North Avenue Wake Up Call

The album was produced by Justin Niebank.[7] It is about life as a working band; all four Freddy Jones Band members contributed to the songwriting, inspired by spending 250 days on tour the previous year.[8][9] The band undertook short tours while recording the album to help them better shape the songs.[10][11]

Howard Levy played harmonica on the album.[12]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
The Cincinnati Post	B-[14]
Daily Herald	[15]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[16]
Star–Banner	[17]

The Chicago Tribune wrote that "the band showcases its breezy, polished blend of sharp guitar hooks, congenial melodies, and dusty tales of life on the road ... The songs seamlessly mix bits of R&B, roots music, rock, and blues."[18] The Sun-Sentinel called the album "a funked-up mixture of rock and blues as befits Chicago natives; the FJB takes it all in and plays it right back out in measure."[19] The Richmond Times-Dispatch opined that the Freddy Jones Band "maintains its lithe melodies with an added power punch."[20]

The State noted that "'Deep in the Flow' is funky; 'Wherever You Roam' is bluesy; and the band approaches ZZ Top decibel levels on 'Goodbye'."[21] The Daily Herald determined that "the Jones boys' hallmarks are melodic invention, strong vocals and incisive instrumental work—all elements present in force here."[15] The Cincinnati Post concluded that "Hammond organ and mandolin fills help give this pop its Midwestern character, with a rock and blues base."[14] The Star–Banner deemed the album "a sincere-sounding set of progressive, groove-intensive rock that's also radio-friendly."[17]

AllMusic wrote that the "impressive" album "retains the group's roots rock attack but manages to pay more attention to songs and lyrics."[13]