Later years (2001–2003)

In October 2001, the album Wake Up and Smell the Coffee was released. The band's old producer, Stephen Street, had returned and produced their new music video. The album peaked at 46 on the Billboard 200. Its peak in the UK was No. 61. The first single released from the album was "Analyse", which didn't chart in the UK but chart in US Adult Top 40 at 26 peak. In January 2002, they released the second single "Time Is Ticking Out", and some months later another one, "This Is The Day". None of the songs charted.

The following year a greatest hits album was released entitled Stars - The Best of 1992 - 2002 which was released alongside eponymous DVD of music videos. The album peaked in the UK was 20. The song "Stars" was released as a single from that album.

They started a European tour in mid October 2002, which ended in December of the same year.

At the end of February 2003, The Cranberries started working with Stephen Street and debuted their work for the first time in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 29 May 2003. While “Astral Projection” was describe as “a dreamy rock song”, “In it Together” – which had just been finished that day – was more “the same type of atmosphere as Stars”.  These two songs were played again during the band’s mini tour that summer, some with the Rolling Stones (as opening act), and some alone.

In September 2003, despite working on a new album, the Cranberries announced they were taking some time to pursue individual careers.