Fallen Is Babylon

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Fallen Is Babylon

Studio album by Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers
Released	1997
Genre	Reggae
Label	Elektra Records
Professional reviews
Rolling Stone link

[edit] Fallen Is Babylon

Fallen Is Babylon captures the sounds, textures and colors of Jamaica in voices resonant with heritage and a vision that is distinctly Melody Makers. As always, the Melody Makers infuse their music's powerful populist message with an unfailingly optimistic outlook. "The new millennium is coming," Ziggy explains with a reverence and an anticipation appropriate for such a momentous occasion. "Fallen Is Babylon is our message for the new millennium. It's very timely. For people who have spiritual knowledge, we feel it's a wise album."

The group's keen political awareness is evident right away. Full of biblical imagery, the title track is a cautionary tale about the suffering caused by straying from the spiritual path to a path of oppression and conquest. "Everyone Wants To Be," featuring a rap by The Fugees' Wyclef, is a biting commentary on violence in America, built on a loop of familiar western movie theme music. "In the U.S., so many people have this attitude of wanting to be 'bad'. Everyone plays this gangsta character," Ziggy says. "The kids think that if you don't act tough, you're nothing. No one wants to be spiritual, which is the only way to become truly strong. So we did this song for all the youth." And "Diamond City" is about the plight of poverty-stricken Sierra Leone and Zaire. (Extracted from Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers Official website.)