this album and listen to some good music but don't expect too much… Full Review »
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