Natty Dread

You know, I'm kind of surprised it took this while to get a reggae album. I got a ska album pretty early on, but that's not really the same thing, nor is it what I think of when reggae comes to my mind. If there's one artist that I think of when I hear the word "reggae," it would have to be Bob Marley. Because who else would I possibly think of? He was basically "The Reggae Guy" and for good reason. This album's pretty good. It makes me feel nice. The sound is pleasant to listen to while still having some depth to it. The singing feels very authentic and true to his culture. The lyrics are thoughtful and adds to this album's feel-good nature. Obviously, "No Woman, No Cry" is the best song on this album, though the other ones aren't bad. Overall, this is a solid album that serves as a good representation of a genre that I respect, but don't really feel all too passionate about myself. High 3/5.

I like Bob Marley’s vibe. It’s relaxing and chill. It makes me wish I were hanging out at a park or the beach on a summer day. No Woman, No Cry is a song I’ve heard a thousand times. I don’t particularly like the sped up pace here. I’m used to a slower tempo and the song feels rushed. Even though The Wailers had moved on, this album keeps the good vibes going.

Some great stuff on this. As a unit it's not the most dynamic album. I liked this more than the other Bob Marley I've listened to on this journey, but not that much more. Couldn't get all the way to 4 stars, but I did consider it.

I’ve never really been a fan of reggae. It’s not my thing. It all sounds very same-y to me. I kind of like the more slower dub stuff or faster ska stuff, but even then I’m not massively into it. And I wasn’t completely swayed by this album. There were a few songs I liked and some I was bored by. So overall, it’s just not my cup of tea but I can see how I could like it under the right circumstances!

Did not realise this one was without Peter Tosh…. A great album!

Fun

Perfect for this spring sunday morning

It captures all of the elements of Bob Marley: Spirituality, Justice, Sex, and a devotion to those around us. It just feels good.

Always magical. Always lovely. This time a little slow.

Good music but kinda boring. 3

Nice little album although I found it tailing off in the second half. Never really made time to listen to a lot of Bob properly but enjoyed this and happy to have found it.

I think I liked this better than the other Bob Marley album we recently listened to. In each song, it was nice how it sat on the same idea for a while, but then by minute 2, I was ready for some other new ideas.

3.5. it might have been a 4 if it hadn't auto replayed itself leading to me wondering just how mamy times they could do callbacks to other songs

voða notalegt en einhæft eins og reggí yfirleitt er. 3,5

3+

What you expect but with depth.

Good album

really enjoyed! i apologize bob i was unfamiliar with your game fav tracks Lively Up Yourself Revel Music Revolution

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Given more time I feel like I'd get into Bob Marley more, but need to move on.

Good album, enjoyed it

Tem algumas músicas boas mas eu não acho que ele se sustenta inteiro não, acaba ficando mediano

+vibe

it’s aight

Not the best but ok.

Most known Marley's song in here, but I think he has better ones.

Before listening: I went through a Bob Marley phase a few months ago. Problem is, that phase only consisted of me listening to Buffalo Soldier and Three Little Birds on repeat. I don't know many of his other songs and reggae for me is a right place right time kinda thing. And today may not be the right time. After listening: Nothing blew me away about this album. It was perfectly fine and consistent but, to me, it just had nothing special. I guess I enjoyed it, but I'll probably forget everything about it in couple of hours.

escuchable

I don’t really like reggae, but I definitely like Bob Marley. I’m sure there are tons of people that share that view. Says a lot about the dude to be that synonymous with the genre. Felt like this album had some “lesser” versions of songs (No Woman No Cry, Rebel Music) that I’ve heard. Was between a 3 and 4 and rounding down on that alone, but I’ll never be upset with someone who grabs the AUX and throws on some Bob.

Good.

Not as good as Exodus but still a worthwhile listen

Ok, so this is good. But it all sounds the same.

I’ve always loved “Rebel Music” and “No Woman, No Cry”

Not my favorite genre, but it is impressive how effortlessly it can evoke a certain mood and sense of place.

Some nice beach vibes. Would be good in the summer.

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I loved bass and guitar work in most of the songs and the brass instruments peppered throughout. I don’t think I’ll return to the full album much going forward but Lively Yourself Up is definitely going into my rotation.

Not my favorite Bob Marley album, it’s missing some grit.

I thought "No woman, no cry" meant not to cry if you didn't have a woman but for the first time in my life I realized it's about telling a woman not to cry. I never actually listened to the lyrics until this. The wiki page for the song let's me know other people think the same thing, but I kind of like it better this way. This album as a whole isn't my favorite. Maybe it's too polished sounding? Too electronic or something? Not sure. The instrumentation isn't my cup of tea either. I kind of hate the harmonica. Not sure why. I actually fell asleep to some of this because it is pretty repetitive and not very upbeat but that kind of goes to show this is some chill music. It just didn't wow me across the board. Bob's great and I would love to learn more about his story, but most of this I wouldn't revisit.

Schon gut aber nicht mein Sound

Wanted to give this album a 4 purely based on No Woman No Cry alone but then you hear a song like Natty Dread and realize some of these songs are a bit phoned in. I know the simplistic nature is intentional but still. Solid album though. 6.5/10 (3.25/5)

funky i think reggae is a bit overrated

not too bad, i expected all songs to sound the same but they were all quite different and interesting Significant 47/142 Liked 22/142 Added 6/142 YYN

The backup singers and interjections of brass and funky sounding keys make this album for me. Overall, I’m probably too uptight to enjoy more than a little of his music in one sitting, but I appreciate his political messages and that he brought reggae to the US. I definitely enjoy its influence in popular music. 3.5

Another Bob Marley album this quickly after the last one? Also fewer songs I recognize than I expected. Still pretty chill to listen to while working.

Ok. Album

Legendary record, but man is it boring. I get the reggae groove and all, but the structure of every song is identical, with very little elements to distinguish them from one another.

Gut, aber etwas lahm. Die anderen Alben sind besser.

them belly full (but we hungry)

Reggae just really isn’t my jam, I can appreciate this for what it is and how important Bob Marley is, but it’s not something I’ll throw on with any regularity.

I like Bob Marley and I understand the importance of his music but that being said all reggae does is make me want to sit on a beach. The songs tend to blend together to me.

could i write poetry to this? n

Good fun! Raggae is a side course rather than a main dish, but this is a delicious one.

Reggae is not my favorite. The album is fine to listen to but it would not be first choice

Very different. Nice clear vocals and background harmonies.veeybppeasant. it just seems warm relaxing Sunday afternoon music when relaxing. 3 stars because I have not yet had those afternoons, but I'd like to

A lot of the songs sounded similar, not something I would regularly listen but enjoyed.

"Natty Dread" by Bob Marley & The Wailers, released in 1974, marks a transition in the band's sound, moving away from their earlier ska and rocksteady roots towards a more polished reggae sound. The album features some of Marley's most iconic tracks, including "No Woman, No Cry," "Lively Up Yourself," and "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)," which showcase his powerful songwriting and distinctive vocal delivery. The addition of the I-Threes as backing vocalists adds depth to the sound, creating a richer, more textured listening experience. While "Natty Dread" is a strong album with several standout tracks, it lacks the cohesive vision and groundbreaking quality of some of Marley's later work. The production can also feel somewhat dated at times, particularly compared to later reggae releases. Overall, "Natty Dread" is a solid reggae album that captures Bob Marley & The Wailers at a pivotal moment in their career. It earns a respectable 3/5 rating for its musicality and cultural significance, but falls short of being a true masterpiece.

Good reggae album

Good reggae album

I dont know much of reggae to begin with but its always a great mood setter. It hits me like bluegrass does, strangely, always levels me out. Its good, and Bob Marley is the best example of it probably, but I'd need to hear more because I'm sure it gets better over time.

There are better reggae albums and there are better Bob Marley albums. This album is fine

It was pretty enjoyable. Reggae is not really my genre but It wasn't bad or something like that, so I will rate this experience as "positive".

Liked the album, No woman no cry my favorite. Was a good addition to my day, because I didn't feel the best in the morning.

You know, it's fine. I'm not a big Marley person. It all just sounds samey.

I like Bob Marley (of course, who doesn't?) but I have to be honest, this washed over me with hardly a ripple

No. Woman. No. Cry. I don’t know if I ever got white people’s obsession with Bob Marley. I guess it’s because his brand of reggae is inoffensive and accessible? Anyways it was fine. I don’t go out of my way to listen to him, but I didn’t hate this.

It’s not summer, it’s so cold that it’s stopped snowing. I don’t have a drink in my hand nor a fat spliff, I’m in my car, driving om a slippery highway (as I’m listening, not while writing). This is not a scenario in which it is even remotely possible to fully enjoy this album, and I really don’t get what the fuss is all about. Except for No Woman No Cry, not a single song stands out in any way, it’s all in the same rhytm and tempo, no catchy vocal lines, no excelling playing. That being said, there is not a bad song on here, so it gets 3 stars

3.5 stars. I've never been a fan of reggae, and I was worried that I wasn't going to like this album. I did enjoy it, but I found it too easy to zone out and enjoy the tunes rather than listen to what Bob Marly was singing about. I know he's really influential for his activism and speaking out against the struggle of Jamaicans, however it was often difficult to hear that in the songs without reading along with the lyrics. There are many points where these criticisms aren't over the top, so a close reading of the songs' messages is more difficult. It all sounded great, but I feel like I couldn't truly appreciate what the music was delivering.

I don't get the reverence for Bob Marley, but the music here is nice enough to chill out to.

I have always thought of Marley as sort of an island Eric Clapton; boring as hell but somehow extremely well respected. The comparison is not quite accurate, some of this actually is pretty good. I find that the fun that makes reggae music so good, is somewhat lacking, though. 3.2

It's fine, I just don't like reggae

It somehow reminds me of sesame Street.

A fairly good album. Easy to listen to but nothing really stands out to me.

This is the mellow mix I remember. It's easy to get lost in the vibe and the tone of the album.

Wel goeie muziek, maar niet echt mijn smaak

There's nothing wrong with this. It's perfectly fine. It's not objectionable in any way. I just don't seem to like reggae very much. Some half-decent grooves in places and if the odd track or two came up in a random playlist it'd be absolutely fine. But I'm not going to listen to the whole album again. So it's a 3.

Jesus another Bob Marley album. Again, it’s fine but all I need from this artist is Legend. Tempted to skip. Finished it - I thought Am-A-Do was interesting.

Classic Bob Marley!

A classic, good vibes to chillax to. But I just don't find it very exciting. I guess I don't like the repetitive sameness of the genre.

Yep, no woman no cry would definitely have made a big impact, although the version in this one is considerably faster than the one that ended up sticking around. I think that other (slower) one is a live version? Other than that, 4 songs in and all sounds pretty classic Marley. Yep, overall about what I expected going in. Nothing shocking, but reggae has never been my thing unless I'm specifically in the mood for it. 3/5

Not my usual type of music. Pleasant enough and wouldn’t object to this being

As much as I respect the great Bob Marley and the Wailers, I am not a big fan of reggae music. I do like to listen to it on occasion, but not regularly. So this album was ok and nothing too special except for "No Woman No Cry" (which is one of my favorites!). I would highly recommend this album to reggae fans, and for everyone else to listen to it at least once! Favorite Song(s): "No Woman No Cry", "So Jah S'eh"

Pretty nice to listen to, but nothing particularly stood out

Favorite Tracks: No Woman No Cry Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) Rebel Music (3 O’clock Roadblock)

I liked it. I found it as a nice introduction to the sound of Marley for someone who hasn't heard his music before. I was happily stunned when Marley scream-singing at the start of the album. No Woman No Cry was okay, I prefer the live version but again, it is a nice intro to Marley's sound. The thing about reggae music is that it all kinda sounds the same to me. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the musicianship and love that went into this album. While listening, I couldn't help but think about how proud and loved Marley was by brothers and sisters from Jamaicans. I've never been to Jamaica but I can definitely sense the essence of what it means to be a Jamaican.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ fun groove- can honestly say I haven’t heard any of the songs - but I can understand why Bob Marley is an acclaimed musician. I would listen again.

I like it, a good groove. I like that Rebel Music had the space to breathe and develop. Revolution and Am-A-Do were my other favorites

This album reminds me of my senior year of high school and one particular friend. I initially dismissed it as old stoner music but found myself tapping my foot and enjoying it a lot more than I expected

Slow vibes in the beginning Lively Up Yourself - good album opener No woman no cry - i prefer the live version but that might just be familiarity; the organ in this feels less ‘full’ and churchy, and it doesnt fill out the backing of the song as well imo Them belly full - this is good vibin music Rebel music - also good vibin but very similar to them belly full, and i prefer that. Works as an album listen though, they flow into each other. Bit long for my tastes for a slow song So jah s’eh - very cool rhythm and backing vocals Natty dread - same as above Bend down low - the beginning sounds like practice scales or pachelbel’s canon; kind of cool 50’s doo wop backing vocals, but the underlying rhythm sounds like video game idle music Talkin Blues - cool sound but this album is very samey Revolution - same as above Am-a-do - i like the riff, but yeah still very samey I like a lot of these songs in a vacuum, but listening to them back to back really emphasises how similar they all are. Not enough variety for my tastes - at least one song with a more upbeat tempo would’ve been a nice change of pace. The meandering style isn’t really for me. Not bad though, I hadn’t really listened to any Marley so this was a nice primer

Giving this an honest chance despire my kneejerk disdain for reggae but still not my jam

Ganz gut, erstaunlich abwechslungsreich für ein Reggae-Album

It’s spiritual and thoughtful. It it’s also repetitive. Good instrumentation.

I feel Exodus was better. This was okay.

very calming great listening experience, drive during the best sunset in the mountains to finish the album. just a bit repetative for me

A lot of 'almost'. About what you would expect. *** Them Belly Full

Just kinda boring, if I'm being honest. The songs blended together. I guess I just don't like reggae that much

Listening to Natty Dread, I came to the realisation that I had never listened to a studio album by Bob Marley& The Wailers, only the versions found on compilations. I found it far more enjoyable than I expected.

This is an enjoyable album but didn't blow me away quite like Exodus.

No Woman No Cry // So Jah S’eh // 3.5/5

Reggae wie es soll. Solide Aufnahme.

Bon album. Chill vibes avec le classique No woman no cry. Pas aussi hot qu'Exodus a mon avis.

Reggae.

Man, Bob Marley just does not do it for me..generous 3

Not my favourite Bob Marley & The Wailers album but a very solid one. 'No Woman, No Cry' is great as always!

Оно всё какое-то одинаковое, если честно)

Good reggae album, nothing too spectacular

Maybe I'm uncultured. This felt like drinking room temperature water. It wasn't bad, not objectionable but not compelling either. Completely neutral. Bonus stars for the cultural impact Marley had though.

Not that I'm some Bob Marley aficionado or anything, but I'm surprised this was the Bob Marley album chosen for this list (it's the only one on the list, right?). He's an artist with so many iconic, ubiquitous songs. The only one in that category here is "No Woman, No Cry," and it's not even the definitive version! The studio version featured here just doesn't hit the way the live version does. And okay, I did recognise "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)," but that's not quite in the same category as songs like (to name only a few) "One Love," "Three Little Birds" and the live version of "No Woman, No Cry." I wouldn't say this has particularly impressive deep cuts, either. All the songs felt really long and just weren't as well written as his classics. Also, I think half of the track list is covers? Favourite track: Lively Up Yourself

Bob Marley reveals by opposite example just how boring most reggae music is. However! I only half-listened. I’m sure it’s fine.

Bangers, maar luister niet veel reggae

This was kinda nice. I’m not super into reggae but some nice tracks here

Listen to one BM song and you’ve listened to them all. Catchy, fun, but very repetitive

Bob Marley is one of those undeniable musicians. I still don't love reggae and yet, this is very listenable! No Woman No Cry is great! Am-A-Do is grating. Marley makes it all listenable.

This is not my cup of tea. I find the lyrics a bit misogynistic. Guess I just don’t have the cultural experience to relate. I don’t know. Reggae is fine just not for me. Though it’s clearly influenced other artists that I do like.

It's not really a bad album but a little reggae goes a long ways.

Very new to raggae but i liked this album. The band rocks

Nothing offensive about this musically but I guess it’s just not really my taste. Nothing really excited me or stood out

listened 2x, 3.4/5

Not the best of Marley, but still Marley, and it is always worth some listening time.

Good album, but I have nothing of particular note to say about it. I’m not a big reggae fan but it’s not a genre I dislike, all the songs are nice an chill with a good groove so they’re enjoyable. Just a very steady album with nothing I disliked, but nothing that stood out. 3/5

Love Bob - wish everyone had an ounce of the love that he had for everyone. But the studio sessions just don't have the raw energy that I feel in the live recordings. Or maybe it's because Peter Tosh wasn't in the studio for this album.

Love me some reggae. And who is better than Bob and the Wailers? Nice way to spend an afternoon after a stressful morning. The album was enjoyable, although the first half was better than the second half.

I like: No Woman No Cry Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)

It is pretty good, but can feel pretty one note after a while. It makes sense that this is a standout for reggae, but its too slow for me personally.

Just not my favorite and it never really has been. I don't know why. Fun to hear some new songs from him that I've never heard before though

It is good, I don't know if I would seek it out, but I would happy to see it show up in a playlist. Will I listen to again: 10%

Liebe Bob Marley, aber finde nicht alle Lieder auf dem Album sind so stark wie No Woman No Cry

Never heard it straight through…funny how the original version of NWNC is just underwhelming compared to the live version. First track was a standout

Reggae reggae sauce.

actually enjoyed listening to this, not an everyday listen but it's nice!

Good album. Noe the strongest songs by them but some good ones.

chill but a bit boring tbh, probably wont get into my playlists

Enjoying the vibes. Not an all the time album - but certainly when you want to relax.

Not bad. Not a fan of the high notes he hits where his voice breaks a little.

Iconic album, of course. I'm not a hater, just ambivalent about reggae in general.

Most of R Bob's stuff is timeless, catchy, emotion packed. This album left a lot to be desired on that front, but really captured a moment in time. If there's a film set in 1974 Kingston, I just know they're using a song off this album to soundtrack it. 6.8/10

Summary: A good album. I would rate this higher if I valued lyrics above sound. The album starts off spectacularly with the first two tracks, but tapers off significantly due to the tracks' sonic repetitiveness. The chords aren't adventurous, but the instruments sometimes are (especially percussion). Great vocals (lead and backing) throughout. The main issue is that most tracks present a specific, non-novel sound and then refuse to deviate from that sound for 4 minutes. Lively Up Yourself: A chill reggae bop. Instrumentation is on point here. The bass is very prominent and grooves along with the light, varied percussion. Singing is emotive, confident, and (for lack of a better word) really satisfying. Vocal melodies are used tastefully and sparingly. No Woman No Cry: The percussion is again really strong (but repetitive) and unusually modern-sounding. The modified verse/bridge at 2:10 is fantastic, as is the choruses (and the verses, for that matter). The organ and subtle, occasional keyboard are great additions too. This was the only track I'd heard before. Them Belly Full (But We Hungry): A half-swing; wicked! Pretty backing vocals. There must be more than one bass guitar here, and they create a complex, rhythmic backing. The lyrics ("a hungry man is a angry man"? (sic)) are a bit weak. Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock): Something about the instrumentation here just doesn't do it for me. It feels a little unmixed and thrown together randomly. Cool mesh of harmonica and organ, but it only sometimes works. This is also the first track where the vocal rhythm and melody were quite weak. Cool high notes by Marley at around 1:50. The phrase "rebel music" being sung as one of the main hooks is a weird choice - much like if Mercury sang the words "Bohemian Rhapsody" after every verse of the beloved 1975 song. So Jar S'eh: Bringing back the unusual percussion, and it's great. Nice back-and-forth between lead and backing vocal. The horn arrangement is smooth too. At this point I'm fairly sure this is a political commentary album (not paying much attention to lyrics). Natty Dread: The bass and especially the horns are the stars of this song. Nothing else shines much compared to some previous tracks. Too much repetition of the song title. Bend Down Low: It's cool, but... only two chords. Every bar sounds the same. Talkin' Blues: Ooh. The backing vocals are incredible here. Singing "talking blues" is an awkward lyrical choice, as explained previously. Lots of passion and personality in Marley's voice. Revolution: Nifty chords in the intro! (We haven't had many nifty chords in this album.) Again, great backing vocals - strange shouted whisper at 2:20. Otherwise, not a super engaging song. Am-A-Do: Not a fan of the echo effect on the lead vocal. This was a weak track; my ear couldn't latch onto anything I liked. Strange choice to end an album, especially with a fadeout rather than a definitive conclusion.

Pretty decent album. Live versions of the songs are better.

Hyvä albumi, vaikkei rasta bobi ence aleksibobille vertoja vedä.. Respecting the finnish roster.. Thanks Marley..

Classic reggae. What can I say? I dig.

songs string nicely together, roadblock was a favourite

Legalize it

3.5

I wish I knew better what should be considered "good" for reggae, because as it stands, I just like any reggae you put in front of me, and my enjoyment is proportional to how well I know the songs.

Not a bigBob Marley fan, but I did quite enjoy this album

It was okay. All the songs sound the same

Somewhat nostalgic, has one of the most well known bob marley songs on it. Enjoyable listening but kind of a background feel with the tempo of the music. Probably the reason I like it alot more than Air’s album is vocals. Easily the songs I liked most from air were the ones with vocals

So jah s'eh Am a do

niet alle tracks even leuk, verbaas me over hoe clean en duidelijk er gemixt is. er is veel detail te horen. lyrics eigenlijk geen idee waar het over gaat

listenable and fine

Coozy reggae from the Great!

I’ve never understood how so many people worship Bob Marley. I like him enough but they’re are a bunch of other Jamaican reggae/ska artists I like a whole lot more.

This album is a mood. Reggae isn't something I go in for usually, but when it is good, I'm all about it. Love the bass line on Them Belly Fully, along with the funky guitar licks. Listened to this 3 times through. Didn't pick out much in specific, but definitely enjoyed having it there to listen to. Songs feel lived in. I'm a 3 leaning 4 here

Some solid reggae that is more suited for casual listening. I honestly expected more out of this album. Didn't hate it by any stretch of the imagination, but I would hope this is the worst Bob Marley album that we listen to, because Exodus was great.

Had to stop and start this album a lot while listening so I never got in a good flow. But it sounded pretty much as expected from Bob Marley which was very nice and I enjoyed it all. Nothing too crazy, and it was nice to hear all new songs that I have not heard from him with exception to that alternate version of No Woman no Cry. This is the benchmark for Reggae.

Classic reggae album. No crazy standouts but damn enjoyable. Definitely weird hearing a studio version of No Woman, No Cry. Also cool he wrote with his wife.

Bob Marley is a cultural icon, with an instantly recognisable sound synonymous with reggae. The trouble for my musical snobbery is that I associate the sound with university halls of residence and people who 'like a bit of reggae' and this album does nothing to surprise or change that perception. Before even pressing play you know what you're going to get. Compared to reggae and ska that I truly love - Desmond Dekker, Toots and the Maytals, Justin Hinds and the Dominos and so on - there's not much that excited me. * Natty Dread is a decent choice for the lead track * Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) is similarly enjoyable

I liked the last song in particular, but not sure I’ll listen again. The songs were so short! Glad I listened though.

Passabel. Reaggie eben.

Good reggae

Nice album, but even reggae get boring after 5 song, will play again.

Has always felt like chill back ground music....it's good. Just not amazing

Bob Marley is one of the very few artists for whom I prefer their live stuff. He's stifled too much by the requirements of studio recording. This is fine, but it's not the Bob I like.

No Woman No Cry is a standout for sure.

Uit eerdere recensies van mij is op te maken dat ik jeuk krijg van zeurende zang. Ook Bob klinkt af en toe wat zeurend. Muzikaal ben ik ook geen groot fan. Maar in zijn geval versterkt de klank van de zang wel de boodschap. En de muziek compenseert het vaak. Een zware boodschap wordt dan begeleid door vrolijke muziek. Af en toe zou ik toch stiekem een instrumentale versie willen...

I've never loved BM but can see why he's popular and that's about it.

Always wondered whether I like the idea of Bob Marley more than Bob Marley's music. This album suggests it's the former. It's okay but I wouldn't come back to it.

Nat bad

Love the rhythms and his vocals. Some sad stuff.

Pleasant and easy to listen to

Really nice. Enjoyable Reggae.

Mieux que Tryo

pas à son prime …..

The reggae keeps getting better. Is it the reggae or is it me?

Enjoyable reggae, 67/100

I neither love nor hate this. I always find Bob Marley to be quite soothing and pleasant to listen to, but I never choose to put it on.

As good as reggae gets for me. That being said, reggae isn't my thing 3.49/5

I don’t get reggae. I respect Marley for his conviction, but this is just not my music at all. The best I can do is a C

Ok

Not really into reggae, but it wasn't bad

pretty good stuff. Several versions of songs he must have re-recorded later as they were somewhat different. I think his sound matured later... or I just am used to that sound I'm more familiar with

The most gentrified reggae artist ever. His music is still pretty good and chill, but not something that I would willingly put on except for very rare occasions. This is a solid 3/5

More Bob. Not a huge reggae fan, would struggle to name any other purely reggae artists. The man himself is an icon and rightly lauded but I struggle to get any deeper with his music than putting it on a barbecue playlist. This album was nice enough, can't say it stood out from his other work.

Tweede keer reggae deze week, mijn mening over het genre blijft hetzelfde. Al kan ik Bob Marley wel wat meer waarderen.

Decent first album in the 1001. Would listen again. 3/5

Cool and chilled all around.

Kind of preferred to other BM albums. Don't know why through

This was okay. Grooved along okay and kept me somewhat engaged, but it's not something I'd rush back to. Probably something nice to listen to while cleaning or chilling but not an album I'll remember.

Some great songs, some average ones. But it does put you in a great mood

Bob Marley was a talented guy and there's some good stuff here but listening to a whole album of his gets real samey on me

3.5* - enjoyable, didn't quite have the impact of other Marley albums for me.

Cómo me aburre... Se salva No Woman No Cry y Lively Up Yourself

I really have to be in a specific setting and mood to listen to an entire Bob Marley album. I think this is a great listen on a sunny day with an umbrella in your drink.

A good album with a few notable songs outside of No woman No cry but not enough to give it more stars is middle tier but still good to chill to.

Bob Marley's always extremely enjoyable and good fun. I wouldn't say this is the best I've heard from him, Exodus or Catch a Fire would take the cake there, but it's really good. Still though I wouldn't quite give it an 8/10, more a 7, so on this scale it'll mean I'll give it a 3/5. But take that as a 3 given in good faith, this is a super enjoyable record.

It's all the songs we know of already but in their original versions. It's a very nice record to have on, especially in our Caribbean environment! The songs are very good, but the production, of course, is older and lacks my desired sound output. Note: Headphones recommended.

Pretty nice

Generally pleasant, no weak spots

I liked this album but it is not my favorite Bob Marley album, that goes to Exodus. I can't say that there were any bad songs on the album but apart from "No Woman, No Cry" none really stood out to me as being excellent. The mastering was done very well (particularly on So Jah Seh) and the guitar tone was phenomenal throughout. Favorite Song - No Woman, No Cry Least Favorite Song - Bend Down Low (it sounds too much like a kid's song) No Skip Album? - Yes

Good bob marley album

Cómo me aburre... Se salva No Woman No Cry y Lively Up Yourself

I can only listen to reggae in short bursts before it becomes very redundant and repetitive, But I also respect, and understand the importance of this album.

Sounded nice in the sun. Bit of a weird version of No Woman No Cry but it was nice to hear a different one. The whole thing is pretty upbeat.

Not my cup of tea, but fine

Today I learned I have never before heard the studio recording of No Woman No Cry. I understand why. The rest of the album is pretty decent, I think I would rather be listening to Peter Tosh though, I got bored. Half of it is decent. What is decent is very very good (Lively Up Yourself, Them Belly Full), but half of side B is just good. I liked more of it on second listen.

PREFS : Lively Up Yourself, No Woman, No Cry, Them Belly Full (But We Hungry), Natty Dread, Talkin' Blues MOINS PREF : So Jah Seh

Reggae isn't a genre I listen too much. But man I'd be lying if I said this album didn't just make me feel good when listening to it

still not super into Bob Marley, but I think I understand Reggae a little better than I did when I was younger. The groove is strong, but I'm still not super into the relatively simple structures and production style of the genre. My favorite tracks were No Woman No Cry and So Jah S'eh.

Not my cup of tea.

It was a different kind of music that I haven’t heard a lot before.

This one's okay. The only other Bob Marley studio album I've heard in full is Exodus, which is both much more consistent and has higher highs. The whole B-side of this album kinda slid past me, but this is the first time I'm hearing it. First four tracks are all good.

ALBUM RATING: 3.2 ALBUM GRADE: C TRACK RATINGS: 1. Lively Up Yourself - 3.5 2. No Woman, No Cry - 2.5 3. Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) - 3.5 4. Rebel Music (3 O’Clock Road Block) - 3.5 5. So Jah Seh - 3.5 6. Natty Dread - 3.0 7. Bend Down Low - 3.0 8. Talkin’ Blues - 3.0 9. Revolution - 3.5

Love Bob Marley he is classic but this style of music I could never think of as anything more than alright. He is clearly very talented however J couldn’t get into it.

The album seems less about the songs than about the sound and the vibe; very chill and sparse. Love the clear mix. There aren't many songs I can remember from it (I know the first 2 cuts) so will place firmly in the 3 category as a good listen for someone who's not much of a reggae fan. 7/10 3 stars.

Perfecte lente muziek, luister hem een dag te laat met ZON, eindelijk haha. Favoriete nr: So Jah S’eh

Wel lekker, maar laat niet een blijvende indruk achter. Het is echt muziek voor bepaalde sfeer: bierie, zonnetje …

Echt heel prima reggae album van ons bob! Het is de lievelingsartiest van m’n oma dus dit heeft altijd iets nostalgisch, naast dat ik het zelf ook fijne muziek vind. Eigenlijk 3,5 ster

Reggae is niet mijn genre al vond ik dit album nog wel nice

them belly full & bend down low 🤞🏻

Not bad

Pretty listenable. Not something i'd put on again but was good while it was on.

No Woman No Cry is surely eternal. But the rest of it feels like being on some bad weed.

Wait wtf, why do all these songs sound significantly better/rawer than the versions I've been hearing for years? Were they significantly rerecorded/remixed/remastered for mainstream appeal? I'm a big fan of 1970s reggae, but always found Bob Marley a bit over-commercial and tame in comparison to many other artists from the era. However, my 1990 Tuff Gong copy of this album is changing my mind rapidly. The songs sound much cooler and more impactful than I remember them. The album still has quite a subdued and "safe" sound compared to lots of what would come from Jamaica in the late 1970s. However, I'm definitely finding a lot to admire in the instrumentation, Marley's vocals, and the lyrics. I'm pleasantly surprised from re-listening to this.

Bob always hits hard in the lyrics, but musically this one was just more inconsistent than I've come to expect from him. Still a good project, but not an instant classic for me.

Good stuff, though I prefer his other versions of some of the songs, like the live version of No Woman, No Cry, the Lee-Perry-produced versions of Lively Up Yourself and Bend down Low, etc. But still, it's Bob Marley, so I feel like I'm nitpicking.

Solid album. Instantly put me in a relaxing mood. Not one I think I’ll revisit often, but when I do, I’ll enjoy it.

3 feel like i've heard the hits on this but nice to listen to full thing. i recognize importance in the genre but can't say it hit super hard with me. Good vibey music tho

Other than No Woman, while relaxing, the album provides nothing spectacular as a whole.

Even the third or fourth of his albums is not going to change my absolute neutral stance on this guy and his music. It doesn't do anything for me at all and I continue to be amazed how this music was able to become known and loved worldwide 🤷🏼‍♂️

- Only ever listened to Exodus in full before - Didn't think this was as good, but still a decent album - This version of No Woman, No Cry is way worse than the live one - Fav songs: So Jah S'eh, Natty Dread, Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)

A secret about me that I don't like to share is that I don't really always like or seek out reggae music. Without over-philosophizing it, I think I have a particular preference towards directional music; music that goes somewhere, that has tension and resolution, that has character development, etc. A lot of people don't believe in the genre-ification of music ("why you gotta put a label on it man?") but I like it and I think taxonomies exist for humans to further explore what they like and don't like and do it systemically. The flip side is that reggae should probably be devoid of incessant thought / analysis / philosophizing and it's been a life-long journey to sit down, shut my brain, and simply enjoy some genres of music that don't innately pull me in, and reggae is one that I'm still working on. So this album I sat down, shut off my brain, and enjoyed this ish. I think it's a 3/5 that leans towards a 5/5. Bob Marley is to reggae what Wayne Gretzky is to hockey- the person who is so above the rest that you can't mention the thing itself without thinking about the person, and this album has "No Woman No Cry" which is an A+ piece of music. His hits are so so so top tier for the genre and it's funny to me that this song isn't even a top 5 for him. Unfortunately for the sake of this list I don't think any of his top top songs are on the same record though.

Great grooves but it does feel a bit samey after a while, nothing really stood out to me after the title track

Listened to on 2/21/23 3.5/5 Favorite song: Lively Up Yourself Sunshine + Caribbean vibes are immaculate and this album didn’t disappoint but also wasn’t a stand out

Not as good as his album containing Hight Tide Low Tide and Stir it Up, but nice to have on in the background

Good

yep. That's regae

Ok

Reggae primordial, obviamente. E minha perpectiva inicial acabou sendo elevada pela presença do hit "No Woman, No Cry". Assim confirmada da importância, fiquei com sensação que prefiro outras versões da música.

Du bon reggae, comme d'habitude

Reggae is a genre that only started to gain prominence in the late 60's, in part due to the spread of calypso in the Caribbean and mento in Jamaica. There's also influence from ska music, which precedes reggae by a good few years, but that's neither here nor there. It would be The Wailers who pioneered the reggae sound going into the 70's, and it would be Bob Marley's socially conscious lyrics that would define the movement of roots reggae. Natty Dread's strengths are in its subtleties, which finds the instrumentation casually riding along the signature reggae rhythms. It's a simple-yet-effective way to accent the groove and layer in the brass without having them overwhelm the songs. There's something special about that kind of spatial audio, something that goes under-appreciated for so long because (let's face it) reggae has been relegated to a novelty genre. Reggae is kind of one-note, no? You've heard one, you've heard them all. It's a shame, because it can be sonically rich and uniquely great at times. I just find it to be a bit stale after side A.

Solid release, not my go to choice if I want to listen to reggae music. It's always nice to hear No Women No Cry in it's original form!

Very pleasant, chill listening experience. Still I'm a bigger fan of Kaya and Uprising than this album. I like bluesy vibes on some tracks. Recommended for everyone who wants to wind down. Best song: Rebel Music (Fantastic harmonica and organs in the background) Worst song: Bend Down Low (Leas interesting melody for me personally)

Not an album of hits but very good. I thought the term “cost of living” was new for some reason, but obviously not

Essential reggae album. Not a fan of the genre itself, but it's a nice, chill album to listen to. 3.5/5.

No women no cry a bit faster here. Very chill. Like getting high music. Nok lidt for chilli weed agtigt til mig. Fin nok, vil ikke have noget imod at lytte til det i baggrund med venner, meeeeen ellers er den ikke mig.

Good chill album. Decently recorded which makes it nice to listen to.

Not bad, bit reggae always has a cap for me. At least at this stage of my life. It doesn't move the needle as much as for so many people I know wh9 got into it in high school, when I was getting into Visual Kei.

Completely forgot we already had an album from Bob Marley. A couple songs I like but the overall appeal isn't for me. "No Woman No Cry" is a classic track though, didn't realize until recently listening to the Black Panther soundtrack that the "everything's gonna be alright" part is actually from this song too. Nice vibe overall, but not much more on the album that struck me. Favorite tracks: No Woman No Cry, Them Belly Full. Album art: Portrait of Bob. Art style is pretty cool though. 3/5

pretty chill. no nolan no cry

wasn’t my style, 6/10

I must have gotten this at the wrong time of the year given the weather outside felt a total mismatch for the syncopated, light island music. Then again, the themes and lyrics also run totally counter to that lightness.

73/100: I don't know enough about Bob Marley to know if this is considered one of his best albums or not, but I'm assuming because it is on this list that it's probably up there somewhere. I never really go out of my way to listen to reggae and I was beginning to feel the stress of finals overwhelm me, so this was an incredibly welcome album to receive today. It felt like the random album generator saying, "Hey, it's gonna be ok, relax." Admittedly, I did listen to this while studying, but it made the studying much more relaxing and far less stressful, which I really appreciate. As for the musical merit of this album, that's a little harder for me to say. Reggae isn't really my cup of tea, but it felt nice listening to this.

3.5/5. This was fine, not really sure why it's on this list. I think this is not the groups best album, and I found it a little above average.

This was just ok, I'm not the biggest reggae fan in general, though i appreciate no woman no cry, obviously. 5 out of 10.

Genuinely just a pleasant listen. Top tracks: Them Belly Full (But We Hungry), Rebel Music (3 O'clock Roadblock), and Am-a-Do.

It's not easy for me to separate the music from the obnoxious white males who were way too loud about their fandom -- which mostly presented itself during my college years but I also encountered it in the years beyond when for example, I visited the Caribbean -- but it really has been quite a long time for both those negative associations and actually listening to the music, so I feel I was able to give this album, which I owned decades ago, a new listen. It's really quite good. The content of the lyrics is thoughtful and insightful, and musically the songs are catchy and nice on the ears. Its repetitiveness is part of the charm, and it pulls in the right emotion.

3,5/5

Album with the big hit no woman no cry. Overall a nice ragaee album. I don't know the history if this set the bar for ragaee or anything like that, but nothing really stood out to me as being bold and unique. Good background album though.

Pretty good mood music, but difficult to really get into. It’s influence, however, is obviously legendary.

A transitional album between The Wailers and Bob Marley and... but still very good.

This is probably the only Bob Marley album before Catch a Fire I haven't listened to a single track. I do know of No Woman No Cry, but only the live version on Legend. The original isn't as good, but has a nice feel regardless. I liked the lyrics addressing poverty and political issues here, made what was some meh instrumentals stand out. And while Natty Dread doesn't contain any classics aside from No Woman No Cry or stand out like Exodus or Catch a Fire, it is a coherent listen with no weak tracks. Just not one I will come to often.

BOB MARLEY!!!

Eeeh. Reggae not my favorite so would need to be in a mood to relisten.

Pretty joyful album

Pretty solid throughout, though few highs. 3/5

Several gems.

Best Song: Them Belly Full (But We Hungry). An almost sombre slow dance song. Really soulful in a way that almost forcibly compels you to sway in time. Worst Song: Talkin' Blues. Something about the backing vocals don't work for me here. The vocals themselves are fine, they just seem like they come from a cover version of the song that just happens to be playing at the same time. Overall: Reggae just isn't my genre, regardless of who's performing it. It wasn't unpleasant, but it feels like I need my consciousness blunted to enjoy that continuous, bouncy rhythm. Given the right weather, and the right inebriation, maybe I can come to enjoy it.

Not my usual type of music but good album, probably wouldn't listen again. Favourite song, No Woman, No Cry

Liked this one much better than the Exodus album we have earlier on. But still not my cup or tea of my type of joint... So a 3.

Likely an unpopular opinion but I can't be the only one who thinks if you've heard one Bob Marley song you've heard them all. Nothing against the man and the music but it seems to me you could probably take two or three songs from any album in his discography and unless you know the words to sing along wouldn't be able to tell the difference

Nice chill album. Liked it.

Raw and unfiltered Marley Doesn’t get the recognition but is solid past No Woman No Cry. That also makes the tracks not stand out, out side of an album listening

No Woman No Cry is amazing, but a lot of this album was underwhelming.

Reggae at its finest. I've never listened to Marley before, but it has the same effect of waves at the ocean, lulling you into a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Har blivit indoktrinerad med Bob Marley sedan unga år av min goda vän Fredrik och på sensre år även av Pelle och Pop. Tycker det här är långt ifrån det bästa han gjort. Finns bra mycket vassare plattor.

A nice chill album for my Monday morning walk. One Bob Marley album that I hadn't listened to before!

Solid reggae album by the most famous bob marley. No woman no cry is a fantastic song but I actually prefer the live version. The rest of this album is average to good reggae songs that vibe along and prove an enjoyable listening experience. 6.8/10

So much more to this than No Woman No Cry (though that does dominate and deservedly so). Knew only one song, but really enjoyed this.

I liked it. Not all of it...but I liked it. And while the only track I knew was No Woman, No Cry (not even the version I am familiar with), I quite liked Lively Up Yourself, natty Dread and Bend Down Low, just kind of a nice flow to the whole thing.

Contains No Woman No Cry. 👍

My least favourite of the three Bob Marley albums on this list. Maybe the least varied and purest reggae, which perhaps says more about my tastes than it does about the quality of the album. I liked it, but it didn't grab me. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Them Belly Full Date listened: 03/08/22

1st day. So only made it though about half. So far very chill as you would expect. Easy listening.

Bob Marley never really elicits any significant reaction when I listen to him. I dont dislike it but I’m not compelled to keep listening.

I have mixed opinions on Bob Marley's music. It's an easy-breezy reggae style that doesn't demand much from the listener, but at the same time (on this particular album, at least) many of the songs adhere to a somewhat routine formula, rendering the back half a bit forgettable and less distinguishable from track to track. I definitely enjoy this sound when I'm in the mood for something more passive and relaxing, but by the end of this album, I am ready to move on to something more intricate. Standout tracks: "Lively Up Yourself", "No Woman No Cry", "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)"

I have never heard a full reggae album before this so Im going in not knowing what to expect Second track is pretty good I feel like all the tracks work well together and would be better listened to all together Overall nice easy listen and a great experience could definitely see myself returning to this project in the future 6/10

Reggae has always been more of a vibe for me than individual tracks. That's how I heard this album too. Really enjoyed "Them Belly Full". Not sure if I'll ever return to this album and give it my full attention. Still nice to have on in the background, like more reggae albums.

The first three songs are solid, especially No woman no cry, but then it starts to flounder under the weight of its preachiness and loses its momentum. I’m also not a big fan of the I Threes background singing.

Classique Bob Marley. Ça s’écoute super bien. Sa voix est superbe.

Well, I'm not super into reggae music so I can't judge it fairly. Liked it tho. 6.5/10 F.t.: No woman no cry

Entertaining. Nothing that took my breath away. Its no Exodus. So much prefer the live version of No Woman NC. Solid 3.

This is fine but honestly a bit repetitive and I don't understand why Bob Marley is so much more famous than other reggae musicians. I also disagree with Rastafarianism.

old school chillout vibes with a simmering political undertone. 3.5/5

3 - love that he gave his band and pals writing credits

It's Bob Marley. It sounded like Bob Marley. Nothing really blew my socks off., it was reggae. It was nice enough, but not really my thing

Bob Marley is far from the worst reggae I've ever heard, but it is the most boring reggae I've ever heard. There's a lot of standout reggae from Toots Hibbert to Jimmy Cliff to the dub guys like King Tubby and Augustus Pablo to modern stuff like Buju Banton and Marley's own son, Damien "Jr. Gong." But outside of popularizing the genre, I fail to see what Marley deserves credit for. This is painfully average.

Classic Bob without the actual classics

Okay Reggae

I’ve always enjoyed Bob Marley’s music. So I think this album was a good display of that joy

nenni ekki að hlusta a þetta örgl allt i lagi

solid but i feel like after the singles it kinda drops off

This Marley album sounds way happier than I feel like it should. Yeah, he’s still singing about injustices (and some other stuff), but it seemed disingenuous on this album for some reason. Maybe it’s hard to sing about being oppressed when you’ve had several successful albums?

Nice, fun to bop along to reggae. Fave: Them Belly Full