Legalize It

Production is great, sounds and feels really good. Anything aston barrett plays on is gonna be sick. There are some other really similar albums i think are a little more interesting but great vibes

This was okay. Songs were a bit repetitive.

That's a way to perfect reggae album. Recommended for anyone unfamiliar with the genre and looking to learn more. I'm not into weed, but for sure this is incredible music! 5 stars

Hadn't heard anything by Peter Tosh before - this was better than I expected, but still fundamentally unremarkable. Pleasant enough to listen to but nothing that stands out and makes you want to listen again.

Real classic reggae. The concept here is that you feel a little sad, feel a little happy, and find a melancholic groove. Ultimately, you remember to chill and be hopeful. Fun rhythms and beats support clean vocals, giving us experiences to think about whether we want to relax, to move a little, or get out for a stroll/drive. Peter Tosh was a fine musician. 4.5/5

This is the first reggae album I’ve had to listen to for this challenge and also the first I’ve ever heard from the Bob Marley sphere start to finish. I’m a bit bummed that my first Wailers experience is from Peter Tosh and not Marley himself, but I suppose I’ll take it. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t roll my eyes a bit when I saw that Legalize It was today’s assignment – on the surface, the album seems to be a caricature of what people perceive reggae to be. I definitely didn’t go into it expecting fine art and it’s fair to say my expectations were met. Listen… I don’t care about marijuana. I’ve never smoked it, I don’t want to smoke it and frankly, I most likely never will. I want to resonate with Tosh’s plight on the title track, but I can’t relate to it and it comes across like an overly preachy advertisement. Fortunately, that’s the only track that gives off “you like weed, we get it” vibes and it becomes pretty inoffensive reggae fare after that point. I can’t say I ever truly hated the album, but it also just didn’t have enough engaging lyrics, instrumentation or composition to make me feel like it’s worth ever revisiting. "Till Your Well Runs Dry" was the one track that felt like it had some soul to it and I liked that it also played around with its genre a bit. The others just kind of felt like vaguely uplifting tunes I’d hear while looking through fresh fruit at the farmers market. Hopefully some more memorable reggae is coming in my near future. Highlights: Till Your Well Runs Dry

Yup. It’s reggae.

No cabe duda: odio el reggae. Me taladra el alma. Este tiene un par de canciones en donde le meten un poquito de jazz y me parecieron más soportables, pero en general fue una tortura echarme sus 40 minutos. Rezo para que la lista no tenga más reggae.

decent

aardige reggae

Lwk hidden gem

7/10 - reggae to change things up, isn't the best I've heard but still good

Oh good, another Reggae album... At there aren't that many in the book. But really we only needed one of them, since they all sound the same. This one is so on the nose with the subject matter it got my eyes rolling throughout the entire time. This got me thinking. I know a few stoners and none of them listen to Reggae. Was this something that stayed in the 70's and 80's?

I was fully expecting to write a review along the lines of ‘alright Peter, we get your point, cannabis should be legalised’, but outside of the first song, it’s hardly properly mentioned. Which is a fine thing, because I prefer a lot of the other songs here. If it wasn’t for tracks 7, 8 and less so 9, the former being particularly dross, this’d get a comfortable ‘fantastic’ 4 stars from me. Just see tracks one through six for that excellence. That excellence comes through best on the scene-setting title track, and each track after through to Igziabeher where each is better than the last. Tosh can create both undertones of helplessness and a resolving sense of joy in the same five minutes. As we knew, it’s not just music for sitting around smoking a spliff, it’s something to be marvelled at.

A great Reggae album from a master and one of the founders of the Wailers (of Bob Marley and the Wailers fame).

This is an album I listen to somewhat frequently. I love sly and Robbie

Yea this was just a flawless album from top to bottom. I mean it just made you feel good and was the perfect start to a day. I think that’s the crux of Reggae music, the ultimate vibes and Peter Tosh more than delivered on that expectation.

Could work but only during summer

Very chill

Not great

I like this album. I own this album. Is it the greatest reggae album? No but it’s pretty darn good

Decent reggae album. My favourites were Why Must I Cry and Till Your Well Runs Dry.

So few artists get to define a certain subset of an entire culture

Old school reggae. I didn’t recognize any of the songs but they were pretty good.

i don't usually like reggae but this is generally more enjoyable than some of the really famous [overplayed] examples. probably still at least 10 min more than i would prefer to listen for (2.5*)

Reggea. It's just not for me. And that's okay.

Not a fan of reggae. This certainly hasn't changed my opinion.

Good

Groovy and fun but reggae is mostly just that for me really - doesn't have any more massive deeper impact. Song order: 5, 6, 8, 7, 9, 1, 4, 2, 3.

2.6 I'm really not a reggae fan, but as far as the genre goes it was alright. Literally every song is the same though. As always. But at least that one song isn't terrible. Someone explain it to me please.

Nå huhhhuh

titular track is a classic but the rest could be forgotten, nothing too inspirational

A nice vibe and well sung but reggae does have a tendency to sound very similar after a while

It's a pleasant listen. It's a good reggae album for sure. A few songs that I really liked, most of all Till Your Well Runs Dry.

I've always loved this album - Peter Tosh is such a staple of Reggae

This is fine, but there wasn't really anything that made me want to listen to it again. Legalize It certainly doesn't reach the heights of the Bob Marley or Burning Spear albums on this list.

it's gud reggae. His wikipedia page was interesting Will I listen to again: 34%

Probably deserves another listen, but I enjoyed it. Some really nice songs, but nothing blew me away. 3.5

Du bon vieux Reg; fait la job.

J’ai vraiment de la difficulté à écouter plus que 5 min de reggae

C'est pas Exodus mettons mais c'est pas pire.

Not very captivating reggae. Didn't dislike but couldn't really get into. 3/5

I have to admit, I like more melodic reggae music. Peter Tosh’s Stepping Razor is a prime example. This album washed over me with very little effect. I prefer his work with Bob Marley and The Wailers, which I find more interesting.

@Timo: wees maar niet bang, ik heb ze allemaal beluisterd! Er zaten wel een paar aardige nummers in zoals ketchy shuby, wat me erg bekend voorkwam. 420 blaze ittt!

An album that requires some sunshine to enjoy. I’m always gonna love an album that has an agenda so 8/10

Classic reggae. Not sure what it is that keeps Peter Tosh from being as well loved as Bob Marley, but even listening to this I can hear that it’s not quite as masterful. Still, a fun listen.

This was fine, I respect the message and it wasn't bad listening.

Not enough variation, mon

I think I got a contact high while sitting at my desk at work listening to this.

Too stereotypical for me.

Fun listen, I don't usually listen to Reggae but this made me wanna listen to more of it. Always nice to see an album where someone is fighting for something. Reggae always manages to sound fun and positive, even when it's surrounding serious topics. The album cover is a true classic as well.

DUDE WEED LMAO

Some solid reggae here but it wasn’t really that interesting to me.

I was really not in the right space to appreciate this album, but I'm not a big fan of reggae at my best. More than a song or two and I need something different.

It's not horrible, but I'm the wrong demo. This album hits like a weed guy decided to cut an album. The whole thing feels like a guy saying "Smoking weed is great, right? Everybody should smoke weed!" The only standout for me was "Till Your Well Runs Dry", which sounds like it could have been a forlorn country lost love track, but then the bouncy reggae riddim kicks in for the chorus and kills the vibe. My Rating: 2/5

Pretty average reggae album. Favorite track: Legalize It

easy listening reggae with significant political notes

3/5

I love reggae so it was no surprise to me that I enjoyed this album. I also did research and found that Peter Tosh was once in the same reggae band as Bob Marley which was called The Wailers. Reggae for me is a one of a kind music genre and its always had good rhythms and never bored me. It is interesting to see how this album was mostly an appeal for the legalization of weed during the 70s which would have been seen as controversial back then. But now its mostly acceptable in Western culture and legalization of weed is now an increasingly popular position in politics and social norms. Anyways this album was great and it allowed me to enjoy its vibe and study at the same time.

Nice background music

The title-track fulfills my concerns of another reggae-album with all sounding the same. But then it became an almost pleasant and diversified listen. Quite a positive surprise from the list. 2,5

Nice reggae album. Good vibes, although it all sounded similar to me. 3*

Reggae but not Bob Marley

Peter Tosh's former bandmate Bunny Wailer's "Blackheart Man" is the real standout reggae album from 1976. And by most accounts, Tosh's follow up to this is the better record so I'll try to give that a listen soon. "Burial" is the standout track here written with the aforementioned Bunny. With a banger on either side of it in "Legalize It" and "Whatcha Gonna Do". Curious to hear if the earlier Wailers version of "No Sympathy" is the better one. The rest of the record is mediocre save "Ketchy Shuby" which is such a vibey track. I would have liked to have said more about the musicianship but I was a little too lazy.

This is quite samey at the opening, and then 'No Love, No Sympathy' comes in and it is noticeably different, but I just don't quite think he's got the vocals to pull off what he's trying to do.

Not bad just wasn't feeling it

Enjoyed the album, great music with some songs I already knew

Inoffensive reggae. Enjoyable

Boom chicka boom chicka boom chicka Feels pretty basic tbh. There is better reggae out there. There are better songs about ganja.

Enjoyed the warm, rootsy vibe, but not a full album repeat listen for me. Love and saved Igziabeher, though!

(I listened to the original Jamaican mix off the Legacy edition of this album. Differences: uhh, maybe a little more echo? Not much.) Decent album, classic title track. I ended up liking a lot of these tracks, but I'm writing this a few days after listening, and I could not tell you why I preferred those over the others. A good counterpoint to the Marley albums, but maybe not one I'll reach for too often.

marley lite

ugh

For some reason I have this a 2 the first time. Probably because my dislike for reggae bias was strong that day. Glad I got to revisit this because this was much more enjoyable this time around. Maybe someday marajuana will be as legal as Peter Tosh had hoped.

Love Peter Tosh. Some really banging standards on this album. I do love how he leans more into the dub side of reggae and really sets his sound apart from the Wailers music he did. So sad he died so young.

we get it bro, you vape

Does too much weed make you boring?

dude weed lmao I was pleasantly surprised by the songs other than the title track which I'd heard before. They're pretty good, I especially liked Till Your Well Runs Dry.

It is overall a good reggae album. Not necessarily his best, but still great. “Brand New Second Hand” is awesome. 3.5/5 Will listen again

Enjoyed this while cooking with my son. Chill afternoon.

Crazy how high Bob raised the bar for the genre, carried by one song - almost has some good samples

I’m new to Peter Tosh, a member of Bob Marley’s Wailers… it was one of the albums I’d earmarked to buy on vinyl but have never seen in the wild. And after hearing it for the first time, I’d definitely do that! It’s a lovely slice of reggae that’s currently working very nicely as a sit in a French campsite sipping my rum. I’m underselling it though, this is not your throwaway 90s chart reggae, the title track was banned in Jamaica on release and like Marley, Tosh deals in a number of serious and emotional subjects. It’s well worth a listen and remains on my purchase list

A perfect reggae album, lots of chill vibes, marijuana magic, and tongue in cheek lyrics. Whatcha gonna do is a classic, and I found new bangers including ketchy shuby and brand new second hand (which is exactly how I want to insult people from now on). 8.6/10.

The man was on the right side of history. I liked this ok, though a lot of tracks felt like filler.

Sounded exactly as I expected it to sound. Not bad, but reggae complaining weed laws is just boring.

2.5

3/5

ok - nothing special

What a classic. Good album.

Reggae at its best.

An essential listen from a massive talent.

So fucking boring

Pleasant enough Raggae chill with a great opening track. Enjoyed ‘Ingziabeher’ but just pipped by opener. At a bit of a loss of what to add to that really and maybe sums up the okayness of the album 🤷🏻‍♂️

Great album

Toppa top

Cool. Not anything revolutionary, including the message (which is very hippie-era coded), but nifty regardless. Legalize It is so darn catchy that you almost forget there are 9 other tracks on the album that need to be judged and held to the same standard. And unfortunately, some of them don't quite get there. While Ketchy Shuby is a pretty great track that's begging to be released as a single (those guitar tones are freakin radical, dude), the instrumental version tacked onto the end of the album is unnecessary. It's worse without the lead vocals, and having to listen to the same instrumental twice is more of a chore than it's worth. Burial and Why Must I Cry are two fairly unremarkable filler tracks that add essentially nothing to the then-oversaturated reggae market. Tosh had to be aware of this, having come directly from the Wailers' fame. But when the album hits, it hits hard. The title track is the strongest here by a wide margin. The backing vocals in the chorus are so smooth, so direct yet subtle. Despite having just two chords to its name, the song manages to be musically interesting. And of course, the message itself must've been pretty controversial, considering how the song was banned in Jamaica shortly after release. (Which only served to make it more popular. Whoops.) No Sympathy, repurposed from an earlier Wailers album, is another solid song. I appreciate the more interesting chords and fuller sound on this number. Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised) is also a standout, if only for sounding much darker and more foreboding than any of the others. One reviewer here claimed that all reggae songs sound the same. I'd like to point them to Igziabeher, along with half of Marley's material. This record has some issues, sure, but every song sounding identical is not one of them. 3/5 Key tracks: Legalize It, No Sympathy, Ketchy Shuby

I'm so glad this challenge exists because it introduces me to albums like this that I wouldn't have listened to on my own but absolutely loved. I really don't like reggae that much, and I expected to struggle with it, but this was brilliant. A little predictable at times, but I found the second half to be so incredibly good. The last 3 songs were definitely my favorite, but honestly I grooved to this entire album. While this isn't something I'll likely revisit, I'm so glad I heard it, and it's definitely something I'm glad I listened to before I die.

Pretty chill classic reggae

Maybe I’m just a smooth brain, but I had no idea that Peter Tosh made music as far back as the 70’s. For some reason, I thought he was from the 90’s. Perhaps it helps that this style of reggae can still be found these days, evidencing just how timeless it is. It’s hard to not feel happy when listening to music like this. It’s on parr with a lot of Bob Marley music, yet Tosh doesn’t seem to be talked about as much.

Good solid reggae

6/10 Favorite: Why Must I Cry

Just a chill listen that kinda blends together. All the beats are very similar, but still fun. Smoke trees, baby! 3/5

Reggae is not a common genre that I find myself diving into, but this album did not disappoint. From the opening track “Legalize”, I was quickly hooked. I found myself enjoying the catchy choruses and the sweet layed back instrumentals you’d typically find from this genre. I feel in some tracks such as “Why Must I Cry” or “Till Your Well Runs Dry” uninterested me mainly because they were a little to slow for me to get into. I feel the album really picks up a lot towards the end, I didn’t expect this album to be reasonably short. My favorite tracks were “Legalize It” (self titled), “Ketchy Shuby”, and “Brand Bew Second Hand”. Overall it’s a solid album and a great introduction into Reggae, would definitely listen too again!

chilll

For the most part, "it" is legalized. But you don't get a sense that Peter Tosh had anything to do with it. I don't know if it because his cause is not all that righteous, or that Peter Tosh never lived as if it were illegal, or any number of other reasons. All that aside, I enjoyed the album.

A political album for a message who's fight has since been mostly won. Otherwise yeah I dunno. It's a reggae album. It's peaceful enough. Pretty varied for a Reggae album. A shame he was murdered.

Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Lässt mich sehr kalt.

typ lite bland

Not a big reggae fan, but this was funny and relaxing. Nice listening

As a non-enjoyer of Reggea this was quite good. Variation, good song writing. Not just drifting on the music.

Burial stands out. Legalize it and Let Jah Be Praised are songs I remember my dad playing a lot, but I don’t find them to be very moving to me personally.

This is a solid album. The songs are good, catchy and memorable. Musicianship is on point. Probably my least favourite Peter Tosh album though. He certainly bettered it with Equal Rights, Bush Doctor and No Nuclear War, but Legalize It is worth the listen for sure. The whole weed thing is always immediately tired, whoever does it and in whatever medium. Get passed that and it’s very enjoyable.

This is only the second reggae album I've listened to, and I would say I enjoyed this more than the Wailers one. The funky rhythms will always endear me to the genre a little, and this record one was no exception. Very summery, very outspoken, very fun synths sprinkled here and there.

mmaah

One's fave reggae album by some distance. Joy and mellowness combine well with wit and wisdom. Every song works and opener / title cut could be viewed as weakest of the bunch.

Favorite Track: Legalize It

3.5 - Good

Reggae really is not my thing at all, and whilst this is better than any of the shitty white-boy reggae I grew up with, like UB40 or The Poluce, it is still shit.

Miércoles en la mañana, Legalize it en mis oídos y sentí que podía oler este disco. No sympathy me dio un aire de que podría ser un 1.4, pero llegamos a Ketchy Shuby y volvimos al 1.

Easy listening and I really appreciate the elevated bass. Somewhat unremarkable but it's still quite enjoyable.

Good Reggae with a great message!

It's sad that Peter Tosh didn't live long enough to see that we indeed did "Legalize It". This is one of my favorite reggae albums. The title track is a classic, but each song is different and has it's own hook. Minor grievance that some of the songs are bit too long, and repetitive but it is what is. 3.56/5 stars Other than the title track, check out: Ketchy Shuby Till Your Well Runs Dry Brand New Second Hand

You ain't gonna walk - just fly :-)

Very little reggae here - pretty odd, given its contribution to the innovative edge of contemporary British music - ska, trip hop, the interface with punk etc. Anyways. This one’s milquetoast, imho.

Nice Reggae tunes. Not a genre I'm as experienced with as I'd like to be, because this doesn't stand out for me from the Marley songs I'm used to hearing. Tosh was a Wailer, so I guess it makes sense their music would sound pretty similar. Chill listen either way.

Liked Legalize It. Good rhythms.

An album about weed. Nice!

🐣🤷🏻‍♂️

You step out your front door of an evening, in this sleepy little seaside town, and the air smells like someone’s set fire to a sock drawer soaked in cough syrup. Not even legal here, and yet it hangs in the air like a bad decision: clingy, persistent, and utterly devoid of charm. The streetlamps wear it. The teenagers wear it. Even the seagulls seem a little slower these days. It brings back trauma memories: low lighting, low conversation, low ambition. The couch swallows your limbs. You become sponge. “Dude,” someone says, and it is both greeting and thesis. I didn't even take any. I just watched everyone else. Worse still, the people who make it their personality: celebrating 420 like it isn't Hitler's birthday; artisan bongs; a consumeristic coma under the guise of counter-culture. But this record isn't that bad. I liked Igziabeher. I liked Ketchy Shuby for the first minute or so. It reminds you that the creative spirit can overcome the depressive impulse. Or that you can rock out while lying down. 2 For the brief time the party existed, Cannabis is Safer Than Alcohol did not stand in my constituency. I think I would have voted for them though, not because I actually smoke the stuff but because I admire their concision. There in the name of the party is their purpose, their main policy, all their other policies and their (sound) argument. Alas, my constituency was ceded unfought to the same party that always wins here; another one-policy party that, lacking the grace of CISTA, pretends to have other policies. Peter Tosh’s debut album is just like that. Peter says all he really has to say in ‘Legalize it’. He should have left it there but instead he goes on for another half hour dispensing tiresome fluff like Watcha Gonna Do and Ketchy Shuby (which is 5 minutes long why?). Sometimes it’s worse than fluff; the square lead guitar parts on No Sympathy and Till Your Well Runs Dry are awkward enough to make for an actively unpleasant listen. Still, we thank Peter for bringing to our attention the benefits that a United Ireland has to offer Tuberculosis sufferers. Sorry, I meant ‘smoking weed’. 1.5/5

As someone who dislikes the majority of reggae, this was a real nice surprise. I was prepared to moan that this was the exact same beat on every single song – and of course it does have that persistent reggae beat – but this album feels WAY more varied than a lot of other reggae albums I’ve heard. The musicality of it is great, with tons of interesting sounds and varied instruments laid on top, and the songs are genuinely distinct from each other. It’s incredibly mellow (duh?) and I enjoyed listening to this one. 3.5 rounded down.

all sounds the same

stonerslop

OG reggae, that puts you in that laid back mood for the rest of the day!

A really powerful call for systemic change long before a lot of this albums lyrical content was socially acceptable in the states at least. “Watcha Gonna Do” is probably the catchiest track to my ears, but I do think that focusing on how catchy these songs is kinda like missing the trees for the woods. “Why Must I Cry” is my favorite off this project. Tosh spills out such agonizing emotions with ease, one of the best things to come out of all reggae music. 3/5, powerful messaging

I powered through.

"We've got Bob Marley at home"

Burial is fine. A bunch of the compositions just don't click for me. I don't see myself coming back to this one.

Not bad! I was a big Bob Marley fan, and really didn't listen to Peter Tosh. But it's got some good vibes going on, and he WAS at the beginning of the Wailers and wrote some of the biggest hits. So - relax and give it a listen.

****A good raggae tropical sound/beat. Easy listening.

It wasn’t terrible but I didn’t really enjoy it much either

If the website is to be believed, the book this site pulls from only has 10 Reggae albums. This is the first one that I’ve heard so far, and it’s pretty good. Nothing groundbreaking, it’s a whole album about smoking weed, but it doesn’t really need to be anything more than it is to be a good vibe that I’m pretty much always going to be in the mood to hear. Reggae music as a whole is generally always inoffensive on the ears and vibey, it’s just good and fun to listen to in most situations. While nothing here absolutely wowed me, I don’t think anything fell flat either. Not going to remember it all that much, but I would still return to it for sure. Favorite song on this one is “Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)”. Also, the album art needs to be mentioned. Lmao, it's so good. Perfect encapsulation of what Reggae music is typically considered to be in a single image.

The Good: We’re going to legalize it! The Bad: Because if we don’t, we aren’t going to like this album… The Ugly: Even after having legalized it in many places, we still can’t give a (Peter) Tos(h) about it… During my college years there were people in my circle of friends who believed themselves to be Rastafarians, to the point where they had nappy hair, wore clothes made from hemp, played hacky-sack, and needless to say, smoked their clothes too. You knew that, if you’d visit their abode, you’d find a Jamaican flag, even, sometimes, you’d find the Etheopian one with the lion on it… I’d partake of the ganja once or twice, after all, I was in college… And you’d listen to Bob Marley and the Wailers, and you could check your list of things to do while in college. At parties, every now and again, someone would, inevitably, play a Bob Marley song or two, we all know which ones… Oddly enough, very few people played Peter Tosh’s album. Not that there is anything wrong with it, per say, just that it all just sounds the same, and we are familiar with Bob’s work, and his “greatest hits”. So, I’ve listened to this album, which I believe to be the fourth, and hopefully the last, of the reggae style, as I don’t believe I can listen to another one… Don’t know if I want to label this 2 or 3*… then again, for all the shit that is out there, let’s go down the middle.

That's not my taste in music - But ok

3.5/5

I might just not like reggae but nothing about this stood out to me

Great reggae

Cool record. Passed me by slightly first listen. From second listen I hear that there are some really funky sounds in there and some good soul like songwriting even if it does feel a little bit simplistic in parts

Still worthwhile.

First song is too on the nose. Actually liked the last two songs on the album best.

Forgettable reggae

There’s a variety to Tosh’s playing and songwriting that pushes beyond reggae and makes this super appealing. Even if I’m not typically a fan of psychedelia, the stoned-out weirdness is not super overpowering, like it’s the kind of thing you’d find interesting after hitting a one-hitter, not ripping the whole bong, and that’s fun! I also think I just like Tosh’s songwriting in general. While I think the strongest tracks here have co-writer credits (“Why Must I Cry” and “Till Your Well Runs Dry”), there’s still plenty of great tracks here, from “No Sympathy” to “Brand New Second” to the title track. Also, Tosh is funny! I think a lyricist who can tell a funny story is way more entertaining than a self-serious one, and even on songs like “Legalize It” where there is a political purpose, he can do both, but it even works self-contained on “Burial” and “Ketchy Shuby.” Honestly, the weakest moment here is the most serious, with “Igziabeher”; maybe my apathy for religious songs is cross-cultural, but it just feels like it goes on forever, with no fun momentum. Beyond that, I do think there are moments where this record is a bit sonically flat– ironically mostly the silly story-songs– but I think when the music is a bit more traditional reggae is when Tosh’s lyrics or experimentation shines through most, so it’s a balance. Honestly, I’m shocked I liked this as much as I did. Reggae doesn’t seem to generally be the genre for me, but Tosh does something really right here that makes me lean in. It’s not like, absolutely mind-blowing, and I don’t think I’m going to start wearing a hemp hoodie any time soon, but I am definitely standing by this record as a potential turning point for me and reggae.

It’s nice to hear some reggae that’s not Bob on this list, and it was also funny to hear what Lonely Island was parodying in their song “Legalize It” from the Pop Star soundtrack. I didn’t realize it was joshing on a specific song! I think I liked the later half of the album a little more tbh - when he does the ballads and actually sings, it was surprisingly and genuinely nice. This is one of those albums that while I was listening to it, I wasn’t sure about, but I’ve thought about it since I listened to it yesterday.

Hot damn. I was ready to write this off after the title track but this goes right up there with Exodus as one of the best reggae albums of all time... not that I have a huge sample size to be fair. Still, where Exodus has emotional weight Legalize It has breadth and musicality to put it over its peers. No Sympathy, Igziabeher, and Til Your Well Runs Dry all pull on different threads while still sounding so groovy. I'll be coming back to this one.

This album is by, for, and about stoners, which I am not. It instead served as a cruel reminder that I am five hours away from the nearest beach. I probably would've had more fun with this if any part of it were accurate to the vibe in my life, but that simply isn't the world I live in.

the songs that are actually about weed are pretty uniformly dated in a way that's funny sometimes but nowadays comes off like fodder for typical dorm room stoners. still worth listening to for the ones that aren't only about weed being cool, let jah be praised and till the well runs dry are both great. for ideal listening I recommend buying in and doing bong rips while making a bunch of vegetarian breakfast burritos to freeze like I did.

This list has made me realize I have more of an appreciation for Reggae than I thought before - unfortunately this album is nowhere close to many others on this list. It's repetivite, Peter's vocal delivery is pretty shallow, and there are very few memorable moments. The piano is very nice throughout but otherwise not that impressive. 2/5

Ironically, I feel like Reggae is the among the "whitest" music genres. I hear this and can only picture a horde of dreadlocked hippies swaying around in a dusty field or some corn-rowed college spring-breakers chugging from hollowed out coconuts.

I like reggae well enough. I don't seek it out on my own, but I don't dislike listening to it. Steel drums are cool. I like the almost lethargic groove. But a full album of reggae is too much reggae for me. It loses its appeal by the halfway mark.

Haven't heard of him before. Not bad though? Not my preferred cup of tea, but definitely not bad. Nothing really stuck out to me, unfortunately.

Amazing record, I thought it was to be more linear but I really enjoyed it, having single hits, ballads, etc.

One of the classic Reggea albums

2.5

♫ Listening to "Whatcha Gonna Do" by Peter Tosh (Legalize It, 1976) ♫

Do what he says!

A quiet and peaceful album that is not my cup of tea but was relaxing and pleasant enough to listen to for the experience

Not my cup of tea

Most reggae songs about weed make me laugh like a lil teen, and this happens to be one of them. Very chill ^o^

Great album, its a shame theres not much reggae on the list but this was a good selection

Sou um turista de reggae tal qual sou um turista de muitos outros gêneros. É um estilo que gosto, as vezes até bastante. Então oniciei esse álbum de maneira esperançosa, pronto para adicionar novas gemas deste ex-Wailer para minha coleção. Mas no geral, achei este disco um pouco anêmico. Tematicamente falando, ele já deixa um pouco a desejar. Atualmente não sou um grande consumidor da ganja, mas já fui universitário me graduando em História. Não preciso dizer mais nada. Mas cantar sobre legalização é algo que acho bem entediante. Musicalmente ele não me impressionou. Claro, é reggae, não espere progressões homéricas nem nada assim, mas mesmo dentro dos confins deste gênero achei o disco parado demais. Prefiro as faixas mais ativas. Gostei de No Sympathy, por exemplo. Reggae é reggae. Eu gosto, não tem muito erro. A instrumentalização e os vocais sempre me agradam. Difícil errar na fórmula. É de certo um gênero bem formulaico, por bem e por mal. No todo, esperava mais. Espero que a lista ofereça seleções melhores de reggae futuramente. Por ora, 3/5

Lidt for generisk reggae, chill nok, men ikke noget specielt

I don't like Reggae

I didn't really enjoy this, reggae isn't for me, but I didn't dislike it, and it's very refreshing to hear something like this from the list, certainly it's better than another album from a bunch of white men from the USA or the UK.

Favorite song: Watcha Gonna Do and No Sympathy "it's good for asthma... It's good for tuberculosis" -Legalize it I like this album quite a bit after the first track, it's laid back, as would be expected, but still has smooth and catchy guitars, vocals, and drum beats.

ставлю три только за травку

this should be good. it was

just too much for me, some of the instrumentation is really nice on the back half of the album but it's just too much.

I came, I heard, I voted. At least I made it all the way through. This stuff all sounds the same to me. Nothing but a beat with the same chord progressions.

Eh, while I can dig the sound, it gets pretty monotonous after a while.

Pretty nice Reggae Album. Need to be in a certain headspace to play it though.

May need to circle back to this one!

i want weed

I'd have chosen the more politically strident and musically progressive Equal Rights which offers a more unique sound than Legalize It but, dubious medical claims aside, Tosh's debut solo record is still a solid roots reggae album from the genre's golden era. Tosh has a great vocal style: an immediately identifiable voice, cadence and phrasing paired with a charismatic delivery. The funky clavinet is amazing, the bass grooves deep as hell, the guitars are right in the pocket, really the whole band so dialed in it's joyous. A few corny keyboard sounds on a couple of tracks only slightly spoil the fun, and while warm and chill, the album lacks the driving energy and fierce urgency Tosh brings to his next one. Favorites: Brand New Second Hand, Burial, No Sympathy

With those Wailers roots, that fat tubby bass and reverbed crack of the snare behind Tosh's vocals and protest lyrics, Legalize It is as much the sound of reggae as Marley.

A nice record didn’t go for the legacy or legend one that’s nearly 3hours long🤨 so just listened to normal one. Quite liked the humour and puttin it to the man vibe. May probably not listen to again. But 2 stars

Debut solo album after being in The Wailers. Reggae. I don't mind a bit of Reggae. Very much, chill out kind of music. This album is suitably mellow. No single track stands out, nor is anything bad either. A very simple, solid, melodic Raggae album.

You had me at the Legalize It and the album cover. However, after a full listen this doesn't really stand out from other reggae albums from anyone not named Bob Marley on this list. High 3 though.

Reggae is not my genre of choice, but I do have love for the classics. 50 years later I wonder if Mr. Tosh would be happy with the current state of legalization. Title track is an anthem of the movement. Nothing terribly special; just straight and narrow reggae. Though I do like the effect on the backing vocals. Love the bright ELP-like synth lines and layered elements on Watcha Gonna Do. Backed up by No Sympathy featuring some fantastic guitar throughout and lovely warm production. Ketchy Shuby is a catchy little ditty. While I do sometimes felt like the reggae tropes wore on me the songwriting was generally solid and interesting. Vocals are quality throughout and the production has a warmth to it that is inviting. Not something I'd spin all the time, but good for certain moments. Solid to high 3 / 5.

This album could be a 4 if I had my piggies in the sand with a Red Stripe in my hand. I had neither of those things while listening to this.

Just some really solid classic sounding reggae which had everything that i wanted. Ketchy, ketchy – shuby, shuby tonight

I'd put this on a smoke a joint to it. Pretty easy listening reggae that has some cool instrumental parts. Nothing flashy but I could throw this on at multiple points during the summer and be happy.

Burial // No Sympathy // Why Must I Cry // Igziabeher // Ketchy Shuby // Brand New Second Hand

Good

Definitely didn’t need to hear this one

Another one that’s not for me.

Kept getting better and better as the tracks went on. Maybe it just put me in a better mood.

What a load of old Tosh. Which is a good thing, apparently? Fun, classic reggae vibes, and I learned some nifty new phrases too. 3.5, plus a half-star ‘lovely weather for it today’ bonus.

Big fan, maybe the best yet

I listened to most of this but skipped the last 2 tracks. I mean, it's reggae music. This album is up front about what it is. "Legalize It". I probably didn't need to listen to a single track from this. Idk, it just isn't my jam. Sorry, Mr. Tosh.

Let's go Bob

Listened in the truck via YouTube music. Always been a Bob Marley listener like the rest of the world. I think Peter Tosh’s music may be more interesting. The guitar and keys/organ work is really fun, and has more gospel and blues influence. Other than legalize it I was not familiar with the rest. Most could be sped up and be fun punk/Sublime style songs. Definitely will end up purchasing in the near future.

Wouldn't have sought out an album named "Legalize It," but this was actually pretty enjoyable? Better than last week's white reggae album by The Police. Please see a doctor if you have tuberculosis.

3.1/kind of based to include this but it's fine

Not really into reggae. Maybe it'd be nicer at the beach

Weedy

Nope.

This one goes beyond the standard reggae instrumentation in a way that is interesting. It also does a good job balancing political and non-political subject matter. Favorites were Legalize It, No Sympathy, and Why Must I Cry.

Decent but a bit same. Decent instrumentals and vocal work.

Not super into reggae in general but it was fine. Listenable and all.

Mostly liked it. Standout songs: Legalize it Whatcha Gonna Do Why must I cry

Great album. Peter Tosh is a legend.

Reggae is one of my least enjoyed genres.

++: Burial, No Sympathy, Ketchy Shuby, Till Your Well Runs Dry +: Legalize It, What'cha Gonna Do?, Why Must I Cry, Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised), Brand New Second Hand 6,7/10

Good vibes, really liked "Why Must I Cry"

Reggae. Pretty decent.

Bomboclaaaat, it's oke, 3/5 sober, did not try to listen while high for higher grade

Fav: Till Your Well Runs Dry Least Fav: Legalize It With this challenge, the reggae picks are yet to let me down. Long may this continue

Favorite Track: Ketchy Shuby

Kind of silly but I kind of liked it

Starts as simple reggae, ends up as something more...

I really do not like reggae

Relaxed reggae hits. Decent- good background music but no big standouts

5/10…Reggae

burial

7/10. Some nice reggae about weed. How dope (pun intended). :)

Surprisingly great reggae album, a lot of solid ideas and great guitar work on multiple songs. Great stuff

you can legalize it, you can penalize it, but you can never jihnjowlize it

That certainly was a reggae album but not one I was all that interested in

Decent! Not my usual music of choice, but this I like. Good vibes, great rhythms, not as laid back as I anticipated? Production is really well-balanced too. Will revisit!

Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Legalize It, Brand New Second Hand Added To Library: TRUE What's not to love about this album?

It was ok

I’ve never heard of Peter Tosh before, which isn’t surprising, because I’m not a huge reggae fan. However, it’s a damn shame that I’m getting to review this album four weeks after 4/20. I don’t have particularly high hopes for this album, but I’ll try my best to approach it with a high… er… open mind. Legalize it was a very pleasant surprise. This album had a good mix of sounds and lyrical themes, the vocals were good, and there was an overall atmosphere to the album that I enjoyed. There were several songs on this album that I liked, and only a handful that I would skip over if I listened to this again. The lyrics for the opening title track read like a Wikipedia article for marijuana, and I couldn’t help but laugh. It was a touch on the cheesy side, but I didn’t find it bad, and I enjoyed its unintentional silliness. The guitar on “Burial” was really good, and I enjoyed the guitar playing and the keyboards that sounded like horns during the opening. “Whatcha Gonna Do” was really good too; the harmonica playing caught be a bit off guard, but it was really unique to hear something a bit bluesy on this album. The blues sound fit really well with the overall atmosphere of the album, and it went really well with the guitar playing too. The backing vocals on “Why Must I Cry” were outstanding. I tend to enjoy backing vocals in reggae music, but these were just on a different level. However, my favorite song on the album was easily “Till Your Well Runs Dry.” The verses sounded like reggae honkytonk, and I absolutely loved it. Peter Tosh’s singing was great, and the guitar sounded like it was crying along to the lyrics. The harmonica was fantastic too, and I loved how the song oscillated back to a more traditional reggae sound during the chorus. My only complaint with this album is that some of the songs were a big miss with me, like “No Sympathy,” “Igziabeher,” but Legalize It was a great album, and something I’d consider listening to again.

This album was great. A good deal of soul influence throughout, and a steady beat with an excellent band. What’s not to like?

The man that brought reggae to the world with Bob...he's a half step behind.

I dreaded this (see what I did there?) a bit. Reggae isn't my scene and tends to annoy me a bit after a relatively short time. This is fine, though, and would be absolutely grand as the soundtrack to a day at the beach with a cocktail or two and/or an ice bucket with a bunch of bottles of characterless beer.

Regardless of whether or not it has been legalized in your state, Peter Tosh has been doing his part and successfully has ensured it was advertised. Listened to this a few times today; really enjoyed the first two go arounds, but the third in headphones was less enjoyable. Otherwise competent.

bob marley at home

Slettes ikke fælt. God vibe.

Just not my style of reggae music. Introspective.

Better than Bob Marley. There... I said it.

01) Legalize It - 8,0 02) Burial - 7,0 03) What'cha Gonna Do? - 7,0 04) No Symphaty - 7,0 05) Why Must I Cry - 7,0 06) Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised) - 6,5 07) Ketchy Shuby - 7,5 08) Till Your Well Runs Dry - 7,5 09) Brand New Second Hand - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,17 (72/100) Current ranking: 308/546

Det e veldig reggae, og ikke egentlig så interessant for min del? Høres ut som det skal høres ut, så på ingen måte overraskanes om det har vært sjangerdefineranes i sin tid.

I actually enjoyed this! I think if it was a little more upbeat I would have liked it even more, but it’s calm energy was nice as well.

Sure the title track is a "classic" of the genre and Peter Tosh is a legend but to be objective, the title track is sadly typical of a lot of reggae is that the repetitive aspect of it is just too much. Or...not enough? A bit boring and not a particularly great song. Hey but proof you (I) should always be patient - the rest was/is a pleasant surprise - FAR more diverse than the first song; different rhythms, chord progressions, tempos, moods. I was ready to pan this after that first cut but as someone who isn't much of a fan of the genre this is one of the better reggae offerings we've had. 7/10 4 stars.

Very repetitive

Repetitive? A little, but its a solid groove beloved by teenage stoners since it came out. Pair this with Black Sunday by Cypress Hill and you'll become radicalized against the War on Drugs in no time, let it in, boy! That's freedom calling! Let it in! Let it run! Let it run wild!

This record reminds me that I should listen to reggae more often. I was put in such a good mood after listening to this. Even heard elements of blues in parts of this album. Very easy to listen to and has an enjoyable vibe throughout. Time to light one up.

Not my style.

This is not an album to listen to when it's less than 50 degrees outside (F), which it is right now. This is an album that needs some sun, or at least warm weather. It's a good album, though! I don't think there's anything in particular that really stands out to me, but I'm not as familiar with reggae, so there could be something unique/interesting about this album, that I just wouldn't notice. A really good, high floor kind of album. Each song is worth listening to, no duds. Favorite Song(s): Ketchy Shuby

I love seeing some Reggae songs on this. Always fun and jammin'.

Meh. 3/5. Til your well runs dry was my favorite

Going in to this I thought oh great a whole album about weed, it'll be awful It actually was a super catchy and chill album though. Quite enjoyable! 4 ⭐️

Pretty alright reggae.

Perhaps the most outstanding thing on this reggae album is how the complex, intricate arrangements and the sharp, expert playing combine into a propulsive sound with a lot of character. Tosh is a confident, expressive singer, and this record contains some terrific songs ("No Sympathy", "Why Must I Try" and "Till Your Well Runs Dry"). On the downside, many of the other songs rely too much on repetitive structures, consigning them to the "also ran" category: for example, tracks like "Burial" and "Brand New Second Hand" are content to amble across a single loop of chords for their entire duration, dulling their impact. "Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised" and title track "Legalize It" reduce things down ever further, resulting in simplistic two-chord jams (with the former almost redeemed by an dramatic piano part and the latter containing dubious health claims about a certain controlled substance 😀).

The album that encourages you to smoke weed to help with your asthma! Well balanced project. Varied tempos, timbres, and instrumentation. Even some rock influence! Vocal performance is fine, but it doesn’t need to be more than that. Listened to: walking in Brooklyn. Favorite tracks: Whatcha Gonna Do, Igziabeher, Till Your Well Runs Dry

It was fine but still had the repetitive nature of the genre

Unfair as this rating includes to other tunes by Pete tosh. Still. Lit.

9/10

Perfectly fine reggae music

What a reggae gem! The title track might have some goofy lyrics and I doubt it's curing tuberculosis but it still ranks as one of the all-time greats. And that album cover? Pure five-star gold!

Maybe a bit of nostalgia reflected in the rating.. but I love this record. I had this on tape in college and I used to go to Jamaica with my buddy and his family back in the 80’s so Tosh was on a lot. The words aren’t world changing so play for the music and vibe and you’ll agree it’s a high (!) scorer.

The music was pretty good. The lyrics were pretty bad.

Review Note: I listened to this on a beautiful, sunny, 75 degree day with the windows down in my car. It's probably still a 5, but the conditions couldn't have been better. I'm generally a fan of reggae, and this is one is great. No skips at all on this album, and listened to it twice back to back.

Don’t listen to reggae but a great vibe and enjoyable listen. Hate me but the title track wasn’t good but the rest of the tracks were. Best tracks were in the middle and slowly tapered back to good by the end. Strong 7/10 Top tracks: Ketchy Shuby>>>>igziabeher>why must I cry

Not a single song worth skipping on this album. Haven’t listened to much reggae music but definitely makes me want to listen to more like this. Saved more than half the album and plan to listen to it more, especially “till your well runs dry”. This was ahead of its time, 10/10.

Main thing that stood out was the prominent guitar riffs in the first half of the album which was a nice separation from the Wailers normal instrumentals. An overall great album. 7/10

Heavily comparing this to Exodus since we just listened through it. Maybe I’m misremembering but a lot more electric guitar than in exodus, in general I think I liked the music on this album more but thought the lyrics and content in general could leave something to be desired at times where Marley was writing more interesting songs. “Why Must I Cry” was the standout song for me and since Marley is on the writing credits that checks out. Overall a solid early reggae album.

Pleasant enough, same as all the reggae we have done.

Very chill and laid back. Quite enjoyed this one. Reggae with a message mahn.

Banger. A classic reggae album with an amazing cover. Favourite song: igziabeher (let Jah be praised)

I'm not a huge fan of reggae, always felt it was somewhat monotonous, but this one I liked, eventhough I had to listen to it a couple of times to get a feel for it. Besides the classic reggae vibe and songs, which were expected, what surprised me the most were elements from other genres. There were some nice, emotional, ballads, some great guitar solos and interesting melodies. Overall, the album offers a bit more instrumentally and stylistically than a standard reggae album, and that was the highlight for me. This mix of reggae and blues/rock was quite nice. Solid album, would listen to it again.

This was consistent and fairly enjoyable from start to finish, I’m just not that into reggae music. I dug a lot of the guitar parts and drum grooves though.

2/5

Great album! Hadn't listened to it in a long time, but solid top to bottom! 5/5

ambiguous what he wants legalised but he seems like a nice chap with soulful tunes

Nice and relaxing

3.5

Awesome! Positive vibrations only.

Ont est loin de Bob et des Wailers, mais des fois, un ptit reggae ça se prend bien

Just sounds like typical reggae.

Pretty cool to hear such a modern sound come out of the '70s. The singing is pretty good and the music is all together pleasing to the ear. It's largely similar sounding and repetitive, but I think that's a feature of reggae and not a bug.

3.5

Good album!

Pretty okay reggae. 3/5

Could have been recorded yesterday .. Legalize it. Love some good reggae. Kinda slowish.

Man, this project is blasting me with 70s albums! I'm not familiar with Peter Tosh so let's dive in! Right off, I'm not a pothead or into drug culture, but this is a fun album in spite of the topic. Reggae has such a distinct style that always sounds a little upbeat and laid back to me despite the lyrical content. Standouts were "Legalize It," "Burial" - brutal to listen to considering Tosh's murder - "Whatcha Gonna Do." All in all, the album was ok, had a couple nice jams but seems like pretty standard fare for the genre although I don't have a lot of experience in it. Like a lot of albums, I think the second half suffers a little and falls into the sounding somewhat "samey" bucket. This would probably be a 2.5/3 for me, but as I'm rating things pretty harshly it'll have to round down to a very solid 2. Maybe 3 in another life.

Don’t really have too much to say about this one, I support the premise, and it was an easy listen, but it didn’t have a whole lot of substance to me personally. Favorite Track: Till Your Well Runs Dry

Title track must have been so transgressive in its day.

Enjoyable.

Late-1970s reggae is a golden microcosm of modern music. There are an astonishing number of good albums from 1975 to 1979. However, nothing from Bob Marley and/or the Wailers really excites me. This album in particular is very mid-level. The songwriting is okay but unexciting, with an emphasis on lightweight ballads. Tosh's voice is enjoyable, but there are very few moments of impressive expression. The music is very middling. I can't see any reasoning for including this album on this list, when you consider the masterpiece albums by the Congos, the Abyssinians, Junior Murvin, Burning Spear, Yabby You, and many others in this period. Max Romeo's album from the same year isn't my favourite, but is critically acclaimed and would have been a better pick. Hell, if you really want to stick with the Wailers, Bunny Wailer's Blackheart Man from the same year is significantly better, and again critically acclaimed. Nothing against this album, but it isn't even Peter Tosh's best album, let alone the best album of this period of reggae. 3*

3.5/5

I'd probably give this a 3.5 star rating, as it is good, but it's not incredible, I don't feel, even for its time. The back third of the album gets pretty dull and doesn't have the excitement or engaging reggae of the first part of the album. I feel there are better Peter Tosh albums to put on this list, but I have honestly not listened to his music in a while. However, I do at least now want to listen to some of his other albums.

This went well with a tired night working session, though this isn’t the revelation that would make me seek more reggae.

Reggae and marijuana policy, fascinating. Last few tracks weren't bad though.

Nice 4/5

I used to really dislike Reggae, but I'm warming up to it.

Reasonable reggae album, not the best. 2.5 stars.

Maybe I'm coming around to Reggae or maybe it's just because the sun is finally starting to come out. This one has some interesting twists and changes of pace that I can definitely get onboard with.

If you like this kind of music, you'll probably like this album.

74/1089 - The out of tune horns took me out of it a little. Otherwise, very straightforward reggae music.

You know it’s a three-star when you like it but absolutely can’t be bothered to write a review.