Reviews (page 10 of 14)
One of my favorite Bob Marley albums. Several classics!
Where Bob Marley and the Wailers stopped being a Jamaican phenomenon and started becoming a global force. It’s the first reggae album packaged like a Led Zeppelin record. Raw roots, Western rock sheen, and Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer still in full force.
Rasta Vibrations.
I've lived this album for a long time. Stop That Train may be my favorite Wailers song ever.
It was pretty good. Reggae still doesn’t resonate with me not matter how many times it pops up on this list.
It’s funny how great albums made by artists at their peaks tend to have these quotidian origin stories. The Wailers were broke and stuck in the UK, so they took a $6,000 advance to get home and gave Island one of the greatest reggae albums of all time in return. These artists, either together or on their own, would go on to make better albums, but this was an incredible record to introduce millions of people to this genre. Everything that makes reggae music great is present here.
This is just a collection of good vibrations. One of the finest voices in music
Definitely caught a 🔥 on this one. 4.5!
Always love me some Marley
A damn good album, it was nice hearing so many songs that I didn’t know by him. True legend.
Just a great album 4.5
🔥🔥🔥
Pretty good. There are some better Marley songs out there, but nothing wrong with this.
Good lazy vibes. Stand-out: Midnight Ravers
I really can't stand reggae, sorry Bob. I'll rate 2 because that's just a matter of personal taste, and there are MUCH WORSE stuff on this list.
Great album.
This is the reagge sound of the west. We hears this and it was a genre. This one is good because you get a could hits but it is much more of a Wailers album overall. I love the keyboard.
Nothing bad, nothing worth going back for
I didn't have any expectations when this popped up, I was genuinely happy with how much I enjoyed it, I don't think it will be on my rotation or anything though. I could see myself revisiting it when in the mood.
I never thought I liked Bob Marley, but I stand corrected. I really enjoyed this one.
Even on a rainy day while in a terrible mood, Bob Marley still hits
A lot to say about this classic, but I will focus on the rhythm section: Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his brother Carlton on drums. Their minimalist grooves are unreal. I would be mesmerized by this record even if Bob Marley and Peter Tosh had nothing to do with it. Suggest focusing on the bass and drums next time this music comes on. It might sound simple, but actually leaving a lot of space in the music like they do is incredibly hard and requires an amazing sense of time. My only complaint is that the Spotify uses the censored version of the album cover. Kinda off brand for rebel music like this!
I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never really listened to a whole Bob Marley album (with or without the Wailers), but this makes listening to this album a great treat for this unwashed member of the masses. I get it why the even-higher rated "Legend" isn't included in this collection, but it's nice to get such a complete album like this, with only a few songs not quite as strong as the others, and to have Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer involved in its creation.
Some great songs, especially Stir it up and Stop that train, but I disliked a few other songs so in balance, we've got a 3.
II have said now probably in as many reviews as I have done here, that I have a wildly eclectiic music taste, and while I do have my go to favorites, I can listen (and enjoy) most genres. Reggae is no different, although it does that thing that specific genres do to me naturally, and make me visualize a scene where I might be listening live, or simply place me in a kind of narrative I connect with the music. Reggae and especially Bob Marley's style, smooth and mature, make me want to chill out and walk barefoot in a tropical forest, just off the beach and sit around getting high with a few like minded strangers that become forever friends wiithout a thought about it. And that is a really nice thought I think...
i love me a bit of reggae, especially if its kinky
Stir it up! Nice and chill.
I only know reggae by way of Bob Marley, but it's so good.
Not my favorite Bob Marley album, but there are some good songs on it.
Honestly was not expecting to like a Bob Marley album where I was unfamiliar with any of the songs before as much as I like this. Best reggae album I've ever heard, probably need to listen to him more. Fav tracks: Concrete Jungle, 400 Years, Stop that Train
Wasn’t really excited to listen to another Reggae album, but a number of these tunes we quite good.
dopo un po' mi pare ripetitivo, però è sempre Marley
purtroppo un po’ monotono, ma molto carino. molto molto orecchiabile.
Belle ma tutte uguali
Un po’ lunghino e alla lunga risultato tutte molto simili
Non so, Exodus mi era piaciuto di più. Molto bella “Concrete Jungle”
3.5 pretty good reggae
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
Works for me. A little Bob Marley now and then never hurt anyone. Enjoy!
Very fine reggae album, one good hit, but mostly just vibes. Clear meaning in the songs that give this album depth
Could grow to be a 5..
Perfectly fine.
Really good. 8.5/10
Pleasant listen. I’m not overly into reggae but it was enjoyable to listen to in the background. Standout: stir it up.
Good album cuts on this one which i feel that they can be pretty hit or miss on. If you like Bob Marley or reggae you’ll like this album (3.5/5)
I don’t remember liking Bob Marley this much, but this record is lovely. A relaxing, soulful listen. Pleasantly surprised twice in a row after some absolute shockers. 3 stars because I can’t imagine choosing to listen to it again, really.
I like Bob Marley but this was boring to the point of it being hard to defend.
Nice and jammy (especially on a day that feels summery) but not stand outs from Marley’s music
Very good listenable album. Fun change from mostly 90s music
Unfortunately I think reggae has a low ceiling for me as I can’t really tell the difference between great reggae and mid reggae as it’s more just for the vibes, mon.
Wonderful
“Catch A Fire” is a reggae album by Bob Marley & The Wailers. This album is cool and really grooves. One of the greatest reggae albums, “Catch A Fire” gives newfound appreciation to Marley and the genre.
Solid, not my favorite Marley album but he’s still a legend
Yeah
Grand, like, but not something I can get hugely excited about.
Wasnt high listening to this but some songs were very good
If I’m not mistaken there’s 3 Bob Marley albums on the list. This is my favorite. Exodus is too sweet, Natty Dread is too bluesy. This hits the sweet spot right in the middle. Favorite song: no more trouble.
Great lyrics, but I just don’t love reggae.
Side 2 stronger than side 1. The two Peter Tosh written tracks on side 1 were a nice change of pace. I like Bob just fine, but a lot of his stuff sounds the same to me. A greatest hits album is more my speed for an artist like this. The recent Bob Marley: One Love movie (on Paramount, as Jackson would say) is well worth watching.
I owned a Bob Marley record in high school, but it wasn’t this one. And reggae mostly sounds the same to me. Tough to imagine giving a reggae record anything other than a 3: it’s pleasant but I don’t find myself returning to it.
I was expecting more from this album. I've heard so much about Bob Marley, and I thought that this would be some masterpiece in reggae. It was fine. Outside of a couple songs, this album was forgettable. Best Songs: Stir It Up, High or Low Tide Worst Songs: Stop That Train, Kinky Reggae
I just don't get reggae.
I don't appreciate reggae the way that reggae lovers do. The only time I really felt some Joy from listening to reggae was in the '80s when it was popular on local radio stations but to actually sit through a whole album of reggae is difficult for me to do. I'm trying to have some respect for the spiritual aspect of it but I just don't feel in sync with that so out of respect I give this only two stars.
shit
Fantastic album, not one weak track on it. It has a raw sound that I absolutely love. It made me want to roll one up and spark it, but it's been too long since I last did that and I'd probably kill myself doing that!
I really enjoyed this. Holds up really well. Just makes you tap your feet.
This was okay. Not my type of music.
This was a relaxing listen. Good album, although I think I’ve come to realize I prefer a handful of Bob songs sprinkled in a mellow-ish mix vs going front to back with a full album.
It makes sense that this one runs a close second in popularity to Legend. The vibes are very much alive here and the two Peter Tosh sung tunes were also a nice standout. Hard pressed to rate any Marley album lower than 4 stars. The fire has been caught and is burning bright.
Enjoyed this one a lot. Immaculate vibes. Gonna go listen to this once more and imagine I’m not working all day…
I enjoyed this much more than Natty Dread. Felt more like the accessible reggae you’ve come to expect from Mr. Marley. Plus it’s how you pick up chicks. You go “Baby we’ve got a date” and then you whisper in her ear in parenthesis “rock it baby.” And you’re in.
In my review of Natty Dread I said I would never rate a Bob Marley & The Wailers album less than 4*...so that makes this exercise pretty easy. Not quite sure if I like this album more or less than ND, but the vibes continue and I'm here for it. 3.75/5
This might be THE Bob Marley & The Wailers album. It's already the second one I've received on this list and I think I slightly prefer it to the only other one I've previously listened to (Natty Dread). Politically charged and also a little tender at points. 'Concrete Jungle' is a great opening track indicative of what's to come for the rest of the album.
- Kinky reggae oh yeah - Some good chill vibes, great for being outside during the summer
- always a good vibe with Bob - makes me want to sit on a beach
Not a lot to be said to be quite honest😂 I will never be able to give a Bob Marley album less than a 5.
I’ve never been big into reggae, not because I don’t like it but because it’s never been something I’ve had a lot of exposure to. But listening to this, you can tell why Bob Marley is the most well known - it’s reggae through and through, but with some really poppy hooks that make it more memorable. Very enjoyable listen on a Friday.
Bob's lyrics and vocals are always so good. Plus, the meaning to these song when he wrote them, we're/ kinda are so on point
Ja very fun en easy! Leuk om ff niet de hitjes te luisteren
Good reggae.I actually didn't know almost all of these songs.
Silid album that was easy to listen to.
This was a very sweet listen. I feel ashamed to say that I've never tapped into the albums of legendary Reggae artist Bob Marley. He was given the unfortunate fate of being stuck in my endless backlog. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've dived into Reggae too heavily in general. I've certainly heard Reggae before, and this album fits the exact image I had of the genre in my head. Most of these tracks contain pretty "generic" Raggae-type grooves with thick basslines, a slow and varied set of stuttering drums, and skank guitar strumming. It's really what's on top of those pieces that sort of "fill in the blanks" and adds a discernable texture to these songs. I love the electric guitar on the song "Baby We've Got a Date" for instance, it's psychedelic-esque and ends the track off beautifully; it feels like sailing into a sunset. I love the synth closing up the following "Stir it Up". The clav and organ add a subtle dramatic edge to the song "No More Trouble", one of my favorites here. The common theme between all these instruments is how easy-going they are. They're textured, wide, and filling. I sort of dismissively mentioned the other instruments earlier but that wasn't my intention; the backing band does exactly what it needs to do. The bass is incredible, comprising entirely of the lower end, it sounds so clean in the mix and is incredibly melodic. It's what drives the heart of all these songs. I also enjoy those little drum fills which are, again, a pretty common Reggae staple. Marley himself is an incredible vocalist. He's a powerful but lowkey singer, saying so much with a relatively restrained and held-back style. He's also accompanied by backing vocalists on quite a few of these songs that help fill the large gaps left by the sparse instruments. This album is dubbed "Roots Reggae" due to its focus on political messaging. I'd say that's surely the case on the first few tracks, especially on "400 Years", one of the many songs referencing Marley's Rastafarian alignments. I interpret "No More Trouble" as a yearning for something simple, or a return to form and a call for passiveness. With that said, a few of these songs take on topics of love and playful intimacy, like "Stir it Up" and "Kinky Reggae". I think more than anything, I love how chill this album is. Maybe that sounds stereotypical and shallow, but there's something so satisfying about the way the instruments groove so patiently and calmly. It feels like a breath of fresh air.
Not for me
I probably wouldn't rush to listen again but it felt like quite a chilled album. I didn't not like it.
Absolute reggae classic with themes that are still relevant today
Amazing album and extremely influential. I love the songs that I already know and the songs that I didn’t know very well. This is just terrific music 5/5.
Chilling
I listened to this a lot in high school, and is probably the album that I've known best so far. I'd say I felt pretty whelmed by it this time. I love Concrete Jungle, that was my favorite in high school and is still the standout for me. The guitar tone on that is excellent. Stir It Up and Catch That Train are classics and fun to sing along to. No More Trouble has a cool, dark sound that I dig. Kinky Reggae was not great, and the album loses 10 points for the line "She had brown sugar all over her booga-wooga". I'd pull songs for a playlist, but wouldn't listen to the whole album again. A album cover because apparently it was hinged and the zippo actually opens, which is neat. 6.5/10
Overall, great album that I have heard some of the more popular ones but never listened to the whole thing. If I was high at the beach it would definitely be a 5, at my desk at work it is only a 4.
I'm a sucker for the fat and dubby bass tone on this record. The instrumentation, especially for the guitar, drums, and bass were nice. I don't really care for the lyrics but its a nice-sounding record.
I listened to this one late, so it didn't get as much attention as I always give. It was OK, the songs felt a little samey. I liked "Stir it up" the most. I think this just isn't quite my sound, I probably wouldn't ever put this on and listen to it on my own. 5/10
Mellow reggae that captures the roots and of Jamaica and tells a political message, far from the commercial releases of around that time. Brought reggae to the mainstream.
I liked it better than the other Bob Marley album
I liked this more than Exodus
pa estar full chilling d locos
Reggae.
Fantastic, wish they used the spliff cover art.
Very chilled but suffers in the same way most reggae suffers, in that its rhythm is very repetitive so the songs can get a little samey
I bit too cloying and poppy compared to some of their other stuff which I enjoy more. Still solidly enjoyable though.
not much to say but it was enjoyable
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
3.6 Having heard Stop that Train so many times by JGB...I forget it's a Wailers song ..and technically a Peter Tosh song. Sweet gospel sounding reggae infusion💕 Here we are in 2024 and still in love with Bob Marley. With the release of One Love, his story and history are still alive. Here is a prime example of why. Reggae isn't for everyone, but you can't deny the simple soulful rhythms and songwriting. This music gives me relaxation and groove like no other outlets, and I think I do in fact smell ganja exuding from every note. Does it make everyone's shoulders move back & forth like mine upon hearing it? More kinky reggae please!
Anger, rage, sadness, happiness, love, this one has it all. Bob Marley & The Wailers include funk and soul in their sound but this album even has rock and gospel. It’s a phenomenal reggae masterpiece.
Good music and vocals. Will definitely listen to again
Bob Marley is the absolute epitome of “if you’ve heard one of his/her songs you’ve heard them all”. This album was quite pleasant and chill and sounds nice and everything, but honestly each song is so simplistic and repetitive that they get old before they’re done. One of the least interesting songwriters I’ve listened to in a long time. His songs are so compositionally limited and most use the same basic tropes and progressions. I start to laugh whenever I hear that one cliche reggae drum fill that starts so many of his songs in the exact same way. The appeal of Bob Marley is the unique atmosphere of his music, but really he is a one-trick pony. If I ever get into marijuana I’ll think about giving this one another listen, but until then, I’m good
Cool album. Historically and politically significant. Dusty and groovy. Didn't quite excite me personally, but I appreciate it especially as a vibe album.
It's great! It is such a chill relaxed album. Listening to it immediately makes you feel like you're on holiday on a beach somewhere tropical. 4.25 stars
As good as reggae gets. Some of his darker material on this album which in my opinion is his best.
So good. You forget he's so much more than the overplayed tunes sometimes. At least I do. Subtle and direct. Not just stoner music but i was high when it was on
Not Bob Marley's best album. It's still Bob Marley though. Truly a visionary artist whose music has inspired generations. What makes his music great for me is its versatility. If you want something to throw on in the background, Bob Marley. If you want to listen to some emotionally impactful music, Bob Marley. If you want to smoke, Bob Marley.
Never been a big Bob Marley guy, but maybe it was because I wasn’t high enough. It is laid back, but it’s giving me beach vibes. But I don’t love the beach. Nothing wrong here. It’s just me.
No amount of Bob Marley on this list is ever gonna make me like reggea
Reggae's never been a strong suit of mine, and while this album did seem to drag into a lot of very similar songs (of which the messages were lost on me not having come from the period of time it was designed for), the musicianship and creativity on display here is clearly incredible for its time, and worth a listen if you've got the time
Such an easy 5 bag, I like it more than exodus, just slightly less than Kaya
kinky regge hehe
NOICE
solid 4 stars.
Album Nr. 75 Bob Marley - muss man einfach gehört haben.
Reggae. Algún megahit. Venga, un 4.
Slow grooves mixed with anguish that fuse into a dirge-like sound, which is not a combination I considered to exist in this specific way, but I’m able to enjoy it all the same.
Always love hanging out with Bob Marley. Fewer stand out tracks on this album but very much enjoyed. 3.5 stars.
Loved
Classic Marley
Masterful!
Having never listened to a Bob Marley & the Wailers album before I was pleasantly surprised. The chill mood of this album that it outputs leaves you surprised when you start listening to the lyrics of the album and the political ideas that they are communicating. I enjoyed it.
Pretty cool record. I've never really been into reggae so it's hard for me to be critical of this record. I do love how they're able to put political messaging into music that sounds so light hearted. Overall it was an enjoyable, easy-listening record that I will likely revisit.
What a gem! Bob Marley has been in my life for as long as I can remember. I've listened to so much of his music, but I'm ashamed to say, I've never gone through this record. I listened to the Jamaican version as well as the studio version. It was fun to compare and contrast, with the Jamaican version being more stripped down and Ska-like. The original studio version has that more classic full Bob Marley sound that we all love. I'd love the social / political / historical nature of the songs and concepts in this record. I think people often forget about the political nature of Bob Marley's music. Even though this is a good example of the evolution of that classic Bob Marley sound, I really like the R&B / Soul influences in this record. He's really leaning into American R&B, but then taking it a totally different direction with the reggae / ska / dancehall sound. One Love! 🇯🇲 ✊🏼🦁
Great reggae
The sound of a whole genre going overground. Also the sound of a rough and ready local music scene being given a very well judged polish to help it on it's way. I often complain about over-production and commercial sounding albums, but sometimes just knocking off a few rough edges and warming the sound up a little with some accompaniment goes a long way. As here. You can listen to the "Jamaican" version of this album, i.e. without Island Records interference, it's still great due to the strength of the songs and performances, but this version is just perfect. This is still truly 'The Wailers' as Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh are still here and Tosh in particular as musician and song writer, before it became the Bob Marley show. So many great songs, and the influence of the band’s visits to London can be clearly heard. The perfect starting point for new reggae fans, and a milestone for those already on the journey. Ideal balance between rootsy Jamaican music and world wide pop success, with simply stated political points too.
Can't deny what Bob Marley did for popularising reggae but this album isn't my favourite
It's a good, easy listening album, if you like reggae. Had some classics on there.
This is a pretty significant improvement on Natty Dread for me. The arrangements are a lot more varied throughout this album, and the content is a lot more, um, comfortable to listen to from an icon such as this. Favorite track: Concrete Jungle
I could just listen to this all day. Lovely.
Ein paar Killer Tracks, aber auch viel Standardreggae. 3-4
Bob didn't invent reggae, but this album helped refine it. Excellent groove throughout, with luscious bass.
bob marley, is good
good
Nice background music, not annoying, easy listening. Not complex or intriguing.
A classic.
First timer. I was dreading this a bit because 1. Its a double album(where half the songs are just different mixes(?) of the same song. And 2. Because Ive never really *gulp* enjoy3d reggae. But about 3 songs in and I was really enjoying myself. I think the wide ranging textures and the beautiful sultry and playful basslines sucked me in. My favorite track besides all of the other standouts was 400 years. There was something so haunting to how it begins with that minor chord and the immediate slow down that just grabbed my attention. Great one. Will definetly throw this on again!
No notes. I have heard many of these songs on other albums but 1st listen to this album. Obviously this man and band is Legend.
I appreciate Bob Marley and the social message in his lyrics, but I don't think this album connected with me unfortunately
Not bad, there is always time for a little Bob Marley. I am sure I will hear this again.
An ok album
Good beach music!
Not the best Album by Bob Marley & The Wailers. A few classics at the end of the album, but overall just OK
Fun stuff. 3.5/5.0: Very Good
started off rough with the songs sounding way too similar, more variation toward the end which made the songs much more enjoyable
Really not my style.
Not a huge reggae fan, but I like this record quite a bit. Reggae can start to sound the same, but this one had some great songs and some very good ones that held my attention.
Rustagh
stimmige hintergrundmusik mit botschaft. und Stir It Up, kennt man!
Боб Марли - это наш слоняра
I didn't catch fire with this Reggae Rock.
This sounded like a precursor to the bigger Bob hits I’ve heard. I prefer the production on the later stuff but this was pretty good.
just don't like reggae :/
I still don’t get it
A vintage classic, I feel like I’m listening to the imax 70mm version of a 35mm print from 1973. I bet this was felt like a classic from the beginning of the first song back in 73’
Concrete jungle Stir it up No more trouble
Solidno, poslusao bih opet, tesko ljeto
Super chill, but halfway got in a discussion with a janitor about his whole life. Cool guy.
Had not heard any other album than Exodus. In my opinion, even outside the hits on this one, this is a far superior album. The music is dense and flowing while still melodic. Less of a spectacle and more soulful. Loved it.
Bop Marling :)
I've never quite got Bob Marley, but I think I do now. This album is just so immaculately consistent. Nothing about it particularly stands out, but there's nothing bad about it either. It just is. It exists to function and functions to exist. But somehow brilliantly so.
Love Bob Marley
Годнота. Понравилось. Пришлось по настроению.
3.5/4 I'm rounding up because it's Bob. 😅
I mean, it's Bob Marley.
I've gotten the greatest hits of BMATW, so this is my first listening to a studio album. It's exactly what I've expected from the artist. I wouldn't say no to listening to it again, but it wouldn't be one of my top 100 if I had to pick an album to listen to.
Oke
This album exemplifies that Bob Marley is more than just a reggae musician. This really feels like reggae/soul. Some of his albums are more reggae/funk. Either way this one is a solid throughout, packed with excellent vocals and songwriting. Probably my second favorite reggae album after Uprising which didn’t make the list for some reason
Nothing extremely noteworthy on this album. Solid, although Very repetitive. But I guess that's reggae. Standout tracks : No More Trouble, Midnight Ravers
Not for me, but that’s fine.
Not bad. I can appreciate for what it is, but overall not really my thing
concrete jungle
No More Trouble, Midnight Ravers!!
A good reggae album, but they have better ones Top tracks: Stir It Up
"Catch a Fire" is the fifth album by Jamaican reggae band the Wailers (aka Bob Marley and the Wailers). It was their first album on Island and was produced by Bob Marley and Chris Blackwell. A majority of the lyrics deal with political injustice towards Blacks and poverty. Besides Marley (guitar, vocals), the Wailers include Peter Tosh (organ, guitar, piano, vocals), Bunny Wailer (bongos, conga, vocals), Aston "Family Man" Barrett (bass), Carlton "Carlie" Barnett (drums) and Rita Marley and Marcia Griffith on backing vocals. Producer Chris Blackwell also used a number of other musicians including some on the overdubs. Commercially, the album hit #171 on the US Billboard Top 200. Critically, the album is considered one of the best reggae albums of all time. A plodding guitar and organ open "Concrete Jungle." The reggae beat kicks in. Some great guitar overdubs especially the solo by Wayne Perkins. The concrete jungle is an area in Kingston where Marley is stuck in the song. Peter Tosh wrote and sung two songs on this album (Marley the rest) including "400 Years." The speed is slowed up and there is a haunting vibe. Backing vocals repeating 400 years. It's the time that his people has spent in slavery both physical and mental. Tosh takes the lead again on "Stop That Train." The organ gives this soul. A sad song since I think he's talking about contemplating suicide. The scratching and strumming guitar start their hit "Stir It Up." There's a fantastic swirling background sound which I think is guitar (but could be a synth). Anyway, a great song with musical layers and it's, of course, easy going. Marley is pretty straight-forward with lyrics here as he's going to stir it up with his woman. The sensuality gets kicked up a notch in "Kinky Reggae." A gentler reggae beat and the great female backing vocals. Marley is in kinky reggae town. What's he looking for or at? Drugs, sex, poverty? This is a fabulous album. It's achingly beautiful with some of the song's lyrics about poverty and slavery. The music and production are great; you have the base reggae beat and groove and then there's layers of instrumentation beneath that. Not a bad song here and an album everyone needs a listen to.
Hypnotic. Intriguing. Expanding. An incredible moment in time that transcends easily to today.
Reggae.
Liked Jamaican version better than other
70's reggae from the king of the genre. An early album with the whole Wailers crew before Tosh and others went to do their own thing. Very high quality musicianship across the board -- the guitars, rhythm section and harmonies are all super tight -- every number is interesting with just the right amount of ska beat. Stir It Up and (to a lesser extent) Concrete Jungle are the highlight tracks on this record but it's top notch all the way through. Every track has that feel-good rhythm, even when the lyrics are addressing serious issues (which is often). High Tide or Low Tide, 400 Years, Stop That Train, Kinky Reggae are all excellent. Not the best known Marley songs but absolutely worth listening to... repeatedly.
3/5
Concrete Jungle - A
Reggae is really not my genre but there was no song I actively disliked and the influence this record had is clear throughout. Some real standouts like Stir it up, Concrete Jungle, 400 Years and High Tide or Low Tide as well.
Bob Marley but bluesy? Sign me up.
Reggae will never be my jam, but it's Bob Marley so it's not bad.
Outstanding. This music tends to all sound similar, but like country music it’s the message in the lyrics. No one was better than Bob Marley.
Ready for the beach?
Bob Marley/The Wailers Catch a Fire 68.13 Concrete Jungle(79) Slave Driver(67) 400 Years(54) Stop That Train(70) Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby)(54) Stir It Up(82) Kinky Reggae(65) No More Trouble(60) Midnight Ravers(63) High Tide or Low Tide (82) All Day All Night(65)
not my bag
Nothing really stood out on the album for me.
Victim of reggae not being my thing. A lot of it just sounds the same to me unfortunately.
Like - Stir It Up -Kinky Reggae
Very comfy listen. Reminds me of a pub I used to hang at.
I'm not impressed.
Good solid reggae. Doesn’t include some of the bigger hits that we’ve been inundated with over the years and is better for it. More collaborative and free.
We are jammin- ok that song may not be on this album, but Bob Marley’s vocals and immense song writing skill are on full display.
3.
Awesome
The only song on this album I had heard before was Stir It Up. The entire album is pretty good, but not sure it's something I'd come back to often. I prefer Exodus as an album but even with that album, I tend to prefer listening to Legend.
Bob and his group brought with them that Jamaican Reggae sound that was the basic template of all other Reggae based tracks. There is a sameness to a lot of the tracks, which is the only negative thing I found with the album... so I debated with myself how to award a 3.5... but conceded that they still changed the reggae for all following artists.
Well there’s a coincidence - this album arriving on my list in the week the Bob Marley film “One Love” is released and I’m going to see later. Must admit I wasn’t aware of the album before as my knowledge of Bob Marley is pretty sketchy. I bought his more famous albums on vinyl at the time but was a little underwhelmed. At that time I preferred Prince Buster, Linton Kwesi Johnson and at risk of upsetting the purists UB40 and the like. No doubt at all that Bob Marley was a very inspirational musician and lyricist who was taken much too soon. With new ears and a little more mature in my musical tastes I listened to the album in full. It was a great listen through headphones and I’m sure that I will visit it again as I’m sure once I’ve seen the film, I’ll be going through the full Bob Marley catalog.
The hits just keep on coming. I watched a documentary on Marley the night before getting this, which meant I was very in the mood for this. It's just brilliant. Darker and moodier than the cliché of reggae that people cling to, but still with some beautiful moments of lightness (it's clinically impossible not to feel better within 3.4 seconds of Stir It Up). Most importantly, it gave me a chance to get on my soapbox about the novel A History Of Seven Killings and sound terribly clever. So thanks Bob.
Reggae is not my ting
I’ve never been a huge reggae fan but the more I listen, the more I get into it. It’s easy to see how Marley and crew catapulted the regional genre onto the international stage.
Bob is always some feel good music
Great Reggae music! The best!
Can't argue with the love of Bob. I don't know this album but I'm won over. This is going into the essential collection for when everyone needs to calm down.
I think this was the best from Bob Marley that I got from the list. It's a bit repetitive, but it's a must.
Marley belongs in the top five artists of all time. Everything he did was amazing and timeless. This record is fantastic.
ganske chill, glemte å rate det når jeg hørte på det så ikke helt valid å rate nå men
I've never heard a bad Bob Marley album
Reggae on a cold winter's day
nice... hadn't listed to this album before.
Pleasant. Nowt special.
Like that Marley sound. Future albums have this hits.
I mean classic man. Will never not hit. Island and weed vibes fosho
This album was okay.
This is reggae. I enjoy reggae
Not my genre, but I liked this.
listened 2x.. good album 3.4/5
A good entry from the non-Hartford Wailers :)
💫
Enjoyed the sound of the album and the vibes. On first listen all the songs sounded the same, but it's a good sound.
классическое регги в исполнении Боба Марли. ты на пляже, яркое, жгучее солнце, ты лежишь на лежаке, а рядом море или океан, ты заказала себе пару коктейлей и их вот-вот принесут, а пока пляжный зонтик создает тебе тень и все ощущается лучше, чем всегда. скоро на обед. Бодрум.
Shoutout Steve for his favourite biopic. Surprisingly few known hits on this one, just Stir it Up.
kinky reggae ! - 3.5
enjoyable
Quite good overall, will have to listen again to choose a favorite track.
This is great chilled out music. Bob Marley is the king of this kind of sound. I found myself feeling very relaxed and drifting out daydreaming while listening.
I like Bob Marley quite a bit. But this isn't one of his better albums.
I mean, it's Bob Marley
This was alright nothing I would seek out on my own. Will say it was better than the rap crap I have heard on here.
Decent album, pretty chill. Still not the biggest reggae fan though. 2.5/5
Mellifluous, political, bouncy
I prefer this album than Natty Dread. The production sound more fleshed out, precise, and cleaner.
Bob Marley. Not really a huge Bob Marley fan. I find that I can’t listen to too much reggae at a time. Let’s jump into this. The cover is bizarre. Is that a garbage can top? What is that? Concrete Jungle - yep it sounds like reggae. It’s fine. 2/5 Slave Driver - I don’t know why, but this one is good. 3/5 400 Years - Maybe it’s the power to people lyrics? I like this one better 3/5 Stop That Train - kinda what I think of when I think of Bob Marley. 2/5 Baby We’ve Got A Date (Rock It Baby)- I think I like the political songs better. There’s not a huge vibe difference between them though. 2/5 Stir It Up - ok I know this one. Was wondering when I’d hit one of his hits. 3/5 Kinky Reggae - this is a good one, maybe my favorite one so far. I can’t tell if I’ve heard this one before or not. That’s my problem with reggae. Still 3/5, might go for 4/5. We’ll see. No More Trouble - there’s definitely some sounds on this album that are cool but I don’t know what are the instruments. I’m liking the 2nd half better than the first. It seems more varied. 3/5 Midnight Ravers - Songs are blending into other songs. The album has its own groove that only emerges upon listening to the whole thing in one sitting. Fun stuff. 3/5 High Tide Or Low Tide - eh. It’s fine. Suddenly I’m at the point where this is too much. 2/5 All Day All Night - Duet! The Wailers say hey can we sing. Finishes off pretty good. 3/5 I don’t have a big thing to say other than reggae live is pretty awesome when you’re inebriated. Also, the album format works better than the song format for reggae. It seems to enhance the vibe the longer it goes on. You just can’t do that with a single song. This is a pretty good vibe. 3/5
Good
Such a smooth record that truly melds together. The songs are great and you can’t beat the grooves here. The kind of album you put on and let play from the top
Pretty great. I'm familiar with Bob Marley from the Legend album, but this was a great trip through more of his work. The whole album is full of very good work.
Loved it. Great voice. Stir it up is the stand out.
Reggae jam pretty cool pretty solid chill fun dude nice jams to it slow. 3/5
I like Bob Marley, but come on… the music is not that special. Another genre that is more popularity, less substance. 3 for my pacifist stoner friends, who I love.
If you like reggae, then you'll love this. I just don't like reggae.
Bob Marley always sounds like the right music to be playing in any given situation. I've listened to Uprising a lot and was only familiar with one of these songs (Stir it Up) but I liked all of them. They are dealing with some heavy subjects here, but in ways that are somehow uplifting.
Riktig hit! Inte lyssnat på Reggae innan men damn det är soft
Nice pop reggae init
Groovy - pretty underrated Marley album
Das Original! Reggae at its best!
Not to my taste.
Reggae del bueno. Retrotrae a momentos que es mejor no comentarlos aquí...
More please and thank you
Reggae del chill. Tampoco he podido verle mucho más, es relajante pero tampoco me da ese plus para subirle la nota.
Chill ass album. Really enjoyed each track even if they faded into the background. I think thats what this music is supposed to do sometimes. Stir It Up is still the highlight but I loved every song that followed. Super strong back half with High Tide or Low Tide being the stand out. Great album.
Absolutely wonderful record!
Great album! Didnt finish got halfway
Please no more Sonic Youth!
BOB MARLEY LETS GOOO, this is gonna be another biased review for obvious reasons (im so fked rn) 1- i love it so chill 2- amazing okay im on song three but i already knwo this album is gonna be good so immediately 5 stars im gonan chill to this now and mlfoat
THIS WAS SO FUCKING GOOD i need to listen to this while driving to the beach in the summer saved: slave driver stop that train baby we've got a date stir it up high tide or low tide all day all night was going to give this album a 4 before getting to the last 2
There’s no questioning the social and cultural impact Marley made on the world. His lyrics are powerful and beautiful. Reggae as a music style, though, is something I struggle to listen to an entire album’s worth at once.
I really like this. Easy to listen to, with a couple standouts for me. (Concrete Jungle, 400 Years) Only one I recognized is Stir it Up.
Obviously "Stir It Up" was the best song on this cd, but in my opinion this isn't his, and The Wailer's best CD. Still a solid listen though!
Bob Marley very much knows how to make poignant cultural statements with simply pleasant music backing it
Dookie
Reggae
Yeah great album, a bit repetitive though
Great reggae album, even though I didn't enjoy this one as much as Natty Dread
Even though it’s not a style I get into, I enjoyed it.
If it weren’t bob I don’t think I would’ve liked it as much but he’s the goat.
Don't think I had ever listened to this whole album before, I got into Bob Marley on his next album, Burnin', and his 'Live' album. This was good to listen to, some familiar songs, and some new (to me) that was really good. I had the pleasure of seeing him at the Music Hall in Houston, Texas, and his show was one of the best I've ever seen. Such energy, and he was ... remarkable!
Love Bob never listened to this whole album. It was great.
Never can really go wrong with Bob Marley. While the songs aren't all that diverse, such a great vibe...always feels sunny. 3.5/5
Glad to be exposed to all these genres from this website. I knew Stir it Up. I’m not able to appreciate reggae all that much - I don’t think I’m the target audience.
Classic songs among the many spawned by Bob and crew.
Classic! Superb album
This isn't a stellar stellar record but it gets a whole extra star for just being chill and enjoyable. I actually liked both version with and without the added 'American rock guitar'. Bob Marley and his people just really knew how to find a groove.
Tiene éxitos familiares que no sabía que eran originalmente de este album. Entre esos, Stir It Up.
Good instrumentation and tunes, okay lyrics. Not a huge Bob Marley fan it turns out.
Really enjoyed this, great laid back vibe, kinky reggae stood out amongst many highlights
Es geht doch nichts über das Original!
Slow and relaxing
Terrific album. He died far too young.
Excellent album great lyrics.
nice
Quite good, I didn't finished to hear the complete album
Great album, great songs and great mix. Blueprint for how it should be done. Incredible bass. 5
Not really a fan of reggae - everything sounds so similar to me. Was somewhat intrigued by the uniqueness of the opening track, but quickly devolved into the same old tropes. I'm sure this album holds significance for its fans, but it really just isn't for me :(
At 44 mins it seemed longer. Well produced and love how fat the bass sounds. Good debut. Only a 3 as not many stand outs.
Classic Bob. Great chill Music but all the songs sound the same.
Classic Bob Marley & The Wailers, including the great "Stir It Up", and also "Kinky Reggae".
THIS WAS SO GOOD. Didn’t know bob Marley has so many bangers. Loved everything. This is the stuff I heard in Portugal!!
Not so many smash hits on this one. Stir It Up was the only song I recognized. I thought it was quite a weak record.
Ima big reggae guy, but really find most of this record a snoozer
Zzzzzz….so boring. If I want to listen to Bob Marley I’ll put on Legend.
If there is ever a definitive Bob Marley & the Wailers album, it's this one. Regardless of which version is preferred (the intended Jamaican version or the international release), one can get into it and come away from it knowing that what was listened to is a classic in not just reggae but in all forms of music. In terms of getting the group, and Bob, over to a international market and interminable recognition and lionization, I guess it can best be said that it really did catch fire.
Absolutely fantastic. Loved every song.
A classic. Love Marley. Reggae as a genre is not my favorite. All the songs seem to meld together after awhile. It’s still hard to deny the impact Bob Marley had on this genre and the influences he has brought forward to artists currently.
Like it - and while several members of my family listen to reggae almost exclusively - to me it's good background music. __________________________________________ 🎧 Number of albums reviewed: 10 🎧 Number of albums left to review: 991 🎧 Number of albums that I found relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 3 🎧 Number of albums that I *might* include in mine later on: 5 🎧 Number of albums that I will certainly *not* include in mine: 2
Soothing and calming reggae, from the best. What else