319 - The Wailers - Burnin'

[csberry]

This is the last album of The Wailers before Peter and Bunny jumped ship and Bob took full control and changed the band name to Bob Marley & The Wailers. You get a hint about the band tension by looking closely at the track listing and songwriter credits. It is further exposed if you see the track listing of later releases that include additional songs from the recording session - which show the only songs not included were non-Bob penned ones.

The lyrics are on the more aggressive edge in this album. However, the slack reggae rhythms makes it easy for a casual listener to relax with this album playing (with the exception of "Get Up, Stand Up" and "I Shot the Sheriff"). Part of this, I think, is because despite some of the frustration expressed in the songs, there is an undercurrent that both political/economic and spiritual redemption is about to arrive. Things are tough now, but a time is coming soon that things will be great for us.

Songs I knew I liked: "Get Up, Stand Up" and "I Shot the Sheriff"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Burnin' & Lootin'," "Small Axe," and "Rastaman Chant"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Hallelujah Time"