Catch A Fire

I came into this album mildly interested. I listened to Bob Marley a lot when I was younger, and my lasting impression was pleasant, political, fun. Good background, maybe. In other words… I was wholly unprepared for the 40 minutes I was about to get. This time, I decided to listen a little closer to the musicianship, get a sense of what is going on in the background. And let me tell you. These players are…. So. Fucking. Locked. They are locked like a locomotive. They’re not going anywhere. When you look up “pocket” in the encyclopedia it should be the smiling face of that clav player on Track 1. Unbelievable. This is how you start a reggae band, folks. You hear some music that is so unbelievably locked like this and you think maybe, just maybe we can pull this off. Well you probably can’t. Don’t let it stop you, but… the level of locked and loaded on these rhythm parts puts most other reggae and ska to shame. To shame. That’s how high the heights are here. This kind of rhythm is so infectious. I was having a hugely fun time. I am thankful this exists, and it is no longer background music to me. It is music music. I am going to evangelize to all my music friends. They’ll think… “Jacob, aren’t you’re exactly 50 years too late?” Fuck I don’t care. 5/5

What a great album. Marley has an uncanny ability to write scathing social commentary and put it to music that just feels good. There's anger and frustration here but it's mixed with enough joy to stay sweet. The result is so balanced that I find myself digesting the message without any of the jaded defensiveness that "message" albums often provoke. It's great. Marley and his Wailers were brilliant.

The only Bob Marley album I had ever heard before this was the greatest hits. And I have to say this album was on par with that. A great collection of songs that are political and beautiful. I really liked this one.

Not even close to my fave BMATW album but still worthy of full marks. So much political struggle coursing through this album, broken up by amazing love songs like ‘Baby we’ve got a date’ and ‘Stir It Up’. Love that Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths are on the backing vocals of Stir it Up. Peter Tosh also deserves a notable mention. ‘Stop that Train’ is a tune. BMATW were by no means a one man band as many believe

I think this is an underrated one by Bob. High Tide or Low Tide may be my favorite Bob Marley that no one ever talks about.

I really don't understand how people can enjoy this drivel. Sure, it's not as aggravatingly painful to the ears as other 1's on my list. But it's soooooo boring that having it on drives me absolutely insane - as compared to silence which is massively more interesting. I wasn't able to stand half of any of the first five songs. Gosh, I really hate Bob Marley. Even if I were stoned out of my mind this wouldn't be anywhere near listenable.

A classic album...but not my favourite. Concrete Jungle and Stir it Up are stone cold classics and the other songs are not far behind. You can't go wrong rolling up a fat one and putting this great album on the turntable. 4.5 stars

Believe it or not, when I was in my early twenties, I had dreadlocks and around five different Bob Marley t-shirts in frequent rotation. I didn’t even know much of his music, but I really leaned into that look. Bid odd that, innit? Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Concrete Jungle, Stop That Train, All Day All Night From the start of the opening track until the closing seconds of the finale, this album brought me happiness. I was swaying my head with a smile of my face and having a generally nice time. The songs all do sound somewhat similar to each other, so if you simply don’t like reggae then you won’t find much here for you, but if you’re open to it then this album is fantastic from front to back. There are catchy hooks everywhere and you’ll find yourself humming along to songs you may have never even heard before. Overall, an essential listen. I loved this.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

I like Bob Marley but this was boring to the point of it being hard to defend.

This is sadly not the long-hoped-for revelation: most reggae bores me, feels lacking until the heavy dub effects and weirdness are pasted on top. The first track showed promise, which I now realise was because my rockist ears had picked up the overdub of Wayne Perkins guitar, transported from a different, funkier scene. This is not a bad record, just not for me right now. Perhaps never for me.

A moodier, more downbeat Bob Marley album, but absolutely timeless and beautifully done. The songwriting is excellent, as always with these guys, weaving political themes into beautiful, soft melodies. The production is amazing, and these guys were such good musicians. An underrated album and a pleasure to listen to. 5/5

Reggae arrives back on the list and demolishes my nitpicks about the other records. There are undoubtedly imperfections to listen for here, but Catch a Fire is my clear favorite Marley project so far. Its genius lies in the constant synthesis of something else by the band, a different something for each track. But the cribbing isn't because the core is bad: Mood comes across the wire perfectly; The album is a gem.

I presumed all reggae sounded the same - I was very wrong, this album is coherent and full of individual crackers. Brilliant rhythms and artistry on display. Lots of complexity in the lyrics. Reminds me a lot of Tabac in Liverpool, they had reggae on repeat but at the stage of the evening we ended up there, I wasn't using my ears. Concrete Jungle, No More Trouble, High Tide or Low Tide - all great. Despite Kinky Reggae being a misstep, 5 stars feels deserved.

It's not painful to listen to but I don't get reggae. A lot of it is pretty samey to me. I don't understand what makes this album worthwhile, I really don't. Bob is an okay singer but nothing special. For a guy with such a cult following I'm just perplexed as to why. Not exactly horrible, but I just don't know why I'm supposed to give a damn.

groovy reggae, can't fault it

This is 2nd Sunday in a row the Generator has given me a reggae album. Total banger. The Wailers really are the apex of Reggae music. I listen to a lot of this type of music and this band is simply the best. All the deep tracks are where it's at. If Aston "Family Man" Barrett isn't in your top 10 all time bass players we probably can't be friends. 5 stars all day, everyday.

Yo maybe reggae is actually really good

My second Marley album, I think I prefer Exodus but fantastic album nonetheless. Just puts you in a good mood, which is especially impressive considering the weight of some of the subjects it deals with. Peter Tosh's tracks on this are excellent too, especially Stop That Train. Accidentally listened to the deluxe edition, which has two disks with different recordings of the same songs in a different order, which is confusing if you're not expecting it.

Loved this classic album! Has all the awesome groove of an original Bob album plus all the classic message of activism, overcoming oppression and persevering! Loved it!!

Excellent album(s). I had listened to the original 1973 a few times before. But theres a 2001 version with a different track listing. Both are extraordinary. Greasy, groovy, moody, cool. The music is tight, era defining and unparalleled as far as reggae goes anyway. The lyrics are incisive, precise, enigmatic. Very listenable and there's nothing quite like this album, even in the Wailers back catalogue. A unique, edgy, exciting album I would always always recommend.

Classic album. Timeless production.

the zippo lighter album (which you can open!)cover puts this in the same genre as TLT Scratch n Sniff EP! Love how there is a bit of R&B/Motown in a few songs (High Tide/Low Tide) - also dig Tosh's lead vocals on Stop that Train.

Catch a Fire I think this is the first time I’ve listened to a Bob Marley album outside the Legend greatest hits album. Aside from Stir it Up I don’t really know any of the songs and unsurprisingly it’s just a great collection of songs, with brilliant bass playing, grooves and melodies with Bob Marley’s fantastic, warm voice, and a winning mix of protest songs and romance. You can see how and why he became so popular worldwide after this. The slide on Baby We’ve Got a Date (Rock it Baby) stood out on first listen and sounded incongruously great. I’ve since read Chris Blackwell put some rock overdubs after the Wailers had recorded it, including this, and it’s not that popular with fans, but I think its great, giving a slightly otherworldly atmosphere to it. Really enjoyed this, exactly what I expected, solid 4. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Playlist submission: Baby We’ve Got a Date (Rock it Baby)

Initially, I thought this record was mediocre compared to his output, and then I realized I was listening to the original studio release. Once I heard the Jamaican mix without the excessive overproduction, I was impressed with the deep groove, liveliness, surround feel, and Marley's ferocity. There were some things I did like in the original studio mix, like the guitar solo in "Concrete Jungle", or the steel guitar(?) in "Rock It Baby", which I think made the less than repetitive and more adventurous than the Jamaican mix. But overall, the original studio mix sounds so much more muddled and less lively, which made me a boring listen, and some of the fluff they try adding in sounds so forced and disjoint from Marley's intentions. This album could be produced better. The Jamaican mix still suffers from some problems that could be improved, but its generally much better. To avoid the repetition, I think they could incorporate some better ideas to spice up the tracks. This would especially benefit the weaker songs. Nevertheless, I usually like the start and end of every track. It's usually the middle that drags on without offering much besides lyrics and a chill groove. Favorites: Concrete Jungle, Kinky Reggae

With the release of the Bob Marley movie recently, he has sort of re-entered peoples minds as a figure in music history. And no doubt, a lot of what people remember him for was the work he did as an activist for his country. He really was just an incredibly moving and inspiring person, and he gave so much for people to look up to during that time. Reggae isn’t necessarily my genre. Like it’s not something I actively listen to. And I liked Exodus. It didn’t blow me away, but it was still consistently enjoyable. Sometimes I think reggae is a little too consistent with its own sound, and a lot of songs end up blending together in my brain. But I think that can sort of be set aside when the songs sound as good as these ones do. Such a good vibe man. And I’m not usually one to use that term in like the generic hipster way. But if I was either high or driving, preferably not at the same time, this album would just feel so perfect. I can’t remember exactly if this is what Exodus sounded like. I feel like that album had a much more cheerful sound to it. But this record is the more chill and solemn side of reggae, and it sounds great. It never clicked with me just how good of a singer Bob was, which is kind of crazy, but he has some beautiful moments on this. And the backing vocalists also have some solid harmonies here and there. But this album is best late at night, cooling off on a summer day. I think it’s objectively just as good as Exodus, but I personally like it slightly more. Rating: 7/10

Боб Марли - это наш слоняра

How do these crazy talent-vortices spontaneously form? A bunch of kids get together and shortly are defining some swath of a major genre. And then again tragedy is so often looming over it, and is that some dark part of it. It’s a bad old world.

It's 11º outside as I listen to this. This Marley album takes me to the beach for a warm respite from reality. The only song from BMs Greatest Hits whose picture hung on every college student's wall - Stir it Up is one of Bob's better known songs and pairs well with the rest of the album. It's nice to hear some Bob Marley I'm unfamiliar with. 4/5

This is the first original album by Bob Marley and the Wailers I've heard (aside from "Legend".) While the band don't stray from their formula musically, there's some really strong material here with a broad range of emotion behind it. "Concrete Jungle" shuffles forward, with the clavichord effectively adding to a sleazy atmosphere and searing lead guitar rounding off the mix. Alluding to the slave trade and racism, the lyrical material is much more politically charged than the side of Marley's work I'd heard before. But throughout, the Wailers prioritise a laid back, mellow feel, with Marley's vocal never rising into a rasp, howl or bellow. They allow the strong social conscience of each song to play itself out, coming to the fore with lyrics like "No chains around my feet but I'm not free" and "today they say that we are free; only to be chained in poverty." It's powerful content and sadly hasn't aged a day. In contrast, the middle of the album shows the band at their most romantic: while "Baby We've Got A Date" presents the carefree joy of being in love, "Stir It Up" is the real classic. One of the band's best known songs, it is sublime: a slow burning, slow dancing beauty. Following "Stir It Up", none of the songs really lived up to those in the first half of the album, though I'm prepared to give them more time. It's an enjoyable album, particularly for a certain mood, and has made me keen to explore more of the Wailers' work.

Classic really. Seriously groovy baselines from “Family Man” and, even though there’s only so much you can do with reggae, the songwriting and production on this album keeps everything fresh - there are 3 or 4 proper ear worms on this album.

Ok Bob Marley. As I am a New Zealander, the entire oeuvre of the Wailers are practically the national anthem of this fair country. Yet despite that, the only song I knew prior was "Stir It Up", a conception song. The album was a lot more varied and interesting then I was expecting. The side A songs that delve into slave history were particularly powerful. But there is also the side B reminder that Bob Marley was quite the rooter. I get why this album is on the list. It feels like a record that is both influential but holds up as an artwork, and also enjoyable.

I don't like reggae as a rule. Partially because I attach it to some potheads I knew as a kid that I never really understood. And also because I didn't have a terribly struggle-filled upbringing, so I was attracted to darker stuff - or at least stuff that wore its darkness on its sleeve. But also because reggae tends to sound very samesy to me, probably the way hip hop sounds very samesy to someone who doesn't listen to it much. That being said, this album got to me. Stir It Up is a great song.

Always love me some reggae! Bob Marley is the king of cool, the sultan of swag, the regent of relaxation. Him and his wailers are perfect for any outdoor setting or even indoor if your main objective is to relax and feel like you are close to an ocean or beach or beer.

Enjoyably relaxing vibe to this one; impressive to think it's from 1979 and must be a precursor to so much of what we currently know as reggae. Lovely lyrical content about struggles with oppression and pain, using love and light to be strong in the face of these challenges. Great smoking/relaxing/conversation tunes. Far prefer the second disc with it's more full-band sound to the stripped-back first disc. Many of the same songs gained a whole new colour and character with more players on the track.

There’s a certain level of “of course it’s good, it’s Bob Marley” baked into these Bob Marley records for me, you know what I mean? It was good and made a nice soundtrack to the spring cleaning I did today, but it would be rare that I seek out this, or any other, Bob Marley record out in my day to day listening.

What does a stoner say when you take his weed away? "Turn off the fucking reggae music!"

Highlight of this album came when I was listening to the last few tracks while driving two angry cats to the vet, and my partner turns around and says "Oh, are you the wailers?" Otherwise a fine album but indistinguishable from their other two albums on the list.

Robert réussit l'exploit de nous servir un album de Bob Marley ne contenant aucun tube. C'est déjà difficile d'écouter du reggae, alors quand il s'agit d'un projet dont on a rien de particulier à attendre, c'est carrément l'enfer.

Pot has never been my thing. It doesn't agree with me. Neither does Bob Marley. I'm more of a coke person. Don't judge.

Favourite songs- High Tide or Low Tide, Stir it Up

Reggae, ugh

Didn't hate this as much as the other one. Still sounds juvenile and boring as hell. Never want to hear it, or anything like it, again

This is music, so I have to allot one star for that but ... really, "I hate reggae music, I hate it..."

My first 5 star rating! What an incredible album!

excellent, but not my fave album of his (a bit too slow?)

Excellent album. Loved listening to this release.

Holy bass. Immaculate vibes. Great vocals.

love the bass. like it a lot

classique

Great mix of politics and good time songs.

idk if this remains my fave wailers album cuz it was the first one ive heard and it kicked my head open, but theres something ab the sound that continues to fill my ears in the most pleasing way...and while all marley's music is some of the most passionate ever made, theres something particularly felt for me here in both the political songs and the love songs. particularly in how they go together...i love the depiction of human feeling and life and how it Goes On despite a world so incompatible with and unaccommodating of it. maybe my fave mix between v punchy and tuneful songs that also have the ability to stretch and soak in a way that never gets old and feels natural, at least of the wailers records ive heard. theres rly never a bad time to listen to this!

5/5 classic reggae album, like being in my mom's car as a kid again. Also kinky reggae rips.

There's not enough reggae on this list, so this album is most welcome! I played the UK release a couple of times, but actually prefer the Jamaican version without the guitar overdubs.

What an incredible collection of songs, and on a 2nd album.

Thoughts before listening: One of the best albums from Marley's classic era. This will be great. Review: Yeah this whole album is amazing. It has an absolute classic in "Stir It Up" but also some of Marley's best deeper buts in "Concrete Jungle", "400 Years", and "Stop That Train". I love it. 5-stars

Great!

good with ganja

Reggae superstars. The sound and history of a group the put raggae in the mainstream spotlight. Great music. Great artist.

Peak reggae

Completely brightened my day. Just great songs and a perfect vibe. The tracks on this album aren't necessarily groundbreaking but the impressiveness comes in the fact that it's all so consistent. The vocals and music never dip below excellent and it's all the island vibes I wanted 100% of the time. This results in a great experience that I will likely return to.

A rare treat to hear this old classic reggae

Very solid and nice to actually hear a full Wailers album that's not a Bob Marley Greatest Hits. What's deeply apparent is Bob Marley is worth more time on the deeper cuts, and just how tight the band is as a group. If I have to critique at all, some songs feel like they end prematurely, but stylistically, it's a reminder that these songs are intended for long jamming.

Love Marley and the Wailers, can listen to this all day and all night.

Mi è piaciuto

I know every song from my parents love of this album, but it is still great nonetheless.

Quite possibly the hardest I have ever vibed in my life, the funk is absolutely off the charts on this one. When that solo hit in Stir It Up I was fucking ascending.

Increíble, super ajustado. Los arreglos de toda la banda eran increíbles y a su vez supieron marcar estándares para el género a niveles galácticos. Los arreglos de voces, los bajos y Peter Tosh mis favoritos del disco.

What can I say, I do love Bob Marley.

Instantly improved my day! Who can worry about anything with Bob singing sweetly in their ears.

Pure magic and an inspiration to college stoners everywhere.

LOVE the heavy use of the bass, bob marley is always immaculate. 10/10 no notes man. shit makes me wanna get high out of my mind and sit here zoning out. he never fails

I'm here for all variations of Bob Marley love. His records are all great and can become deeply personal. However, if this isn't in your #2 or a close third, you may want to reconsider.

One of my favorite Wailers records. There are so many standouts-- "Concrete Jungle", "400 Years", "Stop That Train", "Stir It Up", "Kinky Reggae". The original Zippo lighter album cover is sick as well.

New rotation. Fantastic

Another Bob Marley classic on this list, and since it’s Friday, it was my grocery shopping soundtrack. Definitely helped warm up my mood on this below freezing morning. Just pulled me away to a warmer feeling.

Really enjoyed this, first time I've listened to bob marley album. Absolutely amazed, really relaxed.

Imagining smoking a great big spliff to this while sitting at my desk in the office

I'm a big Bob Marley and Wailers fan. Bob and the talented group represent Reggae in the same way that Hendrix represents Psyche Rock or Cobain represents Grunge. Bob is a mythical figure that is inseperable from the legacy of Reggae. This is an early work but it is extremely polished. The songs are great, the big hit is stir it up but the supporting tracks like Concrete jungle and High Tide or Low Tide are also great songs on their own. This album really has no misses and shows that this group hit the ground running and this is the blueprint for the rest of Marley's work for the rest of his career. It's a great album that holds up and is still the perfect relaxation music.

Very good. Have enjoyed Bob Marley for decades but never listened to this album

I don't even like reggae.

amazing

This is incredible, what a record.

It’s Bob Marley, I’m mean come on. Great to listen to.

Chilled Marley. BBQ Beer music.

Not their best IMO, (that accolade goes to Exodus) but still deserves a 5 by a wide margin.

Fantastic album. Reggae at its best.

Really enjoyed this, found myself singing along to most of the songs, not as repetitive as some of the other reggae albums I've had so far. Will definitely be listening to it again

Yes I.

Four hundred years Of the same philosophy Four hundred years And, the people they still can't see Why do they fight against The youth of today And without youths You'd be gone all gone astray Come on let's make a move Now that the time, the time has come Fools don't see But I know the weak is strong So come with me To a land of liberty Where we can live Live our lives and be free godDAMN this is a good album. 5/5

Classic! Bob is the man!

Amazingly awesome.

Sooo good!👍🏼

Legend

Jamin groves

5/5

Perfect cooking music

There are two kinds of people; people who have gazed across the Caribbean with rum in their glass, pretending to be one of them, and people who don't appreciate Bob Marley.

Maybe not the most remarkable album in Bob Marley and his band's career, but it's still a vibe. Marley was the kind of artist who knew how to charm an audience.

Grossartig! Entschleunigung pur. Das sollten sich alle Schwachmaten & Schreihälse von heute mal reinziehen. Das würde vieles einfacher und besser machen. Danke Bob! <<<No more trouble>>>