Tracks:
1. Positive Vibration: 7/10 while a repetitive and safe track, it still gives out the positive vibrations it speaks of.
2. Roots Rock Reggae: 8/10 phoned-in slightly once again, but very, very pleasant.
3. Johnny Was: 8/10 well, this one certainly isn't phoned-in. It's a very powerful political song with real oomph.
4. Cry to Me: 7/10 decent, if maddeningly repetitive.
5. Want More: 7/10 another song that's technically efficient but largely forgettable.
6. Crazy Baldhead: 8/10 a gentle, intelligent and affecting political track with plenty of nuance.
7. Who the Cap Fit: 8/10 ditto.
8. Night Shift: 8/10 one of Marley's upbeat songs and a good one at that.
9. War: 8/10 essentially a political speech as opposed to a song. But what a speech it is.
10. Rat Race: 8/10 a lyrically cynical song backed with a cheer-inducingly good instrumental that concludes the album in style.
Best song: War
Worst song: Positive Vibrations
Summary: Admittedly, at first the listener could easily be underwhelmed. Some of the opening tracks just seem like Marley phoning it in. They're certainly not bad but they just feel so familiar and don't take any risks. Fear not: it's the calm before the storm. The second half of the album sees Marley launching into highly charged and moving political music and it really, really picks up. By the end the feeling is without a doubt one of satisfaction. It's not the absolute best by Marley (That would still be Catch a Fire) but it's a very enjoyable album most of the time even though it lacks any absolute classics.
Final rating: 8/10
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