The Best of the Wailers review

Despite the title, this isn't a compilation. This is the last album from The Wailers before they became international stars and achieved wider recognition.

Tracks:

1. Soul Shakedown Party: 8/10 for once, a song about partying which isn't completely shallow and superficial. Delightful stuff.

2. Stop the Train: 8/10 while it sounds restrained in terms of its instrumental at times, it's unexpectedly thought provoking and effective while still making for a catchy tune.

3. Caution: 8/10 a bit confusing, but it's another stirring tune with some very interesting lyrics.

4. Soul Captives: 8/10 enough soul related titles already, but this highly pleasant if slight song gets it point across efficiently.

5. Go Tell it On the Mountain: 7/10 a bit repetitive and a bit too simple, but it's nice to see The Wailers developing their more political song writing which was seen more on their later albums.

6. Can't You See: 7/10 a very competent love song, although it's pure formula.

7. Soon Come: 8/10 this one has plenty of charm and energy despite its repetition.

8. Cheer Up: 9/10 few songs live up to their title in such a good way.

9. Back Out: 6/10 perfectly OK on a technical level, but I just don't get it.    

10. Do it Twice: 8/10 one of those pleasant love songs; nothing definitive but very nice.

Best song: Cheer Up
Worst song: Back Out

Summary: This album doesn't fully live up to its title, since this isn't actually the Wailers at their best. The instrumentals feel a bit restrained at times and there's not a massive amount of variety in the lyrics. Still, this is really good album, possibly their best so far, so it partially lives up to the title. With touching love songs and more mature, political songs, this seems to show The Wailers moving towards their peak. Really good stuff overall, and since by their next album they were more well-known internationally, the albums of The Wailers seem set to only get better.



Final rating: 8/10