Recorded in London following an attempt on his life, Exodus shows Bob Marley mellowing a bit. Despite some powerful political tracks, Marley adopts a less fiery, more reflective approach than his previous outings. Still, it's hard to find reggae as good as this. Exodus has all one would expect from a Bob Marley album: rumbling statements like "Exodus" and "The Heathen" as well as poetic love songs like "Turn Your Lights Down Low." Considering how good these tracks are, Exodus does not stop here. Marley also unleashed the huge international hits "Jamming," "Waiting in Vain," and "One Love/People Get Ready." These inspired tracks, perhaps more than any others, came to define Marley around the world. They are irresistible no matter how many times they are played. Never one to dodge innovation, "Exodus" hints that Marley was taking cues from the emerging dub scene. Exodus, even though it contains some of Marley's best work, has an underlying nostalgic feel to it, hinting that Marley was getting a little formulaic. ~ Matthew Hilburn

Marley's consistent (certainly by reggae standards) album career has proffered many great songbooks, of which EXODUS is just one good example. The singles "One Love" and "Jamming" will be familiar to anyone with even a passing acquaintance with Jamaican music, but just as vital are the touchingly vulnerable love song "Waiting In Vain," the title track, and the splendid "Guiltiness." This was the first album to feature Junior Murvin on guitar, while the expressive use of horns adds new texture to the established quality of the Wailers' backing. Like most of his work, vital for a comprehensive collection.

Q (1/03, p.56) - Included in Q Magazine's "100 Greatest Albums Ever"

Uncut (p.107) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he playing and production are exemplary, crisp, and still astonishingly modern..."