Natty Dread

Just not my vibe.

It's fine. Reggae. Not my scene. Third Marley album I've encountered here and it really is a case of... They all sound EXACTLY the same to me. Fine. But... Absolutely identical.

Some decent tunes.

Iconic

Not bad. Reggae is fun, but definitely gets old after a while. It is definitely a summer vibe. I love the vocals all around on this album. Bob is great as are the backing vocals. This album is perfectly fine...2.5 maybe 2.75. Hot take: "No Woman No Cry" is kinda boring. Liked Songs: "Lively Up Yourself" , "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)" , "So Ja S'eh" , "Bend Down Low" , "Talkin' Blues" , "Revolution"

Not bad, but gets kinda same-y 2.5

No thanks

Standouts for mw are Lively Up Yourself (old-school Wailers ska feel), and Rebel Music. The rest of the album just sort of blends together into a roots medley for me.

Classic got to be on my playlist

Good, pretty good. I am not sure if I'll push for a 4, high 3. Good, but I've had a really rough run of unremarkable albums. Really need a classic or something

I feel bad not rating this higher when everybody pretends to like Bob Marley but it was just ok. I don’t think I like reggae all that much. I loved the drums. Would probably enjoy it more if I was able to pay attention to the lyrics but this project has taught me I’m not very good at that.

Another perfectly listenable reggae album. I'm not the biggest reggae fan but so far, every reggae album on the 1001 list has been worth a listen or two. Natty Dread doesn't change that one bit. If you like reggae, you'll love Natty Dread and if you don't you likely still enjoy it. I had a lot of fun with it and I'm considering buying a greatest hits album by Bob Marley, Wal Mart has one on Rastafarian colors vinyl for about twenty bucks, it's really pretty.

01) Lively Up Yourself - 9,0 02) No Woman, No Cry - 10,0 03) Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) - 8,0 04) Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) - 7,5 05) So Jah Seh - 7,5 06) Natty Dread - 7,5 07) Bend Down Low - 7,5 08) Talkin' Blues - 7,5 09) Revolution - 7,5 10) Am-A-Do - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,90 (79/100) Current ranking: 203/585

Put me in a great good. 5 stars just for that

So I thought the vocals by Marley were a little different on the first few tracks from other music of his. His voice sounds different. Maybe it was just me. It didn’t affect my feeling of Natty Dread though because I really liked the album. The No Woman No Cry was different from what I’m used to as the version I have from a greatest hits album is a live recording. Probably prefer the live version better but the Natty Dread album version is good too. The title track and Am-A-Do weren’t my favorite but they are okay. Not deal breakers by any means. There is something about Marley’s music that soothes the soul. It’s nice to kick back and listen. I’m going with 4 rating for Natty Dread. Would add this to the rotation. 4/5

3.5

Reggae Mon 3.5/5

Good Stuff!

Marley is an icon, but I haven't listened to much of his work outside of his best known songs. This album was nice to listen to, it's got No Woman No Cry on it, and I also like They Belly Full (But We Hungry), Rebel Music, and the title track. I admit it's not completely my style, I don't know if I'd seek out his music necessarily. But he made some good music that is absolutely worth a listen.

Cool

pretty good

Inte dåligt men inte heller Bobbans bästa album. Låter lite trött. Några sömnpiller som Talkin' Blues. No Woman No Cry är sönderspelad.

10/10 I’ve always been a huge fan of Bob Marley, but only ever listened to his Legend: Best Of compilation, so hearing an actual studio album of his was a nice experience :)

I didn't hope that this album liked me, but I liked it very much. I ain't a reggae fan but this surprised me and i enjoyed it very much.

Legendary artist, legendary vibe. Reggae isn't usually my cup of tea, but Bob Marley's music is at least a very accessible take on the genre. Not expecting to be blown away or anything, but I at least am pretty certain it will be a good time. Lively Up Yourself Fun guitar, lovely bass. Positive atmosphere. Energetic and soulful performance. Pleasant instrumental break, has a great atmosphere to it. Decent. 3.5/5 No Woman No Cry Classic. Though perhaps the live version is a bit more revered this also holds up. Fantastic lyrics, amazing storytelling. Great chorus. Lovely organ. Anthemic. Surpassed by later recordings, but still a foundational classic. 4.5/5 Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) The lyrics are about as direct as you'll get. Sadly still relevant today. Great verse melody. Lovely guitar, has a lot of personality to it. Good. 4/5 Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) The harmonica is a pretty interesting element to this sound. Cool bassline. The anti authoritarian lyrics feel very on brand. The guitar jam drags a bit. I like the ominous organ in the background. Decent. 3.5/5 So Jah S'eh Very religiously coded with the biblical sounding lyrics. I like the horns quite a bit. Great instrumental, feels very infectious with how layered it sounds. Amazing vocal performance. Great. 4.5/5 Natty Dread Great vibe. Don't love the chorus though. Instrumentally it's kinda forgetable, though the song is sorta saved by the fairly unique lyrics. Fine. 3/5 Bend Down Low I like the slightly faster tempo. Decent bassline. The backing vocals do a great job at paralleling Bob's vocals. Kinda don't love the lyrics. Ends up not being the most memorable track. Fine. 3/5 Talkin' Blues Has some nice imagery. There's some personality to the lyrics. Bombing a church? Hold up... A bit boring. Fine. 3/5 Revolution Very direct in it's message. Love the horns. Great bassline. Love how dynamic the backing vocals are. Charismatic vocal performance, love the little inflections he does. Again draws from some very vivid imagery. Good. 4/5 Am-A-Do It's extremely forgetable. Kinda dislike the backing vocals. Feels overdone. The lyrics aren't great and the instrumental feels really sparse and boring. Has some alright vocal moments, but is otherwise pretty bland. Dislike. 2/5 A very pleasant archetypical reggae album which represents the sound in an accessible and unproblematic way. Reflects on the themes you'd expect from an album of this type: Unity, peace, love and resistance. You'll find Bob Marley on his usual game, delivering fantastically charismatic, passionate and fully realized performances. This atmospheric and easily digestible collection of songs serves as a great piece of culture which never loses focus of what it is. It's just solid reggae to the core, and sometimes that's perfectly enough. I don't think anything here will blow anyone away, though I cannot see how that would be the point of it. It's a diverse expression of a movement, a people and an idea which happens to take the form of music. And I guess this is why it sounds so relatable and real. You could talk plenty about tangental things, such as the marvelous basslines or the diverse guitar playing, but I think that's beside the point. This thing is all atmosphere and feeling. It's an aura of togetherness and carefree expression of thought, by people who sound like they're enjoying their craft. 3.5/5 Rounded up to 4/5

Solid listen,but a bit samey. Good instrumentals and vocal work.

A fantastic album that showcases Bob Marley’s signature sound and powerful messages. The blend of reggae rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics creates an uplifting vibe that’s hard to resist. Tracks like "Rebel Music" and "No Woman, No Cry" are absolute gems.

An all-around vibe. Super chill and feels timeless. The bari sax won me over :)

Good stuff. I can see why No Woman No Cry (Live) is the more definitive edition, but cool to see what it once was.

3/6

Сам стиль регги - не совсем мое. Узнав слова песен, открыла для себя, что Боб Марли не просто про любовь и мир, но любовь и мир через революцию. Без слов, сама по себе музыка, было бы не мое

A legend. Timeless lyrics, and the reason so much of the world gets to hear reggae music

I listened to this album at least four times and each time it melted into the background, just providing some good vibes. Enjoyable but nothing that really caught my ear.

Liked the sound like the vibe but not the songs

let's just say reggae is not my genre

Honestly a great time

Albumet är mest ok på totalen. Lively up yourself är dock en av hans bästa. Är inte helt såld på "no woman no cry". I övrigt är det helt ok reggae.

Inte hört merparten av låtarna på denna, men Bobban levererar i vanlig ordning. Lägstanivån är mycket hög och det var kul att upptäcka några godbitar som Them belly full, Rebel music, Natty dread, Talkin’ blues och Revolution.

I really love the vibe and the instrumentals on this one. The lyrics hit hard as well. It's honestly maybe my favorite Bob Marley album even though I haven't really gone through and listened to them all recently.

I don’t know when I first heard Bob Marley, but I can confidently say there’s never been a Bob Marley song I didn’t like. I love the song writing, the music, the soul behind everything. I love how reggae took all of the modern music of the time (rock, blues, soul, r&b) and turned the tempos and played it all with upbeats. He leans so heavily into soul and blues, but with his own spiritual take on all of it. The songwriting is perfect. He hits the whole spectrum. Songs of revolution and social issues. Songs of love and peace. It’s really well rounded and deep. I listened to this record 4 times today. I enjoyed it every time.

Mój problem z Bobem Marleyem jest taki, że wychowałam się na kompilacji jego największych hitów i żadna jego płyta tego nie pobije. Ta jest dość przyjemna. Chyba najlepsza z tych trzech, które już mi się tu wylosowały. Nadal daleko im do perfekcji. 7/10

Not really for me

Loved it! Great background music when I’m on island time.

Love it but I need to be in the mood. Heard some songs that I don't think I knew

Clean crisp production takes away some of the feeling and grit. Just an OK album.

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

Not Marley’s best effort, not Marley’s worst. A solid 6/10 album

it was cool, but i wouldn’t say it was my favorite. it was nice being able to discover bob marley more.

Pure summer gold

This is a pretty chill record, very much a classic Reggae record. It's an easy listen, the sound is pretty consistent but Marley and co. manage to keep it interesting enough for the entire duration of the record. The themes are mostly about love, politics and some sort of life-philosophy stuff. It doesn't take away from the record, but at points Marley's views come across as very classic/conservative (e.g., "Every man needs a woman"). Given that it was the '70s, it's not surprising, but of course it hasn't aged that well. It's also interesting to note Marley's voice, which I find was a bit more developed in later records, here he sounds a bit more rough but not worse at all. My favourite songs were probably the classic "No Woman No Cry" and "Natty Dread", the chorus was pretty catchy. Overall, I'd say it's a pretty easy-listening, a cool record, but it didn't stand out much in my opinion.

Love him

Poignant political and social commentary, delivered in the groovy and soul-lifting way only Bob Marley and the Wailers can. Notably, this is the first album following the departure of original members Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, leaving Bob to fill the role of bandleader in a greater capacity. This album is proof of concept that less is more - especially when it comes to reggae. Also a good reminder that I (a drummer) need to practice my reggae grooves. Yah mon!

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

Incomparable..

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.

I listened to this album, but it doesn't stop it from being good.

2.5

Very easy to listen to. Almost too easy?

a laid back and relatively chill reggae album that touches on social issues and also the empowerment of underprivileged groups. Definitely a nice fun listen.

Iconic album!

I guess reggae is OK but it sure gets repetitive quickly and kind of tedious after a while. Bob Marley is no exception.

Good, kinda not my favorite of theirs

Rasta.

I'm not dumb enough to slag Bob Marley & The Wailers' Natty Dread — it basically marks Marley's emergence as a global voice, further popularized Reggae and stands as a symbol of both political resistance and spiritual uplift — but it's not my thing. I want my music to hit harder. So, sometimes I hear where the album could be punchier and angrier, and I know that's my own taste preference and musical instincts working against it. It's a solid album with some great songs — someone else is going to give it 5 stars and I won't argue.

4.5

Но вумен но край растаман

Wow, wasnt expecting to be able to appreciate this, mostly because I'm completely unaware of these types of genres and sounds, and have literally zero previous exposure to this music and culture. Faves: No woman no cry, Them belly full, So Jah Seh. Would I revisit this: probably nah, cuz it's still not my thing, but would listen to these specific tracks again.

nothing im really gonna revisit on this tbh. Marley is a legend but whatever

I'm not the biggest reggae fan but it was nice!

Prototype Bob but solid

Hermoso disco, con un sonido excelente.

I like the Wailers. There are times, like late mornings after a long night of debauchery, when their music is perfect. Otherwise, it’s a bit slow. Yeah, I used to love smoking pot, but those daze are over. Another band loved for the legend than the music.

Solid record. I like the alternate recordings and live versions better than these, but a good snapshot of this era.

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

6/10

There are plenty things I like about this album when it comes to groovy instrumentation, rhythmic vocals, and writing (mainly in the first four songs), but it is overall still feels like background music. I know that it's supposed to be relaxing since it's reggae, but I just don't enjoy music that is this quiet and devoid of energy that much. Also, the first half is way better than the second one, and it's not even close.

Alright. Not a huge fan of reggae. 6/10

Nice for a lying on the beach

yaaaaaaaaaah Rastafari. yaa Rastafari. Han scho so lang uf es Reggae (oder explicit Boby Album gwarted). Heiland sack namal. Bin au nüm de grössti Reggae loser aber hed mini Jugend und Jungserwachsne si sicher sehr prägt, viel Freud und Entspannig geh und dezue bitreid nöd alles z ernst neh und positive vibration zha. The Wailers natürli au eifach en straight outta banger tracks background band. Wür sege nöd s allerbeste Boby album aber id Top3 chunds sicher ine. Btw bobby am kicke i de Street, eis vo de geilste Musiker*innephotos ever bomboclaat, neduen out, 5 kreolischi Bravos

okidoki de ja pierdolę kurwa bobr marley und the wailers sind da long time no see musi da zerst mal sege, han mich da scho chli gfreut aber halt au schnell müese merke dases sich um sehr situationsbedingti musig handled bi mir also de zug uf sirnach isch chli zu damp gsi für das album ja scheise oder 3 pierogis uf mim teller und nachane no 3 pączkis in grind innedruckt

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

Pretty much what you would expect from Bob Marley. I think this is my first time hearing the studio version of No Woman No Cry...completely understand why the live version has become the standard. 3.5/5

OK but I prefer Legend and exodus 2.8

Album starts good but fades off into a reggae void, and then almost finds something distinguishable again at the very end with Am-A-Do but just misses the mark. I enjoyed it enough!

There is other reggae stuff I have historically liked more than Bob. He's always felt a little cringey to me, but that's probably because of the "college poster" crowd embracing his whole thing so emphatically. Bob Marley has always felt very "hacky-sack" to me, but no no no, he does not sing about hacky-sacks. In a vacuum, it's good. Groovy and funky, not outstanding. Had a perfectly nice time listening to this.

it's fine.

Dope

Great album with political message

Not for me

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.

Just a relentless jam, No woman studio version doesn't get enough love

Glad I gave this a proper listen.

I never listened to much Bob Marley before this project and this is my third album by Mr. Marley and co. All have been fantastic and way better than my rather naive assumptions about his music and reggae on the whole.

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."

So disappointed. Plenty of different instruments but the music all sounded the same.

Always fun to listen to. Nothing stand out for me, but it puts me in a good mood! Jah!

Perfect vibe, perfect sounds, perferct album

Boom chaka boom chaka boom chaka ad nauseum for 10 tracks. Look, there's 1 good song on this album. No Woman No Cry is really good. But seriously it's an entire album of 1 sound. I'm over reggae at this point.

Easily a 5. Creative, so mysical, fun(!) and yet packs a message. I don’t know of another musician who dominates their genre the way Marley does. He defines the reggae sound, especially the upbeat musical themes. (A lot of reggae and Jamaican culture is much darker — as in “Them Belly Full”). A classic that I would gladly play over and over — especially on a deserted island.

I don't click with Bob.

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.

First full Bob Marley album for me, instantly a good vibe. Lovely grooves, well produced. 5* Highlights: no woman no cry, lively up yourself, talkin blues

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

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

It’s quite good all around, but I find myself liking the more bluesy tracks more. No Woman No Cry is a real classic

More lofi than I expected

Classic Reggae. Not bad, but wouldn't be on my go to list.

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.

Don't mind a bit of Reggie. And if you've going to listen to some it might as well be by one of the masters of the genre. The outstanding track was obviously No Woman No Cry, though like most people I am more used to the live version. On the whole though it's a creditable album. Well worth a high 3.

Very enjoyable listening.

The only Reggae song I've ever liked was SL2' 'On a Ragga Tip'. Badaya badaya bad ddd die deya. Marley is poo.

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

It's good but does wash over you a little. Interesting hearing the studio version of no woman no cry, can see why the live version is more popular 3.5*

I feel like I'm saying this for many of these albums, but this album just isn't for me. I don't judge anyone for loving Bob Marley and Reggae, but it's just not my thing.

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

Not my style

I don't dislike Marley by any means, I just never go outta my way to listen to his music. But I enjoyed this album enough, might be the first time I've listened to one of his albums front to back. No Woman No Cry is one of his songs that I love a lot, so glad to see that on this album.

Can't stand reggae for the life of me but even I can't deny the greatness in this album. Not for me tho

First time ever seriously listening to Bob Marley let's goooooo liked the first song i can't take "no woman no cry" seriously after years of hearing it in the dumbest contexts but it is a good song do I'll try to enjoy it as such i liked the third track but i do feel like i'll like it better with more listens rebel music's great but maybe too long some of these later songs do blend into each other "bend down low" was fun "revolution" is also a stand-out overall, this is a really good album, it just requires a very specific mood, one that i'm not really in at the moment. might revisit it some other time though, now thta i know what to expect.

I just can't get into Reggae music. Caribbean Polka music is all it is.

There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe the work of Bob Marley.

Great musicality. Maybe the original version of “no woman no cry”.

Was good, couldn't really get into it

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

great fun album in summer

I love a bit of Bob but not this much. Just not feeling it but it's by no means bad. Middle of the park 3

Good album

It probably doesn’t help that I had another Bob Marley album this week, but reggae just isn’t for me.

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.

Sublime

Excuse I for my skanking, give thanks and praise

7,5/10

A hungry mob is a hangry mob!

4.25

Classic.

the Smokiest wailers record of the ones ive heard..its hard to split the difference between a lot of these albums ofc but there just always seems to be a few more layers of abstraction on here, at least musically. lots of v engrossing layers and little details too! honestly in a weird way this is harder for me to just Melt into than catch a fire, but thats not too much of a complaint cuz this is also one of the most song-oriented wailers records ive heard. ive only heard ab half of the Classic stretch of the wailers from 1973 to bob marley's death in 1981 , im hoping a few more of them will pop up so i have an excuse to hear them! of the ones ive heard this is Maybe my second fave ? idk FHJFSHJ u rly cant go wrong w/ this stretch im sure

Always a pleasure to hear Bob Marley's voice.

Brilliant start to finish. The songs with the female vocalist are a nice offset. I got a little sad realizing this was bobs first album without bunny or Peter. Kinda think they should take the word “wailers” out of the title because of that ❤️😢

Outstanding . So smooth. I love his music.

Fun listen. I knew more songs than I thought I would.

Solid stuff! Love a good artist that can write music that defines the issues within society and is pushing progress against the politicians that govern.

An album that could be playing in background of a poker game. Solid for what it is, but just not up my alley…

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.

RH - First of the 1001 albums. First time listening to a Bob Marley album. Very comforting and full of joy, despite including protest songs and alluding to hardship. I guess this is what a lullaby is at its highest aspiration: familiar and soothing, especially during difficult times.

It's iconic for a reason.

9/10

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

Wonderful headphones experience

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.

Not my favorite Bob Marley record but still solid.

Finished, liked it ok, not rly my jam

First exp with Bob Marley and I love it.

eu gostei. não é algo que ouço normalmente, mas valeu a pena parar pra ouvir!

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.

If you have one reggae album in your collection it should probably be this, or Bob Marley's greatest hits. Goes hard, and here we are again, Jamaica 1975, America 2025. 3 O'clock Roadblock: "Hey, Mr. Cop, Ain't got no birth certificate on me now." See you in another 50 years.

Ugh. This better be the last of these. I think this might be the best? It feels a lot more of the moment and less trying to be something more than it is. I also didn't realize that Eric Clapton probably wouldn't have a solo career of it wasn't for the fact that he just t stole this sound which makes me hate him even more. Otherwise not interested.

p334. 1974. 3 stars. Not a fan of reggae, but this is good. Sharp lyrics and fine tunes. Not sure I'd listen to again due to musical preferences, but I can appreciate the impact it must have had.

Another example of a legendary album that holds up to its reputation. Marley's arrangement is minimalist without being in any way boring. His music creates a direct emotional lifeline between his heart and the listener's with that beautiful happy-sad dichotomy of blues and reggae. I love the guitar glittering and shimmering its little accent lines like a deer slipping through the trees of the core backing instruments. The well known tracks are of course excellent. But I'm impressed by some of the stuff that didn't make it mainstream (to my knowledge anyway) - Rebel Music has an incredible intro that grabs you and sucks you in immediately. Marley may have no birth certificate but he sure has poignant things to say and many beautiful voices to say them with. ~ Forget your sickness, and dance / forget your weakness, and dance ~

groovy

Like at Them Belly Full, Rebel Music, Talkin' Blues og Revelution har samme intro. Halve albumet jo

Good Bob, not great Bob

6/10 Solid. Very strong songwriting, but musically maybe not that interesting. Highlights: Them Belly Full No Woman No Cry So Jah S'eh

Buena producción

Complete

Pre-listening note: I got a feeling I'm not gonna like this. Reggae is not my normal wheelhouse. There are a few Marley tunes I like. Post listening: it's not horrible music, but it's just not my jam. Maybe I come back to it.

Like many reggae albums, this one resonated with me on a deeper level - I was still engaged but mostly found myself lost and dazed in these grooves. In typical Marley fashion, the grooves are tight, slow, and repetitive - and laced with tons of early '70s psychadelic licks. The best song by far for me was 'No Woman No Cry', which is such a gorgeous little psychedelic reggae cut. I love that cutesy organ backing it. From a "roots reggae" and lyrical perspective, I really liked 'Revolution', a powerful cut that follows the equally galvanizing 'Talkin' Blues'. Maybe a bit too slow for me, but it's sort of what I expected from this, so I can't be too mad, I guess. It does what it does pretty well at the end of the day.

Not as good as catch a fire but still good

Irresistible groove by the Wailers, but not my favourite Bob Marley record

One friend said yesterday that he wants to like reggae but no success. I fit to same category. All cool but infact too cool and slow.

Although it’s time to celebrate — this is the 100th album I’ve listened to from the list — reggae has always been a tough one for me. I’d really like to enjoy it, but for some reason, it tends to fade into the background for me, and I just don’t have the stamina to get through a full album with full focus. That was the case again today with this one. It’s not bad at all, but maybe reggae just isn’t for me… 901 to go.

Not a huge fan of reggae, but Marley is fine for the most part. I just get bored of listening to it very easy. And live I've said in the past, lyrics are not that important part of music for me. I find most reggae lacking in layers musically and exceeding my personal levels for positivity multifold. There are exceptions.

Had never been a big fan of reggae until I heard The Harder They Come soundtrack and Bob Marley’s greatest hits record Legend. I prefer songs like Many Rivers To Cross and Sitting in limbo because they don’t have a heavy reggae beat, which I prefer. Except for standards such as No Woman No Cry and Lively Up Yourself and my favorite Them Belly Full, songs like Rebel Music and So Jah S’eh have me running for the volume button, to turn it off.

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

I did not use a private session for this one, though I really should have. I don't like reggae and Spotify probably thinks I do now. It's repetitive, all the songs seem the same to me. It's fine for background music when you are on a vacation, but other than that, it's just lost on me.

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.

I don't dislike it but I think I would need to be in a very specific mood for it.

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

Not as good as the other 2

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

Pleasant as background music, active listening made me think of better versions of songs on here. The live version of no woman no cry really beats the album version. Had a decent time, but i know there is a lot better reggae

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

It was pretty good best one yet

Solid album

Almost a 4

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.

Si je devais écouter un seul album de reggae jusqu'à la fin de mes jours, ce serait probablement celui-là. En même temps, si je devais écouter du reggae jusqu'à la fin de mes jours, je ferai en sorte que la fin de mes jours arrive plus tôt que tard.

Buen Bob

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

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

It's fine. Expect more because I know the hits, but apart from Bob's political consciousness, this is pretty much as tiresome as I find any reggae album. The No Woman No Cry album version is not an improvement over the one everyone knows. Would probably prefer a Reggae/Dub/Ska/Roots/etc playlist over this album generally, but wouldn't be bad to have when you're ripping miller lites at the beach with the bros.

Chillin’ time

Exactly what you’d expect a Bob Marley album to sound like

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.

one of the best reggae albums I've heard (ofc), but reggae isn't always what I want to listen to

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

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?

How can you feel bad listening to this?

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

Gotta give Bob Marley 4 stars ya heard!

Enjoyable listen. Bass gently thumbing in the back of your head, and marleys and the backup singers impeccable synergy makes for a good late evening listen. Repetitive at times, but this may not be a problem once in the “zone”.

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

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

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)

This was alright. It felt a bit one-note, and I didn't love the No Woman, No Cry version -- was way too fast and sounded so cheesy with the cheap synth beat. Took me almost two full days to get through it. Two stars.

Good

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

‘and don’t be no drag.’ Opening w/ what could only be called kinky reggae (see Catch a Fire), Bob Marley’s first record w/o Tosh and Bunny is a clear triumph. If he’s not comforting you w/ ‘corn meal porridge,’ he’s a reminder of basic human facts: ‘a hungry mob is an angry mob’; ‘a hungry man is a angry man.’ If Marley is not some sort of prophet, especially for those of us who doubt that kind of thing, he’s still an indispensable artist, a realist who satisfies the old adage: ‘show don’t tell.’ No song here is not worth your time - and quite a few are inevitable classics, e.g., ‘Them Belly Full,’ ‘No Woman, No Cry,’ ‘Rebel Music,’ ‘Natty Dread.’ ‘Talkin’ Blues’ takes first place tho, w/ this unwonted violence: ‘Cause I feel like bombin' a church / Now that you know that the preacher is lyin’.’ If that’s not what I’m talkin’ about, it’s what I should be talkin’ about.

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

It's beautiful.

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

It’s a good fun listen.

I’ve never met anyone that disliked Bob Marley. Maybe not fans, but at least kind of liked some of his stuff. And this album is chock full of good songs. I don’t know what there is to not like about it.

It's amazing this is one of Bob Marley's best album.

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

Loves me some Bob, or any Bob really. _ i remember i detested any sort of reggae during my college years... not sure what finally flipped the switch for me. but happy to enjoy it now.. _i think it was "Three Little Birds" that i finally caught on to the 'Vibe'. As a hyperactive child (undiagnosed ADHD anyone?) that 'Chill Vibe' was a bit foreign to me...

There's Bob Marley albums I like better, and reggae artists I like better than Bob Marley, but this is an OK one. Plus, it's good to listen him like this on purpose, outside of the omnipresence of his hits in every stoner-adjacent fast casual restaurant and dorm room. As a musician, I aspire to the ironically dead-ass organ sounds on "Lively Up Yourself" and it's impossible to not feel it will be when the "Everything's gonna be alright" repeats hit. Everything won't be, but it's a great template for compassion. There is non-insignificant quantities of filler on this record but "Bend Down Low" is a great party percolator I don't think I've heard before.

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.

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

after a (little) while reggae just blends into itself. these guys are the best of the best so it doesn’t get TOO tiresome at least

I know Bob is someone I'm supposed to like. It's not that I don't like reggae ... but there's something that stops me from loving Marley albums. This was a little easier, but there's still something that doesn't click.

I feel like I knew every instrumental but none of the actual tracks

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

point9.

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

Fine, for a skank

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.

10/10

2.7/5: Never been a big fan of Reggae. I watched the Bob Marley movie in theaters and do quite like some of their songs as well as the whole vibe they got going but the music just feels repetitive to me after a while.

The year my wife was born😄I found this was not the classic I thought it would from the comments and it's reputation. Some of the songs are great but others especially No women No cry are awful. How any producer could allow that track out lord only knows, reminds me of how Metallica screwed up and justice Polymath

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

I could listen to this album at any time, even if I just got done listening to it.

A hungry mob is an angry mob.

Fine

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

Then Belly Full is great as is the rest

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.

riascoltarlo non mi aiuta

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

Another case of hearing a different version all the time, so the original is a bit odd. This time it's No Woman No Cry. Decent album.

хотелось на 2х слушать, не мой вайб

Great Album.

I know it's all supposed to be legendary stuff, but I've just never heard why.

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.

I think I just don't like reggae

3/5 wishing I was on vacation lol

Unbelievable

[7/10] Got me feelin like Ras Trent

Ya mon.

Solid album with some Bob Marley classics.

Bob Marley is good music for the soul. strong album from start to end.

sweet grooves and just a viiiibbbbeeeeeeeee, bob marley is cooooookkkiingggggggg

Just good reggae, Marley places himself brilliantly in each song and is backed by good social commentary.

I dont like raggae

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

Reggae van Bob altijd lekker, maar andere van zijn platen zijn beter. Ook wel duidelijk dat No Woman, No Cry in de live versie echt een stuk beter is. Wel goeie vibes. Rastafari! 5,5/10 Highlights -

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

Album number five. Aiming to streamline my reviews rather than rambling on as I have done thus far. Reggae is something of a music of contradictions for me - musically tight but with an irresistibly loose, laidback feel, and while politically, spiritually and socially preoccupied lyrically, the songs are often uplifting and danceable by contrast. Bob Marley, whether you rate him or not as a musical force, can, if nothing else, be recognised as a true figurehead for reggae and Jamaican culture, bringing them to a worldwide audience. Here, the music perhaps falls a little flat by lacking the contribution from his original Wailers, but is still as groovy and politically charged as you would expect. Admittedly not an album I would choose to listen to from start to finish often (I have listened to all Marley's albums sporadically in the past), Natty Dread comes into it's own as the soundtrack to any summer evening spent having fun in the sun. That's not to relegate Marley to mere background music, but he has produced better, more melodically interesting long-players than this - reggae fatigue sets in for this listener four or so tracks in. Only a two from me, but it's a high two.

Bin leider kein großer Reggae-Fan.

Fantastic. No woman no cry is A tier

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I like Bob Marley - but maybe I'm a vanilla greatest hits sort of guy. There are a couple of classics on hear (although prob not the definitive versions of them) but a lot of the album is very samey with the same slow reggae beat and whilst this maybe great for chilling it gets a bit boring in other scenarios.

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

There is much here that is pleasant but not astounding. It's a fairly strong album with a few highlights. I am a bit baffled why the Live album is not in the list - surely one of the next gigs ever recorded. Still - Exodus yet to come...

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!

It was very boring and repetitive. Except for No Woman No Cry which we love.

Bob

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

This was a good vibe. Very groovy stuff, but I don’t think I’d really go listen to it again just for fun. Song to song there wasn’t a ton of variation it felt like but that did make a cohesive album, just not a ton of stand out songs.

I think reggae is growing on me more but I’m not sure how great this album is still for me. It’s fun stuff but I can’t ever imagine myself returning to this.