Natty Dread

Bob Marley is always good listening. Very chill for a Tuesday.

Love him

nice music to have on while driving. everyone else on the road is mad af and I'm just here vibing

Contains No woman no cry, but a different version that I am used to. Don't listen to reggae often, but this is a classic. So far really like it. Most of the nummers were quite nice, nothing too special. Better album than I thought.

4.5

Hermoso disco, con un sonido excelente.

Solid album

Das Album Natty Dread wurde überwiegend in den Harry J Studios in Kingston, Jamaika, aufgenommen. Es markiert den ersten Longplayer, den Bob Marley nach dem Ausstieg von Peter Tosh und Bunny Wailer gemeinsam mit neuen Bandmitgliedern veröffentlichte. Bob Marley war jamaikanischer Musiker und prägte maßgeblich die internationale Wahrnehmung des Reggae. Das Werk enthält einige der zentralen Stücke aus Marleys Repertoire, darunter „No Woman, No Cry“ in seiner Studioversion sowie „Lively Up Yourself“ und „Revolution“. Diese Songs zeichnen sich durch eine Verbindung aus spirituellen Themen, gesellschaftlicher Beobachtung und tanzbarem Groove aus. Musikalisch bewegt sich das Album im Bereich Roots Reggae, wobei es sowohl durch rhythmische Klarheit als auch durch politische Inhalte auffällt. Die begleitenden I-Threes, ein neu formiertes Background-Trio mit unter anderem Marleys späterer Ehefrau Rita Marley, sind erstmals auf einem Wailers-Album vertreten. Das Album steht exemplarisch für die Phase, in der Marley seine Rolle als internationaler Künstler weiter ausbaute, ohne die lokale Verankerung aufzugeben. Es zeigt die Übergangszeit von einer Band zu einem führenden Solointerpreten innerhalb einer festen musikalischen Struktur.

Pretty chill album, I knew Bob Marley's music but I never listened to an album, not my favorite genre but great album nonetheless

oi bredrens jaaa das war schon ein vibe – leider kei ziit für es langs review aber de gibi eu no mit: bob marley, you're jamaican me smile 4 lekker spliffs

Great album with political message

Went to castle park, about to listen to this album but a bunch of guys who came and sat next to me were playing it! Great album.

Solid stuff.

though i prefer the live versions of these songs, this is an outstanding album. as david lee roth once said, "Bob Marley is the sound of white people on vacation."

Вполне добротный альбом. Не думаю что могу сейчас дать ему справедливую оценку, так как не вслушивалась в него внимательно и не знаю его бэкграунда. Любимые треки: Them Belly Full, So Jah S'eh. Пока 7/10, но думаю это поменяется после повторного прослушивания.

25 degrees, sunny in Belgium…what a timing for playing Bob! One of a kind!

Super lovely, high-quality reggae. Enjoyable and relaxing.

More lofi than I expected

Good album. Some classics but didn't keep my attention.

I enjoyed this. Not really in my vein, but I made it through the whole album without wishing it was over.

A very clean and sanitized recording of reggae compared to what is produced in Jamaica, but it's a timeless sound with Marley's beautiful voice and spirit animating the songs.

Lovely album to relax too

Very good, but not 100% my jam

Reggae is not my thing, but if it is your thing, this is is.

great fun album in summer

Good album

My first Bob Marley album and it was a good one! I've always loved Bob Marley and the Wailers and these guys killed it!

Undeniably a great record, but not one I'll come back to very often.

7,5/10

A hungry mob is a hangry mob!

4.25

Classic.

Amazing album, not familiar at all with this era of Bob Marley. Love the vibe coming from his dance hall stuff into his modern stuff.

It's iconic for a reason.

Before: I said in a previous review that Snoop Dogg invented weed. That was false, Bob Marley actually invented weed. He walked so Snoop could run. Very excited to listen to this. Standout tracks: No Woman No Cry Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) Weakest tracks: Bend Down Low Am-A-Do Standout lyrics: "In this great future, you can't forget your past" - No Woman No Cry "Cost of livin' get so high, rich and poor, they start to cry. Now the weak must get strong" - Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) "A hungry mob is a angry mob" - Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) "Natty 21,000 miles away from home, and that's a long way for Natty to be from home. Don't care what the world seh, and I could never go astray" - Natty Dread "I feel like bombing a church, now that you know that the preacher is lying. So who's gonna stay at home when the freedom fighters are fighting?" - Talkin' Blues During/after: Lively Up Yourself has such a classic Bob Marley feel. Upbeat instrumental syncopation that leaves you feeling good and nodding your head. No Woman No Cry is always a banger. It's the anthem for dudes who hate their wives but miss the point of the song (which somehow makes it a more satisfying listen). It has a beautiful sentiment and lyrics, and that familiar, happy island beat serves as a perfect backdrop. Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) is an insanely timely track and the lyrics hit hard in the era of American exceptionalism, late stage capitalism, oligarchies and tariffs. Marley was the OG "eat the rich" proponent and "a hungry mob is an angry mob" is a super powerful line. When people think of Bob Marley (myself included, per my pre-listening comments), they often immediately think of all of the weed he smoked and forget what truly made him such a prolific musician and individual. He was a massive advocate for social justice and was a genuine voice for the disenfranchised. Rebel Music continues with this anti-establishment, solidarity-focused lyricism rich with harmonica and warm, lush guitar. The backing vocals throughout that underscore the emphasis on collective unity that was prevalent in the previous track. Overall, this track really highlights Marley's vocal range and versatility as well. So Jah S'eh had a more jazzy, almost bossa nova feel to it that stood out a bit from the previous tracks and. For some reason, it didn't do quite as much for me as the last few songs, but it's a lot of fun. Natty Dread is a love letter to the Rasta/island diaspora and culture, encouraging the resistance to assimilation and the beauty of staying true to your roots. In lots of cultures, "natty dreads" are associated with blackness and thus seen and dirty, unprofessional, or "ghetto" due to deeply rooted white supremacy, but this track says "fuck 'em." Am I picking up on some bari sax in Bend Down Low? I definitely hear some kind of bassy wind instrument and honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about it on this particular track. It gives it almost a cartoony feel that was a bit over the top. Talkin' Blues is another call to action highlighting the importance of resistance with more nasty, syncopated island beats. Sonically, it's a very chill summer song with impactful lyrics. Revolution has a different sound than most of the other songs on this record. It was written in a major key (I think, don't come for me) with lots of minor chords sprinkled in that made for a dynamic and unique sound. There was some really strong trumpet that added a lot as well. This track serves as a continuation to the record's strong lyrical themes, calling out social injustice and inequity with a scorched Earth approach to revolution. Am-A-Do was a pretty disappointing ending to this record, unfortunately. I was hoping for a final track that drove home the strong justice-focused messaging that was present throughout the album. The call and response is so catchy and the song is not bad by any means, but it would have been more fitting earlier on in the record with Revolution being left as the last track. I would enjoy in isolation more than I did listening to it as part of the longer, cohesive track list. Bob Marley was a driving force in introducing reggae to the mainstream. He is not only a massive musical influence and icon, but a social one as well. Even if you've never heard a Bob Marley song in your life, you know his face. This record was a celebration of Rasta culture, a rallying call for justice and unity, and an honest and blunt callout of oppressors. It presented an attitude of needing to take things into our own hands when we are stuck under the shoe of the rich and powerful through whatever means necessary. People think of Bob Marley as a symbol of peace and love, which he is, but we often fail to realize the lengths that he would go to in order to achieve that eventual peace and love. It's admirable and important to see that level of commitment to justice and dedication to being a voice for those who historically are not heard. He's a legend that we lost way too soon. I'd pay so much money to hear what he would have to stay about the current state of the world. Overall, this was a fantastic record that is outside of my go-to genre but makes a great addition to my summer playlist. My only complaint is that the first half of the album was better to me by a decently wide margin, and I wish that the quality was more consistent and that it ended on a better track; Am-A-Do fell a bit flat in my opinion. A stronger ending tying together the main themes of the album would have tied it together. 4/5.

It’s not quite my taste, but it was nice to listen to it all the same, more of a listening in the background while I get other stuff done kind of album, than an attention stealer, but it made me feel happy and that I could feel the sun on my skin, which is a positive. I only recognised no woman no cry (and that was a different version) so no massive bangers to get the album noticed, but this was also good in its own way. Quiet and unpretentious. Best song so Jaj’seh Summary: good, but I probably wouldn’t be in a rush to listen again any time soon

This album brings me back to my childhood, even though it was released two decades before I was born, however, my parents played it all the time. Nice chill reggae vibes. Even though the album features many strong political songs, such as "Them Belly Full." etc. The songs still takes me to a beach somewhere where I can sit and watch my worries wash away.

Bob Marley at his height. No Woman, No Cry is quintessential Marley.

I enjoyed this specifically because it didn't feel like a "best of" album, as I've heard most of Bob Marley. It felt like a whole album. It was a good, fast listen, and feels like a cornerstone of the genre.

groovy

Buena producción

Not as good as catch a fire but still good

Very relaxing.

I am a passive reggae fan, and this is the exact kind of reggae (and amount of raggae) that I desire. Hard to speak to the technical merits of the album, but on a surface enjoyment level, I dig this record

Another really solid album from Marley. I like the slightly darker edge to a lot of it. Some of my favorite songs of his are on here.

A great Solid album with some strong tracks and also gave me the opportunity to listen to some songs I had never heard of before. Would absolutely listen to this album again

its a pretty good album, i didnt really hate any of the tracks Although I didn’t like the last song much and no woman no cry was better live still its pretty good all around

Some major hits on this album and plenty of Marley soul. Not his peak but right on par

Solid album

This is a great album. On the surface it is a perfect album for a relaxing summer day. But it has depth if you care to look. BMW made some great music.

Lively Up Yourself No Woman, No Cry Them Belly Full But We Hungry Rebel Music 3 O'clock Roadblock So Jah Seh Natty Dread Bend Down Low Talkin' Blues Revolution

Great album, not as many singles as Exodus but such great stuff it might be even better.

good album! very nice to listen to, i think i’ll save it to listen to it again but more focussed? 1st listen it kinda became background noise and i don’t think that’s what this deserves. so. fun listen! i’ll do it again

Raggae is repetetive by nature.

Everything you think a Bob Marley album is going to be.

I was reading that this was something of a transition album for Bob Marley, away from being part of The Wailers as a collective endeavour, and into being a band leader. You get that sense I think - he's not quite in his full imperious stride, but not far off. There are a number of highlights on here. Weirdly, the lowlight may be No Woman, No Cry, but that is absolutely only because it pales in comparison with the ubiquitous and tremendous live version. I wonder if there has ever been another song so much better known for a live version than the original?

Probably my favorite Marley record so far. Very, very high 4 stars. 4/5

Whenever I hear reggae music I enjoy it, but have never truly dug below the surface because it seems like such an overwhelming genre to dive into without a decent guide to it. Maybe this is my starting point - will revisit

I think it’s impossible to dislike this. Not my favorite album, but also not my favorite genre! Highlights for me were: Them Belly No Woman No Cry (of course)

The live version of ‘No Woman, No Cry’ is so iconic that I only realised upon listening to this album that I’d never actually heard the studio version before. The studio version sounds like a knock-off in comparison.

Cool album

Reggae que nunca falla

First Marley album. This went down nice and easy, good Friday vibes.

Not too shabby! Better than I expected

La légèreté apparente du reggae rend le propos encore plus poignant. Il n'y a aucune affectation ni surjeu, que la musique.

I'm not much of a reggae fan (used to own a Marley/Wailers best of CD as a teenager that I used to listen to a lot for a couple of years, but that's about the extent of my expertise), but I gotta say, this was probably as delightful a record to listen to on a sunny afternoon in early spring as almost any other I can think of.

вайбово

Yeah I definitely wore out the grooves on my Legend CD as a kid. But as I got older I dove more into the actual Wailers albums and now all my favorite tracks are the obscure ones. And that eventually got into more early ska and rocksteady and still love that stuff too. Anyhow, I definitely dig this album a ton, but its probably like my fourth or fifth favorite

Since we're all critics here, I would have nominated Catch a Fire as the best Bob Marley and the Wailers album, and listening to this, it's clear why. This was the first BMW album without Peter Tosh or Bunny Livingston, and they are missed (especially the former, who lent the band a toughness and a second skilled songwriter and singer). But this is still a fine release. "Rebel Music" is one of Marley's best anthems, "Revolution" locks into a stirring vibe and the addition of the I-Threes as backing vocals is wonderful. Sadly, I think the song "No Woman, No Cry" is in danger of joining my list of songs I never need to hear again, thanks to the cassette version of Legend that played every day in drawing class during my senior year in high school.

Listen, I don't hate reggae. Sure I had a reggae phase, and yes I was there cheering along in amazement in 1998 when WNUR played their Reggae Christmas marathon. And I've branched into reggae beyond Bob's greatest hits volume 1 and volume 2 – I've made it into The Harder They Come soundtrack, which must be worth something (and if that album's not a part of this project I will shake my fists at the air in protest). So this album? I'm a fan. Enjoyed the early-version (?) No Woman No Cry, the rest of it sounded good and listened well. Shit yeah mister marley.

These aren't my favorite Bob Marley & The Wailers tunes but it's still a fine record.

It's impossible to separate groundbreaking musical movements like this from the well meaning white college boy fans of the next 3 decades who ruined it for everyone. Also not my genre. 4 stars for white liberal guilt at only knowing the Wailers, Jimmy cliff and Steel Pulse as the stars of a genre way more rich than what I know about it.

4. Natty album, ah criss record dat belongs pan dis list.

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.

Listened to twice, rebel music is a song that’s not popular but really has a terrific vibe to it. Reggae isn’t high up my list of genres but this album delivers a great insight into the genre. 8/10.

First half was amazing. There was one song that I really didn’t like. But altogether you know it’s good

Nice for some reggae to show up on my list, the album tracks are great and we're so used to a diet of about 20 Marley tracks that it's nice to branch out.

There was a time in my life when I can remember not liking Bob Marley. I went to college in a smaller town in Tennessee and it seemed that a lot of my peers were going through their own musical awakenings. Maybe that's typical for any college age kid, but holy shit Bob Marley was everywhere. I think we get a lot of our identity through the kind of music we listen to and Bob hits the intersection of "culturally worldly" and the whole "good vibes only" scene. I can't tell you how many cats named Marley I encountered during that era. It was overwhelming... Anyway, glad I was able to get over that.

>The Beatles

Very good album from the master. Some cracking tracks

A hungry mob is an angry mob.

Slaps. Bob marley is truly a legend. Great album, but I prefer the cuts off "legend", ngl

It's Bob Marley. Anyone who can't find joy in this needs to reexamine many things about their lies. Possibly at his most political here, but you're hardly going to notice as you bop along with him.

Classics but all the same. Nice old school reggae and dub ref for mixing

Great Album.

Maybe not my favorite Bob Marley album, but it's really good. This was the first album of his I ever heard when I was in high school, but I heard it at a friend's house and couldn't give it my full attention as there were several of us hanging out while it played in the background. But I liked what I did hear then, and getting to revisit it today was very welcome.

[7/10] Got me feelin like Ras Trent

Ya mon.

Solid album with some Bob Marley classics.

Wat krijg je als je de meest getalenteerde muzikanten van een eiland dat bolstaat van het talent bij elkaar verzameld? Dat horen we op dit album, dat zowel een goed verhaal verpakt, een onmiskenbare vibe met zich meebrengt, en een instrumentale dynamiek propageert waar je u tegen zegt. Reggae met tinten folk, jazz, rock en zalige funk. En die achtergrondzang maakt het soulfuller dan veel van de soulmuziek van destijds ten noorden van de Golf van Mexico. Had niet gedacht dat ik mezelf zo zou vermaken met een full-length reggae LP, denkende dat het een stijltje dat hoe dan ook altijd te 'eentonig' zou zijn voor een langere luisterervaring. ''Natty Dread'' bewijst het tegendeel. 8,5/10 Highlights: Lively Up Yourself Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) Revolution

Me hizo feliz. Pero ningún tema se colgaría en mis colecciones. Rebel Music la llevo en el corazón. Nota: 3.7

Another good album. Marley knows how to get people into a groove and motivate.

It’s always a joy to listen to Bob Marley, though I’m only really familiar with his hits. This was a nice album, I quite enjoyed it!

Classic Marley front to back. I did jolt a bit at the line about bombing a church. Best song: No Woman, No Cry

Vibes forever

Думаю для лета это был бы крутой альбом Сейчас же он меня не особо раскачал но несомненно шайб +

I liked it.

Pretty chill. 4/5 Highlights: No Woman No Cry

I loved hearing the first recorded version of No Woman, No Cry, which is not the recording that most of us hear regularly on the radio or out in the world. Obviously this album is monumental and beautiful. I will also point out that Marley's upper register, not falsetto, but a full-chested alto, is just amazing.

BEST SONGS: - No Woman No Cry - Rebel Music

I’ve never been a big Bob Marley fan, and reggae isn’t a genre I usually gravitate toward, but this was a pleasant surprise. This is the second Bob Marley album I’ve heard, and I found it really enjoyable. The elements of his music that don’t usually appeal to me were more subtle here, which gave it a smooth and laidback vibe.

Overall a great album, a bit less energy than my all time favorite Bob Marley album, Live! 1975.

Lively Up Yourself 3.6 No Woman, No Cry 3.8 Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) 4 Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) 4.2 So Jah She 3.3 Natty Dread 3.4 Bend Down Low 3.4 Talkin' Blues 3.5 Revolution 3.4 Score: 3.622222222

There's a very satisfying time in his voice, tone

ровно год как я вписался в эту авантюру. я в ахуе. столько всего послушал, и говна и пиздатого, и то что всегда хотел приценить, но не доходили руки. короче эксперимент продолжается!!! а по старине Бобу - все ещё наш слоняра

It's not Exodus, but it's still Bob so it's good.

Politically-charged lyricism, incredible song composition, a good mix of more traditional reggae textures with fun instrumentation/fusion feels mixed throughout - so much more than just a reggae album

This is an album where I find myself subliminally saying “hell ya!” After almost every song. To be fair, I had already known a handful of these songs. To be fair, Lively Up Yourself is one of the weakest tracks and that starts off this album. Maybe I’m just a sucker for that reggae beat. I have found myself trailing off with my thoughts, which leads me to not give a 5 star rating. Again, like with so many bands and albums, you have to really like the sound. You have to really like the message, as long as you can find it. This is probably one of his best albums to date, who knows what the family will drum up as the years go on. Choice cut: No Woman No Cry

85/100. A nicely paced reggae record. It might feel a bit front-loaded, but it’s enjoyable overall. This features one of Marley's biggest hits, No Woman, No Cry.

No soy muy de la onda del reggae, peor e gustó el disco. No recordaba que No Woman No Cry era tan buena. Sólido.

Lots of songs were familiar but it was nice up hear them all together

This is a solid reggae album, that I feel I will appreciate more on subsequent listens. No Woman No Cry is a classic, but this sped up drum machine based version was much improved with the more commonly heard live version. Liked Songs Added: Lively Up Yourself Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)

always a relaxed listen

Bob Marley’s voice sounds very good at this moment. The songs are good but like a fair amount of reggae music can be somewhat repetitive. The version of no woman no cry is nice to hear and different than their more usual version from legend. Great album that I’ll listen to again

Not quite exodus but still good 4/5

A few notable classics. Overall an enjoyable listen

Great artist with a lot of great songs. I haven't listened to an album from start to finish by Bob Marley before so this was a great experience. Smooth and rhythmic songs with exactly the sound I expect from this artist.

We're jammin'

Good stuff

This feels like I am at a peaceful protest, dancing and chanting. Live versions are always so much better; Bob Marley is an amazing performer.

Really can't complain about this one, great production and grooves

Considering how much Bob I’ve listened to over the years, I can always come back to it and hear something that puts a smile on my face. Lots of smiling during this one.

This was perfect for my first day back in the office after the holiday break. Enjoyable and very chill.

No standout tracks (for me) but the overall vibe of this effort is very cool and perfect for a lazy afternoon sitting under the sun by the pool.

Not sure what to say about this. Everyone I've ever talked to has known who Bob Marley was, and what he sounds like.

Bob’s studio stuff doesn’t hit near as well as his live stuff. Still iconic.

Yeah I liked this one alot but would necessarily play it in high rotation - I think reggae is for a particular mood but 100% would play again and I second the hat Julia said about it being good music to clean to!!

Vibey music. Didn't add to playlist but would listen again. A++ for music to clean room to

Know this album well, just feel the vibe. Essential.

Great album - total classic

i liked this one better than the other bob marley album we had on here! no woman no cry!

another solid offering from robert. no woman no cry is the standout here, but there are a few others worth checking out here. favorites: lively up yourself, no woman no cry, them belly full (but we hungry), natty dread

comfy record. unlikely to return to it bc it's not my jam but i was surprised by how much i ended up liking it... maybe. maybe i might come back to it. well, whatever, at least i listened to it all the way thru, that's more than i can say for a handful of these at this point

Big man ting. Simpsons: Yes

Good vibes overall. No Woman No Cry the only stand out song.

Pretty squarely a 3.5/5. Neither a 3 or a 4 feels quite right. I guess I'm feeling a bit more positive today. 3.5/5

Bob Marley, poet and a prophet. I mean another classic record I suppose. Solid 4. Not much to say about it.

An important album. I have preferred others, but they were compilations of his work. This was a solid listen.

Natty Dread shows what Marley could do without Bunny Wailer or Peter Tosh. "No Woman, No Cry" is one of my favorite Marley tunes.

Easy, breezy, vibey.

I love it. This was my first generated album. It doesn’t sound like it was made in 1970’s. The production is so immaculate. I was having a bad day and this livened up my day.

Decent stuff. Classic bobby

Essential reggae listening 4/5

A lot of bangers on here, not enough for a 5 but this is totally a 4. In the realm of reggae I'm more of a Peter Tosh fan than Marley but this one is very enjoyable

87% Best: Lively Up Yourself; Them Belly Full (But We Hungry); Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock); Bend Down Low; Talkin' Blues Must-Hear? Sure

It was a nice listen while I drove and walked in the morning.

3.5

Expecting slightly better

So chill. Just what I needed today. So many great songs. I do think I preferred the other Marley album I got a few months ago, but this one is pretty good too. Highlights: No Woman No Cry Them Belly Full Natty Dread Talkin' Blues

really like the blend of male/female vocals, especially with female as backing vocals. Most of the instrumentals are relatively similar, but the it makes a lot of sense given the very distinctive genre. favourite songs: rebel music, So Jah S'eh, Talkin' blues, revolution overall around 7/10

This is a great album 4/5

Foundational and fun

What I’d expect from Bob Marley.

Enjoyed this one.

Bob kinda goes solo here, no more Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer but this has the classic "No Woman No Cry" and the rest is a solid mix of chill vibes and biting social commentary.

Nunca pense escuchar reggea para trabajar pero pretty good

Quite enjoyed, good vibes

Classic bob marley

Heeel leuk, vibingggg. Ik wil het Ajax truitje

whats up yall its ya boi bob marley and guess what i got a fresh cut

Never been a big Marley guy. noWoman No Cry is on here so this at least warrants 4 stara

Great Album. I ended up listening to Bob the entire day.

Great intro to reggae.

Still need to see the movie

Primer disco lanzado como Bob Marley & The Wailers, sin Peter Tosh y Bunny Livingston, y con un trío vocal femenino que incluía a su esposa Rita. En él Marley regresa a la raíces del reggae con canciones dotadas de fuerte contenido sociopolítico y el aura de música religiosa dirigida a 'Jah'. Destaca sobre manera el clásico "No Woman No Cry", una balada excelsa que no deja de tener una cierta preocupación social. A parte de este, me gusta mucho "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)" y su llamamiento contra el hambre en el mundo como poderosa fuente de conflicto y rebelión. En la misma línea también destacan "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Road Block)" y "Revolution", canciones contra la pobreza, la avaricia y la desesperanza.

# Album Name: Natty Dread # Artist: Bob Marley and The Wailers # Rating: # Comments: Three really good opening songs on this album - lively up yourself, no woman no cry and them belly full. The bass on them belly full is great. The reggae grove is out in full force. Theirs some great use of gospel, brass and lead guitar on this album. From song 4 onwards, the album kind of blended into one for me. A really nice chilled vibe but i wouldnt put this as a 5. Its a solid 4. I'll come back to this album. # Top Tunes: lively up yourself, no woman no cry and them belly full. # Would I listen to it again? Yes

Mola

Good quick album of some classic chill music.

Not the best i've heard from Bob, but there's still classics on here without a doubt. Solid all the way through.

This is 100% a protest album and it does an excellent job of doing it. I don’t know if there are other Bob Marley albums on this list, but there needs to be at least one. This is distinctive and awesome. Makes you want to sit in a beach bar in Jamaica and sip on a drink with an umbrella in it.

When I hear an album like this, it makes me a little sad reggae is synonymous with American stoner culture.

While not the masterpiece that Exodus is, when Bob Marley is less than excellent, he's still pretty great. Faves: Natty Dread, Talkin' Blues.

Very good album, I liked this a lot more than Catch a Fire. Great vocals, great grove (a lot funkier than I expected), I also really like the organ parts (it may be an E-piano idk). Mid 4.

I was feelin' pretty under the weather I listened to this album and wrote this review, so jus' keep that in mind if it doesn't end up bein', like, **super long**. Honestly, for the first three songs, I just spent a lot of time thinking about the live versions that would pop up a year later. Not that I think any of them are bad, of course. It's just, y'know, a little hard to go back to how small the original "No Woman, No Cry" is when its live performance is so perfect, down to even the bit of microphone feedback seeming completely purposeful and intentional. Then there's the rest of the album, which is also pretty good — classic Marley stuff — but none of it exactly matches up to the deeper cuts on something like EXODUS. It's another case where if I paid attention to lyrics I'd probably get more out of it all, given this one review that says this album's a big "Here's who I am, here I am" thing for Marley. This **was** his first as sole frontman of The Wailers, after all. But, y'know, me being me — even if I **didn't** have this pressure on my sinuses and a soreness in the back of my throat. Still, like all good reggae, the groove can still absolutely carry, so ultimately I don't have much to complain about. Y'know, I'll give this thing a 4. A lot of my experience listening to it probably had more to do with my sickness and how tired I felt than anything the album actually did. I'm sure if I had a clearer head I would've had a better experience. So, in all fairness, it's a 4 at least. Now hopefully what I caught can clear up before my group gets another great album, goodness.

I’m at a 4, and I’m sort of annoyed that I am. This is not a bad album at all, and it’s certainly no lower than a 4. I’m just annoyed that I haven’t been able to give either Bob Marley album we’ve gotten so far a 5. This one hits on the same thing that Exodus did, where once you exit the flow state, the album’s cohesion and melodic substance falls apart just enough to bring the album down a bit as a full experience. I thought the first track wasn’t a great tonesetter in terms of mood and atmosphere, but Tracks 2-5 got me into that flow state, and Tracks 6 and 7 were still pretty good, if a bit of a step down. Tracks 8 and 9 certainly aren’t bad, but they sacrifice the melodic depth for lyrical depth, and while they tell good stories, I think they require a deeper context of the sociopolitical climate of the time that I just don’t have, and so I can’t connect to them like that. Once again, though, this is not a bad album – what’s here is full of the same vibrance and confidence present on Exodus, and its sound feels just as polished despite being 3 years younger. I just don’t think the entire thing hangs on as a front to back experience – there are certainly lulls in the music, and a few tracks fall for the “first minute is the whole song” trap, but usually it’s done so well that it’s easy to ignore. It just has too many of those moments pop up over the course of the album for me to give it a 5, but make no mistake – this is certainly one of the 1,001 albums one should listen to before they die. I just wish it had a little more cohesion to bump up to a 5, but I’m not quite there. Still a great album, though.

Clean production/recording/mix (not my preference for reggae) but sounds very good regardless. Al Anderson, Aston Barrett & Carlton Barrett give great performances. Studio version of "No Woman No Cry" is underrated. "Bend Down Low"...I can't put my finger on what I dislike about this song. Strong cover art, very striking. Favorites: "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)", "So Jah S'eh" Least Favorites: "Bend Down Low" Not my personal favorite Bob Marley release, but overall good album. (x2) 4 Stars, B

Love this music, but this isn’t the best of them, would listen again but not on repeat.

Some nice groovy reggae. Only really recognized No Woman No Cry, but enjoyed all of it.

Loved it, and landing as my album Friday before a long weekend felt appropriate for the vibe Reggae tends to have.

irie man

Haven't really heard much reggae, but I enjoyed this very much. The themes are presented so simple and effective, and the production is top notch.

4.5 rounded down, don't see how anyone could hate this. First song is the worst one, but still decent.

Simply beautiful.

Great

Not a great Reggae fan but I can see why this is a good album.

This will be the second Bob Marley album I will have reviewed after Catch a Fire. It is also the first Bob Marley album of which "The Wailers" are in name only, after Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer left due to disagreements with their producer Chris Blackwell. I will say I enjoyed Natty Dread slightly more than Catch a Fire, if only because the lyrics feel more cohesive and poignant. The album is more politically charged because the lyrics are meant to be empowering for the general population. This includes calls for unification such as in "So Jah Seh", sparking a revolution such as in the aptly named "Revolution" and "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)", a profound warning about a nation's hunger issues on "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)", and a celebration of the Rastafari religious movement Marley belonged to on the title track. The cherry on the top would be the most known track off this record "No Woman, No Cry", where there is sentiment found for one's upbringing in an impoverished community and the friendships forged in tough times. As much as I still feel new to reggae music with its slower tempos and laid-back vibes, I certainly enjoyed how good Natty Dread was. This album comes with a solid recommendation.

Classic. Not certain if any one track stood out to me, but very easy listening

Familiar territory, most welcome today.

whenever i listen to reggae all I think about is that one time my white uncle to me and my cousins on drive in his beaten up bush car around the forest trails at my grandpas cottage. He pressed play on the cd player in the car and it was just some random reggae comp cd. So we were just barreling down trails in the wood at like 100km/h while blasting bob marley or something like that idk. albums cool ig, but i don't get much out of it. reggae not really my thing, but i can see the appeal

unfortunately, the one massive hole in my "i listen to everything" mentality is reggae - that being said, this was absolutely the perfect introduction. It's groovy and comforting in a way that other types of music really aren't, all packed with social commentary relevant to this day. Will revisit !

Oslagbara vibes

Akin to my other Bob Marley reviews, it's good stuff but boy is it repetitive. It does sound very samey near the end. Still it's relaxing to listen.

Peace and love be with ya mon. Marley's signature reggae sound is on full display here.

Not bad though I would have thought these reggae songs would have more groove but I still enjoyed it. I happy to have a break from all the shit punk albums we been getting.

Funky skanky reggae stuff. Bass goes hard like usual

not my favorite marley album, but a solid listen

It’s excellent.

Chill reggae sunny

Not my favorite Bob Marley album but still strong.

I was surprised by the toned down production compared to the versions of the songs I'm used to. Still wonderful sound.

I'm not a big reggae guy but that was fantastic. Surprised by the depth of instrumentation there is a lot to listen to in every song.

Honestly, I fully expected not to like this and was pleasantly surprised. Felt like a smooth blend of soul and blues with a touch of funk. An enjoyable listen!

Solid album! No Woman No Cry is a classic.

3.5/5

My unproven theory is that 'Natty Dread' may be the finest showcase of Bob Marley's understanding of how the voice - literal, figurative, symbolic, political - can still connect despite a lack of traditional melodies, choruses, and songwriting structure. Think about it: apart from "No Woman, No Cry," there really isn't any a catchy tune on the record. And yet, his singing on "Lively Up Yourself" is probably the most triumphant and expressive they've ever been and in total communion with his backing singers the I-Threes. Despite the lyrical images of unrest and agitation (there literally is a song called "Revolution"), it is a laid-back vibes-based affair, musically speaking, without clear Marleyesque hooks (apart from the aforementioned "No Woman, No Cry," which was perfected on the 'Live!' record from 1975.) I suppose that would be expected in this transitional period following the departure of Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh. Of course the album art would consist of Bob, clearly head and shoulders above the world. A-

Popularized the genre worldwide

Funky, fun listen. Stand-out: Natty Dread

Lovely summer vibes, a little bit sterile for some reason, but a fun album nevertheless.

Enjoyed! 4/5

Recognized ‘I Believe in a thing called love’. I’d listen to this one again.

Great change of pace from what I’ve been getting recently. Good vibes, some good songs I’ve never heard either

Great album by Bob and the Wailers. “Bend Down Low” is one of my favorite tunes by them. Overall a solid reggae album. 4/5 Will listen again

Bob Marley's reggae feels very consistent to me, it would take quite a few listens before I could really tell a difference between this album and the other two of his that I have encountered thus far on this project. That is in no way a knock against his work, consistent quality is to be commended. Still, this doesn't quite make it as one of my favorite albums or genres. Favorite tracks: "Rebel Music" and "Revolution." (I wonder what that says about me?)

Where you listen to this can have a major impact on the rating. Like the last reggae album, this would be much better on a beach than driving in traffic. That being said, this is right in the 3-4 range.

This album is timeless, another I find it hard to be objective on as I know every song here. I get that reggae may not be for everyone, the genre lends itself to a lot of repetition but Bob just does it so well. He manages to evoke super revolutionary ideas without really saying that many words. Just simple lyrics and chill grooves, no skips here at all. Incredible from start to finish.

Marley is the gateway to all reggae.

I avoided Bob Marley for the longest time because, for the longest time, the only people I knew who listened to Bob Marley were the white stoners from college who had just moved from the suburbs, who pretended that Rastafarianism was like some funny Jamaican Buddhism (but better because Rastas toked), and had mass-produced Che Guevara posters on their walls. I avoided, well, I avoided anything that crowd liked, honestly, so I skipped Mr. Marley. I wish I had heard this sooner. I think that it could have been a foundational album for me in my youth, what with its social commentary over solid beats. No Woman No Cry was the big standout for me, but the entire album was solid.

If I've learned anything in the past week listening to the albums, it's that I need to be listening to more Bob Marley & The Wailers. Just genuinely enjoyable music, that all works together and has a good message. Not a single song where I would want to skip and move on. I will give it a small knock for kind of melding together at times, but another good album form them.

i don't really have much experience with reggae (especially roots reggae) but i'm still somewhat familiar with bob marley through cultural osmosis/cheesy references in 2000's comedy films. for some reason he'd always struck me as an overly positive figure with the post-mortem brand reverence of an act like the beatles -- i honestly should have guessed there's actual substance behind the hype when you actually sit down and give him a listen. yeah, it's positive, but its not ignorantly positive. there's obvious trouble in the world, and especially for the african diaspora of which marley was a part of. it's a good attitude in a world that will not stop causing you and your community pain. some of the more spiritual tracks like So Jah Seh don't engage me as much (i am broadly unfamiliar with most Rastafarian practices) but i don't ever feel like i was being annoyed or preached to. i even kind of like the traditional pop cover on side B! the production is really well done as well, all the instruments feel at the right place in the mix -- that creamy 70's studio goodness. the performances are great and much more unique than i would have thought from the general idea i was given of reggae being a slow, languid genre. sure, maybe there's a couple slow moments, especially on side b, but the only reason this is an 8 instead of a 9 is because i feel like i don't have the context that a more astute reggae/ska/dub fan would have on a record like this. if i revisit this after having heard more jamaican music, i might increase it. who knows? i feel like i've learned something. i might check out more of marley's records later. maybe i don't buy the hype fully, but i at least know that he's immensely talented and MUCH more introspective than i was led to believe.

Forgot to write. Bob Marley. Some good stuff here. Pleasant, tropical, some good messaging. Standouts: No Woman No Cry, Them Belly Full (But We Hungry), Talkin’ Blues, Revolution.

Classic

Great Reggae album glad to have it pop up on the list so I could listen to it.

really don't care for reggae but with this guy its almost sui generi. Love the stutters, the repeats in the singing, the lopsided bass and drums. Good stuff.

I was surprised at how much I like this, I am pretty sure this album is the first one without any of the key Wailers. Great stuff regardless.

Excellent

I hope you like jammin' too!

Good

Bob Marley is a legend for good reason

Classic that I will return to

Never been a massive fan of reggae and my exposure to Bob Marley has just been the legends greatest hits album. But I really enjoyed this. Obviously No Woman No Cry is a classic but also Lively Up Yourself, Rebel Music, Natty Dread and Bend Down Low also stood out.

Fantastic album. Always good vibes. Fun beats with meaningful lyrics.

I could listen to Bob Marley every day. Great stuff.

Really solid album from Marley. Enjoyed the sound and vocals. Very enjoyable listen top to bottom.

Pretty solid. He started/continued a style most people didn’t know and he’s great

Felt like I was right back at work (thank you Joe). I do love Bob Marley just to have in the background. It’s such a great vibe and he’s such a great artist at making good vibes. But the flip side (and this is what makes him so good) if you really listen to the lyrics they’ve got some oomph to them which can be a tough line to walk for many artists. Overall a very great album. Solid vibes man.

Nice and classic

2nd Bob Marley this week. Makes me really want a vacation

The genius of this is how he’s able to present outrage at injustice and calls for revolution in a way so chill that it makes white folks bob their heads.

The great thing about Marley is he found a sound that works so well that there isn’t much of a drop from the great songs to the lesser known ones.

I like Bob. I'm thinking 3.5*, which I will round to 4.

Excellent

A lovely listen

75

its very good but not so much my style

No Bob album is worth anything less than a four. This album is close to a five, but just doesn’t reach his best works. Still, iconic and an album I never mind listening to. 4/5

Standout songs: Them Belly Full Natty Dread Revolution

probably my favourite Bob Marley album, great tunes with that mellow early 70s reggae vibe. Lively Up Yourself, Natty Dread and No Woman No Cry (a faster version than he played it live) particularly good.

7/10. Great reggae album. It was relaxing, and an overall great listen. :)

Up until recently I was fairly indifferent to reggae. It was fine, but I didn’t get the people who obsessed over it. But after an algorithm recommended a reggae album to me (Return of the Super Ape) I’ve been exploring a little more. This is very good, which seems obvious but yeah. I do find I like the more dubby reggae with the echo and drenched in reverb, but that said there’s a reason Bob Marley is considered great. Bottom line, album good.

It’s been a long time since I’ve given Bob Marley a chance. I’ve only ever really gotten into one or two of his hits. I think that’s a shame, because I really enjoyed this all the way through. I know it’s not a hot take to say that, but there you go.

Great listen to chill out

Today I listened to a lot of albums, this is one I was surprised to like a lot… definitely stood out as someone who doesn’t listen to this genre a lot. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to an album that has made me feel so calm. All the songs are very solid with great instrumentals and vocals 8/10

I mean, who doesn't like Bob Marley? This album was great, it definitely didn't sound any different than any other Bob Marley songs, but it's always a good listen.

go off bob

Wow what a great vibe to start a summer day! Instant good mood, but admittedly there’s some Righteous anger mixed in. The contrast of lyrics and music is intriguing. Easier to rally the masses with honey than vinegar I suppose! Weak last song unfortunately. Felt like a great gymnastics routine that then didn’t stick the landing.

Natty Dread by Bob Marley and the Wailers is a standout album that captures Marley's signature blend of catchy rhythms and captivating messages. Released in 1974, the album includes the iconic No Woman, No Cry, which has become a timeless anthem with its emotive lyrics and memorable chorus. Tracks like Lively Up Yourself and Rebel Music combine engaging melodies with pointed social commentary, showcasing Marley's skill in addressing serious issues through accessible music. Natty Dread successfully balances traditional reggae elements with a broader appeal, making it both authentic and widely relatable. The album's infectious energy and lyrical depth ensure its lasting impact. As a pivotal work in Marley's discography, Natty Dread continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Its blend of catchy tunes and meaningful messages solidifies its place in music history. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 5 STAND OUT TRACK - Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)

He might have cult followers but I don't appreciate his music.

Loved some of this, enjoyed just about all of it - an unexpectedly good time

I thought I didn't care much for Bob Marley & The Wailers. Who knew?

4.2 Some important and meaningful songwriting that hits a lot harder when you look into the context of why/when it was written. The music production is ok, but I like to stick to live Marley recordings when I can

Loved it. Need more Bob Marley and more reggae.

Only ever listened to the hits before. Album is great. Bob is the reggae master.

Really great album

This feels like that authentic reggae that my grandparents must have been slow dancing to in the dance hall, amazing stuff. No Woman No Cry and Revolution are standouts.

Good. But all his songs sound the same

Good, I like it

"Last week Andy set sail for the Bahamas to sell his family’s boat, and he took his brother, but not me. I was kind of sad at first, but then I remembered that Bob Marley song. "No, woman. No cry."" (Erin, The Office) 4/5

Кажется, мне нравится Боб Марли. Очень легкая музыка, чилловая, но не тянет в сон, помогает работать, поднимает настроение. Ничего плохого про него не могу сказать вот! Конечно, не возникает желания слушать Марли в свободное время, но когда получаю его альбом я знаю, что впереди будет часик в радость.

bob marley's voice is incredible loving the bass/keyboard instrumentals through the album so far Lively Up Yourself - 4/5 No Woman No Cry - 5/5 Them Belly Full - 4.5/5 Rebel Music - 3.5/5 So Jah S'eh - 4/5 Natty Dread - 4.5/5 Bend Down Low - 4.5/5 Talkin' Blues - 4/5 Revolution Am-A-Do

I love Bob Marley and this album was fantastic.

4/10, 40%

Always great a bit of a different sound than I expected!

As with a lot of protest era music, there is a lot that resonates with the world today.

No Woman No Cry Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) Natty Dread

Solid and easy to listen to.

Solid

great album fun to sing along to

hmmm

So enjoyable and better than I though musically. A LOT of today's stuff was recognizable in this 1974 gem. Samples, riffs, styles. Bob Marley rules.

Finding it tough to compare this to Exodus. Giving Exodus a four has been one of my great consternations of this experience. I like this album but it's in more of a "marvel at the musicianship" kind of way. The playing and grooves are very solid, but the song writing is maybe just less catchy and harder to latch on to at first. Even after another listen I'm going in with a 4.

nice!

Another solid album. I think I enjoyed this one more than the other of theirs that I listened to.

Good vibes, did not listen to lyrics very closely

5/10

One of the Most amazing Marley album

This is good stuff

Great groove and arrangements. Listening to this is probably where I've felt closest to understanding the wide love for Bob Marley. I can connect to some other production and arrangement touchstones from its era that I love from artists like Bob Dylan, and I can hear the effect Marley had on Eric Clapton.

Really good reggae album, which I'd not heard before. Worth listening to if you're only familiar with his greatest hits. The stand out song is No Woman, No Cry. 4/5

A powerful and soulful album that showcases Bob's unique blend of reggae rhythms and heartfelt lyrics. The tracks are infused with Marley's energy and poignant social commentary, making it a timeless classic. Its depth and artistry shine.

Bob Marley is quality although I’m not at all into reggae. Fave Track: Revolution Rating: 4

Bob Marley hefur verið í sókn á ný, örugglega út af nýju heimildarmyndinni um hann. Það er samt ekki hægt annað en að fíla þessa tónlist. Þessi plata fer aftur á fóninn það er alveg bókað ásamt öðrum plötum með Marley.

Great album. “No Woman No Cry” is a certified great song. I enjoyed the album and respond well to reggae. I’ll dig in some more on this one as a re-listen. ****

Lively Up Yourself No Woman, No Cry Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) Talkin' Blues Revolution

Solid album of iconic reggae.

I had never listened to reggae before, and so wasn’t really sure what to expect. This album was pure groove: the lyrics and Bob Marley’s voice of course added to the effect, but what struck me most was the instrumentation. The album was sonically coherent, but you get these flairs in each song that change the vibe: is it more bluesy, more rock? Very engaging, and a great introduction to a new genre!

Great album, funny hearing Bob Marley after so many other reggae artists trying to sound like the genuine article.

B+ Lively Up Yourself 3 No Woman No Cry 4 Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) 4 Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) 4 So Jah Say 4 Natty Dread 4 Bend Down Low 3 Talkin' Blues 3 Revolution 5 This album made me think of one of Declan's seven evil ex-girlfriends, but it was really good nonetheless. Really surprised me, didn't expect to give this a 4 at all.

Belly full but we hungry. Nice mouth harpin like

I think I prefer exodus to this one, but still a phenomenal album. No woman no cry is one of very few tracks where I prefer the live to the studio version.

4.25