Reviews (page 5 of 13)
Great reggae album. Beautiful tracks and vocals are Bob Marley's vocals hard to beat
Hell yeah. So many great tunes, classic album.
👍
Interesting to see a Jamaican version was included that was before additional mixing. It's more stripped down and I found the bass was straightforward but did more than one the final. Good sound and balance to everything.
Bob Marley's voice as I have said before is captivating. Obvious why he captured so many hearts and minds. Not being a classic pure reggae album does make this more accessible. More layers on the tracks, more meat on the bone. Stop That Train was hitting for me.
come fare un tuffo in piena estate durante l’inverno
I listened to it while trying to fall asleep (but still couldn’t sleep) and I really enjoyed it, I’m gonna have to listen again tho to get a better opinion on it
Great Marley
First time listening to reggae. I liked it.
Best songs: Concrete Jungle, 400 years, Slave Driver, Stop that Train Good album, some bad songs, some great songs. I am surprised that I enjoyed this album. I came into it not interested at all. 4/5
Another solid album from Bob I think I actually liked this considerably more than Exodus.
I’d listen to this again
When listening to this album it strikes me how everything about the sound is very «rhythm-based». The bass is really cool, along with the drums. Even the guitar and organ are mostly about the rhythm. My two favourite songs are Concrete Jungle and Stir it Up, but it’s a good listening experience all the way.
There is more than one version of this album, but it was no hardship listening to both! The version recorded in Jamaica is my preference. I have to admit that I prefer the older Wailers, produced by Lee Scratch Perry. The Marley albums created for American and European audiences feel a little watered down, not tuff enough, hence a one star reduction.
Gran disco pero faltaron más canciones iconicas. Highlight: No more trouble Kinky reggae
Love.
Pretty sick, love the first half more than the second.
loved this album and the instruments used!
Ik was hiervoor nooit echt om voor Bob Marley, maar ik vond dit album heel goed eigenlijk!! Volgende keer moet ik misschien wat beter op de lyrics letten, denk dat hij wel wat goeie dingen te zeggen heeft. Maar er zal zeker een volgende keer komen! ik heb nu alweer zin in de zomer
Great reggae album. Wonderful songs and story telling about injustice. Not quite Exodus but still great
Good vibes, want to smoke
One of the best reggae albums
another good Bob Marley album; thought not my favorite it’s certainly the defining moment of his early career deserves to be one of the 1001? yes!
Aside from Radiohead and Hendrix, there’s probably not another artist I’m more biased towards. I love Bob Marley’s entire catalogue and it’s usually the playlist I throw on when I don’t know what to listen to or when I’m in a rut. And I know there are a lot of folks who might respect Bob Marley but don’t really seek out reggae, which is understandable, I remember when my good friend in middle school introduced me to him, I was like “you listen to reggae?” But it didn’t take long for me to become a fan as well. I realize this makes Bob Marley more nostalgic for me, I acknowledged my biases here, but this is another I can listen to all the way through with no skips. He makes political songs, spiritual, good vibes, and the elite music accompanying it all makes this special. And it tends to always bring a warm vibe.
Exactly what it needed to be.
Stir it Up is great, and the other songs are fine Bob Marley songs, but probably not my favorite album of his. I think his vocals are what makes the band great
Love the vibe of this - even though it doesn’t have as many hits, some great playing and unique sounds to his catalog here (Concrete Jungle, etc). A very good late-night listen.
Great Stuff
Wonderful
Such a classic, so many fun songs and interesting ones I didn’t know. This sound never gets old and his voice sounds great. Top Songs: No More Trouble, Concrete Jungle, Stir It Up
You play Bob Marley in the morning and all you want to hear for the rest of the day is reggae music. 4.5
This was a more downbeat album than a lot of the Bob Marley songs I'd heard before. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but not enough to give it the full five.
I like to play Bob Marley for my kids- so C'est la vie! I am not sure I liked this album as much as Exodus. Still, both are a whole vibe and a great way to start the day.
Perhaps not their absolute best, but I enjoyed it.
Exactly what one would expect, with a nice cover thrown in.
Solid album, couple skips but bob’s voice is like butter
viiiibes
fine bob. I liked exodus better
Alright, it's time for my final album of this project from Bob Marley and the Wailers! I'm not 100% sure if they need three albums on this list, but, like, if any reggae artist or band is going to have three albums on this list, it would be Bob Marley and the Wailers. There's no doubt about that. Catch a Fire is a pretty good album. It's not my favorite album of theirs. Kinda hard to beat an album as excellent as Exodus, isn't it? I do still have things to appreciate about Catch a Fire though. In terms of tone, this album feels a bit darker than other Wailers albums, specifically in the musical department. It's not as lively as an album like Natty Dread, but this actually makes the album stand out in a way that I think is pretty neat. It creates an interesting and unique atmosphere. I like it. Lyrically, this album has what you'd expect from a reggae album. A few pleasant love songs, a couple of political pieces. Good stuff. "Stir It Up" and "Concrete Jungle" respectively excel in being one of those two categories. The instrumental talent here is as good as ever. The sound is a bit repetitive, but when the songs sound as good as they, it's hard to complain. I've always kind of wondered why Bob Marley specifically has become the worldwide symbol of reggae. Is it the timing of his career? Is it that his music is more accessible? Is he really just that good? I don't think there is one answer. I think there are a lot of factors, including the ones I just posited, that played into this. Whatever it is, I'm glad that he and the Wailers were able to allow reggae to become a recognizable and important part of the musical landscape. Good album. 4/5.
Fully formed “debut” this is one of my favorite albums Bob Marley was associated with The Wailers include Bunny Wailer & Peter Tosh.
People in 1973 did not know how good they had it. Bob Marley and the Wailers released Catch A Fire in April. The compilation album African Herbsman came out in July. Then, in October, Burnin' was released. Also, I was born in December. Now, one of these things is not like the other. Still, it was a great year for Marley and a pretty good one for me too.
Not my favorite from them but still an all timer
Minor key reggae supremacy. Favs: Concrete Jungle Slave Driver Least Fav: Stop That Train
I liked this one better than the last Bob Marley album that came up. I am struck by how much I enjoy his lyrics and composition, though it’s still not something I’m going to seek out regularly.
This is a very good album. Tons of interesting songs and while reggae has a definite sound, I felt like there was a good amount of diversity on this album. Some excellent songs in No More Trouble, Concrete Jungle, and Stir It Up. A worthy inclusion.
its good quality but all songs sound pretty much the same
a very laid back album from Bob Marley, enjoyed it a lot but wouldnt say I needed a listen before I died.
I liked this. I had a bit of a stone over, and it worked so well to get me enjoying my weekend. Quality. Very cool chilled vibes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this album, lots of great music here. The only reason I’m stopping at 4 stars because I’m not necessarily a huge fan of the synthesizer in some of these songs.
Really enjoy this one - I did listen to the "The Unreleased Original Jamaican Versions" that are on the Deluxe Edition of this album. Sounds far better than the thinner original album that was remixed in London by Chris Blackwell.
There is a whole bunch to like on this album!
First listen of this earlier Bob Marley album and I think it's stronger than Exodus. Reggae isn't my favorite genre, but this record overcomes the genre's limitations with tremendous grooves, a super tight band, and slick melodies. One of the best reggae records I've heard.
Doesn't happen often that you can just let an album play and it's just good.
I'm giving this album a 4/5 because it's Bob Marley and it's got "Stir It Up" on it, which is one of his best songs, and the album was nice to listen to. I've also written in a few reviews here that reggae is a genre that I don't always jive with so I'm trying to be more objective in my review and give it a rating that I think it deserves rather than one that includes a little too much of my personal bias. I think the best way to approach this project is to give a blend of both; where sometimes you give a review that is completely subjective and personal, sometimes it's completely objective, and more often than not it's a mix of the two. It's a nice record with some nice tunes and Bob Marley is reggae at it's best. I can appreciate the quality and impact!
This is the era of reggae I really can get behind. Politically insurgent, soulfully plangent, and tight as hell rhythm section. I know the big hit here is 'Stir It Up' but it's like the fourth best song on the record.
I think of reggae as a highly specific genre, but the album reveals Bob Marley as versatile across many genres, yet always himself. I could have listened to this all day.
Second Bob Marley album in a week. And another great record. I’m officially a convert.
This fire is absolutely lit!
A really cool vibe, this album is great. I don’t see myself listening to it on a whim, but I didn’t realize how much I liked classic reggae, if that’s what you call this. Didn’t recognize any of the songs like the rest of Marley‘s stuff, But it’s a really solid album.
So good. So groovy. So laid back. Love it.
2nd Bob Marley album in my first 100, but I'm not complaining. There were moments where I thought I liked this one more than Exodus but after listening it all the way through I think I like Exodus more. This is not a bad album in any way and I would probably give it 3.5/5 if I could. However I have no problem rounding up to a 4/5.
Although I don't really know that many songs by Bob Marley, I do know the basics. His voice is great, and his lyrics and the message he is trying to give are even better. Now reggae isn't by any means a genre I listen to, but it is honestly like a palate cleanser. I feel that it could become music I could listen to on a daily basis. Plus reggae is always nice to listen to.
01) Concrete Jungle - 8,5 02) Slave Driver - 8,0 03) 400 Years - 8,0 04) Stop That Train - 7,5 05) Baby We've Got a Date (Rock It Baby) - 7,5 06) Stir It Up - 8,5 07) Kinky Reggae - 8,0 08) No More Trouble - 7,5 09) Midnight Ravers - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,89 (79/100) Current ranking: 238/720
On semmonen levy joka toimii kyllä monessa tilanteessa ja moneen eri mielentilaan. Mukavaa reggaeta pienellä rokkitwistillä ja olin unohtanut kuinka monta hyvää biisiä tällä levyllä olikaan. Mutta koska eilen jaettiin harvinainen vitonen ni käännetään tämä tällä kertaa nelosen puolelle.
Jahas, reggaytä! Bobia tulee silloin tällön kuunneltua ja vaikkei tämä ihan lempparilevyihin kuulu, niin sellasta paskaa levyä tarjonnut tämä visailu, että joutuu ihan harkitsemaan nelosen ja vitosen välillä. Odotettavissa on kuitenkin vielä n. 200 totaalipaskaa ja ehkä 400 paskaa levyä.
Nonii minä ja riki ollaan rekei okei. Sillaihan tääkin musatyyli menee varmaan vähän siihen, että liikkumavaraa ei oo mahottomasti. Sama poljento ja jytke stygestä toiseen. En oo koskaan ollut mikään kauheen kova tän genren fäni, vaikkei sitä ehkä päällepäin uskos. Tää repäsy nyt yllätti positiivisesti, kun tunnelma on aika synkee ja se sitten tietty vetoo synkkään kaveriin. Paha sanoo kuinka monta marlin mehutiivistelevyä tälle listalle mahtuu, mut ainakin tässon nyt rima asetettu kohtuu korkeelle. Näissä biiseissä kuitenkin tuntuu olevan paatosta ja eetosta. Hauskoja urkutsydeemeitä on uiteltu mukaan ja esim. taustalaulut tuo hyvää lisäväriä. Ehkä jos 1100 levyä sisältää vaikka viiskytä jah jah mon -julkasua, niin itekin on lopulta täysin vapaa babylonin ikeestä tällasen johdattelemana.
bob marley bob marley
It’s a Bob Marley album. His songs all vaguely sound the same, but in a relaxing way rather than an annoying way. I know what I’m getting into and zone out. Idk it’s good
8/10 Favorite: Slave Driver
bobaneeee
Good one
First time listening to a Bob Marley album other than Legend. This was great. So easy to listen to.
Please consider donating to support people in Jamaica where parts of the island are set to be hit by wind speeds of up to 160mph from Hurricane Melissa https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/hurricane-melissa-emergency-appeal/
Nice relaxing reggae album, 4
10am at work in a Tuesday is not the best way to enjoy this album but it is still very good. Has a much more raw sound than some of the later more polished stuff.
Least favorite Marley album still has a handful of great songs, I shot the sheriff is still an all timer, love small axe. Love Ja man
It's a great reggae album. Not on the level of Exodus, but still great. A solid 4/5
Good stuff
really nice listen, i liked the Jamaican Version of every song more than the Disc 2 versions but they were both really good. RIP Mr Marley
Rating: 8.5/10 Nothing but chill vibes.
I haven’t listened to much of Marley’s discography before this, but I really enjoyed this album!! Reggae is always a vibe.
Bob Marley, the definitive Reggae musician of all time. Chill and especially welcome if you have a blunt
I love this era of Bob and the Wailers, but this is not the best representation of the music they made during this time. Still a great record though.
A really good album, I liked Concrete Jungle, Stop That Train and All Day All Night the most.
This was fine but I doubt I would seek it out. Obviously important, but it also sort of blended into one big song for me. I'll be generous and give it a 4.
Really nice. I should listen to more reggae, thoroughly enjoyed this.
lovely old bob
Bit of a slow start but after the first couple of tracks it really came on strong. Enjoyed this album.
Love this
I'm more of a of Bob Marley's greatest hits kind of listener, but this is good.
- Variation I wasn't expecting - Everything makes you feel good - Songs never drag on
Exactly as advertised.
Great Marley album, rich with the traditional Marley/Wailers sound. Makes me want to go to Jamaica
Gear: 64 Audio Duo Artwork: 🌿🚬⁉️ Production: 🎼🎚️👌 Music: 📜🤔⚖️ Ratinng: 🔥🔥🔥🔥(🔥)/5
I really enjoyed this one, however I felt like some of the songs were a tad repetitive, I mean too much like the other songs. Maybe I'm not used to listening to reggae. No doubt that these are a powerful and talented bunch.
Always a delight to listen to Bob & Co. It’s just…such me easy and positive listening - every single time. The mood is so peaceful and a reminder to not take life so seriously and just chill. I’m currently in the midst of a month of sobriety from cannabis, but be damned sure that after this month I will re-listen to this again while sparking a j. Thank you, Bob!
I'm not a fan of reggae, but I guess this was good reggae. I mean, it's Bob Marley, right?
I enjoyed the music but as an album I found it a bit much of the same thing. Still, liked it more than I expected to and would maybe listen again, although I’d be more likely to listen to individual songs than the whole album. Fav song: Stop That Train Least fav: All Day All Night
Very nice upbeat album that kept my head bopping
A great album, not his absolute best hits but also not a real bad track on the album. A bit darker and more downtempo but still groovy. Fave tracks are: “Concrete jungle”, “stir it up” (though I prefer the early studio one stuff), “high tide or low tide”
This is a great album. A little less poppy than some of the albums that came afterwards, but you can hear the bones of it here. I think it drags a bit toward the end, but overall an excellent album.
Fucking awesome. Great album Bobby M. Hard for him to miss and the guitar solo on concrete jungle rules
As always bonus points for getting me to like reggae
I’m pretty basic when it comes to reggae and I’m okay with that. I’ll say I thought this was a great listen. Stop that Train is a major ear worm for me. I get it stuck in my head all the time since I heard JGBs version. I don’t think I disliked any of the songs, but there were some moments of wackness (for me, nothing the Wailers did, per se) for that, I give 4 stars.
This album is a vibe, but it's too slow to make it in my playlists. Enjoyable listen, just not for me.
2 listens, probably needs a couple more
Album 917 of 1089 Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire (1973) Rating : 3.5 / 5 he reggae albums on this list have been pretty strong, and I’ve enjoyed most of what’s come my way, so I was anticipating another awesome listen when I saw this one pop up. While I’ll always love Bob Marley and enjoy hearing his music, this one just came across as “meh” for me. It didn’t give me the same satisfaction I’ve felt from some of the other reggae offerings. I think it really comes down to the songs - they just didn’t measure up to my expectations. Still a solid record in its place, but not one that hit me the way I thought it would.
First time listening to Marley and Wailers other than a greatest hits compilation. I was surprised that there was only one song I had heard, "Stir It Up." Great 1-2 punch to open the album with "Concrete Jungle" and "Slave Driver" both lyrically and groove-wise. The album brought me back to being in Jamaica, all I needed was a rasta man offering me ganja on a beach.
Nice to hear some Marley deep cuts, only one I knew here was Stir It Up. Which is a perfect song, beautiful melody and harmonies and vibes, and that bassline is bliss. I feel like the sanitized, commercial image of Bob Marley is merely the happy stoner guy, and the song I most often hear played is three little birds. Good song, but he also made protest bangers like Stand Up For Your Rights and often sang in support of the poor and marginalised too. a lot of these songs showcase that. A super pleasant listen
satme lækker. Alle albums vi har haft med dem har været så store bangers, at den her faktisk har været den værste, og den er tæt på 5
Great sounding and lots of great numbers. Good vibes!
I could talk about the music, but really the most impressive part about this album is how he managed to roll that massive fat j for the og album cover. But the music is great also. Immaculate vibes and they manage to create this magical, swampy atmosphere for the entire album duration. Stir it up is one of my fav reggae songs.
Fav: Concrete Jungle Least Fav: Slave Driver Never doubted that a Bob Marley album would be great 🫡
Hadn’t heard much this. Solid album. Big hit in Stir it Up. 4
Bobbe malle fa sempre IL raggee. Fine.
Lovely sound, beautiful message, iconic of the genre. Production feels dated now, but all time classics
Super groovy and enjoyable. Really really liked this and was super locked in for it.
Eu gostei, não escuto mto reggae mas gostei da batida e das letras...não terminei de escutar kkkkk mas vejo a importância de Bob Marley para a sociedade.
NO MORE TROUBLE
Classic! So glad to get a reggae album in the mix. This is beautiful and very chill.
Fresh n' breezy sounds with a touch of soul, it's very easy on the palate. Good stuff
Masterful Mr Marley, masterful
As always with Bob Marley & The Wailers, good chill reggae vibes.
Great sound, good rhythms, legendary artist.
Once again with The Wailers: they are just a chill time. I enjoy what they do and makes me curious for more reggae so that's a win again for their music.
Reggae has a ceiling with me. This is good reggae, but it’s still reggae.
Manages to be nice and calming but danceable and fun. i could both work or nap to this. interchangeably.
El tio Bob siempre es bueno
Skankin
Timeless, good vibes, if you can't get with this then you have no soul.
Actually an album I had to hear before dying. Marley’s hits are well known but apparently his broader work is highly recommended! Very much enjoyed this one
Love Marley 🌈
Começo sempre o dia tão bem quando oiço Bob Marley pela manhã 😌
i mean yeah
Hard to not enjoy this.
Jaah Mon....
Great stuff here, but not my favorite Wailers.
yooo this album is doodoocaca Is Gud but probably ain’t going on the playlist
It’s considered one of the best reggae albums of all time for good reason. Hardly a weak song in the bunch; and Wayne Perkins’ contributions take it to another level.
I mean, it's Bob Marley. The only question is does it get 4 stars or 5. Stir It Up is one of my favourite Wailers songs ever, but not all the album lives up to it. Or maybe I haven't listened to it enough.
Great reggae album! And can't go wrong with bob Marley and the wailers
Regae at its best. Such a calm and chill album. I can see myself relistening to it on a beach. low 8/10
Fun
it's actually really good. i wasn't that interested in reggae before listening to this album, so i wasn't expecting to like it this much
An icon. This álbum is quite good, but way too commercial for me, as there is few Risk in it. I love much more excitlng Jamaican music such as Lee Perry, King Tubby, Scientist, linval Thompson, Horace Andy, Sly and Robbie, and more. 4 stars
J'ai pas du tout l'habitude d'écouter du reggae mais franchement bob marley & the wailers c'est un gros classique, j'ai jamais fumé de joint mais ça m'a donné envie de rejoindre le huitième ciel ! C'est juste culte comme musique c'est trop bien. C'est un de leurs premiers albums et j'ai hâte d'écouter les prochains. Reggae music babe gurl !! babylone babylone !!
Zippo album cover > joint album cover About equal to Exodus for me. Doesn't have as many big hits but damn is it consistent. If Exodus is the best reggae album of all time then this is the second best.. Favorite track: Stir It Up 4.5/5
Slaaave driiiverrr
Very enjoyable start to the week. Solid album.
Perfect sunny walk music. Only really know the big hits from Bob so was nice to hear some unknown (to me) tracks.
All good
A lesser known album of Bob's for me. Very much enjoyed.
Classic
Apparently, this was the album (and tour) that really brought Bob Marley and the Wailers to global fame. As someone who doesn't really connect with most reggae, I have to say The Wailers are always great and well worth listening to. This album is solid from start to finish, though it lacks any of their most well known songs. Otherwise, I really don't have any bad to say about this one. It delivers what you'd expect of Marley and every track is great.
good reggae, and plenty funky too. great to listen to on a hot day.
Very enjoyable reggae album!
Man, I just enjoy Bob Marley. I never went through the “white Rasta” phase growing up—though I definitely knew a few—but I always understood why people tried to tap into that vibe. There’s something magnetic here that feels half-poetry, half-gospel, this invitation into a worldview rather than just a genre. Catch a Fire is one of those albums that radiates warmth and purpose; it’s music with intent, but it never preaches. It just pulls you into its rhythm and lets you sit in it. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reggae. When it’s done at this level, it feels timeless.
It's a little rockier than I would expect from Bob Marley, but still has a very reggae sound. Some of its lyrics are very protesty and political. Most of the songs are very repetitive and also there isn't a tonne of variety between them, however it still sounds very good and very tropical and happy/chill - despite the lyrics. It has some really good guitar solos (especially Stir It Up) that are a bit unexpected to me but I love. Not my favourite thing ever (I liked exodus more) but it's good. 4 stars.
Album No. 0021 on my list. This was my second album by Bob Marley and the Wailers within two weeks (the first one was "Exodus"). My review here is definitly influenced by the comparision between both albums. "Catch A Fire" is a solid reggae album and I can definitely see why it was The Wailer's breakthrough album and is considered a landmark record of the whole genre. To be honest, I like "Exodus" somewhat more, but "Catch A Fire" is still great and has a different "vibe" to it - also nice to be able to actually see some musical developments between the two albums. "Stir It Up" (arguably the album's most prominent song), and "Midnight Ravers" were my favorite songs, but the rest was fine as well. Solid work - 4/5 stars!
Just sublime.
Beatiful! So vibrant and organic
A Classic album! I recommend to listen to the Jamaican versions of this album
liked a lotttttttt thank you bob
I clicked on the profile of someone who rated this album 1 star to see if they were clearly mentally unwell. They seemed cool. I'm just judgmental.
Oh yes pretty good.
I got 8 tracks in before I realized I was listening to the bonus/alternate versions of the songs. I was still digging it, main album versions were even better.
I really enjoyed “Natty Dread,” so I was excited to see what Marley had in store for me with “Catch a Fire.” This is a slightly earlier album, which is most evident in the songwriting and subject matter Marley utilizes. Some songs feel more like pop or even rock here, and the lyrics tend to stay more surface level. There are even, like, four songs that seem to be about nothing other than generic love balladry, which is hard to stomach given the lyrical highs that would come just one album later. Let me be clear, this is still a good record. Great production, super nice instrumentation and a few great guitar solos, and a couple great songs make this a more than worthy listen. But it left me a little disappointed because of how hard it felt like Marley was attempting to water down reggae sound with a more conventional pop angle. I think that some artists get so into their niche that they become parodies of themselves (see late stage Billy Joel for an example), but Marley only got better the deeper in his bag he went. This record stands out more as a sign of things to come than as a classic on its own.
It's so weird that this album is two discs, one normal version and one Jamaican version. I listened to both, and I was vibing the whole time. Don't normally go for much reggae but damn, he's the GOAT for a reason.
Guay
Stir it up, milk two sugars please.
Never listened to a Bob Marley album actually all the way through. The players were locked in, I liked the lyrics and how moody/kinda slow it was.
this kills exodus every day of the week
When you get right down to it, sometimes our minds are all confused with confusion
Like it, great rhythm & all the instruments just meld into a perfect, addictive whole. Obviously not all the lyrics resonate much with this "white, privileged" boy, but enjoyed them all the same.
Fun to listen to.
Old time Reggae
Perfect vacation music
What a great vibe. Great.
Its really good idk
Good stuff
I listened to this with my wife and we were discussing why I liked it so much. I'm usually drawn to loud angry music about the failings of society and this was not that. She said the anger is still there but it's dignified.The groove is undeniable—steady, warm, enveloping. The voice is iconic. The themes are timeless—oppression, exile, rebellion, redemption. It’s music you feel before you think about it. It feels true, and the same with all good music no matter what genre. The message is a chant. You find yourself repeating it long after the album is back in its dust cover.
Recognizable Marley sound, but with a harder political/social commentary edge—I like it.
Didn't think I'd like it as much as I did great album
It’s so good but the album just put me in this flow state where I couldn’t even differentiate the tracks. As soon as I heard Stir It Up I snapped out of it but otherwise I was basically entranced. Would prefer some variation but in this case it’s just pure vibes. High 4/5
For the longest time, I thought that Ska and Rocksteady came from Reggae. Imagine my surprise when I learned it was the other way around. Marley & The Wailers were an amazing band, and this is a good introduction to the genre.
Catch A Fire is fire. So groovy. Amazing to work or strut to. Phenomenal playing, so deep in the pocket, so locked in. 4/5
4.0 - Very Good
4.4
How had I never heard the track 'High tide or low tide' before, sounded like it should be one of his best known!! Solid showing all the way through, as you'd expect.
Definitely the chill vibes I wanted today.
Very enjoyable although repetitive. Bonus that im listening to it in mid July. Probably 1 less star in February.
Strangely, I've never listened to this before. What a glorious album.
Though I was only previously familiar with one track on this album, I found the whole thing to be a very pleasant listening experience. Reggae is grounded on those simple, persistent backing rhythms that just carry the whole song through, and that was prevalent here. All the other parts on top were interesting and enjoyable. The songs themselves were nice to listen to, plus evoked emotion in different ways throughout the runtime. On the negative side, the similar structures caused some blandness/bleeding. I know they were different songs, but they still sounded alike at times. If I wasn't paying close enough attention, I wouldn't realize that I was listening to a different song than the one before it. Some songs were unique enough to stand out, but not all of them. I think having more distinction would've made the album stronger than it was. Reggae isn't my favorite genre, and I'd never listened to an entire album by a reggae artist before. I have to say this was a nice introduction to one of the most famous to ever do it. I thought it was a very good album. Overall: 3.75/5
Pre-listen: don't know too much about bob Marley and the wailers so curious to listen. listen: You can tell how influential this album was and is just based on how contemporary it sounds, shocking that this was 73' it feels like it could have come out in the late 90s. Overall a well produced album, listened to the delux edition and found there to be some interesting additions and changes from disc 1 to 2. an easy listen that I would have to be in the mood for on a second listen.
Within about the first 10 seconds of the first song that this wasn't going to even come close to Exodus, and that's okay! This was still an enjoyable listen. There really was nothing on here that stood out to me apart from Stir It Up (obviously) - but it was still a very enjoyable listen. I won't be rushing back to this in a hurry, but this is still very deserving of a 4.
Best album so far I hadn't previously heard
A strong album, and it led me to a few other acts like The Frightners.
An exquisite and powerful album with an iconic album cover to boot (not the one pictured here for some reason.)
Pretty good.
It's definitely good, might enjoy more on another listen Will I listen to again: 69%
Great reggae vibe. Quite political on some tracks
Tolle Relax Platte mit genialem Leitsong „Stir It up“.
Concrete jungle, stir it up and high tide or low tide are great
Undeniably a classic. I still prefer Exodus but it was great to revisit some deeper cuts I haven’t listened to in a bit. It also has the full extended version of my favorite Marley tune “Stir it Up” with Tosh’s kind-of awful but great guitar solo!
If I'm in the mood for reggae, this hits the right balance. There are a couple of "hits" on it but it avoids the best of malaise that sets in with "Legend". A solid album given a real lift by its deep cuts.
A great start to my 1001 greatest albums songs. Even the tracks I didn't know sounded very familiar
Great reggae album.
Bob Marley - Reggae at it's best
Not usually a reggae fan but loved the chilled out grooves
Lekker album, Bob Marley is altijd raak. Ik heb het album geluisterd en daarna de muziek via spotify door laten spelen. Dan krijg je een hele bak met goeie reggea muziek over je heen. Prachtig!
Favorites: Concrete Jungle, Stir It Up, Midnight Ravers This is my first Wailers record, and I wasn't quite sure if I would like it as much, but this is some incredible stuff here. There's some highlights that stand out among the rest, but even its weaker spots are really great.
Great album. The band is so good, and each song is interesting musically and lyrically.
Chill
Yes
Sehr entspannt, abwechslungsreich aber stiltreu
For much of my life, I kind of thought most Reggae sort of sounded the same, although this was, as they say, a skill issue and some time last year it finally clicked with me. That being said, I didn’t really follow up on this revelation in any meaningful way. All of this to say this is the first Reggae album I have listened to from front to back and it’s *really* good. Bob Marley is an icon and with music like this he really deserves the status. The unfortunately underrated Wailers are also fantastic, elevating these fantastic songs and Marley’s performances and Melodies into an album that earns its place among the greats. Marley is a super dynamic vocalist, and he serves as a great counterpoint to the super tight, rhythmic reggae grooves across the album. It's also refreshing to hear his lyrics in a world where Bob Marley, as a pop culture figure, has been sanitized. Songs like 400 Years, and Slave Driver are angry, intelligent and deeply political. He also has compelling lyrics about romance, religion and more on here. I'm glad the generator finally twisted my arm into checking this stuff out, I had a fantastic time.
Great and groovin. Rhythm sections sounds perfectly in sync. I preferred the "jamacian version" frmo the 2001 "Deluxe edition" bc the bass seems over-emphasized to the point of distortion in the original. This may turn into a 5 with repeated listens.
Solid Mr. Marley release.
Highlight Song/s: Concrete Jungle and Slave Driver I feel the album just gradually gets worse; It's not bad, but it's not as great as Exodus.
Love me some Bob Marley. Good for music for skankin'.
Good one
It's Bob Marley, so you already know it's going to be great. I think this album is a bit of a hidden gem. Of all the Greatest Hits albums by Marley I grew up listening to, I don't believe I have heard any of the ones on here. They were all fantastic. His music always bring about such a sense of peace, and this is a perfect example of the classic Bob Marley charm and his message to the world of peace and love coming above all else.
Bob Marley makes protest music for people who want to chill. I guess that (and his love of weed) explains his popularity amongst white teenagers....I was there once. Every reggae act after him feels like a cover band. This is a good album though. Stop That Train is a great album cut. Some of these songs are hard to tell apart. Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby) has very similar music to Stir It Up. Stir It Up is this album's hit and deservedly so...great music, great lyrics. It's like the Jamaican Sexual Healing.
great bob marley album! hadnt heard it
I really liked this album.
Fire indeed
This is "gritty Kingston" Bob Marley much more than "dorm room poster" Bob Marley and it's all the better for it. Never listened to him in a non-greatest hits format before but it was well worth it.
Dad- 7 Mom- 7.5 Mike- 9 Lori- 9.5 Michael- 9 Miles- 9 Cole- 10 Avg- 8.71
Overall: 8/10 It's interesting to listen to this early iteration of The Wailers. Bob Marley still dominates this album but it feels like a more cohesive unit with other contributions. The musicianship is incredible, especially the drums. I quit smoking weed in the last few months but this made me want to toke it up. Fav Song: Midnight Ravers Least Fav Song: 400 Years
I love Bob Marley, and this album has two perfect songs in “Stir it Up” and “Stop That Train.” Much of the rest is great, but it doesn’t sustain at that high level throughout. Reggae is too similar track to track for my ears, so I’m kind of grooved out by the second half. I’d prefer a little blues or gospel or rnb or something to round out the sound and keep it fresh. I’m just reciting a late seventies Jerry Garcia Band set list, which isn’t fair to Bob and the magnificent Wailers, but the heart wants what it wants. At its best there’s little I like more, but there’s too much here that’s just good to be superlative.
Det va veldig streit reggae, æ likte det mens æ hørte på det men æ har sjelden et behov for å oppsøke reggae, så det e helt greit.
Well without a joint it is a strong 4. Probably with a joint it could be a 5.
Chill vibes, good tunes. Only gripe is a lot of them blend together, but that also gives the album a very consistent feel.
Ok
I have never sat down and listened to a Raggae album. Of all to start with, this is probably the best. I think Bob Marley IS the genre. 4/5 Great, when I'm in the mood for vibes I will be back.
I am admittedly a greatest hits sort of Bob Marley listener and fan. I like some reggae music but I don't listen to a lot of it so when things pop in to my mixes it's usually the hits that I have listened to or liked in the past. So that's the long way of saying I am not deeply familiar with The Wailers catalog so this album was a new listen for me. I scanned the track list and knew "Stir It Up" but that was all. I loved this though. It felt familiar even though I didn't know it. The music is great, the rhythm section is tight and there is some great guitar here. Of course the vocals are outstanding. I think next time I get in a Marley reggae mood I'll skip Legend and choose another stand alone release. I have a feeling I'll love it as well.
muy bueno suena bien 8/6/25
I knew exactly what this album would be from the artist, and it’s fine. I think there’s a real cultural significance to reggae music. So many of these songs are songs of storytelling or protest. It’s the same idea behind Americana Folk but in a different genre. It’s a bummer that the genre has been co-opted into such a commercial product to get people in the mood to drink cocktails on cruise ships, but this album predates that soullessness and feels like it was made by a group who wanted to be storytellers of song.
Solid album
Grew up listening to this - I saw the 2000s touring version of The Wailers twice - good stuff.
Enjoyed this all the way through but there weren’t any songs that stood out more than the rest in my first listen
So relaxing, but also impactful.
3.5
Reggae will never be not boring to me. But when this album steps out of the reggae trappings, the classic rock overtones of "Concrete Jungle" opening, the gospel feel of "Stop That Train", the multi cultural feel of War of "No More Trouble", this album really shines. Then there's "Stir It Up", whjch along with "Three Little Birds", might be my absolute favorite strict reggae songs. The rest of the album I'd fall into good reggae, but still reggae. It only takes me so far. 8.4 ★★★★
I am not too into reggae. Usually, I think it is boring, but this album is really good. 4.5 stars
4.5
Really cool album, much preferred the second half of the album. Stir It Up is so sublime.
Love the vibe of Bob Marley. So chill! Only song I recognized was Stir it Up, but they were all good. Got me excited for heading to the Bahamas next month!
Very chill not overproduced, classics
reggae is just the ultimate background music for me i think. i would never ever sit down and choose to listen to this alone. but im sure it would be exquisite pumping along at the beach or a cookout or just chilling and talking in a dorm room. and it wasn’t even bad! but it’s just not a genre that i really can get into on its own
Sounds really good. Might not be my 'go to' on a rainy day in England, but perhaps it should be?
Атмосферно, даже несколько песен добавила в плейлист. На вечер или фон классно подойдёт.
Concrete Jungle Stir It Up No More Trouble
Such a pleasant listen. This is roots reggae at its best - social and political message delivered - not offensively or defensively - but rather, just truth of what is. Musically, the Wailers are riding the groove and don't slip the entire album - absolutely solid.
Catch a Fire is the album where Bob Marley and the Wailers went from gritty Kingston rebels to polished reggae diplomats—thanks, in part, to Island Records slapping a rock gloss on it for Western ears. It’s reggae with a passport and a leather case. Sure, the messages hit hard—“Slave Driver” doesn’t pull punches—but don’t be fooled: this was carefully packaged revolution. Peter Tosh smolders, Marley preaches, and the guitar solos say, “Hey, white folks, this is safe to like.” Still, even with the commercial shine, it’s a powerful, infectious collection that kicked down doors for Jamaican music worldwide—with style.
Steady warm groove on this record that is positive and uplifting even though it deals with heavy themes. Great album.
Hahaha kul. Dobar vajb i super pozadinska muzika.
solidna rege predvidivost s pokojom iznadprosječnom pjesmom
One of my favorite reggae albums (take that with a grain of salt as my expertise doesn't lie with reggae) it puts me in a good mood even when the subject matter is depressing on some songs. I tend to prefer earlier reggae like on the Trojan Records reissues, but this album is a keeper & I plan on adding it to my collection in the near future. I think Amazon has a reissue on red vinyl for $25. So, yeah this is solid stuff, kinky reggae!
I love Bob Marley
Marley will never be in my regular rotation because I don’t think I enjoy reggae enough to listen regularly- that said, every time I hear Marley I thoroughly enjoy it. Weird.
A delight
Almost up there with natty dread, Peter Tosh on two of the songs was cool aswell. Favourites: pretty much all of them to an extent although I wasn’t the biggest fan of the last song or “baby we’ve got a date”. Overall 8/10.
Very calm and relaxed album. Not too much variation on the instrumentals, but very consistently high quality and genre appropriate instrumental parts. Vocals seem a little "dragged".
It's like the website knew I was in Jamaica for the last fortnight...
This is very clearly Bob Marley & The Wailers, but I'm still left with a feeling that something is missing.
Previously rated: Natty Dread (3/5) *********************** I'm not sure if I really liked this one more or I was just in a more receptive mood to reggae today, but I had a nice time listening to this one today. I recognized one song, Stir It Up, but I think it was a different version.
This is probably Marley’s best. It contains my favourite song of his (“Concrete Jungle”), it sounds incredible, and the musicianship is agonisingly brilliant and hypnotic. There’s nothing wrong with it. The only issue is that Marley always falls short for me, as I prefer reggae when it’s rougher, freakier, and more dynamic. While this album is technically perfect, there’s something slightly surfaceless about most of the songs that leaves me a bit cold. That’s purely a matter of taste, though—and it’s still miles ahead of some of the stuff that made its way onto 'Exodus' and beyond.
I can’t say that these songs are amazing, other than “Stir it Up,” but they put/kept me in a good mood. 3.5
Solid reggae. Enjoyable.
Ei tutuinta Wailersia ja täsä ei hittikamaa ollutkaan mutta jointti vaan huuleen ja notkukävelyllä ottamaan yhteiskunnallisesti kantaa. Regei okei
Obviously a good album. Maybe just my brain rot speaking here but I did get a little bit bored of it towards the end. Can imagine if I was by a pool and not at my work desk I’d feel differently.
Good album.
Dobry klasicky raggae, ale dlouhyyyy
Solid vibe. Nice album
Despite only having one song I recognized on it, it's a credit to Marley's talent that this is all pretty universally listenable in a relaxed sort of way.
Another entry in the, if you only know Marley & the Wailers from their greatest hits played in smokey dorm rooms, you're underestimating them & their talent.
Excellent reggae!
Good reggae
Ça fait toujours du bien un p'tit Bob Marley quand même
There's only a few songs on here that really turn my head, but baseline Bob Marley is so good that I can't help but give this one a four-star rating.
Solid all around
Love it, get way better from Stir it up
Really enjoyable album. "Concrete Jungle" is fantastic.
Jah overstand the true power of reggae now.
Despite the fact that so many bands I enjoy take at least a bit of influence from it, I've been pretty much entirely ignorant of reggae, aside from whatever Bob Marley songs come up on the radio or on TV/movies/etc. This album is doing a lot to convince me that that needs to be changed.
This album is pretty much what you’d expect from a Bob Marley album. I’m not really into reggae since it all sounds so similar and the same, but this record is solid for what it is. It was a nice way to kick off my morning and get the day going.
Quality.
Stir it up is one of my favorite songs of his. The vibe of that one permeates the rest of this album. So good.
I enjoyed this one the most of the three I think. Concrete Jungle I don't know well but it's fabulous, the backing vocals there (and throughout) are fantastic and atmospheric. Real vocal hooks. There are no hugely overplayed songs here (Stir it Up obviously comes closest, but that's one of Bobs best songs so that's fine) and what there is is of consistently very high quality. Excellent.
the vibes are immaculate
It was a really fun listening. Definitely will listen to it again
Mellow reggae throughout.
Easy to get lost in a rhythmic trance listening to this and miss the lyrical value. Catchy, tight musicianship and perfect run time.
Listened in November 2020. Not my favourite Bob Marley album, but you can't really go wrong with any of his albums. One I've grown to appreciate more with age.
I'm not big on reggae, most of the time, but I really liked this
I've never listened to a full Bob Marley project. Super relaxed vibe even when addressing heavier topics. I got excited when I recognized the bassline from "Forgive them Father" on the opening track. "Concrete Jungle" and "Midnight Ravers" were my standout songs. I need to book a cheap spirit flight to a beach now...
Classics are classic for a reason. Good stuff.
Extremely easy listening. Manages to be relaxing and calming despite the political nature of many of the tracks. Not Marley's best.
Classic Bob