Reviews (page 7 of 14)
cool but midway through gets kind of all the same appreciate the lyrics though
Fun to listen to.
I know I should like Bob Marley and reggae, but I just don’t. It’s not terrible, but it’s not something that I would want to listen to again.
Old time Reggae
Classic Marley
Perfect vacation music
Decent album but reggaes just not for me. After a few tracks the beat gets repetitive and annoying.
What a great vibe. Great.
This was perfectly acceptable
Its really good idk
Reggae has never been my favorite, and Bob Marley was always a touch overrated in my mind. That all said, I think that this album has a great message and the music is well produced and recorded.
Good stuff
This album was a good surprise for me. Most of the songs didn’t sound familiar at all (I’m a reggae ignoramus, so no surprise here), and were actually much better than I expected. Perhaps because it’s something of a transitionnal album between early Bob Marley and his later, fully-developped reggae period, I found it musically richer than what I usually associate with reggae music. You can still hear the blues, soul and gospel influences behind the music, and there is a variety of moods that make the album as a whole quite interesting. I really liked "400 Years", a song I had never heard before, and "No More Trouble" had an almost blues-like vibe. This album will certainly make me dig deeper into Marley’s earlier works. A solid 3*, or even a 3,5* for me.
Not a huge fan of reggae or ska. But then, I was vibing. But then, it kept going. This would be good mindless music if I was stoned on the beach. In fact, it would be really good for that. But I don't like mindless music, and I don't get stoned. So. Fave songs: Every single one sounds the same. Sorry. "Concrete Jungle" is cool though.
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
Comenzamos agosto con otra recomendación de Bob Marley en éste reto (la primer había sido con el álbum "Exodus": discazo) y, como para la vez anterior, tampoco lo había escuchado. Siento que a partir de "Stir It Up" el disco sube y se solidifica. Según la reseña fue el disco por el cual empezaron a tener más atención internacional y se nota. Sin más que agregar, me despido.
Decent album.
I do not like reggae, but I especially cannot stand the inauthentic white-boy reggae of the likes of UB40 or The Police. At least this is authentic. Still a bit shit, though.
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
Early Wailers is good listening but far from Bob n crew’s best or most radical stuff
Interesting. None of the Bob Marley songs I know are on this album. Lets Go. Track 1 is a great track. I am not a reggae guy at all but I did enjoy this. So far so good Track 2 is the most streamed song from this album on Spotify. I think I have actually heard this one. I really enjoy the bass line in this one. There is nice variety on this album. 400 Years is a great track. This is a good album. I assume there will be other Bob Marley albums in this list but this seems like a great intro to reggae album. 3.3/5
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.
Alright, have to listen again fully
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
Chill, surprisingly enjoyable.
Good, upbeat songs
‘Good God, I think it’s illiteracy / It’s only a machine that makes money.’ As socially conscious as they ever were, and as much as reggae quests for political awareness, The Wailers are yet less religiously oriented on Catch a Fire than the Rastas tend to be: their religious practice nothing more than syncopated drumming and strumming. Many of these songs, especially ‘Stop That Train’ and ‘Stir It Up,’ have been a part of my personal soundtrack for years, but no track here is short of a classic. ‘I think I might join the fun.’ ‘Fun’ is a descriptor of a whole lot of reggae, but in this case, it bespeaks of the intangibles of the genre: before you know it, you’re having fun, tho Bob and the crew are unironic moralists.
I do like reggae, it’s silky, it has a funk, it’s catchy. Listening to the deluxe album did nothing for me, it was too long that way (an hour and twenty minutes!) This album is meant to be listened to outside in warm weather, even better on a beach. Unfortunately, I’m listening to this at night inside, so it doesn’t have the same panache. I do really love how much the background singers feature and harmonize. The songs can get a little repetitive and blend into one another, but again, the deluxe version can be blamed for that. I’m not enthralled but I also didn’t mind listening to it at all. I could see this being a 5 star album for many people. It doesn’t connect with me personally, doesn’t make me dance in my seat, but doesn’t make me cringe. A solid album. I definitely prefer the Jamaica versions better than the original versions. They’re just so much more interesting and complex. The non-Jamaican versions are watered down.
4.4
2-3 good but reggae isn’t my thing
His worst album I think the other ones in his portfolio are better.
El álbum que lanzó a Bob Marley al estrellato y uno de los mejores álbumes de reggae en general, según los críticos, quizá por salirse de los moldes tradicionales al haber sido producido por Chris Blackwell, quien supo adaptarlo a los gustos occidentales. Y es verdad que la producción es excelente, con la adición de efectos de estudio y guitarras eléctricas a la mezcla original que lo hacen más entretenido sin perder su autenticidad. Como es típico en el reggae, las letras van de lucha social y política, denunciando el racismo con un enfado contenido que se contrapone de forma brillante con las composiciones relajadas y alegres tan características de este estilo. Aunque el reggae sea un estilo que hoy en día suena muy manido y que a mí personalmente me cansa un poco, seguro que en su época este álbum fue un pelotazo. Merece buena nota.
Se on Bob Marleytä, niin sehän on reggaeta tietysti. 400 Years poikkeuksellisen haikean kuuloinen kappale, muuten sit aika perinteistä leppoisaa reggaeta. Parhaat: 400 Years, Stir It Up, No More Trouble
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.
мне не нравится регги ,этот альбом ни о чем.скучно
Stir It Up is the hit on this album. Filled with songs I hadn’t heard before. Definitely has a familiar Bob Marley sound and songwriting themes. Many songs feel a bit repetitive. Besides Stir It Up no other songs really stand out. The album is an easy listen, but not a lot of stellar songs. Not the first Bob Marley album I’d introduce a new listener to.
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.
I think I like Exodus a little more, but this, nevertheless, is awesome and I can't imagine that any Bob Marley album will receive fewer than five stars from me
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
righteous roots music
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.
Will have to dig back in at a later date. Perfectly enjoyable to have on, but reggae isn't necessarily my speed and it all blended together.
BEST SONGS: - 400 Years - Baby We´ve Got A Date - Kinky Reggae
concrete jungle- 6 slave driver- 6 400 years- 5 stop that train- 5 baby weve got a date- 5 stir it up- 6 kinky reggae- 5 no more trouble- 5 midnight ravers- 5
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.
Maybe it’s just not a good fit for me but good lord so much of this sounds the same. It’s not even bad, just so similar to one another. That goes for previous reggae albums as well.
Very nice guitar solos on Concrete Jungle and Stir It Up, I didn’t know Reggae could go that hard. Honourable mention for Baby We've Got a Date too. Stir It Up is quite instrumentally impressive, even if nothing is going on lyrically. Most of the tracks on this album are quite dull. It’s only been saved for me by nice guitar work on many tracks and good songwriting on a few. Highlights: Concrete Jungle, Baby We've Got a Date, Stir It Up, High Tide or Low Tide
I think if you’ve heard one reggae album you’ve probably heard them all. It’s not bad, it doesn’t really have his big hits, it’s just good and not really exceptional.
No notes, a pleasant easy listen but pretty unremarkable. 6/10
Ever since I saw someone say that all reggae sounds the same, I can't help but agree. It's not necessarily a bad thing, there are definitely far worse genres of music. This is a bit more sombre than I had expected which was welcome. Frankly, I don't have a lot to say about the album other than appreciating the social commentary in the lyrics and some nice instrumental tracks (guitar on Baby We've Got a Date comes to mind). It's a good album but it's not making me a reggae fan anytime soon. Highlights: Concrete Jungle, Baby We've Got a Date (Rock It Baby), Stir It Up
Seems like a great album from one of the torch bearers of a genre I don't care much about.
I’m sure it’s fantastic but reggae ain’t my jam -
Hey look it's reggae! Enjoyable, chill, but not overly exciting. Baby, We've Got a Date is the pick.
I dont like that all the tracks fade to black, is a good sound and a nice mood tho
Best album so far I hadn't previously heard
Fun and easy to listen to, even if a bit repetitive after awhile 6/10
bob marley me da un perezote
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.)
I like so many of these songs that aren’t the hits.
Hard not to find simple enjoyment from this. A pretty decent record
Pretty good.
Didnt listen really, ganz ok i guess
It's definitely good, might enjoy more on another listen Will I listen to again: 69%
One of my favs
Great reggae vibe. Quite political on some tracks
5/5. Marley hitting it out of the park again with this one. There is just so much control in his nonchalant signing and dragging instrumentation. Just at the point of being late, they stay on rhythm, keeping you hanging on the whole song. And then all of a sudden the album is finished. You know, I used to say I didn't like Reggae but I think it's that I didn't like the use of them in media, because it felt disingenuous. Listening to these very direct political statements throughout, simple lyrics but heartbreaking. It's hard to deny the quality of this music. I enjoyed the whole album, each song standing strongly on its own. Best Song: Stir It Up, Stop That Train, Concrete Jungle
Often, I'm asked what new artists I've found through doing this project. However, I think I've got fr more value from artists I've learned to appreciate more through doing it. Bob Marley is a perfect example of an artist that lots of people are very familiar with a small part of his body of work, but don't really know more of it. I've enjoyed getting to go through more of it and appreciate the craft in it, and in this album particular the sound engineering.
tightest set of tracks ive heard during this journey so far absolutely no bad tracks here perfection - 10/10
Tolle Relax Platte mit genialem Leitsong „Stir It up“.
legal, reggae é bom e confortável
Reggae isn't really my thing and this wasn't anything special. Even Stir It Up couldn't stir anything in me. I am a lifeless husk. Embrace oblivion! Wait what was I doing?
This is my second or 3rd Marley album. It was pretty decent. I haven't found any reggae that has blown me away yet
Above average reggae, but that's what you get with Bob.
Cry for freedom, peace & joy <3
Absolute banger
Not normally my thing but enjoyed it nonetheless
Nice I enjoyed this 3*
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!
I was shooting metal ducks with an air gun while listemimng to this. Nice experimence and the music to it.
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
Have all of the U.K. island released wailers and Marley albums, so a little bias. This as always been 1 of my favourites because of its more musically downbeat sound. While the rhythm is just so ... not sure how people find this boring but each to their own 5 Star
How good, whole album is such an easy listen.
Reggae music is never going to get an amazing score from me, but this wasn't bad at all, so it deserves three stars I guess. It's really nice music to play in the background around a campfire, but I would never go out of my way to listen to it while working, driving, or just wanting some music to listen to.
It was fine, never heard anything off it other than Stir It Up. I enjoyed Concrete Jungle, added to my Gems and my liked songs.
Easily one of the greatest Reggae albums of all time.
Hell yeah
liked！maybe i like Reggie
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!
Boring ....no idea how anyone can make it to the end
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
I HAVE HIGH HOPES yeah this freakin' rocks -- 10/10!
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.
It's fine but for an album that carries a strong message, I wish the music wasn't so laid back and had more energy. It might be due to the fact reggae is the music for drinking margaritas on the beach but still, it needed more.
The perfect album to enjoy in the summertime. Meaningful lyrics speaking to Jamaican independence and the fight for freedom. Cohesive sound and vision executed perfectly. No notes really, just enjoyed the jams. Listened through the Deluxe edition. I would say I enjoyed the Jamaican version and original recordings equally for different reasons, but added the Jamaican versions to my playlists.
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'.
straight up bangers
Started off great but I soon got reggae fatigue and the songs lost all excitement for me. You can see why Bob Marley is influential but not really for me long term.
Good one
Not really into reggae but "stir it up" is a great song.
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.
I like this album, but I don't think it's his best. I've only ever been a little lukewarm on Bob Marley anyway, this is the third album of his I've had on this list and three seems like a little much for me. The thing that I really like about this album in particular is the musicianship - the band is fantastic on this record. Really tight, really great. It's always strange to me to listen to Bob Marley because the music and the lyrics always seem so at odds - fun and happy sounding music with lyrics about oppression, poverty, racism, etc. It does make for interesting records, that's for sure. 3.25/5 for this one.
Það sem ég er oftast að pæla í varðandi einkunnir er tónsmíði (frábær), hljóðfæraleikur (sturlaður), textar (frábærir), áhrif plötunnar (ein besta reggí platan, legendary status Bob og Kveinendana) og svo general feel persónulega ( JA MON!). Þetta getur aldrei verið minna en fimma. Þvílík og önnur eins plata.
Hrikalega hrein og góð reggí plata út í gegn. Mikill snillingur hann Bob, en hinir eru sko ekkert síðri, þvílíkur hljóðfæraleikur. Þetta er klár fimma, Seleh man sér um rökstuðning.
Fire indeed
favorite track: concrete jungle. Overall score: 6,1/10
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.
Reggae has never really been my jam. A little too repetitive in the rhythm section. However, Bob Marley is a legend and still gets some play time when I'm in the mood, it just happens rarely. Music that is very mood-specific is hard to review.
Dad- 7 Mom- 7.5 Mike- 9 Lori- 9.5 Michael- 9 Miles- 9 Cole- 10 Avg- 8.71
this guy does not miss
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.
I like somme reggae here and now on a summer day. Had some good songs
lovely stuff
An enjoyable listen as ever
Well without a joint it is a strong 4. Probably with a joint it could be a 5.
Amazing album! Can't say I've ever heard anything from Bob Marley that I didn't like.
The vibe king returns. Impossible to go below 3* with Bob.
Respect his contributions to music and his political importance, but this album was pretty repetitive and seemed to all blend together after a while
149/1089 - Great voice and laid-back sounds. The bass is loud and there are some aliasing problems sometimes but it's also an early 70s recording so I can accept some production artifacts here and there. The only mistake I can hear is on "High Tide or Low Tide" where the clavinet and organ aren't agreeing on the C# minor chord (organist is probably wrong since the vocals are in C# minor). It's a bit annoying but I think every 5 star record is allowed to have a dud track. I just realized I'm probably one of the few people who both like reggae and hate weed.
Chill vibes, good tunes. Only gripe is a lot of them blend together, but that also gives the album a very consistent feel.
Not a reggae fan, but this is pretty listenable
Classic grooves. Lyrics point to a culture on the brink, and it's sad how close we are to that time again. We need another Bob to tell it like it is, in a way EVERYONE can understand. And maybe more weed.
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.
A lot of the songs just sound the same. I didn't listen closely enough to the lyrics which likely would have affected my view of the album. As it is, I like the sound, couldn't listen to a lot of it at once though.
jah me livre dessas musicas
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.
Reggae, pretty good but not my genre. Maybe a three but again, I wouldn't put it on for myself.
Erk. Reggae.
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Another Bob Marley album that might as well be a greatest hits collection. Solid roots reggae here.
not really my genre i guess. i felt like i heard the same song with minor changes like 12 times
2.5
Liked this but I liked the songs that came on shuffle post album better
C’est pas mon genre, mais c’est loin d’être mauvais. Encore là, je peux comprendre pourquoi on l’aime tant.
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
My favorite Marley studio album.
No es de lo mejor de Marley
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
My favorite Bob Marley album and possibly one of my favorite reggae albums of all time. More than any of his other albums, I think this really captures his vibe. The production is great, the band is tight, and it just sounds like a hot night in Jamaica. My favorites are "Stir it Up", "Kinky Reggae", "Concrete Jungle", and "400 Years". 5 stars.
4.5
Not the most essential Bob Marley album - that would be Exodus. Quite a few too many cuts here are simply fine or ok but Stir It Up at least is one true reggae classic to file alongside Three Little Birds, Night Nurse, Reggae Reggae Sauce and Redemption Song.
Really cool album, much preferred the second half of the album. Stir It Up is so sublime.
5 sterne
Stir it up is a classic. Other than that, I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of these tunes. Not his best work, but still smooth and soulful.
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!
Not a bad album but not my genre
Reggae isn’t really my thing, otherwise I might have rated this one star higher. Nevertheless, I can’t deny the artistry, gravitas and significance of much of this album. It’s great music, delivered with real commitment and virtuosity, and I can imagine opening all my windows and treating my neighbours to then thudding bass. I enjoyed the protest songs most.
Reggae.. First? 2,5 /5 Again? 1/5
Pretty ok reggae.
Classic album - didn’t know about this original version, but what a lovely surprise it is
Very chill not overproduced, classics
I’m going to be bold and say that I do not like reggae music. It’s good for one song then I’m like ok when are we going expand
Decent enough, but ruined by middle class college kids who liked it in order to rebel against racist parents before becoming Tory bankers themselves. This is why you’ll find at least two copies in every used record store. Besides, Lee “Scratch” Perry is so much better
The man was a genius.
A rare 5⭐ rating for me.
I’ve always loved that bass-line in Stir it Up. Some decent jams here. Actually sounds more sad than you’d expect from reggae. Overall, it’s deec.
3.5⭐️/5 [05.30.2026] 01.12.2026
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?
Good music.
Атмосферно, даже несколько песен добавила в плейлист. На вечер или фон классно подойдёт.
3.5 Not the best Bob but it was a lovely sunny morning to listen to classic reggae so I can’t complain too much!
All his songs kinda sound the same. Two albums on this list!?
I find his music to be so boring
It's fine.
6/10…reggae / dub
Concrete Jungle Stir It Up No More Trouble
I am more of a pink floyd stoner myself
Imagine me with a cuppa nugs of sweet ganja, a garlic bread sammy from Cheba Hut, a hammock near NCAR parking lot overlooking Boulder, and this playing off of a little JBL speaker. That was a Thursday for me at 17. Absolute Cinema.
Really didn't mind it which surprised me! Fav song: Not sure
Good, but i certainly prefer Exodus.
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.
Reggae just isn't my thing. I did enjoy the opening track, Concrete Jungle, quite a bit though. 1.5/5
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.
Just a fairly enjoyable record from start to finish. Reggae isn’t my favorite, but there is a lot of polish here and nice production.
Steady warm groove on this record that is positive and uplifting even though it deals with heavy themes. Great album.
While this is unquestionably a group album, The Wailers being more than Bob Marley's backing band, this was the album that set Marley on the road to stardom and introduced Roots Reggae to the masses of rock listeners. From the opening organ notes of "Concrete Jungle" through the mix of love songs like the wonderful "Stir It Up" and protest songs like "Slave Driver" and "400 Years", Catch A Fire is accessible and excellent throughout. There is a little controversy about the 'sweetening' of the music by the session musicians whose additions were commissioned by Island's Chris Blackwell, but it worked. The packaging of the original vinyl, a 12" Zippo lighter, is magnificent too. This and Exodus are key albums and an excellent entry point to Jamaican music.
Hahaha kul. Dobar vajb i super pozadinska muzika.
solidna rege predvidivost s pokojom iznadprosječnom pjesmom
Não costumo ouvir reggae, mas é inegável a qualidade musical que o Bob entregava. Vibing, groove, chilling... são as melhores palavras pra esse disco. Inclusive descobri que uma musica do SinteseRAP usa um sample de uma música desse disco. Não voltaria a ouvir, por enquanto, mas valeu.
In college, I played in a short-lived band called The Spazzo Funk Monkeys. 'Stir it Up' was part of our catalogue. I thought we did an okay job as a 4-man band of drums, guitar and horns. All this to say this was my favorite song to play as a Funk Monkey and is without a doubt the strongest track on this album. Unfortunately the rest of the songs sound like politically minded filler in a career that pumped out some of the absolute best reggae. I'll probably never find my way back to this record again. Those Spazzo Funk Monkeys, however...
Bob Marley is volgens mij gewoon niet mijn ding. Sorry alle oude mensen die mij nu haten.
meh, decent
My first 5 star rating! What an incredible album!
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.
excellent, but not my fave album of his (a bit too slow?)
A delight
Excellent album. Loved listening to this release.
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".
Holy bass. Immaculate vibes. Great vocals.
I think I dig High Tide Low Tide, that's a new one to me. Otherwise this just kinda washes over. It's kind, it's chill, it's warm, it's lilting.
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.
Probably wouldn’t listen again, i found myself kinda bored…on the other hand, i can objectively get why people like this - solid 3
Had me grooving
Enjoyed this a lot but probably won't listen again. Not my genre
Enjoyable but struggled to stay focused on it.
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.
3/5 Ei ihan sytytä, mutta hyvää mussiikkiahan tuo oli.
Tästä jäi enemmän positiivisia fiiliksiä, taisi olla ensimmäinen reggae-albumi nyt. Kivan kuuloista, mutta kyllä se äkkiä alkaa toistaa itseään!
Ihan kiinnostaviakin juttuja, mutta itse en jaksa muutamaa kappaletta kauempaa kuunnella tämän genren edustajia. Siitä syystä 3.
Ei tutuinta Wailersia ja täsä ei hittikamaa ollutkaan mutta jointti vaan huuleen ja notkukävelyllä ottamaan yhteiskunnallisesti kantaa. Regei okei
Reggaen on kyllä pakko olla tylsin genre ikinä. Tai siis ihan miellyttävää se on puolikkaan biisin verran mutta sen jälkeen levy onkin sitten jo kuultu.
It's definitely well made and pretty good, but do we need 3 Marley records? 2 maybe. This is the weakest of 3 and therefore gets the lowest rating from me.
++: Concrete Jungle, Stop That Train, Stir It Up, No More Trouble +: 400 Years, Baby We've Got a Date (Rock It Baby) +-: Slave Driver, Kinky Reggae, Midnight Ravers 5,8/10
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.
love the bass. like it a lot
Good album.
Reggae is not my thing, so it all kinda sounds the same. Appreciated the lyrics and themes tho
Another perfectly fine reggae album 👍
There’s a certain level of “of course it’s good, it’s Bob Marley” baked into these Bob Marley records for me, you know what I mean? It was good and made a nice soundtrack to the spring cleaning I did today, but it would be rare that I seek out this, or any other, Bob Marley record out in my day to day listening.
Dobry klasicky raggae, ale dlouhyyyy
This is typical Marley I feel like.
Meh. S'alright.
Sounds like every reggae song I've ever heard, which I assume is why it's so iconic. But not really into reggae so this ain't doin much for me.
6/10 - I feel like I’ve heard a lot do bob Marley songs yet none of them were in this album. I liked stir it up but the rest was just alright
Solid vibe. Nice album
classique
classic shit
Not my cup of tea
I knew "Stir It Up" and maybe recognized a bit of "Concrete Jungle" but otherwise didn't know this album. Like all Bob Marley I like it as background music, but this particular album didn't rise much above that.
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.
Great mix of politics and good time songs.
It's alright. Easy listening and chilled. Not much variation. Stand out song - Stir it up
groovy reggae, can't fault it
Thought I would like it more than I dod
Excellent reggae!
Good reggae
idk if this remains my fave wailers album cuz it was the first one ive heard and it kicked my head open, but theres something ab the sound that continues to fill my ears in the most pleasing way...and while all marley's music is some of the most passionate ever made, theres something particularly felt for me here in both the political songs and the love songs. particularly in how they go together...i love the depiction of human feeling and life and how it Goes On despite a world so incompatible with and unaccommodating of it. maybe my fave mix between v punchy and tuneful songs that also have the ability to stretch and soak in a way that never gets old and feels natural, at least of the wailers records ive heard. theres rly never a bad time to listen to this!
Ça fait toujours du bien un p'tit Bob Marley quand même
Reggae is not my thing. Unbearable in the long run.
Great start after the horrors of MM. Trailled a bit towards tuf end.
Nah. Each song was the same. They found a groove, repeated the same few words then faded out. I'm sure there is some Bob Marley that could win me over a little, but this is far from it.
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.
Chill as all get out. My rating here is more a comment on how I'm generally lukewarm on reggae as opposed to being lukewarm on Bob Marley
Solid all around
Not my favorite bob marley album, but still a good listen. Favorite track: Concrete jungle High tide or low tide
“Make love and not war” ☮️
Love it, get way better from Stir it up
Really enjoyable album. "Concrete Jungle" is fantastic.
5/5 classic reggae album, like being in my mom's car as a kid again. Also kinky reggae rips.
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.
There's not enough reggae on this list, so this album is most welcome! I played the UK release a couple of times, but actually prefer the Jamaican version without the guitar overdubs.
Not my favorite reggae album.
What an incredible collection of songs, and on a 2nd album.
I enjoyed it. I listen to Bob Marley from time to time, but rarely a full album. I find the music to be good to work to and relax to.
I liked it more than I thought I would, but still not my style of music.
you can always count on bob marley to deliver quality reggae at a quality price.
Not a reggae guy
Stir it up is one of my favorite songs of his. The vibe of that one permeates the rest of this album. So good.
What does a stoner say when you take his weed away? "Turn off the fucking reggae music!"
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.
Sounds painful.
Reggae is not really my genre, and this was just kinda okay. I enjoyed the listen, but it all seemed pretty one-note to me. Probably won't listen again -- three stars.
Thoughts before listening: One of the best albums from Marley's classic era. This will be great. Review: Yeah this whole album is amazing. It has an absolute classic in "Stir It Up" but also some of Marley's best deeper buts in "Concrete Jungle", "400 Years", and "Stop That Train". I love it. 5-stars
Great!
Ech. Lubię Boba, ale jakoś nie trafiła do mnie ta płyta. Montononna, powtarzalna i jakoś tak brakowało mi w niej radości albo tęsknoty - wielkich emocji z którymi kojarzy mi się ten gatunek. Z ciężkim sercem 6/10
good with ganja
3/5. Not bad but similar to a few other album on here, I've struggled to connect to the music.