Reviews (page 5 of 14)
Smoke em if you got em
Listened to on recovery run. Very reggae but quietly hyped me up
Enjoyable listening, but not his best IMO.
Relaxt naar kunnen luisteren.
Sleepy. Couple fire sweet songs. TWO!
Du reggae qui s'écoute bien, Bob Marley la référence en la matière mais pas forcément mon style de base
Oui, c’est chill.
Plutôt sympa mais Bob Marley c'est pas trop ma came
liked it less than the first one
Classic Bob, love this album
I liked Stir it Up. That was familiar. The rest were okay
It's fun. Chill. Good background. Staple reggae.
Chill vibes and easy listening
3,4*
Dit is zo ongelofelijk saai, ik ben blij als dit snel is afgelopen. Ik voel me denk ik zoals Jos zich voelt als die ska luistert. Tbh zou dit een stuk harder gaan als het ska was geweest. +1 voor de message
Imagine je noemt dit saai. Niet ieder album moet een adhd tiktok brein aan spreken. Dit is gewoon laid back, funky met hele vette lyrics en een boodschap die tijdloos is.
Niet verkeerd
Helemaal prima
Dit klinkt opzich super. Productie is top. Zang is goed. Politiek is on point. Het is alleen ZO SAAI. Een soort eenheidsworst van hetzelfde kabbelende beekje van instrumentatie van begin tot eind. Alleen maar waardering voor Bob Marley, blij dat mensen zo geraakt worden door hem. Niets voor mij.
Abertura do álbum é linda. Como um todo, ele é bem espacial, mesmo sem ter muitas camadas. A precursão e os corais agregam de forma absurda com a voz do bob. Tem uma pegada quase que religiosa, as músicas te guiam pra um espaço relaxante, elemento que já faz parte do reggae, mas que aqui é muito presente. Bob desenha a voz muito bem também, as melodias repetitivas e o Grove da guitarra dançam muito bem em cima dos outros elementos. Pra mim é um pouco repetitivo, mas creio que é mais sobre a minha percepção do gênero, já que reggae não é exatamente minha pedida.
Smoother sound than expected for the genre, artists really seemed to enjoy the jam sessions
Lowkey like this album more than the previous one I listened to
Liked this a lot - but my unfamiliarity with reggae means it all washes over me a bit, and just gives me a warm mellow feeling rather than inspiring critical opinions. On this listen, nothing leapt out as being a classic like 'Redemption Song' or 'Get Up Stand Up'.
5 obviously. Bob Marley is a legend.
It was good and a nice album to just vibe and listen to
Wish I was on a beach rn
Groovy
Not my favorite album of theirs. Overall it was fine.
didn’t mind it. Marley gets better on future albums
Soooo good. A mix of absolute bops and stunningly beautiful slower tracks. Amazing political songwriting backed by a band that’s completely locked in. Favourite tracks: all of them.
One of those albums that if you're in the mood, it is sublime. Really enjoyed this one and was more than halfway into another BWM album before I realized it. Great music.
Not for me
Locked in groove right here, tight, has a way of delivering absolutely searing commentary without sounding obnoxious and keeping a certain brightness in life. The recording quality sadly is not that good, the live versions of these songs really show them off at their best, but still slaps
Soulful sounding vocals, meaningful lyrics and slow yet upbeat, easy going feeling instrumentation. Would listen to full album again. Added "Concrete Jungle" to my playlist.
Not actually my cup of tea
my second Wailers album for this challenge following Exodus, and arguably the one that put the international spotlight on reggae music as a whole. this came out on the Jamaican-then-British label Island, which also sported a tremendous roster of rock and folk acts at this time in the early 70s, resulting in some pretty major crossover appeal. this album is dripping with pocket: Aston "Family Man" Barrett's tremendous basslines, Peter Tosh's syncopated guitar strokes, Carlton Barrett and Bunny Wailer cutting it up on their various drums and percussion instruments. there's part of me that finds reggae almost too chill, too laid-back; but I have to admit, it's fun listening to the rhythm section here dance on the razor's edge! these are some really delicate grooves played with so much care. plus, you have Bob Marley tying the whole thing together as a singer and truth-teller, and he's kind of undeniable. not to mention the vocal harmonies! light 8/10.
Beautiful.
Not today, reggae, not ever.
Meeeeget ensformet efter et par sange, men godt
Every time I hear the crack of a whip My blood runs cold I remember on the slave ship How they brutalise our very souls Today they say that we are free Only to be chained in poverty Good God, I think it's illiteracy It's only a machine that makes money
I don't dislike reggae but it's a genre I would rarely, if ever, seek out. The rhythms are so same-y that it gets tedious pretty quickly. 2.5/5
This is exactly my type of music. Reggae just hits the right spot. Bob Marley doesn't have a single bad song
Never actually went out my way to listen to Boab before. Very chilled out and easy to listen to
A bit of Bobs always fine man. But quit mood dependent for me. Normally backgroundish. This one no different.
Big fan of this album. Can’t beat some Bob and his Reggae tunes
I'm completely ambivalent about reggae.
Classic album.
nic ciekawego, troche zamula i bit na to samo kopyto w wiekszosci piosenek
Was a good album, but idk if I would listen to it again. I also got a little too high.
Good reggae not my favorite but chill
Hört sich gut weg. Not much of a Reggae-Fan, but this is nice.
Love tha vibe
Chill, interesting melodies, lots of steel drum, awesome bass.
pretty good, but nothing stand out in my opinion
Chill, posi jams were appreciated this morning as the world goes mad around me.
This was nice to listen too, great vibe and interesting lyrics. I don’t know or listen to much Bob Marley and I was surprised I recognised a couple of these songs. I liked it but didn’t love it.
2nd Bob Marley album from the generator. I liked the other one more, this album is just too mellow. It's not bad, just borders on "background music" 2/5
Good album but honestly not my music taste at all. Too slow for me unfortunately. Was nice listening to something i dont listen to often!
Fave track: Concrete Jungle Least fave track: ummm maybe midnight ravers? overall 6.8/10
This album was okay, I think it doesn't have enough oomph and is toooo chill.
Usually with these reviews, I focus on figuring out how the music works, and how certain elements excite or bore me. Today, I could feel the music repel my analysis. These are songs that listen to you and judge you. Will you be considered worthy? I'm not sure exactly what I mean except that for forty minutes at a time, the Wailers are in charge and I'm just here for the ride.
Ja niet zo fantasties maar beter dan die daarvoor.
Daar word je vrolijk van
Exactly what I needed to hear this morning.
enjoyed it
It's hard for me to listen to Reggae stuff because it was on all the time growing up and I wasn't a fan. This album however has some great riffs and showed me a different side, especially as again, only know the real big hits from Bob Marley. Fun listen, probably won't be regular though
I had no idea All Day All Night was an original Bob Marley song, I love that his son covered it.
Great
Bob Marley albums are always very fun
*1973. *Stir It Up is the only song I know here. *Normally I love Bob Marley, but this was a little uninspired. Still good. RATING - 6.5/10
There’s a warmth to this record that just seeps right into your bones. Feels like a sonic hug that smells a little like good herb. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Concrete Jungle - Stir It Up - No More Trouble - High Tide or Low Tide
A second Bob Marley album in a week? I can’t handle this much reggae. Apple Music will start recommending more of the same in my feed! But then again, I didn’t mind the last album. This was real good. Do I like reggae?? 3/5. Very confused.
75/100
Sooo good and chill
Enjoyable. Great for cooking and eating family dinner.
Another surprise for me. Would not have listened if not for this challenge. Won't be one that I return to probably but am glad to have listened.
While not necessarily my taste, it was still an easy and fun listen.
Leuk maar begint aan het eind van het album wel een beetje hetzelfde te klinken.
The record is monotonous in a good way, creating a haze similar that that which I suspect inspired it. I knew "Stir It Up" and "Stop That Train" but surprisingly, there's a lot of Bob Marley I somehow haven't heard.
My favorite BMW album: soulful, brilliantly arranged and played, masterful use of negative space, a mix of political and intimate love songs, all killer, no filler. Also noteworthy for the contributions of Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. This would be a great record to play for someone who says they don’t like reggae.
I like hearing reggae that I havent heard hundreds of times already.
ok look i TRIED and i still don't like reggae, PLEASE NO MORE REGGAE
easy listen - very relaxing
Banger
this is real music to me. meaningful lyrics about the human condition paired with tunes that don’t need to try so hard to impress you; nor is it about the artist and what you’ll think of them once the song is over. will always be 5 stars for me.
3.5. Beautiful melodies, various vibes - somber and happy - but reagge seems a bit monotonous for me
7/10 gotta smoke weed to this. Very groovy, first time listening to reggae so that was pretty cool experience. Overtime i felt that it was too repetitive, but it has some chill bangers.
Good not great?
Listened to this coming back into work after holiday break. It’s amazing how emotional and political this record gets for how relaxed it sounds. Ominous sure, but when I think of how revolutionary Bob Marley was and when I think about revolutionary/political music in general, I think of something much edgier. Not even like this is THAT political a lot of these songs are spiritual. I think it’s that combination that really makes me feel understood by this music. The bass lines and rhythm section should net this album a 5 by themselves, and I think some of Marley’s best songs are on here. But, I know I still have to do some more listening before I can truly understand this to be a 5. I don’t think reviews can be objective. I’m rating it in relation to the experience I had with it today.
It's not Exodus...
Already heared Natty Dread and Peter Tosh's Legalize It... Wow, this one's even better, more fun and the arrangements are even more colourful.
Inclusive si no es el tipo de música que estoy acostumbrada a escuchar, hubo varias canciones que no deje de escuchar
i love bob marley so this being my first album suggested i’m grooving babyyyy
Great if you like reggae. I just don’t.
Bob Marley? Again? Good as this record is, I can't help thinking that if my days were numbered (which, thinking about it, I suppose they are - great, thanks for that) and I had 1,001 albums to wade through, I wouldn't necessarily want them all to be by Bob Marley. Yep, he was good, and this is another good album, one that in fairness, I'd never heard before, but shall we move on? And I don't mean to Bob Dylan.
I have to say listening to this on a grey and freezing, damp day seems all wrong. Perhaps it is this but I find while it is a great album it just doesn't hit the spot like say, Exodus or Natty Dread. It has Stir It Up on it watch is wonderful. I have no idea of the history of what came first or wahtever, but something about the vocal delivery across most of the album seems a bit lacking somehow - but that is in comparing it with some masterful albums. As it stands it is still a fabulous record.
Nice & warm Roots Reggae. I find Reggae albums in general to turn kind of dull when listened to in full and that applies to this one too, despite that it is more diverse in its general sound than other Wailers albums so it feels like less of a slog to get through; Overall I enjoyed it more than I did Exodus.
Brutal listen, not my genre but it’s so repetitive and nothing is remotely catchy. Don’t see myself revisiting either the whole album or even any one individual song. 🚮
I've really been enjoying reggae this year as I've needed an upbeat, grooveable, but still rebellious and anti-establishment alternative to angry, angsty punk. This album was a little smoother, a little more chill than I was expecting, but it was a great listen that had me nodding and swaying along. - Heard before? No - Will I listen again? Definitely - Does it inspire me to listen to more of this artist? Yes
Rock Steady reggae. Several good tracks from Bob and the band. The only complaint I have is that the version of Stir It Up on this one is not as good as the original, it has a wacky psychedelic wah-pedal guitar that contributes to the chill vibe, but sounds out of place. The bonus track High Tide Or Low Tide is a pretty lullaby. The original release of the record had additional overdubs by the producer Chris Blackwell - according to Wikipedia, they were applied to make the record more palatable for rock audiences in the US. A deluxe addition has one disc with the basic non-overdubbed versions and the original release with Blackwell's overdubs. The non-overdubbed version of Stir It Up and the other tracks are better than the original overdubbed version IMO.
I expected to enjoy this more than I did.
8/10
it was to be expected
I enjoyed listening to this album, especially when I learned from the description provided by Tidal just what an important album this was for reggae and for Bob Marley.
Not a single song I wouldn't listen to again.
Chill reggae not really my thing but it’s good.
я себе відчуваю наріком на ямайці вайб присутній мені здається міші твердохлібу сподобалося б
Great reggae album. Beautiful tracks and vocals are Bob Marley's vocals hard to beat
I like this enough. It’s a little repetitive for me. I hate to say it but I think i would just listen to legend
Hell yeah. So many great tunes, classic album.
👍
Phenomenal reggae album, as one would expect from Bob Marley. Either you like him, or you have hearing issues.
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
bez szału
0/11 bekannt 4/10 Beste Songs: 400 years, no more trouble, high tide or low tide
ok, did the usual approach with reggae: 1. listen to a couple songs. 2. stop. 3. never think about it again. the usual votum: good music for smoking weed, rubbish for anything else.
I just don't like reggae the album is fine, its all the same sound and I don't like the sound
It’s not horrible but just not a big reggae fan
Not my style but good, I think I will appreciate it more in the summer
It's nice, chill, some emotion, classic reggae.
Sounds kinda samey.
Had a strong start both intrumentally and lyrically. Great way of displaying very real political issues on top of music that makes you feel. Though I felt a decline midway through as the songs started to become static and boring. Love Bob Marley but this one just might not be for me.
fun instrumentals, did not enjoy "kinky reggae"
I still dont like Reggae, what can I do.
His most forgettable album that I’ve heard on this list so far
Great Marley
First time listening to reggae. I liked it.
I never had slow jams make my soul feel so good. A true angel on the mic just sending us down sweet melodies from above. RIP Bob Marley, thank you for leaving a mark and leaving us with something to live to!
Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Still struggle to get into Bob Marley. I'm sitting on a 2.5. Going to round it to 3 as it does sound good.
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
I enjoyed it but I wouldn't say I'd keep it on a loop.
Another solid album from Bob I think I actually liked this considerably more than Exodus.
Great!!!
Chill but too chill, pretty boring
NICE
I've already listened to his album (43). The 9 tracks of the International Release + 2 the 2 missing Jamaican songs as bonus tracks at the end is the best way to listen to this.
When I see Bob Marley pop up, I know I get a bye day. I hate reggae, and Bob Marley has never been able to change my mind on that. 2/5
First Listen; 2.5; I thought I was going to listen and find something interesting or enjoyable, but I really didn't connect with it. It was enjoyable enough, but I also found it boring, even though I could tell there's clearly good musicianship. It's possible that part of the reason this album didn't land for me is that I got it in the dead of winter on a 25 degree day. This is the first album (after about 50) where I will probably come back another time because I feel like it could be me missing something. Favorite Track: Concrete Jungle
Pretty good but frankly I experienced diminishing returns listening to this as most of the tracks sounded exactly the same to me. Stir It Up was standout good though.
I’d listen to this again
★★½
Amazing music
I absolutely loved this album. The vibes were so good, and I actually feel like I heard the message he was portraying in the album.
Never listened to a Bob Marley album before and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’ll give it a 3 & move on
The GOAT
Now, this I like. This was good. Though still not perfect, it's one of the greatest in its genre
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.
I think this one is particularly excellent, even more than Exodus, I'm super into it.
Absolutely not
A whole lot of Bob being his amazing self. Love it.
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.
Enjoyable listen but all a bit the same after a while
Gran disco pero faltaron más canciones iconicas. Highlight: No more trouble Kinky reggae
Wish I liked reggae more. After a while I found the songs pretty repetitive. Same opening, often similar backing loops. At least to my ears. The lyrics and vocals are nice. I’m just never enthusiastic about anything. 3/5
Chill
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
opzich wel leuk maar niet helemaal 100% mijn ding
Started off rocking harder than I expected from Bob Marley and then quickly devolved into a fairly repetitive, yet still enjoyable enough album. Had some sick guitar solos early on that I wish had more of a presence later in. This is my first of 3 Bob Marley & The Wailers albums on the list, and my second album featuring Peter Tosh. Did Bob Marley have a solo career, or was it always him and the Wailers?? For being such a notable name in Reggae/Music history, I’m admittedly only aware of his hits. Kind of want to watch a Bob Marley documentary after this. I have no doubt I would be more appreciative of the goat and his lasting legacy. I was largely unfamiliar with Bob Marley’s music before listening to this, but you really kind of get the gist of it after a song or 2. Keep in mind, Bob Marley is THE most notable figure in Reggae music history, like it’s not even remotely close, and this album was still enjoyable enough, but Reggae doesn’t really blow me away as a genre. After a while, there’s only so much I can take at a time. Now, I don’t think I’m going to be the first person to point this out, but I suspect this kind of music may be more enjoyable if one is smoking the devil’s lettuce. Bold statement, I know. I’m a true visionary. What was I saying?? Oh, right. Bob Marley. My favorite song on the album was “400 Years”. The messaging, keyboard, deep bass, and vocals were pretty awesome. The aforementioned guitar in “Concrete Jungle” was also pretty great. Overall, this album was good, and I would happily listen to it if it was playing on the radio, but I don’t think it convinced me to return to it on my own. For this musical journey I’m on, there are 2 more Bob Marley albums on the list. Let’s see if they have more of a staying power than Catch A Fire. This one was alright, but it’s not something I’m going to be thinking about much after today. Nonetheless, it’s a very comfortable 3.
A couple of standout tracks, but as you have to expect with Reggae music, a lot of the tempos and rhythms can blur into one if you aren't paying close attention. Some very good playing from the band though and those moments are very easy on the ear when they occur.
Love it
Great reggae album. Wonderful songs and story telling about injustice. Not quite Exodus but still great
I loved this so much and I'm a huge Bob marley fan but never listened to this album so that was really fun
love it ! great vibes of course it's more of a summer album but I had a great moment listening to it
Some classic Marley tunes. Album would probably hit better if it wasn't freezing cold outside and in the middle of a winter storm. Makes me want to be barefoot in the sand somewhere.
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!
Alright classic music, but not for me
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.
/roll 1d5
She had brown sugar all over her booga wooga
Starts of on a high note, but gets softer and softer as the album goes on. I like listening to reggae, but it did all kinds start to blend together for me towards the end.
To be completely honest, reggae does absolutely nothing for me. With just a couple of exceptions, I found that tracks on this album largely uninteresting sonically, and quite repetitive. That's generally been my experiene with most reggage music I've heard in my life. I'm hesitant to give this album a bad review just because I don't care for the genre, but I also don't want to give it extra points based entirely on how I imagine other people might enjoy it. If you do that, then what's the point of this whole endeavour? So, with the caveat that I acknowledge I'm being a bit of a philistine, I'm giving this a 2. Favourite tracks: Concrete Jungle, Kinky Reggae
Bob Marley I hadn’t listened to before. Great, but no bangers.
A very good reggae album. I can not stand reggae music.
Ooof, I really hate Bob Marley and reggae in general. It's like disco for stoners, it's just too repetetive and boring for my taste. I guess that's not true, I do like Marley's ska stuff but the reggae stuff is just unbearable for me. Well, I listened to is anyway and that is 44 minutes I will never get back. No shade to people who love this music but reggae hurt me in ways I will never recover. 0 out of 10 stars.
не мое. старый регги для хиппи которые курят ан*шу и не хотят работать. "мы не хотим проблем, мы хотим только любви" и прочая белиберда. музыкально слишком уж неинтенсивно и скучно. 4/10
Первый альбом, тестим фишечку. 2/5 Вайб Игорь Тен напился летом у бассейна
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
Mid by Marley's standard, but still a cool listen.
Over 1000 albums in and I somehow still have to listen to more reggae.
I'm not a big bob Marley fan and that style of music but it wasn't horrible.
2.7/5 Solid album. I've only heard a few Bob Marley songs before but this was pretty good. Could definitely put this on again.
Hey, Bob Marley. That's another name I've heard before. Through having listened to Maverick a Strike five albums ago, I possess the required knowledge to correctly predict that this fellow is a reggae artist. That's kind of a shock, really. I always thought this guy was a singer/songwriter. It's also crazy to know that there was once a time where reggae had some degree of mainstream appeal. Yup, reggae. I'm always down to diversify the ol' musical palette every once in a while. That being said, this is boring as shit. Not a reggae guy, what can I say? I've said the same about half of the genres in the book at this point. Is something wrong with me. Anyways, the backing vocals are decent and Marley is a competent vocalist for this style of music, though the musical sensibilities of reggae are just so goldarn restrictive. Even for a 35-minute album, I felt that this was too long-winded. "Slave Driver" is a good tune. Very reggae, and by extension very relaxing. Vocals are good, too. I had a good ol' snooze for the rest of the album, however. I won't lie. Book time. Pioneering album in reggae. First to achieve success within the rock market. Yeah, sure. We can have reggae on the list, even if it is a genre that kind of exists on its own island and is incredibly unremarkable. I cosign this inclusion. ================== Happy album number 365. A whole year on this fuuuuucking site. It's been much longer than that in reality, but I've been going strong with the weekend albums for about half a year now. I normally reserve these milestone posts for every hundredth album I listen to, so I'm kinda strapped for things to talk about. I hope I roll an album I really like sometime in the immediate future. I enjoyed going bonkers mode in my review of Gorillaz. Anyways, here's to album #730, baybeeeeee! I can't think of a better time to be hitting my annual milestone than right at the end of the year.
Liked some of the songs. Struggled to listen to the full album.
first listen first time listening to a bob marley album and i was kind of surprised that i hadn’t heard any of these before. got a bit samey for me at the end idk! sorry! fav: concrete jungle
Wonderful
Not really my sound, but I appreciate it
Not a huge reggae fan, but I can understand why people like this
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
So much chill. Good stuff
I don’t think I like reggae
You play Bob Marley in the morning and all you want to hear for the rest of the day is reggae music. 4.5
Chilled vibe and some songs that I enjoyed on repeat listens.
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.
Love the message but the music is not for me. I respect why people like Bob Marley but I think I need to be high to really like it.
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.
I think there are two things about Bob Marley & The Wailers that're often forgotten in the public consciousness. And they're both things I think this album particularly highlights if you listen closely to it. For one, Bob Marley is a lot more political than you'd think. Y'know, a lot of the perception of Marley has been covered by the 'Legend' compilation, that was by design. As good a compilation as that album was (and I do enjoy it very much), it sanded off a lot of Marley's edge in order to sell him to suburban white kids. Nearly overnight, Marley became known mostly for love songs and for being synonymous with weed. The most political that this version of him would ever get was "Get Up, Stand Up" and that's it. This Bob would never sing about burning down churches. That doesn't appear on this album, but he **does** sing about burning slave drivers — it's where the album title comes from ("catch a fire"). There's a lot said on this album about political injustice. But it's not all politics. Even within singing about such hard topics, there's still a joy to be found. It's this kind of hope that acknowledges that, yeah, shit's been hard (for 400 years, even!), but they'll get through it and everyone else will as well. Just because shit's bad doesn't mean you hafta feel bad, y'know? At least not all the time. It's something that can be hard to feel in 2025, but for me at least it's really appreciated. And if it's not joy in the music, it's joy in general — this **is** the album where "Stir It Up" comes from. And it's a song to point out that while Marley's political side deserves more recognition, one isn't necessarily more important than the other. Whatever he's singing about, it's good shit. It's here that I should probably switch tracks. I've spent a lot of time up until now talking about Bob, but let's remember that it's him **and** The Wailers. They're just as crucial to this album's goodness. I mean, heck, this album is one of a few that was originally released as solely a Wailers album before Bob got his name slapped in front. Bob doesn't even write or sing all of the songs on this album; Peter Tosh (yes, that Peter Tosh) wrote "400 Years" and "Stop That Train" and at least sung the former (I can't tell if it's him on the latter or not). And the rest of the band? Oh, lordy me — what a **band**. What makes this one of the greatest reggae albums ever made is that these people are absolutely **locked in** and **rock steady**. There isn't a single missed beat on this entire record; it is consistently smooth and jamming the whole time. It's quite the marvel. I wanna particularly shout-out Aston and Carlton Barrett on bass and drums respectively, and Robbie Shapespeare, who played bass on "Stir It Up" and "Concrete Jungle". Once more: good shit. This is all why while 'Catch A Fire' might not be my favorite Marley n' Wailers album ('Exodus' clears by having bigger hits), it's for, as I said, one of the all-time greatest. I mean, if I were to point to any album to be like "if you really wanna understand Bob Marley & The Wailers, and particularly The Wailers", it'd be this one. Jus' ... aw, heck, three times now: goooood shit.
Just some good ass reggae, not much else to say on my end. 4.5 bumped up to 5.
I’m at a 5. I gave both “Exodus” & “Natty Dread” a 4, and I stand by those. They’re great albums, but they’re not as cohesive front to back, even with the energy & the flow feeling nice throughout, with a vibrancy to them that I would probably appreciate more now after hearing the truly endless drivel of “Maverick A Strike” 3 weeks ago. Hell, I’ll even retroactively thank Finley Quaye for reminding me just how much reggae music needs its soul to truly work as a genre. I hate ripping even more on “Maverick A Strike”, but… damn, it really was that bad. For this one, our third & final Bob Marley album on the list, I feel really strongly about giving this a 5; not out of some obligation to give him one, but because I just think this is an incredibly relaxed album, and one that leans fully into what my perception of “reggae” is as a genre. Yes, there’s some repetition here, but none of these tracks last long enough to make that repetition ever feel like too much of a burden. Lyrically, these are as straightforward as it gets, with Bob Marley’s societal gripes being plainly laid out (& with his lovemaking tendencies laid out too). Vocally, Bob’s voice stays at a pretty low tone throughout, one that’s just as relaxing as the instrumentals, creating a sort of island / beach vibe that feels vivid enough to transport to in the moment, especially if you ever just close your eyes and allow yourself to go there. Instrumentally… yeah, this is exactly what I expect reggae to be, really. Purely vibey, yet still layered with a depth that can go underappreciated in the moment – lots of guitar / organ / synth work that occasionally feels reminiscent of Stevie Wonder during this same time period, yet distinctly Bob Marley’s style all the same. The percussion & bass here *really* pop out, in a way that’s noticeable, enhancing each track to a strong degree. “Stir It Up” really is that damn good, by the way. I don’t wanna go track by track here, since the music generally speaks for itself, but I got totally lost in that one. Super hypnotizing backing track, and it feels like a signature that defines not only Bob Marley’s career, but reggae as a whole genre. Sure, tracks like “Three Little Birds” & “Could You Be Loved” are more popular, but their success (& Bob Marley’s) probably doesn’t get to that same height without this one leading the way. Overall, then, it’s a pretty easy 5 for me – I may need to relisten to Exodus to see if the first half holds up better than I remember, since that was my reasoning for giving it a 4, but regardless, I really liked THIS album as a full front to back experience on a first listen. Bob Marley’s music feels timeless, & I’m sad there’s not any more stuff from him on the list; I gotta hear way, way more. Time to go preach about no more trouble & all that.
Perhaps not their absolute best, but I enjoyed it.
i don't like reggae at all, but for the ones who likes it is alright
Exactly what one would expect, with a nice cover thrown in.
I was doing other stuff with the on, but it didn’t really draw me in. Concrete Jungle and Stir it Up yes! Will need to revisit sometime as I do love Bob Marley
This is well executed and the band sounds tight, but it just isn't really a genre I find does anything for me.
I'm just not really a reggae fan, is the thing, so I don't think I can objectively comment on this album, as much as I would like to.
Incredible band, amazing singers, immaculate vibes
Fitting end, eerily foreboding
Really good.
I never really listened to BMATW growing up although I remember Stir it up being on the radio. I enjoyed the funky bass lines and how tight the band plays. Not sure I will return to the album as it really didn't grab me
Belongs on the list. I love Exodus but this one has Peter Tosh, who I like more than Bob. The band kills it. Clavinet and raw production are a huge plus. Classic
Solid album, couple skips but bob’s voice is like butter
viiiibes
fine bob. I liked exodus better
Good, but i dont really like reagge. It is consistent and well done, but it is limitaded by its own genre.
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.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ No notes
Such a classic!
The original US version did not include High Tide or Low Tide. Which is insane it’s the best song after Stir it Up
Auf Dauer zu langweilig.
Bei meinem Weedkonsum sollte man ja meinen, ich steh voll auf Reggae … ist bisher nie so gewesen. Wenn, dann muss er dubbiger und experimenteller sein. Bob Marley ist ja nicht schlecht, aber einfach nicht meins
Gefällt mir grundsätzlich vom Sound, ist mir aber auf Albumlänge zu homogen. 35 Minuten, die sich länger anfühlen.
Its alright, some classics but don't know if I would listen again
I’ve heard Bob Marley songs here and there, but this was my first time listening to a full album. I thought it was fantastic. The grooves, the lyrics, the message, the background singers, Bob and Peter Tosh’s voices; I enjoyed it all. Adding this album to my playlist.
Great album
Obviojs 5 here
Pleasant, sounds it's age.
Somehow escaped my youth this album rules
I throughly enjoyed this album listen from Bob Marley & The Wailers. I feel like I was just vibing with this album the whole time which led to an enjoyable and chill listening experience. I also thought it was important and relevant about how their songs had themes relating to poverty, social issues, and political injustice. I will definitely be listening to this album again soon and I would recommend it highly to others!
What a fantastic album. Just beautiful sounding from beginning to end. Musically interesting, varied, but coherent. I'm aware Marley wasn't an angel but I've broadly decided not to factor that into my ratings on here, in most cases. Because I don't know about the personal lives or views of a lot of the artists on the list, and honestly that way madness lies.
I mean, det är reggae? Inte dåligt, bara tilltalar mig inte men säkert väldigt inflytande för sin tid :p
Concrete jungle is the best one on here. Slave rider and midnight ravers are also really good. Don't really see myself coming back to this tho
Fully formed “debut” this is one of my favorite albums Bob Marley was associated with The Wailers include Bunny Wailer & Peter Tosh.
Best Song: Stir It Up. It's got a great groove, and it is weirdly reminiscent of the Orleans song "Still the One". Worst Song: Midnight Ravers. I think I had just started to lose the thread on all this reggae by this point. Overall: Nothing is bad here, but I'm also not much of a reggae guy, so this amount of laidback relaxation in one location starts to make me anxious.
I was on the fence here. Really not much staying power with most of these songs. Maybe it'd be pleasant for the background, but I can think of a number of other reggae albums i find more interesting. Just ok. 2.4/5 -> 2/5
It’s OG reggae, ofc it’s good
This was fine. 3.3
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.
first time sitting down with a bob marley album and i absolutely hear the appeal (mark another one down for the "wait you people weren't lying when you said this was good" team). beyond my superficial and likely erroneous understanding of bob marley through the filter of pop culture, this album instilled an ease and "chillness" that made it a great listen through. it might have been the mood of the day that i listened to this (had this going in the bg mostly) but i didn't save a lot of songs from this album. while that usually means i don't like an album too much, i wouldn't have any problem putting this on and going about my day anyhow ... and maybe i will do that and maybe i'll be back here later to revise my review / ratings. great stuff!! highlights - concrete jungle, stir it up
Not my favorite from them but still an all timer
I'm trying to find a Bob Marley album I don't enjoy through and through - the search continues.
Discazo de reggae peró que es esto de 1001 albums y ya repite Bob Marley? Meh. App mal
Really good reggae
Reggae just isn’t for me. It sounds formulaic and ultimately disinterest me
Marley belongs in the top five artists of all time. Everything he did was amazing and timeless. This record is fantastic.
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.
Já tinha ouvido este disco por três vezes e sempre achei, no máximo regular, mas esta ultima audição me fez ver como funcionou bem a junção do Reggae tradicional com os elementos de rock (guitarras e teclados).
Solide
Classic relaxation. This music seeps into your bones and makes everyone happy and caring.
Essential, Peter tosh, bunny Stop that train Baby we've got a date Stir it up No more trouble
Never have I pretended to be a massive reggae fan, but my god this was eye opening. The musicians on this album are so unbelievably tight & in-sync with one another, and the grooves that come off the back of it are excellent. The bass guitar seems to be the driving force behind everything, and the drums, guitar & vocals come alive, which doesn’t half get your head bobbing & your foot tapping. This is exactly why I started the 1001 albums challenge - new styles of music that I will definitely be coming back to.
A 5. Adding to my list of CDs to buy.
Added a song but not for me for the most part.
Solid background music to vibe to. Not sure reggae’s really capable of more than that for me. Midnight Ravers elevates this to 3.5 though
It's not bad, but just like others, reggae just doesn't do it for me because it all feels so similar.
Album review 004 Catch a Fire by Bob Marley and the Wailers (1973) Rating: 4.5/5 If you’d asked me to write a list of my favourite albums at any point in the last couple of decades, Catch a Fire would be consistently somewhere in the top 20 or 30. Two versions of this album have been released; the original which some claim is over-produced, and the 2001 stripped-back “Jamaican Version” that doesn’t have the original mixes’ overdubs which some claim is under-produced. I love them both (but find the original a more enjoyable listen). The Wailers are on top form and tight as they’ve ever been, bringing us songs that mean Something.
Never heard this before….Completely left me cold. Just can lt see what all the fuss is about tbh.
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
Stir it up….and nothing else
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.
Listened to the Jamaican version, so beautiful.
I should like Bob Marley. He ticks every box for a guy like me. He's one of those dudes that someone like me would have had a poster or T-shirt of. But try as I might, I just can't with Reggae. This started out better than I'd hoped, more funky than reggae, but the Reggae sound and been soon dropped. Nah bro. Being objective though, good band, good lyrics, good things. But I don't need or want to hear it again.
Good reggae
Ein ikonisches Album!
This is the third 70’s album that this generator has given me in 3 days. I’m starting to think 70’s music is just a little too lowkey for me but maybe it’s just the genres.
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!
One of the greatest exponents of the Reggie genre. Not my bag, but eminently listenable. Nothing exceptional, so not a 4. But a very high 3.
Just a beautiful album to listen to. The social commentary is there, but this is the way to deliver it (unlike so many other albums in this list). Really tight musicianship throughout, with great songwriting and vocals. What’s not to love? Joyous.
It was nice to hear a black man sing nicely and not talk about treating women like meat. If fact it was quite uplifting with his love and be happy vibe. There were a few times where Bob went down the familiar path of 'slavery' but it was subtle enough to be ignored. The guitar playing was excellent, without it being too much in the reggae style I find tedious to listen to. On the whole. IThis album was much better than all of his famous material which bores me to tears.
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.
it's reggae alright...
Doesn't happen often that you can just let an album play and it's just good.
Didn't feel like any song, liked every song, didn't notice the album had started over again until after the 2nd song... So a well deserved 5/5 I'd say.
This album has some of the most soulful reggae I've heard. The tone is soothing and easy-going, even when the lyrics are about generational pain and suffering. I love the gently funky bass lines throughout too. The bass just kind of struts along through these songs and carves its own path through the music. It's fun to follow along with. I've always liked the Peter Tosh songs on this album. "400 Years" is haunting but also hopeful. And I love "Stop That Train," an easygoing, bluesy number. "Stir It Up" is of course the standout track. What a beautiful song. And that guitar solo is fantastic. I've heard that solo so many times that I could almost sing along to it. And that talk box sort of effect on the guitar really makes it sound like the guitar is singing. Great batch of songs with excellent production. I really enjoyed listening to all the details in the mix today. This is a classic in my book.
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!
If you like reggae, Bob Marley is great. Very consistent throughout the album. Stir it Up will be well known to most, and probably my favorite on this record
The only time Reggae is acceptable is at a pool bar, played quietly. Other than that its shit music. Slow, repetitive and most of the time the lyrics don't even make sense. It's not cool you smoke weed, it smells like stank-ass and you look like a bellend, maybe you should find something in life you enjoy instead of having to use drugs??? Rather than making love how about you make a decent fucking song??? Fuck off Bob
can i get a saltfish patty please
There's two genres of music in this world that I can't fucking stand. The first is heavy metal, the second is reggae
I did like. Very relaxing abd romantic. But i missed the political commentary
Absolutely classic
It was okay. Better than expected, but in a kind of good background noise that isnt catchy.
I like how groovy and calm this album is. This is a solid background music album. The repetitive lyrics don’t get annoying because it’s so chill. It kind of gives beachy vibes.
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.
Pretty good but it's similar to lot of other Bob Marley albums where a lot of the songs sound the same, still enjoyable though