Natty Dread

This is a pretty dang iconic album. It's a top-shelf cocktail of groove, blues, and blistering social commentary. Honestly, I'm at a loss for what to say about this album other than it's just damn good. It ticks all the boxes. It's iconic, in the pocket, vocals are on point, lyrics are heavy, production is excellent, and it's so thick with sheer musicality it practically oozes. Just a real fine record.

This was an album of great transition for Bob, he had split with his childhood friends and original Wailers, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Bob's influence over the band was becoming more and more pronounced and Tosh and Wailer decided that is not the direction they wished to go. The revamped band was now, for the first time, known as "Bob Marley and The Wailers" as opposed to just "The Wailers" thus solidifying Marley as the primary leader of the band. Bob truly took charge of the overall focus and direction of the group and wrote all the songs. In an interesting twist of fate and one of the best business moves in music history, he assigned the credits for many of his songs to his close family memebers and friends as a way to make sure they were taken care of financial, certain charities he believed in and supported were funded and as a way to avoid contractual obligations to his former publishing company, Cayman Music. Although this is a transition album of sorts, it sports some of his most memorable songs and one in particular that would be one of his defining moments, "No Woman, No Cry" which would gain much fame due to his incredible live performances of the record. He would introduce the "I-Threes" a female vocal group that included his wife, Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt. Their vocals addeded a wonderful compliment to Bob's on songs such as one of my personal favorites on the album, "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)". The writing on this album seems very personal and almost takes you on a journey through Bob's life in Jamaica and some of the obstacles he had to overcome. This record is also a canvas for Bob to infuse some of his Rastafarian beliefs and he does a marvelous job of this on songs such as "So Jah Seh" and the title track "Natty Dread". This album is almost like Bob saying "Here I Am, The Real Me" and he gives us a fairly detailed revelation of where his heart was and where his and the bands focus was now going to be. I believe this to be one of his most profound works and it's one of my personal favorites. It's only years after it's release and in particular after his death that I think many truly appreciated this album for it's greatness. There are many wonderful songs beyond "No Woman, No Cry" that make this a truly wonderful album and it gives it's listener a front row seat into some of the many tragic situations going on in his homeland and, indeed, many of the places dear to his heart such as the other island nations, Africa and United States. Bob Marley was a revolutionary in every since of the word and he would spend the remainder of his tragically short life fighting for the cause, "Revolution".

Yeah man.

The first time I got around to listen to this album, I couldn't give it my full attention because I was distracted. The second go around, things began to click. I've avoided Bob Marley for quite a long while, seen his documentaries but never listened to his music. He was just a poster adorning college campuses and a shining beacon for good vibes. The deep cuts here in Natty Dread showcase the Bob Marley I'd like to encounter with more often, someone who possessed a need to tell about the happenings around him and it was makes Natty Dread a pivotal piece in the reggae puzzle. Favorites: Lively Up Yourself, Them Belly Full (But We Hungry), Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock), Natty Dread, Bend Down Low, Talkin' Blues.

I seem to only listen to reggae when barbecuing in the summer. It's very much a time and place thing for me. Foggy scottish evening -2deg doesn't cut it

Is it even possible to enjoy Bob Marley while not being high? Not that I enjoy his music in any way when I am. It's just soooooo boooooring. It's boring to the point that I get really annoyed. I listened to parts of the first 6 songs but I couldn't bare any of them.

Forty years ago, I would have pretended to like this. But I've never really enjoyed most reggae. This is no exception. It includes "No Woman No Cry", but it's not the live version that everyone knows. I didn't enjoy this at all.

Today I learned that I really, really, really do not like reggae. I'm sure this was an important album and all, but man do I not enjoy this. I'd rather listen to the Kid Rock album again than this one.

What a pleasant surprise this album choice was this morning. Bob Marley is one of the goats, and this album was just the perfect soundtrack to my morning. While No Woman, No Cry is not the version that gets the most play, it is still fun to listen to the non-Live recording.

I don't really care for reggae, even if it is the great Bob Marley. It's nice to listen to on certain occasions, but I never find myself in the mood for it. It's a bit boring and repetitive for me. The songs are a bit too similar sounding. I found myself tuning it out half the time, so it's hard to focus on and appreciate. While it's not a bad record, I don't see myself returning to this anytime soon.

Bob Marley's ability to write feel-good music that is rich in cultural and political commentary make him one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century. Natty Dread is a masterwork; my enjoyment of it was dampened only by the knowledge that his 1975 live London version of "No Woman No Cry" is vastly superior.

Gotta give Bob Marley 4 stars ya heard!

Classic Reggae album if you’re in the mood for a bunch of reggae at once.

Better than the Peter Tosh album I had awhile back, but 40 minutes of reggae is still just too much for me. I'm not chill or laid back enough for this.

The vibes... THE VIBES! Marley, through the sadness in his voice, communicated and empathized with Jamaica in a way that nobody ever could.

This album is chill as fuck. I need to listen to more Bob Marley. Makes me long for warm summer nights with friends

Absolut berechtigt für die Liste der 1001 Alben

This is such an incredible listen. There isn't a single song that I skipped through in all my listens. There is a quality to Bob Marley's voice that reggae artists since have seemed incapable of emulating (and that all of the exaggerated imitations do absolutely no justice to). The album hinges on Marley's performance—the airy themes that might otherwise be a bit unbearable, the repetitions that could start the grate—but Marley never seems to fail. A truly incredible album. 9/10.

catchy, timeless, music with a distinctive vibe

OH YEAAAAAAAAA. Lively Up Yourself. No Woman No Cry, though I don't know that I have every heard it this upbeat and gospel. it almost feels rushed. dude this fucking album is so great.

Absolutely loved this. It’s so artistic and creative. It’s no wonder Bob Marley is a legend.

Muy buen disco

I had listened to a lot of Bob Marley but had somehow never heard this album. In retrospect, I don’t know how that is possible. Great album and really interesting versions of well known songs.

Fantastic. So good. And picked on his birthday.

Great album, tons of BM and the Wailers greatest hits.

Mellow and chill.

Great album, revolutionary sounds and lyrics

Buen Bob

Bob Marley's street creds characterizes his music. You imagine open air, street noises, people meeting and greeting, dogs wandering and yipping, produce stands. It's flavored with righteous R&B. He doesn't shy from good will, either. ("No Woman, No Cry," "Them Belly Full But We Hungry"). Through it all is that relentless reggae beat pulsing through.

Reggae is 100% not a genre of expertise for me but I really really enjoyed this one. Bob is just such an expressive vocalist, and his ability to convey such pressing social concerns with so little is always remarkable. This record made me tear up a bit with No Woman No Cry, even.

Chill and easy to listen. Doesn't last too long, so it doesn't drag, it takes you for a smooth ride with deep lyrics and sentiment. Good all around.

In listening to this I realized I don't think I've ever heard the 'No Woman No Cry" studio version. The live version seems to be the one we've all grown up hearing. Which is a great version. This is fine but...the drum machine just sounds out of place to me. Regardless, it's hard to find a bad song performed by Bob. And this album definitely foretold the quality of the rest of his 70s output. I hope we get some more reggae on this list.

Pretty Good. Has some bangers but a lot of the songs are tonally similar. Talkin’ Blues was a standout one I really liked

I used to be a big Bob Marley fan, but the past couple of decades I've drifted more towards Ska sounds like Toots & The Maytals, or some other notable Reggae artists. But it's definitely a classic.

Only just falls flat of a 5 for me, awesome album with awesome grooves and lyrics, 9/10

Natty Dread Looking back at Catch a Fire I feel similarly about this, although I think the grooves and overall song quality is better here; Lively Up Yourself, No Woman No Cry (although it’s not quite as good as the more well known live version), Them Belly Full, Rebel Music, Natty Dread, Talkin Blues and Revolution are all excellent, but in truth all the tracks are good and it’s a very listenable album. The rhythm section is fantastic, brilliantly in the pocket and the keys are also great, and the overall sound seems a bit better than Catch a Fire. Not sure it’s quite a 5, but it's definitely a high 4. 🐳🐳🐳🐳 Playlist submission: Lively Up Yourself

"Lively Up Yourself" what a really amazing song, I'm not a huge reggae fan but this one had a different vibe with the guitar and it worked pretty nicely, like more of a rock vibe but the mix of rock and reggae was amazing and what a damn f*ckin good sax solo. "No Woman No Cry" is a classic for sure but actually I'm not really impressed by it like I feel it's a bit overrated, it's a good song but nothing makes it special. "So Jah S'eh" was really nice, the lyrics were really great and well what a really special and viby voice Bob has, once again not a huge fan of reggae but this one hitted differently and was really enjoyable. In general, Bob's strenght comes from his lyrics which are insane for example in "Revolution" but also his voice and his singers which add something really attractive and catchy so basically as a non reggae listener I really enjoyed this album !

oh that's gonna be good Really strong start with Lively up yourself setting the tone for the rest of the album No one i this world can resist to sing along to No woman no cry it's so good Rebel music : Danakil marley instrumental gimmick!! Talkin' blues : "Your feet are too big for your shoes" quite ironic Really strong album overall, bob is a legend 4

Overall: 8/10 I'm not normally a "wake and bake" type of person but I usually listen to these albums in the morning and it would just feel wrong if I didn't burn some herb to listen to this one. I don't think this album is as good as Exodus but it's pretty close. The highlights here are definitely Bob's voice/lyrics and the guitar playing. It's just classic reggae which is awesome if you're into that sort of thing (I am). Get chill and listen to this one, folks, cause it's great. Fav Song: Natty Dread Least Fav Song: Bend Down Low

Amazing album. Exactly what I was expecting from a Bob Marley album and I enjoyed every moment of it. I’m a fan of reggae and this is what I think of when I think reggae. Bob Marley is a legend and I love his music. There’s something about the vibe of his music and that unique sound that belongs to this genre of music that just makes me happy. This is a great album to throw on when you just want to relax, sit on the beach and have a beer. Even songs that have such depth and sadness to them, find a way to soothe you on another level.

So fire, so chill, so laid-back. Bob Marley at its finest.

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Natty Dread Great reggae album coming from Bob Marley which features a lot of political depth into almost every song on here. Short and conscise album, overall this is great! 1.- Lively Up Yourself = 9/10 2.- No Woman No Cry = 9/10 3.- Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) = 8/10 4.- Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) = 10/10 5.- So Jah S'eh = 9/10 6.- Natty Dread = 7/10 7.- Bend Down Low = 7/10 8.- Talkin' Blues = 9/10 9.- Revolution = 10/10 FINAL SCORE: 8.7/10

I enjoyed listening to this album while I made banana bread french toast this morning. It was very catchy and easy to vibe with. I love Bob Marley, I recently watched the Bob Marley movie.

There are few artists so ubiquitous that they are instantly associated with an entire genre, a nation-state, and a faith movement. Bob Marley is one such figure—his image alone evokes thoughts of reggae, Jamaica, and Rastafarianism. Released in 1974, Natty Dread is particularly significant as it is the first album credited solely to Bob Marley & The Wailers, following the departure of Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. This album also features some of Marley's best-known early hits, marking a key moment in his solo ascension. Like many of his 1970s contemporaries—Queen, The Eagles, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder, to name a few—Marley is often regarded as a “greatest hits” artist. Indeed, Rolling Stone Magazine even included the Legend compilation on its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Given that Marley released 13 albums between 1970 and 1980, it’s understandable that some might reduce his legacy to his hits. However, albums like Natty Dread reveal how much more there is to explore within Marley’s body of work. The album kicks off with "Lively Up Yourself," a prime example of reggae’s inherently uplifting vibe. The song's groovy rhythm and positive message encourage self-confidence, positivity, and unity, inviting listeners to relax and feel joyful. Tracks like "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)" and "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)" serve as powerful social commentaries, addressing pressing issues of inequality, oppression, and political resistance. Marley’s ability to weave these themes into accessible, rhythmic music helped raise awareness of struggles beyond Jamaica, resonating deeply with marginalized communities around the globe. The title track, "Natty Dread," celebrates Marley’s Rastafarian faith, introducing spiritual and cultural elements that would become central to his work. Most notably, the album features "No Woman, No Cry," which, while its live version from Live! would gain mass popularity, offers a quieter, more intimate glimpse into the song’s origins in its studio form. Reggae as a genre sometimes faces criticism for its slower tempo, offbeat rhythm, and repetitive chord progressions, which some may find simplistic. Additionally, the association with marijuana culture has led to unfair stereotyping. Marley himself is often reduced to a commodified image, destined to adorn t-shirts and posters worldwide, rather than being appreciated as a true artist—a disservice to his immersive legacy. Marley’s voice stands as one of his greatest assets. His passionate, emotive delivery on Natty Dread enhances the album's messages, whether he’s singing about personal struggles in "No Woman, No Cry" or issuing a call to action in "Rebel Music." His charisma and sincerity make the music feel deeply personal and resonate powerfully with listeners. The addition of the I-Threes, with their rich vocal harmonies, adds a new dimension to the sound, making it more dynamic and textured. Notably, the drum and percussion work throughout the album is utterly joyous, enriching the compositions with vibrant texture. Ultimately, with such a vast discography, it’s challenging to pinpoint a single definitive Bob Marley album. However, Natty Dread is indicative of Marley’s artistic vision coming into full focus, as he steps into the forefront without Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. This album marks a pivotal moment where Marley’s own voice and message begin to take center stage—a trajectory he would continue to develop until his untimely death. Did I own this release? No, I likely owned Legend. Does this release belong on my list? Yes. Would this release make my personal list? From start to finish, this was a compelling listen. As I prefer to have one album per artist on my list, I would like to listen to a few more deep cuts before making a final selection. Will I be listening to it again? There is always a right time and place for reggae.

Despite being overexposed to Bob Marley’s music by way of the trust fund hippies I’ve known over the years, I can’t deny that this record, along most of his catalog, is great.

Threw this album on, listened to the first two tracks then the rest just kind of blurred into the background. I guess that's the problem with reggae, even a really great album just sounds meh. A very generous 3 stars here

I'm not mad at it, but I also still don't really get the Bob Marley hype. I probably wouldn't ever seek this out and put it on, but if it's already playing I'd be OK with listening to it Standouts No Woman No Cry 3/5

I like a bit of Bob Marley but this is far from his best album. Perfectly ok but not outstanding.

reggae né achei legal até, tem uma pegada pro blues em alguns momentos. letras bem políticas, btw. não é minha pira não, mas é divertidim

Reggae is a genre I've never been totally hot on, but this is very listenable. Was already very familiar with 'No Woman, No Cry', but it doesn't overshadow the rest of the album which surprised me. Probably helps that its sandwiched by two good songs in 'Lively Up Yourself' and 'Them Belly Full' which helps set the tone for the record.

Good

Great Marley album and I heard pretty much what I expected. Not a massive fan of Reggae but always love listening to Bob. Nothing earth-shattering here to be totally honest. Just a good honest representation of early Bob Marley. And always great to chill to.

Definitely the best of the BM albums I have heard on this list. Still just not really my jam.

I think I was more familiar with the live recordings of some of these songs: "No Woman No Cry" sounds very clean and less impassioned in this studio cut. It's a general theme here that these tracks seem very clean and tidy which is to say that they lack some of the emotion that I usually associate with Mr. Marley. I admire his careful and delicate control of his voice and while I'm firmly out of my reggae phase, this album was a nice way to revisit the roots of that time in my life.

I am a proponent of using Bob Marley's music and methods as a coping mechanism for when the world goes sideways, or for when it doesn't. Thanks, Bob, for reminding me today that all will be well.

Smoke-ah da weed and everyting gone be ahhright child Little Jacob mission music from gta 4 is a nice change from 2 weeks of rock, but we can do better. #bravetweet but all reggae sounds the same, ESPECIALLY the drums.

It's nice for listening one or two songs, but the whole album wound up being tiring

Optimistic. Thank you for the kind words, Bob.

I used to love ska and reggae. Bob Marley is obviously a master. That said, it’s a repetitive genre that is hard for me to get into for very long anymore. The revolutionary subjects of the lyrics make his albums more worth it than most, and I wasn’t repulsed two tracks in like I have been with a couple of previous albums on this list, but reggae is not my go to anymore. 3/5

There are people who love reggae and people who cannot care. I'm in the latter camp. It's so inoffensive you can't bother to hate it, but that's also why it's so boring. It does not get the toe tappin' nor head bangin'. This is background pool music during a hot, summer day which is the only time I ever hear Bob Marley in the wild.

not really a bob fan, but there’s nothing offensive about this record sort of drags on after a while. very mid tempo i did enjoy the more ska focused tracks, though there weren’t many. 5/10

Not my style again, but I respect the sound and feels from Bob

Even if you don't know anything about Jamaican music, chances are you know Bob Marley. He's far and away the most popular Jamaican musician of all time. You can kind of understand why listening to Natty Dread. The musicians lock into these gentle grooves like they've been playing together forever. Marley has a knack for writing simple lyrics that evoke an idea while not actually saying a whole lot. The musical textures are as slick as whale shit. Put together, these attributes make Natty Dread accessible as hell. But for me, it comes across as protest music for the Benneton crowd. I'm sure Bob Marley & The Wailers were perfectly sincere about their music and weren't intentionally pandering to the lowest common denominator, but it sure comes across that way. Thankfully, compared to previous albums, Natty Dread is more focused, with shorter song running times, the arrangements are more varied, and the first two tunes, Lively Up Yourself and No Woman No Cry actually have decent melodic and rhythmic hooks. Still, even putting my personal distaste for this kind of mainstream reggae aside, over the course of even a relatively short 42 minutes, my eyes rolled up into my head with boredom.

Mein Reggae Gaumen ist schwachbrüstig, wenn es um Unterscheidung von gutem oder mittelmäßigem Reggae geht. Er schlägt selten aus und so würde ich allzu häufig von der Mittelmäßigkeit des Genres schlechthin überzeugt sein, aber darf ich das überhaupt, wenn das Sensorium so unbedarft urteilt? Vielleicht will Reggae ja auch gar nichts anderes sein? Nur kann ich auch zwischen dem Fehlen vermeintlicher Ambitionen und dem Fehlen von Qualität nicht unterscheiden. Hier jedenfalls fehlt mir beides. Doppelfehle(r)nde 1.6

This one was cool, not enough to get me into Bob.

Trash, I hate jamaican songs, they all sound the same and sing about the same shit

Even better than Legend

A GOAT. Every bit of music from Bob Marley & The Wailers brings peace and love and happiness to me.

Never really listened to Bob Marley…. Rather chill.

Been thinking for a while that I should explore Marley beyond the hits. Now I know it will be worth it.

Phenomenal album. Reggae is one of the few genres for me at least, where repetition actually enhances the listening, you get into the groove with the subtle differences folding in. There's so much political statement on here to appreciate, Them Belly Full feels especially poignant now. I'd never heard this version of No Woman No Cry and I actually like it more, it's a lot more raw. Also loved Bend Down Low and Talkin Blues especially, the brass throughout the whole thing is divine. Maybe Marley's finest and definitely five star worthy

Awesome record. I love that a song like No Woman, No Cry and Am-A-Do can live on the same album in perfect harmony. I had listened to all of these songs previously but never listened to this album and it seems like the recordings are different and I like them a lot. 5 outta 5

If non-music nerds think 'reggae' they think Bob Marley. That's a pretty cool accomplishment I reckon.

Magic

Great album love me some Bob Marley so I’m a little Biased

Es wird wohl nie mehr einen Bob Marley geben. Einfach einmalig.

Excellent!

Is this Marley’s best work? Sure seems that way.

9/10

I was less than a year old when Natty Dread came out. That means Natty Dread is old as hell. Thank heavens that good music is timeless.

Love It

Tight as anything, I love it, love it.

great

genius,happy vibes

Ssooo goooeed op de diets

Somehow I missed listening through this whole album until now, and it's probably about as perfect of a record as you can get. First off, it sounds incredible - all of the instruments are clear, the mix is great, really a pleasure to listen to. It also grooves like no other, everyone is just completely sunk into the pocket with no wasted notes. Everything is well crafted without losing a sense of spontaneity and groove that makes the music feel good. Thematically, it's obvious Bob was on a mission, and the songs communicate his urgent message. Reggae, particularly its modern practitioners, can be pretty watered down, redundant, and boring, but Natty Dread shows how vital it can be.

Pure gold. I've listened to a lot of Bob Marley in my time and yet I feel like I haven't listened to Bob Marley nearly enough. Most artists are, obviously, known by their greatest hits, and it seems he is a rather extreme example (I saw his greatest hits album has sold 18 million copies in the US but none of his regular releases have gone platinum) so really good to hear the deep cuts.

Did Marley write any bad songs?!

Album so good I didn’t even realize it was over and Spotify was playing random Bob Marley music.

I had never listened to an actual album by Bob Marley, just compilations of his singles so didn’t know what to expect. What i found was a delight, far from relying on the presence of No woman, no cry this album just works as a whole piece to the point nenc doesn’t stand out, which is some achievement.

This is a weird review, as I have virtually nothing to say about it other than the fact I really, really enjoyed it. And just to add to the weirdness of the review, I'm going to call out the female backing vocalists for really adding to the greatness everywhere else. Loved it. That is all. 5/5

NO WOMAN NO CRY

While I prefer Exodus, reggae is always so nice to listen to!

Yes

Natty Dread balances sorrow and celebration, survival and song. We honor “No Woman, No Cry,” but we can’t overlook the defiant power of “Rebel Music

Classic, calm, relax, good music, Perfect vibe, so much to learn with the songs

Love Bob Marley and this is one of his best. 4.5/5 #179

After two Radiohead albums in a row, this was a refreshing tonic. I was genuinely surprised at just how much I enjoyed Natty Dread. I have always liked Bob Marley but my main exposure to him was via that copy of Legend that works it's way into every record collection via a disreputable uncle. To me, it's an album of contrasts. The laidback reggae grooves with the counterpoint of the subject matter. The lyrics are urgent, socially conscious and combative. Songs like "Them Belly Full", "Rebel Music" and "Revolution" made me want go back and immediately listen to them a second time, which tells me that they struck a chord. There is a spiritual quality to the record. It was nice to hear the studio version of "No Woman, No Cry" for once. After years of hearing nothing but the live version, this slightly more up tempo rendition gave me a fresh perspective on a song that I thought I new inside out. There's some superb musicianship on display too. Not just in those characteristic riffs, but the atmospheric lead guitars and harmonicas (particularly Rebel Music for the latter). Never too much, always just want the song needs. I don't think I can give this any less that 5 stars. More of this and less mopey british alt-rock please.

Such a complete album. So many great songs beyond “No Woman No Cry.” It’s easy to zone out and just enjoy but listening to the lyrics, they’re deep and talk of inequality, oppression, happiness in light of poverty, loving one another as children of Jah, love, importance of embracing your culture, etc. This wasn’t on my radar before but it’s such an incredible album.

Classic