 |  | sounds like Exodus rejects |  |
This album sounds like Exodus rejects. If you like Exodus (I do)and gave it 5 stars, you'll probably find this acceptable, and that's the problem: it's more-of-the-same lite. The first half is great background music, but the second half is where the good songs lie. In fact, just buy Legend. Give it 3&half stars.
If you feel that the REAL Wailers are captured by Catch a Fire, and Burnin', then give this 2&half stars, as the sound is weak but the production is top notch, just what the American pop rock audience wants. The band is on fire, but the writing is lacking, Bob is not singing his best, the I Threes are taking no chances, and the reggae is turned down and the rock is turned up. This probably sold a lot. I like the reggae better when Peter Tosh was around, the music was denser and more mystic, and the beat was more challenging with a real edge.
October 23, 2008Good solid music from a master. Might not be his best
but a must have for anyone who likes his music. Great
listening for music fans and a fine introduction
for anyone who has none of his work.
April 12, 2008What can anyone say about Bob Marley. We own everything he's ever done. Like fine wine, his music just gets better and better with the passing of time.
March 2, 2008 | | Excellent but slightly repetitive | |
One of Bob's most acclaimed albums, and I like it, though I'd hesitate to call it his best album. It's a very political one, yet it's so upbeat you probably won't notice that - for example, the bright "Bad Card" has a staccato piano and cooing backup vocals. It's also him at his most melodic, with song after song containing hook after hook - "Coming in from the Cold" and the dancey "Could You Be Loved?" are two of Bob's catchiest tracks; "Real Situation" is also a nice slice of poppy reggae with, once again, socially conscience lyrics. There are some slightly darker songs to contrast this, like the minor-key "We and Dem", with fantastic guitar and steel drum parts - or at least it sounds like a steel drum, maybe I'm wrong here. Good one regardless. "Work" is also darker, and I like its suspenseful atmosphere. It's also got an instrument I can't identify - I can't tell if it's horns, steel drums, or what. It's cool, whatever it is, and you can't deny the guitar licks either. Really, I've only got one problem with this album, and that's the one-size-fits-all approach to arrangements. There are a couple exceptions to this rule - most notably the classic folk protest "Redemption Song", which is one of Marley's best ever and certainly the best song on the album; and the aforementioned "Could You Be Loved", a successful flirtation with disco. But after a while, I get the feeling that Bob took one generic backup track and decided to apply it to every song on the album. Take "Zion Train". Decent song by itself, but it sounds a lot like "Work" to me. Of course, I've already discussed that I really like "Work", but it's a bit trying to hear what is basically the same song on repeat, which is what makes it arguably the weakest song on the album. Even then, it's an objectively catchy song, very hummable refrain, and more solid guitar parts too. I suppose "Pimper's Paradise" is kinda the same way too, but I love the numerous vocal hooks and steady pulse on that one, so hey, I can certainly deal with that. So this is a really good album, but a bit more diversity wouldn't have killed it. Whatever, it's not like Bob Marley was all that diverse in the first place.
December 29, 2007This is the last album released in Bob Marley's lifetime. It is amazing, just like everything else he recorded and released. Don't pass on this. Bob is the king.
August 29, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
Daily Birthdays
(32 reviews)