June 3, 1977 - Exodus

A little under a month since my last release and a little over a year since "Rastaman Vibration", Bob Marley & The Wailers released their third album under this name "Exodus" on June 3, 1977. There are a couple line-up changes as both guitarists, Earl Smith and Al Anderson have left the band. Bob Marley resumes rhythm guitar duties once again and they bring in Junior Marvin as their new lead guitarist. They also add percussionist Alvin Patterson to complete this new line-up. This album would go on to be Marley's best-selling studio album and spawned five successful singles! The first side is more politically charged and serious and the second side is more laid-back and relaxed. Let's check it out!

The first side kicks off with "Natural Mystic" as the guitars and keyboards sync up to form a slow reggae riff with Aston Barrett playing some cool bass as well. Carlton Barrett's drums signal the start of the verse as Marley sings nicely along to the slow beat. Marvin gets in some nice lead guitar licks inbetween the lyrics that sounds pretty great and we also hear a nice horns section. After several solid verses they jam out the chorus until the song slowly fades to an end. Martin's lead guitar certainly spiced up this otherwise slow reggae jam, a fine start to the record I thought. Up next is "So Much Things To Say" which has a very happy and positive vibe to it. Tyrone Downie plays organ and the bass and guitar sound very uplifting. The I-Threes feature heavily in this song, singing the name of the song in the chorus and backing Bob during the verses. I think they sound decent and it seems they're needed to sing the chorus while Bob rambles off with several "so very much, so very much". The lyrics don't really fit the happy vibes in this song as Bob sings about not forgetting the horrible things we've done in the past and remembering where you came from. It's a well delivered song but unlike the first one there's nothing that stands out and grabs your attention as they softly jam the main beat for the whole three minute song. Track 3 is called "Guiltiness" and is another slow-paced reggae tune with some trippy keyboards and guitar in the mix. We hear some cool trumpets leading this riff as well as this song has a bit of a darker vibe to it. Downie plays lots of cool keyboards in this tune and we hear Patterson adding some cool percussion as well. It's another interesting reggae riff that these guys play great and I really like the trumpets as this one also fades to a close. The next song is the shortest on the album at two and a half minutes, titled "The Heathen". It's led by a cool keyboard riff by Downie and Marvin adds some nice guitar as well. It's a pretty repetitive song as Marley sings the same line over and over, giving it almost a chant-like effect. Bob does sing some short verses but it's never long before we hear the chorus again. Marvin goes off for a guitar solo (in a reggae song?!) and it sounds pretty great! It certainly makes this riff more interesting and Downie gets a chance to solo as well as he plays some really cool keyboards! Two solos in this short a song? This is unlike The Wailers for sure, but I thought it sounded great! The side ends with the near eight minute title track, "Exodus", which despite it's length would still become a successful single. Marley sets the pace with a solid backing guitar riff as Downie plays both a quirky synth riff as well as some excellent piano in this one. The trumpets are back in this song to great effect once again and Marvin also finds some space to get off some nice guitar licks. These guys are experts at getting a cool main riff going that involves everyone, and without breaking stride they subtly shift and let each instrument have it's short turn in the spotlight. We hear the chorus for the first of many, many times as Marley and the I-Threes all sing "Exodus! Movement of Jah people". Bob begins the first verse and I just love his energy throughout this whole song as he sounds very engaged and into his music. It's a pretty catchy main riff that just keeps rolling along as something cool is always happening to keep your attention. Patterson throws in some cool conga drums and whenever Marvin gets a chance he plays some great guitar. The guitar does a sort of talkbox effect, imitating the chorus lines in a cool bit as well. Every verse sounds charged and full of energy, the repeated chorus gets a little old but the music is solid throughout this whole song even if the lyrics become a little stale. Overall I thought it was not a great song, but certainly a good one and a fine way to end this more serious first side.

The second side is full of more laid-back songs, starting with "Jamming" which would become one of Marley's best-known songs. Downie plays some nice piano to lead the way while the rest of the band sets up a nice backing reggae riff. Bob's vocals sound good as usual as this song is all about jammin' and feelin' good with your friends. It's got a very catchy tune and just sounds so smooth! They stop everything for a few bars as Bob gets the spotlight before a nice drum roll by Barrett brings it back to the main riff. Marvin plays some cool lead guitar and Downie finds space to fire off some cool piano as they fittingly jam out the end of this pretty cool song. Up next is "Waiting In Vain" and once again Downie takes the lead with some cool keyboards while the rest of the band forms the backing riff. It's still clearly a reggae riff, with the classic start-and-stop guitar but it's a little faster paced this time while Downie plays some slow organ. Bob starts off at the chorus, singing about loving a girl who has many suitors, but he doesn't wanna wait around for her to maybe pick him. It's a relatable feeling, and also another pretty catchy beat. Marvin plays a little guitar solo that sounds pretty sweet while Downie plays some cool keyboards in the background. They return to the main riff for more verses as Bob's quick, rambling vocals sound pretty good and keep things interesting as they jam things out until the end. Track 8 is "Turn Your Lights Down Low" which has a slow beat led by some decent guitar by Marvin. Bob sings this song of seduction and the I-Threes fit nicely in this love-themed song. "I want to give you some good, good lovin'". He does a great job at singing softly as I'm sure he drove a lot of girls crazy. Nothing jumps out in this one, but it's not supposed to as it was a smooth ride the whole way through. The next song would become another mega hit, titled "Three Little Birds". Downie plays both piano and an organ riff that carries this whole three minute song. They start with the chorus again as Bob sings with his positive vibrations "don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be alright". Simple lyrics for a simple beat, but it's very memorable and very relaxing. Marvin takes over with some cool guitar in the verse as Bob continues his great singing, painting a picture of three birds singing outside on a happy morning. The I-Threes sound pretty good backing Bob and it's easy to see why this song would become so popular; how could you not like this slow, happy jam? If it ain't broke, then keep playing it as these guys just repeat the verse and chorus over and over until the song fades to an end. I wish it had a few distinct verses instead of just the same one repeated, but it's still a great song that succeeded at easing some troubles around the world. The final song "One Love/People Get Ready" also became wildly popular for it's simple music and message: we should all love one another and there is no reason for hate; a simple but powerful message. Downie plays another simple but effective lead piano riff while the rest of the guys form another unique, but always soothing reggae riff. Marley's lead vocals sound great once again and the I-Threes sound good as well as I think they work best when the theme of the song is about love. This is another song that by the end you can't help but sing along and I really like Bob's last verse, especially how he says "holy armageddion". This whole side was filled with easy to follow songs and all but one of it's songs would end up becoming singles. A fine way to end another solid Wailers album.

That is the end of "Exodus" and I thought it was a pretty great reggae album! Bob Marley & The Wailers sound like they are at their best throughout this album and I love the addition of lead guitarist Junior Marvin. There are lots of cool songs on this album and it's easy to see why with so many catchy songs this would be The Wailers best-selling studio album. I liked the longer title track a lot and of course the three mega hits from side two are all great songs. So how does it compare to their other albums that I have? I think it's not only easily the best album under this name, but that it's also even better than their albums with Tosh and Wailer. They really did create a reggae masterpiece that brought the genre into popularity worldwide. They couldn't possibly keep this success up though....could they?