Mind Control - Stephen Marley

Soulful, modern reggae album from Bob's kid.

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Common Sense rates it
4
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Music details
  • Artist(s): Stephen Marley
  • Genre: Reggae
  • Label: Tuff Gong/Universal Republic
  • Parental Advisory: No
  • Edited Version: No
  • Release Date: 03/20/2007

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that Stephen Marley is one Bob Marley's 13 children -- and arguably the most broadly talented musically. For most of his more than two decades in the music business, Stephen Marley has been the man behind the scenes, writing and producing for several of his brothers as well as big-name artists like Erykah Badu. This is Marley's first official move into the spotlight, and he does his family name proud. Not surprisingly, there are several references to pot, but besides that, the subject matter stays pretty tame.

Families can talk about the Marley family -- one of the most influential families in the history of music -- from Bob to Ziggy to Stephen and Damian. How do you think it would be to follow in the footsteps of your parent? Is there more pressure when a child decides to pursue the passion of a parent? How can parents resist pushing their own interests and pursuits onto their kids?

Message

Social Behavior:

Anti-establishment, but not in a forceful way ("It's mind control, mind control/Corruption of your thoughts, yeah, destruction of your soul").

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

As this is a Marley album, pot references pop up ("First thing him want to know is where that smell coming from/Are you smoking marijuana? And I said, yes I am" and "Eh, I didn't get no sleep at all first night, no/My shoulders were as heavy as lead/I felt Something was just not right/Had to Roll a little zig for my head").

Violence

Sex

Language

One "f--k" on entire album.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Jim Welte

The daunting shadow of Stephen Marley's father might partially explain the fact that, although he's got loads of talent, this reggae artist is just now releasing his first solo album, MIND CONTROL, after more than two decades in the music business. Stephen Marley was a member of older brother Ziggy's Melody Makers band in the '80s, and has spent most of his career writing and producing for his brothers and a host of others. He's collaborated with the likes of The Roots, Erykah Badu, and the Fugees, and he produced the acclaimed 1999 Bob Marley tribute/mashup album, Chant Down Babylon. The songs lean toward the soulful side of reggae, but more than any of his brothers, Stephen recalls his father's voice and singing style.

Is it any good?

4
Mind Control is a soulful, modern reggae album on which the songs generally fall into three categories. On tracks like "Mind Control" and "Chase Dem," we get bouncy protest music in the vein of Marley's father -- anti-establishment, but not in an overtly antagonistic way. Songs like "Iron Bars" (featuring Julian Marley, Mr. Cheeks, and Spragga Benz) and "The Traffic Jam" (featuring a lively beatbox and some fantastic vocal work from Damian) take on the police and drug laws. Marley also spends plenty of time talking about love and life, as in "Hey Baby" (featuring Mos Def). With a solid debut album years in the making, Stephen Marley has done his father proud.

Other choices

Bob, Damian, and Ziggy Marley
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

3


Posted on 09/11/07 by jezzel Kid contributor, age 17

love bob marley!

so this music is refreshing.
0


Posted on 07/27/07 by ladybigs Kid contributor, age 13
0


Posted on 04/14/07 by gsayi2 Kid contributor, age 12

steve marley...............................................................

i heard a rummer ..........dd............that steve marley's son has a weird name............................IT'S BARNABUS!

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

3


Posted on 09/11/07 by jezzel Kid contributor, age 17

love bob marley!

so this music is refreshing.
0


Posted on 07/27/07 by ladybigs Kid contributor, age 13
0


Posted on 04/14/07 by gsayi2 Kid contributor, age 12

steve marley...............................................................

i heard a rummer ..........dd............that steve marley's son has a weird name............................IT'S BARNABUS!

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