Reviews (page 4 of 9)
The musicianship is solid, the vibes are peaceful, but the excitement level hovers somewhere between “watching paint dry” and “listening to someone describe their sourdough starter.” All in all, a bit meh—but at least it didn’t offend my ears. Just gently bored them.
Was good, very country feel to is. Slow and smooth
Sublime
I'm no dead-head, but some of their music is enjoyable. I actually own this on CD, but it is not frequently played. This is the epitome of "It's okay." to me. 3
Alright, relatively enjoyed the listen
Top track: Ripple / Truckin' / Till The Morning Comes A nix of influences, but a bit slow and boring.
Would listen to again.
3.
Quite dull
Not a single miss. Box of Rain was my first introduction to the Grateful Dead in middle school and I've been a gigantic fan ever since. The lyrics, the vibes, the everything....!
Chill music, not memorable
I’m honestly shocked that this music has so much cultural staying power. I don’t even mean musically, but the Grateful Dead are everyone even today, but really it just sounds like mid tier folk music to me.
I do like this, but it feels like it’s a little too quiet, too relaxed though the whole thing. I kept hoping they’d really turn it up a notch but that never happened.
I understand the cultural importance of the Grateful Dead and this album is decent but it’s just fine. Friend of the Devil is an awesome song and was the true standout. I wish there were a few more tracks that held my interest the same way. Truckin’ was also good bluesy closing track. Good folksy time all in all. 3 stars
Such a smooth album. Beautiful and breezy.
8/10
mehh
Um álbum bem clássico com ótimos vocais e passagens instrumentais. Letshuoer D13.
I’m not a Deadhead, and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a Grateful Dead album all the way through before. I’m aware of their huge following and their importance in music history, but I’ve never quite understood the hype. That said, I was genuinely looking forward to giving American Beauty a proper listen. I have to admit, I was expecting something quite different. I thought it would be edgier and more psychedelic, but instead it leans heavily into folk and harmony-driven songs. It’s not a bad album by any means, but it wasn’t what I anticipated. Favourite track: Truckin was a fun song. Least favourite track: “Attics of My Life” – I found it a bit dull, and the melodies didn’t land for me. It felt like a weaker attempt at a Beach Boys-style sound. Album artwork: I really like the cover — it’s simple but classic.
Hearing this version of Sugary Magnolia is crazy. The Dead are like sushi - at first you’re like what the hippie fuck is this. Then you keep trying it and eventually it clicks and you love it. This album is much more twangy than my usual Dead picks but I’m enjoying the upbeat vibes. I know Pigpen and Jerry were juggling band guys and I think that’s a lot of the sound. Pigpen’s voice on Operator sounds old in 1970! He wasn’t! He died at 27! I love Jerry’s voice on Ripple. I just love Ripple. It’s so calming! Brokedown Palace is a song that has made me cry multiple times in my life. It’s beautiful, the lyrics are on point, the boys singing together. This song makes me feel too many things. For a band that still tours in its numerous versions, I believe these lyrics. Attics of my Life sounds a bit like a choir doing Christmas carols but the lyrics are beautiful. I’ve listened to many of these songs live, some multiple times. It’s so fun to hear the differences and changes they’ve made over the years and as the members of the band have been in different configurations. I want to be in a sea of incredibly kind high people now.
Watching Lindsey Weir dancing to box of Rain in her room was my introduction to this album. I watched her get on a bus and ride into the sunset to end Freaks and Geeks. Years later, in bed and immobilized with a back injury, I changed my life and decided I had enough time to kill to listen to the Grateful Dead. This is music that has sprouted its own legs and ran away. A song like Friend of the Devil is a great example. It’s a boot scuffling a shuffle on the album and John Mayer instead sings it as a slow ballad. JRAD does something similar. Your local Dead tribute band usually plays it like the album. I’ve heard this song done multiple times in a billion ways. This album is an entire entry into the Great American song book. The Dead were brimming with talent, had buckets of acid, were drenched street cred, had a faithful following of merry pranksters, however didn’t have any money or any mainstream appeal. They go into the studio and crank out working man’s dead and American Beauty. This is a band figuring “it” out. Rollicking musicians that could out jam any gun in the west learning to focus their powers into a knife edge to carve out their own space into rock and roll history. Every permutation of Dead shows feature these songs prominently and always in a slightly fresh way than the last you heard it. This album is the entry point into the Dead Universe. It’s your first step onto the Golden Road. It’s the first stop The Bus makes to pick up new passengers and I hope a few more of you are along for the ride.
Jam and more jam
One of my favorite albums from my favorite bands. A lot of folks don’t like the Dead, and that’s fine. But if you get it, you love it
Perfect
One of the greatest and defining country folk albums ever recorded. I'm biased, born and raised by Deadheads, to view this way. Grateful Dead are primarily known as a hippie band that play concerts that last a long time, but they also threaded the needle of blending American music roots, weaved into the cloth and fabric of Americana. The country, folk, blues, R&B influences are touched here with the polished songwriting help of Robert Hunter. If you had to hear a Grateful Dead album and refuse to hear any of their live concerts you can find on archive.org right now, this and Workingman's Dead are essential for a "must hear album list", with American Beauty probably the better of the two. But a real peak list would include Anthem of the Sun and Live/Dead too :)
Honestly even three stars feels like it might be a little generous. I guess with these guys you just had to be there maybe
Vantar allt fútt í þetta
Bara allt í lagi.
Litt kjedelig rett og slett
Huge slice of Americana here. Grateful Dead are a band I know the name so much more than any song so was keen to have a listen. It’s not blown me away but at the same time, it has been perfectly pleasant to listen to. It perhaps merits further listening but not sure when I’d return at this point.
Yesterday, I was having a rather obnoxious listen to the Eagles’ debut (absolutely hated the record). And I know, this generator is an algorithm - but honestly, it couldn’t have done it better if it had deliberately “chosen” to follow the Eagles up with the Grateful Dead. American Beauty is country rock done right, dear Eagles. It’s a blessing to have the grace of this genre restored in an instant. Still not really my thing (a genre that often feels like denim set to music), but at least American Beauty explains why people could possibly love this kind of music. Cannot really get into the opener but the following “Friend of the Devil” (what a tune) and “Sugar Magnolia” are both amazing songs.
They can be fun and they can be ponderous…but they are unique!
How can you go wrong with Truckin' and Sugar Magnolia? Although every Deadhead I know hates the studio albums.
Much better than expected. The live album is got last was torture. This was almost bareable.
This is a nice album for TGD. I know their live sets are really where the nostalgia is at but man these are just some iconic and very beautiful fun songs.
Have to admit I was a little excited to see a Grateful Dead album come up as I have never listened to them before but knew of their impact in music. Unfortunately I am very disappointed it’s all a bit bland and samey really. That’s a real shame.
Way cooler than I thought it would’ve
It's laid back folk/country style..pretty chilled but rather boring.
I discussed this album with ChatGPT, and this was part of the response I got. I think it sums up the album and the band well. "To modern ears, their sound can feel like a bunch of noodly white guys playing endless guitar solos for other white guys on drugs. Which, to be fair, isn’t wrong. "If their sound bores you, that’s valid. A lot of it is slow, meandering, and steeped in a kind of self-satisfied looseness that doesn’t always translate. Their influence is maybe more interesting than their actual tracks—on jam bands, internet fandom, and even business models of fan engagement." I've always thought that much of the Grateful Dead's success was because of their live shows and the community they formed, not so much the music. If the Dead had not toured, I predict they would have mostly been forgotten.
While I'll always be missing something since I never saw them live, I harbor no misgivings when I say that American Beauty is not only an excellent album but an American classic - a wise, lyrical, and subtly mysterious ten-track set that only gets better w/ age. If it seems awfully straightforward, that's b/c psychedelia is more than speculative experimentation - it can also be rendered via fairly traditional interpretations of folk and country. It isn't lost on me that much of this, especially 'Ripple,' speaks to me b/c of my halfway hippie-childhood, but I dare you to underrate lyrics like: 'Then please don't be surprised / When you find me dreaming too'; 'And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung.' +, it trucks and ponders all at once. ✌️
Not going to make any friends with this take but every time I listen to Grateful Dead, I feel like I'm hearing a jam band whose lead singer was sick so they threw a microphone in front of the bassist... Touch country for my tastes but there's still a nice sound to be found here and there on this record. A 2.5 feels more accurate than a 2 but here we are..
Pretty easy-listening, sparse instrumentation, tight harmonies, and yet I still hated it - something about it reminds me of grating nails on a chalkboard. Super simple blues chords with a bunch of boring aimless guitar noodling in the background
Decent enough but painfully boring. This 45-minute album somehow felt like it was 2 hours long. No thanks
Got some Grateful Dead songs that I enjoy, 'Terrapin Station' to name one. This album didn't at all feel anything like that. Much more like a country or soft rock album than I had hoped, so a bit disappointed. After a pretty uninteresting first half, it recovered itself a bit with 'Ripple' which is quite a nice track. But then it was unfortunately back to pretty boring territory, with 'Truckin'' perhaps a decent track as well. Overall I was not a very big fan of this, and it felt overall quite mediocre. I understand that the Grateful Dead has a cult following, but I can't really understand why based on this record. Not the worst album I've heard, but not particularly eye opening either. Weak 3.
I just don’t get the Grateful Dead. They should be right up my alley as the cover of “Rubin and Cherise” by Bonnie Prince Billy is one of my favorite songs. Whenever I listen to the Grateful Dead I just get bored though. The only track that broke my boredom was the final one, “Truckin’,” and that was too little, too late.
Cover 6 Sugar Magnolia and Truckin' are my favorites of this album. I have to say the other songs didn't initially hit with me. Nothing wrong just didn't feel them. As for a Truckin', I first heard a rendition from Tesla's album Five Man Acoustical Jam. So it's more nostalgic than anything, but it's a fun song. Still, prefer Tesla's version.
Very chill. Very groovy. feels like a real american road trip kind of album.
I had a roommate in college that was a 'dead head' except he only ever played Casey Jones. Sufffice to say that it got old and it made me want to dislike the Dead, but I can't just toss them in the trash heap. They were trailblazers, icons of the hippie movement, and pretty damn good musicians. I'm just glad this a studio album and not a 3 hour live set, which are sick I just have too much to do today. best songs: friend of the devil, ripple
i just can't really get much out of this jammy stuff. probably goes down easier than one of their live albums, since there's real songwriting here. but firmly in the "not for me" camp deserves to be one of the 1001? it's important enough so yes
American Beauty I was sure, going in, that I disliked American Beauty immensely. And, certainly, it is tediously neat. Hardly, the work of actual hippies who drop acid and take to the road. It is clear that American bands - and faux American bands, like Cream - often confused country with psychedelia and blues with psychedelia and any boring procedural music with psychedelia, so long as it had guitar solos and vocal harmonies. As time as passed, I’ve grown to like country more, so I didn’t dislike American Beauty so much as remembered. However, it is too American and too conventionally beautiful to expand the mind as the fabled Dead were reported to do. 2 American Beauty - The Grateful Dead The child seemed to enjoy listening to this in the car. I don’t blame her - it’s very nice. Especially Ripple. Still, the best thing here as with anything by the Grateful Dead is their excellent band name which they never could have lived up to. 2/5
I'll be honest, I skipped most of these songs after 30 seconds as I couldn't stand any more. I hate country sounds and whatever else genres this classifies as I guess.
Great
The movie was better
Groovy, but too slow for me.
It was ok
Ok as background music but otherwise very mediocre american country folksy meh
Perhaps the most overrated band of all time? But maybe that's because I don't do LSD. I went to the Shakedown Street outside of their concert at Golden Gate Park recently. It was the strangest group of people I have ever seen in my life. I'll never forget it. I hated every moment of it. No one was friendly, and everyone smelled so, so bad. Best Song: Friend of the Devil Rating: 6.0/10 Stars: 3
Thoughts before listening: Well this is exciting. I thought Live Dead was the only album by the Dead on here. Guess I was wrong. I typically prefer Workingman's Dead, but this is still a classic. Review: Pretty predictable top reviews on here although I'm glad to see a solid average score. I don't get why so many people hate the Dead on principle alone, but they do. To me they're the best American band of all time, and the songs on this album are a huge part of their lore. "Box of Rain", "Friend of the Devil", "Sugar Magnolia", "Brokedown Palace", and especially "Ripple" and "Truckin'" stand amongst the most iconic songs of all time. Hating on them is just dumb. 5-stars
Enjoyed it overall. Standout songs: Sugar Magnolia Truckin'
Da
It's a mug of hot tea on a chilly evening. It's a hug at the end of a hard day. Essential listening.
Smoothing country music? Layered acoustic guitar. Nothing really stands out but all tracks are quite enjoyable. Cosy.
fine album, but i'll admit i'm not the biggest GD fans. i respect them, i get why they have their place in history, but im sitting here at a desk instead of bartering cigarettes for gas money. it just isn't gonna hit the same.
I’ve never listened to The Grateful Dead before, but I really like their style. Every song was good - upbeat, with a good tune and solid singing.
I know how legendary the Grateful Dead are, but the only song I knew coming into this album was Friend of the Devil, and that’s mostly because the Counting Crows cover version is one of my favorites of theirs. A lot folkier than I was anticipating but I can see the appeal to a bunch of druggies in San Francisco during the Haight-Ashbury days. A solid album that I definitely enjoyed, I just feel like seeing a live performance with a jam band and in a different headspace would boost the rating significantly. Maybe one day I’ll try and catch a Dead and Company show.
"The Grateful Dead have four more concerts this summer. I'm hoping by the last one I finally start liking them." - Geoff Schwartz; The Goldbergs. The Grateful Dead is definitely a Stockholm syndrome band. No one likes them at first, but the more you listen the better they get. This is an absolutely classic album that deserves to be on the list, and a few songs have been drilled into my brain enough times for me to start liking them. I'm thinking 25 to 30 more listens and this may be one of my all time favorite albums.
Flashback
Good to listen to, but did not strike me as exceptional
It was okay. A bit too country adjacent for me. Friend of the Devil was familiar and good. The rest was a bit middle of the road for me.
I don't think I would ever go as far as to say this music sucks, but it's certainly not impressive to me. The conversation around this band suggests a much more interesting sound, like every other famous band popularized in the 60s.
Fun - started me on a Dead binge
did it make me want to be a deadhead? no! did it make me wish i were dead? slighhtly!
Admittedly, I never understood the Grateful Dead fanaticism and I dreaded this selection. But I found this album to be a good listen. I can't say it spoke to me or that I loved it, but it was some good background music while working.
Listened to the band before : No Songs I already knew: none Favourite Songs: Truckin' Some fusion of styles on this album, folky, bluegrass, country blues and a touch of Jazz. Lacks energy at times. The album didn't grab me as much as I anticipated. Pleasant without being outstanding.
Whildt i enjoyed the more up tempo tracks, but other times it meandered and I've never been a fan of the Hammond organ
A horrible slice of Americana.
KJE-DE-LIIIIIIG!!!!!!
Absolutely love this album - what a way to kick this project off. I know that the real appeal of the Grateful Dead is in live performance and improvisation, but I've always enjoyed the albums plenty. One thing I'm really enjoying about this album is the variety of sounds and styles you get vocally - going from phil to jerry to bobby to pigpen and back to jerry so far has been a treat (Candyman atm). I no longer feel like typing so goodbye.
Not good.
Having listened to a few Dead albums, I can honestly say they are one of the most forgettable bands out there. Zero stand out tracks. Great musicians in their own right, but music boring as heck.
Previously rated: Live / Dead (3/5) ******************** I don't recall if I've heard the full album before, but I'm very familiar with Sugar Magnolia and Truckin' from playing them to death on the game Rock Band. And some other songs sounded familiar because of the final episode of Freaks and Geeks. It was slow and boring in places, like Attics of My Life, but above average as a whole. My favorite track is still Sugar Magnolia, but I liked Box of Rain and Ripple. I will put this on the "to play again" list.
I bring a lot of baggage to Dead stuff, being a fan, son of a fan, etc. I think it goes without saying this is a gem of weird, wobbly americana. Continuing the country stylings of Workingman's Dead (which I believe is a better indicator of what makes the band click)....this album is an experiment in melody and studio texture instead of the psychedelic form-breaking of early recordings. Till The Morning Comes is the most Lennon/McCartney I’ve ever heard Garcia/Hunter go and the reserved lead guitar/soloing and contributions from the whole group provide a folk-y , big group playing in a room together vibe. I listened to the 50th Anniversary version that has a live show tacked on from Feb 71 – great stuff all around.
I don't understand the fascination with the Dead
easy
I will never understand the hype for Grateful Dead. This is a fine album, but it's nothing more than that. Jangly country stuff. Not bad in any way, but not remarkable either.
Hard not to rate this as my favorite Dead album. Truckin’, Friend of the Devil, Sugar Magnolia and Ripple. I mean, come on. Has to be in the top three Grateful Dead studio albums of any fan’s list.
This album is an easy entrance to the Grateful Dead because it has more of their shorter hits than the longer jams. I find their longer jams can get a bit tedious for me so this is a great album to show their musical style in a more listenable format. Overall an enjoyable album.
I mean, real, TOTAL shit.
Chill and nice album. You can listen to it five times in a row with realising it, no real outstanding lyrics or instrumentals, but good album overall.
very good
I would be in the target group for this, but there’s something missing here before it really hits with me. I do like some of the songs, like Ripple for example. I imagine sitting in a cottage out in the wilderness
passez votre chemin chanson préférée : truckin
As a child born in the 80s in the UK, I obviously don't get the cultural, historic context of the Dead. It's clearly pleasing enough in that country / rock / "whoops, I've overdone the LSD again" genre - but perhaps this is one of the most "you don't know man, you weren't there" bands ever.
It's okay when played in the background
Best dead studio album, the only one that is close to their live albums
Very much early 70s late 60s rock. Pleasant enough
American Beauty is an okay album. Grateful Dead is just one of those bands where i knew who they were due to seeing every person under the sun wear shirts of them but i never really heard any of their songs until now. I always thought that they were a more punkish band due to their general image but nope, it seems they are more of a psychedelic country rock band. As for the album itself, it's fine, it does it's job well enough. None of the songs are real standouts but do generally have some good musicianship and lyrics. The album also didn't go on for too long which was nice. Other than that though, i don't have too much to say about this album. Best Song: Sugar Magnolia Worst Song: Attics of My Life
Classic album with a handful of all-time great songs.
Not a lot to say about this, i found it incredibly one note… not a terrible note but I prefer more variety from my albums.
Had to be there. I wasn’t
It's fine but I never understand why people are so passionate about them
This album is so boring. It’s just the same sound over and over and over again. I don’t think the problem is that they’re a jam band. I think the problem is that they are a horribly overrated jam band. Nothing interesting happened throughout the album. And I had to put the album on several times cause each time I’d lose interest/attention and have to start over. It actually played through twice without even realizing it, that’s how homogeneous and boring this album is. HARD PASS.
Fav tracks: "Operator" and "Truckin'"
++++
Nothing I didn’t like, nothing I really liked.
Nie bewusst gehört, aber ich mag den Mythos um den Bus, so ein bischen Embryo Vibes, Album läuft gut durch. Solider (schon wieder) Rock . Take it easy, so easy, "Till the morning comes". -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVq-PAiMVIs bin versöhnt live jammen sind sie sehr gut! c
The definition of bland. I think their days are ultimately numbered as being any sort of relevant.
this was fine. I don't have much else to say. I kept zoning out while listening but it was good background music to my thoughts. Decently enjoyable. Fav- Till the Morning Comes
Pleasant enough, but I wish the singing was tighter - some wavering off key bits that took me out of the nice harmonies. Nothing standout except Attics of My Life.
Oh man! The Seminal Dead album. You Must listen if you never had. So mellow and accessible. Even if you "don't like the Dead" or not a "Dead Head" [I'm not] you are missing out.
Not great
This album is nice. It's not mind-blowing in any sense, but it has good tracks. I don't think there's much interesting in there, it's enjoyable. And that's fine. There has to be also music just for the sake of having a good time. But I wouldn't say it's anything great.
-amazing very calming - peaceful - very hippie - it was mixed perfectly - the harmonies were amazing
It’s a lot of nothing really
Not good. Some songs are catchy, but good lord are the Dead overrated
I remembered the Grateful Dead differently. I didn't like this country album. I was expecting much more rock-oriented music. So I found the album disappointing. 2/5
Wasn’t sure what to expect, but pleasant 70s music, pretty nice.
I had often heard about Grateful Dead before but never really knew what they were about. For some reason I always figured them to be more of a punk band, so I was a bit surprised when this album turned out to be country-infused boomer rock. But that doesn't mean it's bad! It was an eminently listenable album to me, but also nothing too interesting either - which, to be fair, might be mostly because after more than half a century there won't be a lot left that is surprising to modern ears.
Really easy going, chill, and fun Grateful Dead, just shy a few hits or diverse tracks from a 5
This was great. I've known and listened to (and liked) the Dead's hits for decades, but I don't think I'd heard a full album until today, and now I'm wishing that I had. The music was so essentially Grateful Dead and every aspect of it -- writing, performance, recording, mixing, overall vibe, etc. -- was spot on and just really enjoyable to listen. No skips, perfect album -- five stars.
This is fine, but it doesn’t really excite me, and I’m not sure why people gush over this group. The songwriting is solid, the vibe is laid-back, but l just don't connect with it.
Old school classic. Mellow. Almost folksy.
Tu t'attends à des solos psychédéliques de Jerry Garcia et tu te ramasses avec de la folk americana un peu insipide. Pas nul, juste décevant.
Never been a huge Deadhead - always appreciated them, but not to count myself among the dedicated ranks. American Beauty and Workingman’s Dead are the only two of their albums that I have fully explored. So, maybe I’m a Deadhead and just don’t know it yet. To summarize - this album is a little slice of paradise in my opinion - short listed for desert island discs.
I'm not much of a Dead fan but the thing I most like about this album is the shorter, concise songs. It's a great roots Americana album and songs like "Ripple," "Friend of the Devil," and "Box of Rain" are all time classics.
I have a healthy respect for The Dead, but cant say I'm a Deadhead. So a true Deadhead might disagree, but this has to be their best studio album. It's smooth as hell, grooving, a tall glass of iced tea on a scorching day. Ripple especially is such a salve for the soul, what a beautiful song both lyrically and melodically. A couple snoozers but overall, a lovely, breezy acoustic album
Never heard a Grateful Dead song before today, and they're yet another old fogey 70s band I'd been served this week, so naturally was dreading the worst. So color me pleasantly surprised. This album is a jam, very chilled vibes and vocals I shall describe as pleasant. It's also great to boogie to which again, surprising!
Solid but not for me.
Eh
A bit too lame and old-fashioned and middle of the road for my taste. Expected much more from this popular name.
nah, decline with thanks
I have enjoyed some Grateful Dead songs. They are not in this album. ★★
Conservative
This was kind of underwhelming. I have never listened to an entire Grateful Dead album but you hear so much about their fan base that I was expecting something really amazing, but instead it was just kind of blah chill background music. They were nice background songs but overall I was just hoping for more, more to connect with, more feelings, more energy, more something.
I like this more with each listen. It's pretty chill with a bit of a country vibe. Truck'n is my favorite. Nice guitar work and vocals have great harmonies.
Ok, I love this. We had a live album of theirs awhile back that I didn't connect with all that much, but this was a much different experience. I love Ripple SO much. One of those "makes me cry" songs. The rest of this was pretty great too. I can't come close to claiming to be an official deadhead or anything, there's far too much of their music I'm still not familiar with, but I get the appeal! This makes me want to be on a road trip in the middle of nowhere.
01) Box of Rain - 6,5 02) Friend of the Devil - 6,0 03) Sugar Magnolia - 6,0 04) Operator - 7,0 05) Candyman - 5,5 06) Ripple - 6,0 07) Brokedown Palace - 6,0 08) Till the Morning Comes - 5,5 09) Attics of My Life - 5,5 10) Truckin' - 6,0 TOTAL: 6,00 (60/100)
I'm not listening to this. I detest this band. Couldn't tell you how much of their music I've been forced to listen to. I do not like it, I never will like it. I'll go so far as to say I believe the music world would have been better off had they never existed.
This album has so many of the quintessential songs you think of when you think "Grateful Dead". A lot of hits, a lot of emotion, some slower parts. But overall very enjoyable. Probably 4.5/5, not quite a 5
Grateful Dad songs...
Dad rock. It's fine, not offensive, nothing super interesting. 3*
100/100 no problems here good album
The Dead. Jam Band. not my thing. also, they are a live band so studio albums land as ponderous, possibly required by their corporate overlords
Nie umiem sobie wyobrazić, że to kogoś ulubiony album
You know, whatever. It's fine.
I have never heard the Grateful dead, I had heard a lot about them and had high (lol) expectations. As someone who has delved the depths of the Pink Floyd catalog and stared at the stars wile Jim Morrison took me on a trip, I was expecting something next level. What I got was so middle of the road I am shocked. I could imagine this being the band in the corner at some small country bar that drones on in the background.
Big fan. I wouldn’t call myself a deadhead but this album is really good. This sounds like the 70s. Reminds me of Wilco a little bit.
Forgot all about this and I only listened to it yesterday
Meh. I have done my best to give artists I haven't cared for in the past a fair shake when their albums come up. In some cases I have been pleasantly proven wrong and enjoy the music more than I expected. This was not one of those times.
box of rain is the kind of song where the fact that its so intricate and dense kind of dawns on you rather than being unavoidably announced...i dont have enough experience with the wider ethos of the grateful dead to meaningfully place it on any sort of scale, but it does feel like a strange bridge between their sprawling live sensibilities and their more straightforward songwriting. its a fascinating overture to the rest of the record, which is just about the most grounded music ull hear that also has Hippie Energy this strong...firmly planted in the earth, very sturdy, very comfy. even outside the live stuff, they had a genuinely unique aesthetic, which is impressive given how unassuming it is...just like box of rain i suppose, and perhaps a consistent strength of the dead at least from what ive heard
beautiful
Box of Rain // Ripple // Brokedown Palace //
the playing is alright country rock but the singing is among the worst hippie bullshit music: hated. (⌐■_■)
I’m vaguely interested in the grateful dead, because they come off as very baseline decent classic rock, but people who see them at the right time in the right context went absolutely nuts for them. So when I listened to this, I thought “Musically it is ok.” But I was flying over the Rocky Mountains when Ripple came on and it hit different so I thought “I will let the context affect how I like this” and I’m a deadhead now. Not really, but you know.
This record was the most easy listening record I’ve listened to in a long time. The name of this band is the exact opposite of their sound. Unless it’s a nod to how old one is to really understand this band? I don’t know… I’m all seriousness, I listened to this album doing the most appropriate activity one could do while listening to this band: a puzzle.
2.5/5
Love the guitars, chilled reminds me of something my dad would listen to Love box of rain
I've tried a few times to get into the dead. I've listened to the suggested soundboard recordings and I've listened to the studio records. It's all just meh. I think they may be overrated.
Album 861 of 1089 Grateful Dead - American Beauty (1970) Rating : 5 / 5 Today’s album is one I was genuinely glad to see pop up. This has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and every time I hear it, it just confirms how good it really is. This is the album I always recommend to folks who know the Grateful Dead by name but think they’re just a hippy jam band. American Beauty is anything but aimless - it’s focused, heartfelt, and beautifully put together. The whole thing flows so well, and the blend of rock, folk, and country gives it a unique, earthy vibe that’s mellow without being dull. Songs like "Ripple" and "Box of Rain" feel timeless. They carry so much emotional weight without ever being heavy-handed. "Attics of My Life" is hauntingly beautiful, and "Truckin'" brings some energy and groove to round things out. Top to bottom, it’s just a masterfully crafted album. The songwriting is thoughtful, the harmonies are tight, and the performances are honest and full of character. Easily still in the running for my top pick when all is said and done with this project.
I liked this! Will likely go Grateful Dead exploring! :)
This boring-ass music is why people followed a band around as their full time job? I don't get it. Incredibly underwhelming.
Undoubtedly the best Dead studio album. A classic.
A very easy listening country style album Highlights: - Truckin’ - Box of Rain - Friend of the Devil
Favorite Track: Friend of the Devil
It's the Dead, it's American Beauty. It is America.
jahas maailman paras bändi tässä kuulemma. itse en kovinkaan paljon ole kuunellut heitä. jahas ovat niin paljon enemmän kuin normaali jammailu bändi. artistinen ja kulttuurinen instituutia joka on olemassa omilla säännöillään hehe... koskaan ymmärtänyt tätä. amerikkalaisen huumauskulttuurin karikatuurimainen päätöspiste... missattu pointti kokonaan... dead head. kusinen fanikulttuuri jo päivänselvää kun joku kutsuu itseään dead headiksi. heheh pakko olla huumautunut muuten musiikki on paskaa? uskomaton kriteeri nauttiakseen tästä. samalla olen mahdottoman selvin päin ja pink band silti hittaa gg veli... candyman
Yeah nah, what a disappointment from their 60s reputation and cool band name. Such sweet country rock.<.blah>. Just not something I would listen to. Beauty in the eye of the beholder. I averted my gaze
monótono la verdad
There is no denying the impact of this band and the cultural phenomenon it became over the years. The loyalty and following are of legendary status that few bands ever achieve. The hits on this album are timeless, I love “Friend of the Devil”, “Sugar Magnolia “ and “Truckin”. I never had the pleasure of seeing them live but I’m sure it was quite a scene. 3.5/5
Those who dig too deep into the criticisms of whether this band is highly overrated are probably missing the point. No doubt these guys became more cemented as a cultural band (brand) rather than an amazingly musical one, but this studio effort still shows a skilled band with solid songs. And the fact that this album was in regular rotation during college years right alongside artists like Jane’s Addiction and Beastie Boys supports that theory. Yeah, you can take drugs watching any band…but if you tune in, turn on and drop out at a Dead show chances are you’re gonna have a much more memorable experience.
Def like these guys more after seeing dead and co live at the sphere. Wasn’t quite life changing for me and don’t think I’ll be selling my positions to follow them around. Also like the live stuff better than the studio recordings.
You're probably wondering if I would have rated this album 4* had I not seen Dead & Co. live ONE time... and the answer is that is a stupid question. As stupid as the debate between those who think they're the best band ever vs. those who think they're the most overrated band ever. Smoke a J, drop some acid, do some shrooms, and just chill the eff out, man. Ripple is one of my favorite songs from them and this album has a couple other standouts. 3.75/5
Correcto
Thought I was going to really not enjoy this. I still don't understand the fandom, but this was a good album.
I was kinda bored of this to start with, think 8 was expecting more from a band with this image/branding. But once I chilled out I got into it. Probably 3 though
Much less jammy and much more vocal harmony.
The Grateful Dead are a cult band with the most diehard fanbase and I can finally see why. I never listened to the Dead until this album. Is this the greatest band I've ever heard? No. Is this a great album? Yes and more. You get people who love rock, folk, some country and gove them tons of weed. That's how you get the Grateful Dead, or at least it sounds like that to me. I loved every second of this. 5/5
Truckin' is good.
why not
não é ruim de forma alguma mas é a coisa mais setentista possível (no sentido mais negativo possível xD)
IH eh aquela banda que a lindsay de freaks and geeks gosta muito!! btw é só um "take" de uns noiado sobre folk rock/americana. mas não foi mto ruim não, é decente! fun fact: essa banda literalmente teve um dos maiores (senão o maior) distribuidor de LSD dos estados unidos como ENGENHEIRO DE AUDIO vsf. os shows eram apenas ACIDO GRATUITO PRA TODOS. caos purinho.
I like the Grateful Dead every time I listen to them but rarely do. For such a jammy band reputation, these songs were very tight.
It’s been a long time since I listened to this album. I pretty much listen to Dead shows. American Beauty will forever remind me of my brother partying in our basement. For that alone, it gets 5 stars.
Great fucking album, right here. Friend of the Devil is probably my favorite Dead song. Of course I own a physical copy of this gem, and with Black Sabbath being yesterday’s pick, this is the first back to back 5⭐️ reviews for me since we started this thing. I peaked at some of the other reviews and saw all the 1⭐️ reviews from a bunch of ass wipes. Bro, if you can’t get into the Dead, that’s a you problem…or you need some drugs and a second listen.
Arguably the best studio album (this and 'Workingman's Dead' are neck and neck) by the unarguably best American rock band. It's ridiculous that this and 'Workingman's Dead' were released in the SAME year. What needs to be said? "Box of Rain", "Brokedown Palace", and "Ripple" are probably in my personal Top 10 Dead tracks. "Sugar Magnolia", "Friend of the Devil", and "Truckin'" are all classics. Nice mix of Jerry and Bobby on lead vocals, but you also got a Phil Lesh lead, a Pigpen lead, and some killer harmonies on Side B. A little bit of rock, a little bit of folk and country, and a little bit of psychedelia. Perfect mix - perfect album.
I've never really been a fan of their studio stuff. Always wished I had seen them live though. Always thought I'd catch them "next time." And then, there were no next times.
I forgot how many big songs are on this album. Fantastic opening trio. More accessible for non-Deadheads than any other record probably until the final one. 3⭐️
Some classics on this one - very fun album!
Overall a pretty decent album. The last leg of it drag on a bit, but I enjoyed it for the most part. "Friend of the Devil" was a standout.
this was one of the most middle of the road, non controversial album i have heard on this list so far. this band even states they used the crosby stills nash young formula to sound good. the jams must sound amazing live because i don't the deadhead fervor, sorry
I didn't walk away from this experience with a deeper understanding of why some people are obsessed with the band, but I did find it a pleasant listening experience. 3.5 rounded ... ?down?
My general prior here is that they put out a ton of music, most of it fine, but relatively little that's really great. And a bunch of Gen Xers adore them for it. Listening notes: -Box of Rain: nice chill start here. -Friend of the Devil: This has a nice folk back porch vibe. -Operator: Great harmonica solo here. -Twice I listened to this album and twice I forgot about it before halfway. -Truckin' is about what I expect from this gang. Boring, broadly meaningless, but fun. Review: I think this is a pretty chill album, and could see it being pleasant with a beer (more traditionally a joint?) on my back porch. But I wouldn't go out of my way to pick it for even that purpose, and pretty much any creedence clearwater or blues album would fill that roll more well. In fact, I put on CCR immediately after as a comparison--yeah Grateful Dead are fine, just a chill folk-rock band. Laidback pleasant vibes mean that I think it gets 3 stars. Anyway, I liked friend of the devil.
Surprisingly decent and better than I expected? But at the same time, nothing jumped out as memorable. This is the definition of a 3-star album for me.
Hippiemusik! Tamborin! Hört sich an wie frühe Beatles, aber mit weniger Ohrwurm-Melodie. Gute Produktion, langweilige Lieder. Nichts für mich
This isn’t my favorite of theirs but it’s good.
For jammy for mig. Deres vokalharmonier lyder godt, men hvis jeg ville høre sådan noget her ville jeg bare finde Crosby Stills and Nash frem
Stor fan af de her numre, gad vide om 2025 er året hvor jeg bliver et Deadhead
Folkey country rock'n'roll. Fine but lacks bangers.
pretty unfamiliar with the grateful dead overall. liked this quite a bit. couple of dirge like slow songs keep it from 5 initially, though i suspect on subsequent listenings this may indeed go up to a 4. i was a fan
Classic awesomeness
Was a "deadhead" for about a year before I realised these guys don't have a single studio album worth remembering. Shame, because I think Jerry is a fantastic musician.
It's the Grateful Dead. It's rarely gonna be better than Meh.
An incredible listen. So chill & easygoing. Perfect summertime music. And those harmonies, bah gawd those harmonies!
Really good album all the way through, maybe you don’t need to be on mushrooms to enjoy the Dead.
3.1 Its fine. Im going to have to give it another go at another time with some "assistance" because right now I don't really see what the whole dead-head thing is about.
The value of this album eludes me.
I have to say, after listening to this album, along with two others from the Dead, my perception of the band has definitely changed. I used to associate them with never ending jam sessions and the image of dirty hippies who smelled like cat piss and patchouli oil. And sure, maybe their live shows lean into that, but their studio albums? I was surprised by how much I genuinely enjoyed them. This album in particular leans more into Americana and folk rock, with a strong rootsy feel, compared to the more psychedelic vibe of the other two I heard. Overall, this was a solid listen, and I’m glad I gave it a chance.
Groovy
A sweet collection of tunes that got my day off to a perfect start!
Hey man, it's fine, I guess.
Great songwriting music and harmonies
box of rain sehr herzige song, gitarre isch huere geil Jerry. und sie singed super. he finds sehr seicht mit de ziit. candyman isch zb en herzige song tönt super guet produziert und alles aber cha gad nöd viel demit afange. sehr unüberraschend alles. isch e cutes album okay. aber niiix bsunders.
aso han währendem chuchi putze kei notize chönne mache. finds na herzig, wenn au chli seicht friend of the devil hani na cool gfunde, au wegem damals wahrsch seehr aheggende text brokedown palace hani sehr herzig gfunde allgemein isches eifach na schön aber ja für mich nüt unglaublichs
It was relaxing liked the ripple most
I used to love this but it doesn’t move me much any more. Huh.
Whatever you feel toward the Dead, Grateful or otherwise, is valid and earned, and the dead can take it, but this is their one legitimately great studio record. This one is about leaning into the songs and Jerry's folk and bluegrass proclivities as opposed to seeing where they can be stretched. I am into the live Dead, but I always wish there was more strummy acoustic like there is on this record. Their voices and harmonies are humble and sweet here as opposed to being shouted over a PA the size of the moon. Produced on purpose instead of relying on a stoned sound guy in a baseball stadium. Proves there is actually a great band up in there. I love it.
The Grateful Dead are a polarizing band (mostly I think because people either hate Deadheads, the band’s long, noodly jams, or both), and the knock on them has always been that their huge catalog of studio releases is highly uneven. This album is maybe the strongest exception. It’s a strong, focused set of great songs and performances that span the Haight Ashbury sound from which they sprouted, adding bluegrass, folk and country. It also comes the closest of any of their albums to being a greatest hits collection, with several tracks that would become staples of their live sets. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Dead were a quintessentially American phenomenon
I fashioned myself a punk as a teen, so OF COURSE I hated the Dead. But that was a long time ago, and you know what? They're fine. Some of their songs are good (some are certified bops, ngl), none of them are particularly terrible. I'll choose play this very record sometimes when I'm driving with my lovely wife, who fashioned herself a hippy as a teen.
I did not hate this as much as I expected, but its still not for me.
To be honest, I'm not sure I could discern one Dead album from another. But maybe that's their appeal. You always kinda know what you're gonna get with them.
I am not a Dead fan, but this album is a classic. If these guys played their songs like this in concert I’d be deadhead, but when they start jamming out I gotta fucking go. I own this record and come back to it often.
Listened while hanging out in my bedroom, not my cup of tea surprisingly
Favorite songs: Ripple, Sugar Magnolia, Truckin', Friend of the Devil, Box of Rain, Till the Morning Comes, Brokedown Palace Least favorite songs: Candyman 5/5
Super chill, relaxing and dreamy album. Good for a long slow and chilled drive.
Me ha gustado un montón!! Es un disco de sonidos country, que apetece escuchar mientras conduces aunque no tengas coche, incluso si conduces una bicicleta. Es entre chill, sensible, buen rollero, te da el sol en la cara, el coche está a 30 grados y una hawaiana de plástico en miniatura con un ukelele mueve las caderas en tu salpicadero...
Nobody is a fan of the Dead because of their studio albums.
Heard of the grateful dead but never really listened to them. This album it's somewhere between Crosby, Stills and Nash and The Eagles. Enjoyed it but again all the tracks seem to slightly blur into one. Very pleasant background music and will try and listen to some more of the dead
I know they have their super dedicated fans, but for the life of me I don’t get it at all.
Second album proposé par le générateur après un 'Live / Dead' qui m'avais laissé perplexe (original par son côté improvisé, mais difficile d'accès pour la même raison ...). Aucune ambiguïté pour ce second album qui ne présente absolument aucun intérêt. Country / folk générique, qui distille un ennui profond ... =>1/5
Their fifth album. Folk Rock / Country. A huge band with a huge following. 'Dead Heads' are world famous. This album though, it's very bland, generic, Hippy long hair music. Boringly inoffensive. Diddly Doo, Diddly Dee, far out man, let's get some Scooby Snacks.
⭐️Ripple
Been a Grateful Dead fan for quite some time. This is my favorite studio album; different than their earlier albums. Almost every song was incorporated into their live performances - that’s how solid this album is. No filler. Exceptional writing and arrangement.
I guess the whole thing just doesn't translate well to an album?
Have listened to this album before and love it. It's relaxing and melodic, mellow but not uninteresting. I initially thought that I would be a big grateful dead fan after listening, but found that this is the only album by them I enjoyed. Other ones felt too jammy and unrefined. 10/10
I last listened to this album at Mikey's house on Gray Street. I remember being kind of bored at the time, so hopefully it makes a better impression me this time. "Sugar Magnolia" is great. I love the riffs, and the 'doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo'. The first two songs were fine but not super interesting to me. "Ripple" and "Truckin'" were fun. This is a good album, but not totally my cup of tea. It's a little slow a lot of the time. I have a lingering feeling I'm being a little harsh with a 6, but that's what it's going to be for now. This album could grow on me. 6/10
I hate the idea of the dead. They have stoned 20-minute jam sessions on stage, their fans call themselves "Deadheads", treat Jerry Garcia like I treat Jesus, and follow shows in turquoise-coloured buses occasionally splattered with pink or yellow—in short, a cult, like MAGA or the Peoples Temple. But the idea of the dead is very different from their real music. American Beauty is a beautiful album. The warm tone of the Garcia's vocals, the poetic lyrics penned by Robert Hunter, and the way the instruments merge make for an album that makes you understand why these dirty hippies from 'Frisco are seen as the second coming. But this review should serve as a warning. Don't judge a band by its fans or the personality of its members. I hate Nirvana fans, I love Nirvana. I hate Kanye, but I love his music. That's how we should feel about the dead. Admire without worship.
Not a fan
Particularly in Miami, Florida.
really relaxin' and rustic folk rock music. the kind of simple and humble rock music that's perfect for listening with your dad, grandpa or uncle when you're on the longest summer road trip. a lot of tracks just need a lead and bass guitar to get yourself moving. it's a little window of sorts to the simple american life, sitting in your rocking chair with a guitar or banjo in hand, your dog snuggling next to you as you look at the blinding orange sunset. it's an album about time, and how sad and beautiful it is, every last second.
I don't normally like the Grateful Dead much but this album is an exception to that. 4 stars or B-.
Conflicted on this one. A studio album from the dead feels like caging a bird that wants to fly. That being said, its still good, but if you know anything about the dead this album could have been the same 10 songs and 3 hours long.
One of the GOATs
nothing startling to me first listen
Not bad. 3/5
its fine. just like good standard country nothing special tho
MAGA Rock
Det er vel live-platene som smeller....
I've never understood the Grateful Dead. I love acid rock--groups like the Doors, Hendrix and early Jefferson Airplane, who often toured with the dead have always been among my favourites. So I always thought I should love the Dead. But man, I struggle even to get through these albums. They just sound like twangy near country rock without much soul. I've been told that their live albums are much better, and have tried some of those as well, but still don't get it. Or the crazy following. The Dead aren't bad, they are just underwhelming. And I mostly love everything else around the late 60s culture, music, books on and about Kesey etc. Anyway, back to this album. It's twangy, bland, and the singing sucks on almost any level. Like not even good on the Dylan "bad voice" level. These guys just sound like lazy, under qualified musicians. I really don't get how people go apeshit over this stuff. 2/5 not because it's terrible, but because the blandness is overwhelming.
Bland, repetitive, simple melodies
I have realised that I always thought grateful dead was a metal band
1. rain - 1.5 2. devil - 1.5 3. zugar - 1 4. operator - 0 5. candy - 1 6. ripple - 1 7. palace - 0 8. morning - 1.5 9. life - 1.5 10. truking - 2.5
At best, 'fine'. Utterly inoffensive and uninteresting. Won't listen again. 3/10
VerY fine
I didn’t think I was a Grateful Dead fan, but after listening to American Beauty, I either knew songs (Froend of the Devil, Magnolia, Truckin) or heard where the sound of other acts I do like were influenced by their sound. I’ll probably never be a Dead Head, but I respect their place in music that much more now.
Did not enjoy Vocals worse than music
Really good chilled
Too dolly, no bite, just a bit dull
Bout fuckin time!! Any doubts about The Grateful Dead's genius were laid to rest with the release of Workingmen's Dead and American Beauty. Essentially a double album, and the cornerstone for all subsequent Americana, their importance and influence cannot be overstated. Although I always thought that "Til The Morning Comes" could have been a different and or better song, American Beauty is pretty much a perfect album, the best example of that perfection being my all time favorite song ever, "Ripple". Brokedown Palace, Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, Truckin. All perfection. I could go on. But I'm tired. 5
As many long, strange trips the Dead has taken, was there any doubt how well crafted and timeless the songs on this album have proven to be? No. 5 stars!
Slooooow boring rock. Never liked the vocal of this band.
Classic Dead studio album, this was the first Grateful Dead album I listened to and loved it. The vibes are good.
Never listened to the Grateful Dead before. Not sure what I was expecting but I was a little underwhelmed - perfectly pleasant country rock. Listened to it 3 times - but nothing stuck. I doubt I will return.
American Beauty Slighty wary after the rather trying live album we had early on, although I did have some expectations that this would be good, based on its reputation. In truth it's a fine if ultimately unremarkable late 60s country rock album, not really at the same level of skill or interest or quality as CSN/Y, The Byrds or CCW from the same period. Sugar Magnolia is nice though, with its CSN harmonies, Candyman has some good guitar, Brokedown Palace has a pleasingly fractured feel and Till the Morning Comes also has some toe-tapping energy. But the rest passes by in a bit of a blur of unexceptional country rock. If this is considered their best album then I’m struggling to understand the reverence, or the idea that they broke the rules, or they transcend to a different plane of psychedelic musical consciousness. It’s not awful, it’s a much better listen than Live / Dead, but that is a low bar. Maybe it’s because I had some (any) expectations for it, but it just feels a bit inessential, and I can’t think I’d come back again, which I think means it's a 2, if a high one. 🌹🌹 Playlist submission: Brokedown Palace
A complete volte face from the jamfinity of Live/Dead, moving into the Midwestern alt-country territory of 'The Band'. Whilst this doesn't get to the standard of the Band's eponymous album, it gives it a good go. The best is 'Til the Morning Comes', a complete gem. That bass and chord work (almost like Pete Townshend). And a chorus worthy of The Beatles. It veers on a 4 and 5. I can only see it getting better with time - and I'm tipping due to the stealth factor of taking me by surprise, and not making me listen to a masturbatory jam session.
One of the all time greatest Grateful Dead albums. American Beauty, along with Workingman's Dead, both released in 1970, was the moment in time when the Grateful Dead figured out how to write songs that both their long time fans and a general audience would enjoy. Leaning more heavily into Country than Psychedelic, American Beauty is pack with radio and fan friendly songs. Some of their most famous songs - the one's the average listener would know - are on here including Sugar Magnolia, Friend of the Devil, and of course Truckin'. That said, the whole album is excellent. Ripple is often covered, as is the opening track Box of Rain. If you have no Grateful Dead in your collection, get this and Workingman's Dead. You odn't have to be a Dead Head to enjoy them. If you are a Dead Head, you already have this.
My first time ever listening to a Grateful Dead album. It was better than I had expected. This is my kind of music. Good harmonies, good instrumentals. I don't think sitting in an office at a computer is the ideal place to listen to this, but I still enjoyed it. I'm not going to dive into their catalogue or start watching live performances, but I understand slightly better why some people love this band.
Great album. Mix of folk and country. Will seek out other albums of theirs
The dead should be grateful not to have to listen to this. Largely drab and instantly forgettable.
I had it in my head that The Grateful Dead were this legendary psychedelic rock band, however, this album is just full of boring country and folk songs. I guess it is inoffensive but nothing grabs me at all.
What a bloody let down! Supposed legends of the San Fran psych scene who I’ve never (for reasons unknown given I love that scene) got round to listening to are just a bunch of average country blues rockers. Not a single impressive song on this one. Did I say Bloody hell.
Very fun and easy album to listen to, would probably be fantastic for road trips. No real "wow" moments or high points, just good tunes to sit back and enjoy. Feels like a big beautiful musical hug all the way through. Top tracks: Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, Ripple
One of the top 5 albums ever.
Much better as a live jam band
Somehow meeh. They nailed it when realizing they never captured their live spirit in studio. What they did not tell you is that GD live spirit typically means endless doodling in its bad way. Some nice songs and one really good one (friend of the devil), mostly plain country. I cannot understand how this was called highly innovative. Maybe it just hasn't aged well. Or I have a bad mood, or this simply cannot be understood undrugged.
Boring. So so boring
Out on the road today, I saw a deadhead sticker on a cadillac
No sé por qué, pero siempre creí que Grateful Dead era un grupo de hard rock o algo así. Resultó que era country. El disco está padre, me gustó, pero no sé, se me hizo medio raro. No me la pasé mal pero tampoco conecté tanto.
chill beach card game vibes
This is a good album but it leaves me wondering what sets this band apart to the point that their fans are almost a household name. I mostly enjoyed this one, but it didn't sell me on the Grateful Dead. Favorite song: "Ripple"
3.5 - Good
Pretty ok
I don’t think their first album is going to turn up in the project, so rounding this up to 4 to make up for that. Wonderful music for a relaxed summer day (or dreaming of one, because it’s a British bank holiday Monday).
I didn’t hate this as much as I thought I would. Very 60s. A twinge of country. Truckin’ is a classic.
I don’t believe I’ve ever listened to more than one song consecutively, and after listening to this entire album I believe I know why. All I got from this was boring monotone BLAH that made me tired and very bored. I was definitely expecting a lot more upbeat given the amount of success and fame they have, and the crowd their fans consist of. I have to say I am disappointed. I do recognize their significance and there influence, but I can’t really get behind the why.
I guess it's fine? I know the big hits and they're "enjoyable enough" in terms of being recognizable but I'm never going to love this band after too many friends pleading that I just don't get it. They're right. And I think for the most part - besides the major scale noodling which is boring, I hate using that terms but it's true, it's the vocals. They're so milquetoast and emotionless and just... there. A few times listening I wondered how much more I'd like it if it were instrumental and I realized I wouldn't because this music actually does need vocals. Just something better. It's not terrible, it really isn't, but it's also just never gripped me. Willing to give a 3 because it's vital to the story of popular/rock music and worth listening to but that's about it. 5/10 3 stars
2.2 What on earth. I thought the Grateful Dead were meant to be this super psychadelic acid-enthused band, and that was... pretty crap. Most of it sounded like a terrible Americana band you'd find down the pub in a random small town playing to 18 people, half of which are having a shouted conversation over the top about whether they should head somewhere else. Not for me.
Objectively great but not my tging
Bleh, boring and not something I enjoyed listening to at all. 1/5 stars.
Unfortunately very boring. The Dead seriously benefit from live energy, the ability to jam for 15 minutes, and drugs
This was decent
I like the real instuments and the harmonies.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the music from a technical point of view. It's just the kind of music that never really seems to grip me Standouts Box of Rain Ripple 2/5
7.5/10
7/10
1st GD album I liked!
Friend of the Devil is a great song. Several other good songs on the record. Overall the tempo is too languid for my taste. However studio Dead will always be far superior than the live mush in my opinion.
To explain my response to this record I'd first need to summarize Andrew Hickey's 3+ hour podcast on the place of the Dead (in his "History of Rock Music in 500 songs"). And after that I'd be too tired to listen to "Friend of the Devil."
Let me start by saying that I cannot stand the Dead, that whole scene, and all their hippy dippy jamming (shudder). However, it's impossible to deny the influence of this album, as inexplicable as it is to me. I'm objectively giving them a 4 for that reason. I will add that even though I loathe pretty much every other song by them, I have a strange fondness for Friend of the Devil.
I feel about the Dead as I do about Jesus--they're fine, it's their followers I can't stand. Perfectly nice album.
Eh, it's alright. Standard hippie music.