Customer Reviews

Exodus - 30th Anniversary

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've never really heard a Marley album I didn't like, but this is arguably the best of the bunch. Classic hits abound, including my favorite Bob Marley song, the heartbreaking ballad "Waiting in Vain"; the message oriented space-reggae title track; "Jammin'", with a fantastic groove, unforgettable chorus, and unbeatable atmosphere; and the feel-good instant-smile dynamic duo closers "Three Little Birds" and the Curtis Mayfield quoting "One Love/People Get Ready". If you haven't heard these five tracks, I don't know where you've been, but you owe it to yourself to listen to them.
But how's the rest? About as good, surprisingly. Of the leftovers, my favorite is the sensual slow jam "Turn Your Lights Down Low", an underrated song that really deserves more recognition, though I also adore the vibe sent out by "Natural Mystic", with its suspenseful fade-in. Awesome way to start a record. The remaining three songs on the side don't match up to that standard, but that's all because the ceiling on this one's pretty high. Okay, so "So Much Things to Say" won't ever be mentioned in Bob's upper echelons, but it's decent; "The Heathen" has an interesting synthesizer part; and "Guiltiness" features a fantastic refrain.
My only complaint about this album is what ISN'T on it. "Punky Reggae Party", the b-side of "Jammin'", is one of my absolute favorite Bob songs. I wish it had made its way onto the album. For whatever reason, it didn't find its way on as a bonus track to this "30th anniversary edition", even though it's available in such format on the other issue. Weird! In fact, all the this edition really did was add a slipcase with a really cool photo of Bob on it.
Whatever, no matter how you buy Exodus it's a very worthy purchase. Probably the first Marley album you should get, even though Catch a Fire is better.

How can you call this a 30th Anniversary Edition? Even the re-mastered version of Exodus has 2 bonus tracks for crying out loud. The Deluxe Edition released in 2001 is the way to go. It contains 'Roots', one of Marley's non-album classics, 2 versions of 'Punky Reggae Party', alternative takes, tracks recorded with Lee Perry and a bunch of live tracks from the Exodus tour. Five Star rating. Why would you go any other way?

If you're looking for a 30th Anniversary Edition, pick Culture's Two Seven's Clash. Beautifully remastered with great bonus tracks. This is nothing more than marketing nonsense.

Who am I to even rate this? Bob Marley is his own standard. Even though I'm not a reggae officianado, I think his work is ever poignant and transcends cultural boundaries and musical tastes. Our family dances around the house to this album on a regular basis.

Great album, just one of many made by Marley that just flows. Well recorded too suprisingly, considering a lot of reggae and blues were not.