Reviews (page 4 of 8)
I'm not a big fan of Grateful Dead but I've had this album for a few years and it comes out every so often. Some of their best tracks on this album
This album leans fully into folk and Americana and I'm into it. There's a strong Crosby, Stills, and Nash feeling in their vocal harmony that I don't recall hearing much of before this album. Catchy major-key choruses, pleasant lyrics, summer day instrumental vibes in tracks like Sugar Magnolia...can't complain.
The only good Dead album, start to finish. Also the first one I ever heard, recommended to me by an older Deadhead cousin. I listened as a young teen and thought - I get why people do this! Then I went to a Dead concert and thought - no, wait, no I don't get this at all. This album though? This is, like, the best version of the Dead.
It's good. A bit far from my usual fare which made it harder to appreciate. It's probably a 5 but my personal tastes stop it at a 4.
The Grateful Dead are an overrated band, as many reviews on this agree, but this is still a good album. The mix of country, bluegrass, and rock makes this a pleasing listen.
I've listened to a lot of live dead/dead & co albums in the past couple summers, usually when I'm grilling, at the beach, or jamming along to on guitar, but it's crazy how many of those live tracks come straight from this album. This is definitely a classic for a reason. The production is low key, the drums hang back in the mix, the vocals aren't overly dramatic, but it all comes together in a super nice way that's really unique to the dead.
My sister was WAY more into the Dead than I ever was. There's something about them that I felt like... you had to BE THERE, at the show, to get them. Oh, and you had to be stoned, too. Since neither of those things were going to really happen for me, it's hard for me to hear it without thinking "is there something more to this that I'm missing?" But some of their most iconic songs are on this album: "Ripple," "Truckin'" "A Friend of the Devil," "Sugar Magnolia". I have heard the Jane's Addiction cover of "Ripple" so many times I think of that more often than the original. Is that weird? Probably. Listening to the guitar, I think of the Band and how the two seem similar in a number of ways in guitar sound. Not that that's usually bad, but it dos venture into that noodley sound. Definitely the album you want the novice to hear to make them decide if they want to pursue farther. Doubtful I will, but I appreciate them as a group. A 3.6, maybe rounding up to a weak 4.
The Grateful Dead are famous for their live shows and albums but they did put out some good studio albums and this one is certainly their best. I’ve always thought of them more of a folk-rock band in the studio than a psychedelic band expect perhaps on their earliest albums. The psychedelic side of them showed much more on their live recordings with their extended jams. Most of my favorite dead songs are on this album. “Ripples” has a great melody and the addition of David Grisman’s mandolin playing adds a lot to the track. “Friend of the Devil” is another favorite and of course “Sugar Magnolia” and “Trukin” are classics. I don’t listen to the Dead much but when I do hear them I usually want to hear more.
I don't really get the whole Deadhead thing, but I really enjoyed this album. While relatively straightforward, the songwriting is great, excellent musicianship and harmony, and good lyrics. Favorite tracks: Box of Rain (nice opener, sad topic - loved the line "Such a long time to be gone and a short time to be there"), Friend of the Devil, Ripple, Attics of My Life (nice vibe - caught my attention every time I listened to the album), Truckin' (classic, and I find it impossible not to bop while it's playing). Giving it a 4 because it's not blow-me-away great, but I will definitely listen again.
Better than I expected! Fun tunes
Lie down on the floor, put this on through headphones, and close your eyes. Delightful. I don't know why this one hits where others from the era don't, but I won't fight it.
I'm just not a dead head. It's okay though
This is the only studio Grateful Dead album I listen to with any regularity, they are not a band whose music translates well in the studio. But I can’t resist a few of the songs on here in all their studio glory 😂
4.5 great
Had never heard this but heard the lyrical influences for other songs I know
Classic Grateful Dead. They are much better live.
Pretty good, Truckin' the highlight for me
Dad rock with some nice vocal harmonies. Truckin’ is hands down the best track.
grateful dead are easy listening! there's a country charm within american beauty, and i can't help but ease back as i listen. it's folk rock, which is much easier for me to digest than plain folk. their lyrics aren't too complicated, their melodies simple. sometimes their songs blended together as a result, but i can't complain too much. it made for such a lovely listen.
I have been hesitant to listen to the Grateful Dead because of my perception of their fans and my lack of interest in what I had heard, but this was probably the perfect introduction. Drawing on folk influences reeled me in, as folk is my favorite genre. There were songs I didn’t enjoy but they all had qualities which I could enjoy even if I didn’t like the whole song. 7.5/10
I'm grateful I'm not dead so I can listen to the sweet sweet croonings of Jerry Garcia.
Folk music with great harmonies and guitar. Recognizable GD all the way.
Makes me think of the last episode of freaks and geeks. Probably like the songs on workingman's dead a bit more. I have a soft spot for this music that is likely not shared by others in the group....solid album like almost all the songs but not fond of Candyman.
It's easy to listen, and the vibe is cool, I am not transcendanted but I liked it ! Big 3.75 / 5
Wasn't what I was expecting based on the band's name. But I quite enjoyed it.
really liked it - had a bit of a country Byrds vibe to it which I liked a lot
Tough to rate this one. While the songwriting is excellent—one of the great American bands working at a creative peak—the production and recording of these songs is bland. But the Dead were never an album-focused group. These songs, and those from Workingman’s Dead which came out this same year (🤯), were part of a songbook, a template for the band to journey from and back to while on the road. Most notably in their renowned Europe ‘72 tour. As such, these aren’t the best recordings or performances of any of these songs. But, it still stands tall as evidence of the group’s songwriting prowess and their surprising ability to churn out a whole album of great pop-Americana tunes with crossover potential. For newcomers, it’s a great starting point with pleasant bops and lasting songwriting. But it hardly touches on the entirety of the band’s long, strange trip. Highlights for me are the Phil Lesh helmed “Box of Rain,” “Friend of the Devil,” “Ripple,” and “Brokedown Palace.” But boy, there are just an absurd number of classic songs on this album! Sad Fun Fact: my Dad wants “Brokedown Palace” played at his funeral. I imagine he has a different version in mind…
I have to give the Dead credit for sounding completely original and unlike any other band, even if I don’t always love their sound. I’m not a huge fan of Jerry Garcia’s voice and the arrangements sometimes have this washed out, sleepy sound to them that leaves me underwhelmed. But this album has so many classic songs on it I can’t be too hung up on it’s shortcomings. Ripple might be one of the most beautiful melodies ever written by any band, Friend of the Devil is such a fun and catchy tune, and Attics of My Life arrives completely unexpectedly, like a loving hymn. The harmonies on it are transcendent. I go into a happy trance every time I listen to it. 3.8/5
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anything by Grateful Dead. Are they the band that people were mad about in the 60’s and would follow on tour, making big events of it? I’m interested to hear if it sounds aged or if it can still win over new fans these days. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Truckin’, Till The Morning Comes This was a really enjoyable album. I’d consider it to be a mix of folk and rock music, probably leaning more towards folk. The vocal harmonies work very well, and the instrumentation stays interesting throughout. I didn’t feel like any songs were bad, but some songs were definitely better than others. Overall, I can definitely see the appeal the the Dead, and I didn’t really feel that the music had aged at all. It still sounds current enough to my ears! An easy recommend to rock/folk music fans.
My second favorite Dead album after Workingman's Dead.
Groovy, good vocals harmonies
Good shit
I haven't listened to this band a ton, but when I do they always surprise me. I'm always expecting something more raucous, but there's an intricacy and depth to the music that's very compelling. Feels like there's a world behind the songs, a marker of great art.
I wish I liked Grateful Dead more, they are tight and sound great but the folk psych/rock is a bit boring for me. It's stereotypical but if I smoked a huge bowl I would likely definitely enjoy it more. 3 for enjoyment but 5 for legacy of sorts, so I'll go to 4.
Tough one- brokedown place is a top 5 dead song easy. This album is full of amazing songwriting. Still, I’d put a live version of any of these tunes on before the album cut. Can’t wait to give 5s to Reckoning and Workingman’s Dean, but this one is a 4
Bunch of really great tracks here, including Ripple, which is my favorite Dead song. In fact, as someone who only knew the band kind of tangentially, I think this album has almost all of the songs I was familiar with. Anyway, Ripple, Truckin', Sugar Magnolia, Friend of the Devil, all great.
4/5 Ripple is the best song
baita som
I’ve heard so much but my first listen to this band - just what this project is all about. I was expecting something more muddy, chaotic and psychedelic but this is the sound of The Coral - one of my top bands. Pleasantly surprised- beautiful melodic guitars, easy listening, mellow, harmonies, steel guitar, harmonica, dreamy, good rhythm section, surprisingly uplifting for a stoner band. The reviews for this are outstanding, I’ve never seen a 10 on Pitchfork.
The most striking element is the vocal harmonies. The music is a nice mixture of country, folk and rock making it a very pleasant listen. Most Dead albums feature long jams whereas this is a lot more song based.
4/5. A mostly solid album of nice folk rock songs. Songs on here that are going to be on repeat for me. Some songs I will skip every time. Good ones outweigh the bad.
Clas west coast America hippie vibes. Listen again.
Love this album.
Re listen later didn't finish
It was pretty good.
5th August 2022 Listened in the morning while pottering. Chilled at Jake’s Friday night watching the first game of the season. They’re a band I could definitely get in to more, this album is very well made with gorgeous vocals and exceptional musicianship.
Els discos d'estudi de Grateful Dead sempre han semblat la nina lletja de la seva discografia, exceptuant uns pocs clàssics. Aquest és un d'ells, continuació d'un altre ('Workingman's Dead'). Rivalitzant amb The Band pel títol de la gran banda d'arrels nordamericana, títols com la indispensable 'Truckin'', 'Attics of My Life', 'Sugar Magnolia' o la reivindicació de Bob Weir a 'Box of Rain' van ajudar a fer d'ells la institució en la cultura del país com ja fa temps que se'ls considera
it’s good but i don’t really have anything else to say about it. ive never heard of this album before but i will no doubt listen to it again.
Very good!
Really liked this one actually
I quite enjoyed this one. Hadn’t listened to much grateful dead before. Might listen to some more.
very notable standard. Appreciated the folk sound.
Before today, I have heard of The Grateful Dead but I'm not sure I could name any of their biggest hits. I am excited to listen a "new" band. I love this album and the whole folksy style. Very easy to relax and listen to. I am eager to listen to the rest of their discography.
A really nice album. The whole thing has a very warm and sunny vibe to it. 7/10
I was never a big Dead fan, though when a friend put Friend of the Devil on a mix tape it swayed me to consider that I hadn’t given them a proper chance. Still not entirely my thing, but listening to this now I can see that there is a resonance that transcends its genre and era.
I've never gotten the whole Grateful Dead phenomenon. I've tried, even when I worked at an outdoor goods store where lots of people where into them. Didn't get into either with a roommate with tons of recordings of live shows. But this album is nice and of its time.
Like.
Two of the loveliest songs every written are on this album. Ripple and Brokedown Palace come on the same tracklist as other popular songs Friend of the Devil, Sugar Magnolia and Truckin'. The Grateful Dead are a polarizing band, you either like them or you don't, there is no in between. Their songwriting and musicality are simplistic at best, but don't let a studio recording convince you of their influence and impact without listening to them live. The time to see them live with Jerry at the helm has passed, but their spearheading of a new genre within rock and roll has kept their style of music going since the late 60s. You can't really argue with an impact like that. 4/5.
Vjerojatno njihov najbolji studijski album
Great sound and definitely something I like, but I feel like it was missing something that would really make them as legendary as they are.
Entertaining and very easy listening. Definitely could feel the relaxed, California-vibe. Enjoyable album although it's lacking real stand-out songs
I don’t know nothing about whatever this will be ( hope it’s good)… The album starts off with box if rain I like how the other peoples vocals get placed on here the song really lacks a hook until right at the end but lots of intro tracks don’t have any so it’s fine. Friend of the devil is a good song I like how the verses get faster throughout it’s very folky but very good. Sugar magnolia is a small step down from the first two it’s still a good track but just maybe tone down the “doo do do’s”. Operator is a good song fells like it’s used to bridge the gap a little being the album’s shortest song also there’s some annoying screwing sounds ( probable least favourite.) Candyman is great a nice slow closer to side one, I can’t say for certain but it seems like the song is either about some sorta creep or at least something dodgy going on. Ripple has a good intro also I like the extra guitar works on the chorus to sound… well like a ripple and the outro is cool. Brokedown palace is not the best but its a really nice slower song but specially I like the buildup on this song. Next up is till the morning comes a song that brings back the energy, if I were in the shoes of this group I may have swapped this and brokedown palace. Now the penultimate track attics of my life , the song starts off with quite a cool guitar part then goes into these sorta heavenly vocals.Around 2 mins in the energy builds up ever so slightly which works well. And while the song lacks any hook it’s still my favourite. Finally truckin probably another favourite I may have swapped this and attics of my life but I get that the band would want to put it’s only real single on the album in quite a significant position. Well it’s sure a treat! Some very good songs, fine I would prefer a different running order for side two but it wasn’t an unlistenable order just something I might change on spotify.
I listened to this album and Workingman's Dead on repeat almost exactly a year ago in spring, and I haven't revisited it much beyond that following summer. A lot of people like the live albums of these jam bands, but I really enjoy these two polished works. In a lot of ways they remind me of CSNY. The jangly guitar, those harmonious vocals, and the cheery hippie lyrics. No bad tracks, and there's something I enjoy about each of them. All the tracks have a good length. If you want longer, there are the live albums. There's a lot of classics here. It took some time for me to appreciate the bluegrass "Friend of the Devil," but eventually it all grew on me: the fast pace, Garcia's everchanging vocals, and that twingly guitar solo. "Ripple" is by far my favorite Grateful Dead song. Beautiful melody and songwriting. Inspirational, excellent use of imagery and metaphor, each line hits you one after another. "Truckin" is their biggest pop hit (if you exclude their 80s comeback), and it's an outlier as their bluesiest and most passionate vocals, as well as Weir's rockabilly performance. I especially like that last minute finish. The small things - like the distant country guitar in the background of "Sugar Magnolia", the harmonica in "Operator", the ghastly mood of "Candyman", the grooviness of "Till the Morning Comes" - establish each songs' character, engraving each of them in my mind. When the Grateful Dead performed at my school in 1970, they brought along a student to play piano on this album's recording of "Candyman," my favorite country song on the album, which I find really cool.
Holds some of Grateful Deads best songs.
Never had the motivation to be on the Grateful Dead bandwagon. Nothing really ever appealed to me. Listening today, the music was nice enough and more of the tracks were familiar to me than I expected. Still not driven to become a fan, but I enjoyed the album today.
I've managed to avoid listening to Grateful Dead all this time. Not sure why I was so hesitant but I liked this quite a bit.
The Grateful Dead was one of the groups that came to mind when I signed on to this site. I had never listened to an album from either and thought I should listen to an album from them. And so here is AMERICAN DREAM. The country-folky sound at first surprised me, but after a few seconds I realized that I shouldn’t be surprised. I sat back and loved this album! Really nice music. Great early 70s sound. No complaints here! I knew the song “Truckin’” and when I heard “Box of Rain” it was very familiar. Really enjoyed “Operator” with what I believe to be a guiro as a great addition to the percussion (we had a guiro as a child that I loved playing… but I had to do a little research today to figure out what that thing was called). The spacey “Candyman” was really nice. I enjoyed it all.
There’s no lack of late 60s early 70s folk-rock-americana on this list, but this is a particularly pleasant example. Why do I know Ripple so well? As soon as it started, I was humming along but I’ve not heard this album and apparently it’s not in a film… Maybe it’s just an all time classic but it’s now my favourite song I didn’t know I knew.
Not gonna lie, I know this album reasonably well from my teenage years, so hard to disentangle it from nostalgia for me; but Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple, are all great songs and definitely enjoy the vibes of this.
Interesting, seminal country-rock. Very easy listening.
I actually haven't listened to a lot of Grateful Dead albums, so I didn't know what to expect. This one has several songs I'm familiar with and it has a nice mellow country-rock vibe throughout. I'll probably listen to more albums around this time period because I quite like it, but I'm not interested in becoming a Deadhead anytime soon.
An absolute classic. Not perfect, but have very fond memories of listening to this one in days gone by
Friend of the Devil is a classic and the Mumford and sons cover is sweet also
J'ai décidé d'accorder un quatre à ces gars-là pour leur banane et leur bonne humeur contagieuse. Des personnes extrêmement sympathiques. Passons maintenant au dossier épineux que doit traiter Robert très rapidement, vous avez bien compris de quoi je veux parler. Aujourd'hui, eltrapeze a violé le septième commandement du décalogue de Robert "7. Tu n'écouteras les albums qu'après leur génération, quand bien même tu les connaîtrais déjà." Il s'est rendu coupable d'avoir écouté l'album Heroes de David Bowie, évidemment partie intégrante de la liste des 1001, sans que celui-ci n'ait été généré au préalable. Le dossier est pris très au sérieux par Robert et pourrait observer un dénouement très prochainement, je vous partagerai toutes les informations qui me parviendront dans les jours qui viennent.
Fantastic
Easy listening, country
The Dead are pretty good for being dead.
Good vibes
Dehär va rockin fr
Good album. I have some emotional memories mixed up in a couple of these songs.
A bit on the slow side but a very enjoyable album. It truly felt like listening to "an slice of America" from the late 60s early 70s.
I find Grateful Dead quite an intriguing band that capture my imagination. I have a soft spot for this album which seems to feature in quite a lot of American film/ TV and fits that really well.
I would have told you I didn't know any Grateful Dead songs but I did surprisingly know a few of these, the best of which was Friend of the Devil. I was glad to listen to an album with normal length tracks. The live albums and 25 min of jamming for one song are unbearable. Since this album was pleasant and concise by comparison, it gets an extra star.
Listened Before: N Alright, man! The Dead! Pros: This album was great! Mellow and good harmonies. Wonderful guitars and a very peaceful mood. I will definitely be looking into more Dead later on. Cons: It drags a bit at the end. In particular I found "Attics of My Life" to be a slog to get through. Too sleepy. Maybe I'm not stoned enough. Good thing "Truckin'" comes after to wake me up. Added to Collection: P Songs added to playlist: Friend of the Devil, Truckin'
Hi- Box of Rain Lots of lovely 70's style hard-pan, less swampy swamp rock than CCR, well executed folk-rock. Not bad!
Best boomer music so far! Very relaxed, will definitely come back to this for porch drinkin
Nice one
good stuff! 4/5
much better than I expected, I don't know them so much somehow.
Good music but not my style.
3.5/10 Country Dead is pretty good
Really nice album, beautiful and fun
Really, really good shit. Peak dead and so smooth. I'm a weirdo in liking some of their album stuff better than their live stuff, and this is the dankest.
Ja nakon šećerne magnolije: Mama pusti me, ja sam od sada grateful dead fan 👈😎👈
It all kind of blended together but it was tighter and more enjoyable than I expected.
A very good Americana album. I was surprised how many acoustic guitars on the album. I enjoyed most of the songs, the first and last being hilights 4 🌟
A tale of two albums. I I listened to this album in two different sittings. The first I was in relatively good spirits and it felt like a warm blanket. I was brought back to laying in the grass on a warm spring afternoon, enjoying the final years of being a youth. On the second listen I was a bit crabby and the music reminded me of loathsome prep school trustafarians. I would give this a 3.5 if that were an option. The album drags a bit in the middle section, but also has some stone cold classics.
Folksy, meditative, surprising
Classic Dead sound!
A little upset at liking this more than I thought I would... Guess this is getting older. Maybe it's time to try some live albums... Sigh
Country rock music. Está bien. No me ha encantado muchísimo, pero está bien. Un 4.
Probably a grower
Oh aan zo een album had ik nood!
Nice. like country music with weird lyrics.
Альбом приятно звучит, но ничего кроме этого не запоминается. Помню в текстах что-то про кокаин и какое-то название у песни забавное, но его я уже не помню.
This album is so relaxing, it would be perfect for chilling around a campfire or going for a stroll in the park on a sunny day. Nothing bad on here, but nothing sticks out as a standout on the first listen through. Definitely gonna listen to this again.
Good, classic. Who doesn't like the dead?
Would like to give this a five since it got me listening to more Grateful Dead, but I think a four is most accurate for me… really solid jam album
Had never heard of them, a pleasant discovery nonetheless.
Good listen. Friend of the devil is my highlight.
Smooth!
A great, laid back album. Friend of the Devil is an all time classic song, and the rest of the album is just a good time. Lots of acoustic and very cool harmonies.
Very nice sounding album. A bit too country for me
A mellow, lovely Grateful Dead album. I'm not always a fan of the Grateful Dead, but I can see myself listening to this again! Especially loved Box of Rain and Friend of the Devil.
Nice but not outstanding would listen again
Excellent album from a band that simply has the "jam band" label. This showed their early work and lyrics rather than just instruments
Proper Noel rock. Reminds me of the kind of music he'd stick on when we used to drive to the local swimming pool when I was like 6. I can't put my finger on what it is I really like about this album. I'd rate it somewhere between a 3 and a 4. Been meaning to check out Grateful Dead for a while, after someone recommended it a while back - I'll be listening to this one again
Gefällt mir
I realised today that despite them being extremely well known and famous, I’ve never actually heard a single Grateful Dead song In my life. God knows why, I assume I just thought they were a bit of a shitty ‘yer da’ band but boy was I wrong. This album blew me away. It feels like a perfect blend of Simon & Garfunkel, The Rolling Stones and The Kinks. Such a perfect album to be out biking in the sun on a lovely Swedish spring day. I particularly liked Ripple even though it has the exact same structure as Country Roads and the same lyric scheme as Band Aid. Overall thoroughly surprised and impressed. A well deserved 4/5.
Great album, not listened to gd b4. Impressed
Had some classic tracks on there that I didn’t realize were Grateful Dead songs. Good easy listening album
Really surprised my this. Didn’t realise GD were so folky.
Yeah
4/5
Blindspot filled for sure! I like this for more relaxed driving music.
Con melodía y ritmo. Muy de su época. Gratificante escucharlo
Nice beattles vibes!
Chill rock, quite good
Enjoyed!
Creative and satisfying instrumentation
Pleasant, pleasant, pleasant.
Nice one
Excelente
rootin' tootin'
true classic
This album is packed with GD hits, but they don't really command too much attention. Good in the background. Ripple is probably my all-time favorite GD track.
Great stuff from the Dead in 1970.
Wonderful album. Really nostalgic.
Probably the best Dead album for the non-Head.
Awesome mix of folk americana and jam sesh stuff. Beautiful lyrics in some cases.
I never realized their music was so mellow
country road take me home sounding
4/5
Tyckte om detta. trevligt att lyssna på, goa röster, skönt proddad. Lagom trippy. en fyra!
Över förväntan. Ett trevligt album
I knew this would come up eventually. I feel like I've been held hostage by recordings of live shows for the Grateful Dead so much, I have a soft spot in my heart for them. At the same time, I could go the rest of my life not hearing another. Gorgeous harmonies, and I can enjoy this when I know the songs aren't 20 minutes long for no reason. Favorite tracks: "Ripple", "Box of Rain", "Truckin'"
Very enjoyable rock, certainly could understand why people would think it's better than similar material from the same year. But it's gonna be a while before I can understand the obsession so many fans have with this band.
12/22 Very woodsy, very rural, barefoot, psychedelic music. Standout Tracks: Friend Of The Devil, Sugar Magnolia, Operator, Attics Of My Life, Truckin'
More pleasant than I expected!
Some really weird chord progressions into some really basic country music. 3/5
I don’t have any problems with Grateful Dead. But I’m also never interested.
Not a bad record but they will never become a band I will really love.
*The Dead sound better with live performances that can expand each track compared to limited length studio album versions of their songs.
It’s a pleasing album to listen to. Nothing really stood out for me though, just your typical folk influenced rock album from the 70s.
Two great hits. The rest are just fillers.
Best studio album for a band whose entire fandom is built on live jamming. I recognize their fam and importance, but I am not a jam band fan. A couple hits on here, but nothing I would cherish.
Мабуть, загалом цей альбом не зовсім мій за стилістикою. Не можу не визнати, що тут вистачає хороших пісень. Мені найбільше запам'яталася Sugar Magnolia. Але були й бісячі, як Candyman.
Я б сказав що кантрі-американа грейтфул дед це скоріш не моє, ніж моє. Але тут теж є хороші пісні типу наприклад хіта Friend of the Devil. Коротше трійка стабільна.
One of the best Dead albums
This is a recors ive heard before but under i wouldn't say strange circumstances but abnormal for me. This was the record I put on the first time i did acid as a teenager. And I liked it then yet I never came back either. So even having heard this before its almost like it was at another time in another life. So that being said its less captivating than I felt it was back then. I obviously was more moldable and impressionable at that time but in clear mind its just sort of alright. It does things well enough without rocking the boat in any significant way. I get that listening to a two minute album version of a song that live is a half hour is almost not even the same thing. It just feels wrong in a way. Maybe is get behind a live version more. But the songs are just OK. Thats the biggest hurdle. I dont hate any of them. I just only really like the first and last song. Everything else just floats on by. Kinda have to put it in the meh category. I could see the potential for what this band is but I just dont really see it clearly here.
First time listening to the Dead and I must say that they're pretty decent. Though not my absolute favorite of the more psychedelic country rock albums this was still a pleasant listen with quite a few good songs. Fav Songs Box of Rain Friend of the Devil Ripple Is it Top 1001 Worthy (is it essential)? I'd say so, quite a historic band and a pretty inoffensive genre that should be nice for most people looking to experience some classic rock
My first experience with the dead was a good one and I really enjoyed what I experienced some of the songs are a little forgettable but a good chunk like truckin and candy man were really great recordings. The production and style of instrumentation is really good and easy to listen to. A good LP. Fav tracks: box of rain, friend of the devil, candy man, ripple, and truckin
ok but not really my style
They can either be amazing or awful. Somehow they found the middle of that
Fine, expected more. Kinda boring tbh.
Maybe I expected more but just found this a kind of boring listen. Good melodies tho
Very overrated band good jam and musicians but not great. Live its another vibe but on album its just better than ok
It’s not bad.
Was expecting some mad drug fuelled experimental psychedelia and instead got a fairly pedestrian 70s American rock album, to the point I double checked I was listening to the right thing. I think this is part of the issue with feeling like Ive completely missed out on grateful dead - they are either so weird as to put me off against repeated listens and now also sometimes seemingly straightforward to the point of forgettable. It wasn't bad, nice authentic sound, good singing, just don't understand the interest from this.
nuda w chuj ujdzie w tlumie dostyv szybko sie skonczylo tho
Overall pretty solid but honestly a bunch of the songs seem to run together. 3
First time listening to this band, based on everything I’ve heard in pop culture I assumed they were heavier than this. It’s a solid album with some good lyricism but absolutely unexpected for me
I had never actually listened to the Grateful Dead before, and I enjoyed listening to this album more than I expected. None of the songs particularly stood out to me, and I'm not sure I'll come back to it, but it was still a nice listen.
i thought grateful dead were hard rockers... what da hell is this chill dadrock? zzzz
Really a pretty standard country rock album, though a quality one. The opener is a highlight, as is the tighter, catchier "Friend of the Devil." The more upbeat songs, with prominent country instrumentation and good hooks, are the album's strength. As it goes on, it becomes clear it's an album full of pretty conventional tunes, even if those tunes are well-written. There just isn't that much variety or many risks taken. The slow, long "Attic of my Life" is the low point, though the closer brings things back a bit. For all the hoopla over the Dead as a live band, it's hard to find much about this that's all that different from the studio work of similar bands.
I like the country-rock vibe on this. I’d much rather listen to a studio album by the Dead than any live jamming garbage.
I can see why they are a jam band. This isn't unskilful but I listened through it twice and it all disappeared once I was done both times. Good to be on the list.
The sound mixing is better than I expected for some reason. Some nice music, and I wouldn't mind listening to it again, but it just doesn't do anything memorable. It's a trusty warm sound.
Easily the best Dead album I’ve heard. I still find them pretty grating for some reason but this was fine. Ripple is very nice.
Never listened to a Grateful Dead album despite their status in the music community. With a name like that they sound like an edgy band or at least hard rock. This album sounds more like the Byrds under a Bob Dylan folk rock beat.
This was good. Now I'm craving Cherry Garcia ice cream. 3.0/5.0: Good
Sounds exactly like something George Harrison woulf make
It is a good album, but a song or two in the backhalf really slows this album down and makes it longer than it is. It really shouldn't be that way with 4 classics "Box of Rain", "Friend of the Devil", "Ripple" and "Truckin" 3.5/5
Easy listening
I'm not much of a Deadhead. This album is nice but not much really grabbed me. I feel like that shouldn't happen when I'm as high as I am. This was alright for me. "Candyman" was really the only one that got me interested fully
High 3
My wife loves Greatful Dead, so naturally I really want to like them also. Some of the tracks are great, but most of the others just blur into what feels like 2 hour jam track. Did the next track start? Who knows? Not my choice of band to do drugs too.
Rating : 3/5 Favorite Song: Box of Rain Least Favorite: Candyman
Excellent grooves
All new to me and not at all unpleasant
Not my first time round with this album and I wanted to like it more than I did. Partly because I think Box of Rain is one of the most moving songs written about loss. And partly because the Dead are legendary. Sadly though most of the album doesn't do it for me - maybe because I'm on the other side of the pond. A reluctant 3*
Meh. Never really been a fan of the Dead. This wasn't terrible, but I'm not a big fan of folk music.
Gostei da música Candyman
I think The Grateful Dead is the only band where I'd be totally fine if their only representation on this list is live albums. Their studio work is fine, but it's nothing compared to Live/Dead. This album doesn't do a whole lot past proving that. It's fine enough, but I really can't find anything of note enough to talk about.
This was a wonderful reprieve after listening to a 69 song album yesterday and wanting to kms
Rv
Stripping away the GD mythos, they admittedly ain’t much. They sound like a crusty country bunch, doped to the point of quiet resignation from life. Checking the lyrics, they aren’t quite as poetic as one might expect from their San Francisco art scene rep. Their sound isn’t necessarily trippy by today’s standards, although there are moments, typically triggered by a relaxed concentration, an intention to transmit the acid experience. Some tracks, I feel the depleted energy of someone playing music because they’d set out to be a musician years before they discovered the divine light that consumes all, so here they are, singing a song. Still, Friend of the Devil and Ripple are absolute classics, and there are moments on American Beauty where I really get it. In another life, in another time, under a different upbringing, I can see what it would be like to have been a dead head. In this life though, I enjoy showers. I prefer wine to weed. I’ve heard the bootlegs of their supposed best concerts and I’ve regularly felt meh about them. It just isn’t for me. I’m too grateful living.
I mean this is fine I guess, but I don't get the cult following. This sounds like AI generated rock before AI.
Interesting listen, whilst aware of them hadn’t knowingly heard them before
Yeah quite liked it
perfectly pleasant. i wasn't paying the most amount of attention to this but also nothing made me stop and listen on purpose.....for whatever that's worth. but i think it was on me
Hippy
I've never really listened to the Grateful Dead before, and this was not what I was expecting. Put me in mind of the Byrds more than the Doors-style rock I was anticipating. A nice enough listen, but not much stood out to me.
Friend of the Devil Operator Till the Morning Comes Truckin’
Box of Rain Friend of the Devil Ripple Till the Morning Comes
This is fine
Sorry, I didn’t have any acid to take, so I don’t have any strong opinions on this.
ok 60's tumes
I just dont like TGD. 2.9/5
Fun little bit of psychedelic rock with some jams, but not very many memorable songs considering
Classic album, but doesn't really do anything exciting.
Not my style
Tämähän oli oikeasti ihan mieluista kuunneltavaa, toisin kuin tämän haasteen alkumetreillä vastaan tullut livelevy Live/Dead. American Beautylla kuullaan paljon rentoja ja akustisia biisejä, jotka sopivat mukavasti aurinkoiseen aamupäivään. Grateful Dead ei kuitenkaan ole isoimpia suosikkejani oman aikansa legendaarisista rock-yhtyeistä.
Very good album I liked ‘Box of Rain’, ‘Sugar Magnolia’ and ‘Ripple’ in particular. Rated:3.5/5 GEMV (17.04.2026)
Deeply inoffensive
Jamais écouté avant. Beaucoup moins marqué par le psychédélisme que ce à quoi je m'attendais, un album de country/folk-rock efficace et compétent. Rien de renversant, mais ça s'écoute très bien. Top : Brokedown Palace Flop : Attics of My Life
rock folk medio country. me gustó siento que es para un martes o sábado a la mañana que te despertas buena onda pero chill.
grew on me but still pretty average
Ripple is a masterpiece
Probably the only Grateful Dead album Ive heard. Starts strong, but then becomes less interesting than other 60s bands. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? Some Owned: No 65/261 (25%) Will I get: No
To be up-front, I talk a *lot* of shit about The Grateful Dead. It is, admittedly, less about the band than it is about the culture of interacting with the band. Before there was something a little wrong with Phish fans, or Ween fans, or (perhaps to a lesser extent) Primus fans, there was something wrong with Grateful Dead fans. Grateful Dead fandom appears to be a full time job, and part of me wants to check out the club. After all, I like the aesthetic, and abstract, lengthy rock excursions. But another part of me can't bear to see myself become someone who says things like "listen, this really isn't what The Dead are all about, check out Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) on Europe '72, Vol. 6, disc 3, and *that* will really change your life". All I'm saying is that Grateful Dead fandom seems like a lot of work, and it may come at the cost of living a life that is completely unrelatable to the out crowd (read: the rest of society). Anyways, the band's live reputation is such that I occasionally forget that they have any studio albums at all. And I have been led to believe that American Beauty is their most successful (if not only successful) studio effort. All of this is to say that while American Beauty is a pretty good album, it doesn't exactly give me insight into why people feel the way they do about The Dead. This is a roots rock album with pretty enjoyable songs, and the odd moment of transcendence. Box Of Rain, Friend Of The Devil, Sugar Magnolia, and Truckin' are among my favorites. And the organic, kind of free way these songs unravel does hint at the band's bread and butter. I ultimately enjoyed American Beauty, but I also don't really get a glimpse into what makes The Dead special here. Although, the list does also have Live/Dead, and I am interested in giving that a try when the time comes.
Flask? Bottle? Gourd? Vial? All seem more practical for holding rain...but I'm not high.
Reminds me of eagles Favorites: candyman, friend of the devil
Ok folk rock but I never really was into the Grateful Dead.
I keep coming back to Grateful Dead to give them another chance. I think it's a talented enough group, with good stories and great vibe. And I just can't connect to them. Ripple
Me gustó, muy chill le doy 3 estrellas porque esta lindo pero no me mató
Very good
5 / 10 - Okayer Country Rock - Holt mich nicht so wirklich ab
Pretty good, more tame than I expected.
American Beauty is a mixed bag; five of the songs are great and the other five are skippers. Amazing threefer to start and strong finish with Truckin’. Ripple saves a very mediocre middle making this album a tough listen in the seventies. At the time, The Dead were always associated with burnouts, junkies, long hairs, low life’s, and the other undesirable dregs of society - basically trouble. They were known for their long jamband concerts, so I believe one of their live albums will make the 1001 Must Hear List. (3.4*s) Lately it occurs to me…
With the high praise and decades of supportive fans, the Grateful Dead have been an icon in music...I just never got into it. But this is some folk rock I can. The long, hippie jam sesh dead doesn't do it for me as much. American Beauty is good though with a couple hits that still hold up. Not recognizing the top played track on Spotify, "Ripple", was a surprise. It's not the best track, that being "Truckin'" with "Friend of the Devil" and "Sugar Magnolia" close behind. Whole album is listenable and I dig it. Stereo Rick and many others are so great full for the dead and with this album, I can see why some of the swoon is deserved. Truly the Grateful Dead now with no original members left having lost Bob Weir this year makes the timing of this popping up on the list serendipitous. Feeling pretty good at 3.14 stars but look closer.
At one point in high school I tried to give Grateful Dead an honest shot. I was familiar with a couple of hits (Casey Jones, Touch of Grey, maybe a couple others) and figured given their expansive career and reputation as a legendary jam band I hoped there might be something interesting buried in the mix. I rented a box set from the library and started churning through tracks. An hour in I realized none of it was moving the needle for me. I continued Truckin' but only ended up with a pretty limited few songs that made the cut beyond a single listen. I returned the box set and haven't really thought of them much since beyond classical comparisons to Phish and other jam bands. While I ultimately confirmed Grateful Dead isn't really my thing, I've understood over time why they are perfect for an aging stoner hippy crowd. They are a casual folk jam band with some chill vibes that have earned their dedicated fanbase. For what it's worth American Beauty is probably the best Grateful Dead has to offer (outside of a live show I assume). They mostly stay in their lane and hit the folk rock sound that forms the basis of their long form jam band nature. It's fine in the right place, but not somewhere I personally find myself ever really. I don't often go to the Grateful Dead well, but I was surprised how many songs off of American Beauty I was actually familiar with. Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple and Truckin' were all songs I knew and was surprised by how much I enjoyed. The remainder of the tracks were a little too snoozy and slowed down but still not bad. I've never had a reason to argue for or against Grateful Dead because to me they are just one of those bands that have been around and have their place. They have their culture, their fans, their history, etc. and that's OK. I didn't mind American Beauty, and I won't mind if I hear some of those singles again. American Beauty was a good entry as it offered me the best version of the Dead and exceeded my expectations. 2.69 stars
Having only known “The Dead” from snippets of their misic and images of their fans I was completely prepared to hate this album. I didn’t! I disliked it, but appreciate what others saw in it. It’s gentle and mostly upbeat and happy (or at least hopeful). Truckin’ is actually kinda fun. But I can’t see following this band across the country. Or, for that matter, ever listening to them again. C’est la vie.
This album is very similar to a lot of the other older albums on this list that I’ve heard so far. Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil. These were both solid tracks. I like the guitars and vibes of this album. Sugar Magnolia I liked a lot. For a shorter track, Operator was really good. I liked the harmonica at the end. I wanted to do a track by track for the rest of the album but it all kind of blended together for me. Attics of my life was slow, melodic, and almost made me fall asleep. I did enjoy the closer with Truckin. Anyway. 2.5 ⭐️ cause a good portion of it blended together. 87/1089
An American classic.
okay, so this band i know of because of annual TIL Reddit posts how they've sponsored Lithuania's olympic basketball team lol. The vocals are very pleasant,general vibe reminds me of Lou Reed a bit. Whole album is very chill, some hippie melodies, last one is straight rock'n'roll. Nothing memorable, but an alright listen
タイプじゃないが、良いアルバムとは分かる
A quick enjoyable listen while I was working. A sound i enjoy and am familiar with. No saves on the first listen but perhaps it deserves a revisit one day.
Hasn’t clicked with me, but i can appreciate how clean all the instrumentation is, they’re clearly very talented. I’m aware that the band is supposedly stronger on their live albums so i’ll give them a shot, cause i’m not totally sold here. Standouts are maybe Sugar Magnolia and Truckin? I wasn’t overly in love with them to be fair Side note: this album would slap while playing Fallout New Vegas
My exposure to the Grateful Dead is quite limited, despite their status in classic/psychedelic rock. This was very easygoing, more Americana-like than I was expecting. I understand now that the group was fairly seasoned at this point, opting to pursue a more rootsy and acoustic sound compared to how they got started. The songwriting shines more as a result, thanks to the collaboration of Garcia and Hunter. This album won't rock your socks off, but it's a pretty easy listen that features harmonies to (almost) rival Crosby, Stills & Nash, as well as some tight guitar/bass playing.
Well it was the Grateful Dead. Sounded just like them
Eh. Not a Grateful Dead guy but this wasn’t too bad
Grateful Dead at their most palatable. I’m a Freaks and Geeks fan so of course Ripple is a classic. The other two hits are pretty good as well but that’s about it. Isn’t it the worst when someone says they like rock and then you find out they’re a jam band bro. Rating: 2.8
3 - I hate to say it, but I've never gotten as into the Grateful Dead as I wish. This albums still really really good, Friend of the Devil is one of the greatest of all time.
Easy listening.
Pretty good
This was ok. I listened to it a few times and it was pleasant background music. But there was nothing that really got it's hooks in me.
Different than what I was expecting. Thought it would be punk rock or death metal. Didn’t love it tbh
dig the hits here (Truckin, Friend of the Devil, Ripple). The others I could take or leave
I went into this album fairly open minded. Althea, while not being on this album would be one of my favourite songs at the moment. Unfortunately it also seems to be the only Grateful Dead song that I enjoy, as there isn’t a SINGLE track on this album (or other GD albums for that matter) that have a remotely similar feel. I’m writing this review a few days after listening to this album and while each of the songs individually are objectively decent songs they’re all so hugely unmemorable that I would struggle to pick out a favourite. I guess my only comment about this album is that it feels very of its era, could easily imagine some of these tracks slipping into an Eagles playlist of mine as a bit of filler. Could imagine, but won’t happen. Objectively decent music, just not a huge fan. (Also what is with the gorp synth????)
I don't think I've ever heard a song by this band. This is a band I've only ever vaguely heard about, and I actually thought they were more modern, like king gizzard (another band I basically know nothing about), until I read "remarkably bright creatures" last year and realized they like super old. Even the genre tags are surprising to be, I didn't expect these guys to be Folk/Country. I'm really not sure if i'll like it or not, but only one way to see... 1. Box of Rain - is the one voice supposed to only be in one ear? I don't think it's my headphones. songs fine, nothing special otherwise. 2. Friend of the Devil - it's fine I think unless I'm like blown away by a song, or hate it, I'm not gonna go one by one anymore "Candyman" - Okay, I really hate this one, thanks "Til the Morning Comes" - actually not too bad, so far the only one I can see myself coming back to. thank fuck i'm almost done tho okay, "tuckin" isn't too bad. I mustve heard it somewhere before Overall - this is fine, I guess. It just got more boring as it went on. The only song I can see myself coming back to is "Til the Morning Comes", and maaaaybe "Truckin'" if I'm in a really odd mood, but everything else idk. It's just fine. Not offensive to my ears, but not stimulating in any way
Not an original thought: even though this is claimed by many as their best studio album if you really want to get to know the Dead and hear them at their best then seek out one of the countless official bootlegs. Especially one that includes a really long version of Dark Star. This is amiable enough, sounding like a meeting of The Band with Crosby, Stills and Nash but with less memorable songs.
It was nice and folky and I liked it. It just got a little boring.
3/5 Fun album, but I don't think anything really stood out to me. Maybe it's just not entirely my style.
5/10
Not as bad as I expected
Haven’t been much of a Dead fan. The music is ok, but just feels anemic to me.
Fun listen
So, this was an interesting listen, but didn't really blow me away. I get why it's a big deal in their discography, they toned down the crazy psychedelic jams and went for a more mellow, folk/country/bluegrass vibe. Songs like "Friend of the Devil" and "Ripple" are cool, and the production makes it easier to get into than their live stuff. It definitely has that classic Americana feel, kinda chill. But, even though I respect it as a piece of music history, it just wasn't my vibe. Some of the songs got a bit repetitive, and the whole hippy vibe felt a little background-y. The harmonies were a bit rough around the edges at times, and I found myself zoning out during some of the tracks. It's a fine album, and I'm glad I checked it out, but I probably won't be revisiting it anytime soon.
You know what, I fuck with country. And this was country but nothing special so three stars from me.
While a respectable album without any total stinkers, I just can't really find anything that wows me. Guess I'm just not really here for softer, country-tinged rock, especially when compared to the louder, more bluesy sound I previously knew them for via the '69 Live/Dead album. 7.5/10
decent folk rock, nothing popped out to me
Miðað við hvað ég hef mikið dálæti á andanum og lífsháttunum sem tengjast Grateful Dead, án þess þó að hafa sjálfur orðið rokkhippi, þá finnst mér þeir bara allt í lagi band. Ekkert sem stendur upp úr og mér finnst önnur bönd í svipuðum dúr betri
довольно приятный и местами с интересными мелодиями, но всё же меньше чем за день надоел, не быть мне дедхедом
Out of respect for my friends who love the Dead I'm giving this 3 stars instead of 2. It just doesn't work for me. And I've tried. I've REALLY tried for like 40 years. I just can't connect with it. I can appreciate 2-3 songs of theirs, none of which are on this album. It all sounds like poorly recorded country music with weak singing.
A solid album, but not quite my favourite from the Grateful Dead.
Pretty laid back. Didn’t recognize any songs but listenable.
not my style, but good, 3
Never really “got it” when it comes to the Dead. I give them their props for their legendary live shows, but as someone that was too young at the time to experience those and had to take in the dead based on their recordings alone I have to confess I found them rather mid to be honest. None of the music is bad, but the vocals are actually pretty lame and uninspiring. Three stars for respect but this album is a 2 really.
nothing offensive, the singer annoys me a tad, but beyond that its fine
This is a lot better than their other album I listened to off this list. Decent enough but nothing unique
Thought grateful dead were a punk band. Enjoyed this
Nice warm feeling to this one, thought the Grateful Dead were a heavy band
I never knew they were supposed to sound like this. Decent enough
Good cookin' jams
The Grateful Dead are one of those bands that I've heard of but couldn't name a single song. After listening I'd say I would have enjoyed it more if I was American or stoned
Listenable, but nothing worth hearing before going 6 feet under. I've never understood the need to mix rock and country like this, it's not right.
Sure is a Grateful Dead album. Not great, not terrible. Just...there.
3.5
why did I not know the Grateful Dead had albums??? I just thought they improvised all of their songs at concerts???
My lifetime weed consumption is significantly below the threshold required to think that Grateful Dead are amazing.
It was a calm one, nothing objectively great nor bad
Kind of amusing. Friend of a Devil is a really fun song. A lot of it wasn't too standout for me tho
Never really been a Grateful Dead fan, but will say they are the ultimate good weather summer band. Mostly this album does nothing for me, but Box of Rain is easily the best track.
Smooth music to clean a room to
Pleasantly surprised by how sweet and pure this sounds
I don't know the Grateful Dead for 'short and snappy' but this album sailed by. I think it repeated 3 or 4 times during the course of my workday. 2.5
Wowww this was actually listenable
Expected more rock less country
last year when my mom asked me if i had listened to grateful dead and i was like uhhh.. the metal band?? can't believe i went 26 years of my life completely delusional🥀 ily grateful dead ❤️🩹 bruh their guitarist just died rip 💔
I had a lot of preconceived ideas about this band without ever really hearing their music before. I liked it better than expected, but still didn't love it.
This feels like very of the time rock/folk/whatever they are. It didn't wow me, nor did it inspire me to buy a van and follow the band around.
The songs are nice but the Grateful Dead just aren't a band that gets me going. I find a lot of their tunes to be particularly flavorless, with the compositions never daring or even teasing dissonance. It's all very vanilla, very major pentatonic. Like a writer who makes stories that don't have antagonists or conflict. With that being said, the tunes are listenable, and this album has what I think is one of their more popular songs- "Friend of the Devil", and I can't hate it too much since they are such a well known and influential band. It's a 3, I think, because a 2 is unfair to the magnitude of the Grate Dead. Every time I listen I know what I'm about to get and I still leave feeling pretty meh.
Dont really like the genre 5/10
This album has all the qualities on paper of greatness (lush instrumentation on dynamic songs performed well, in a (mostly) varied track list,) but somehow I didn’t vibe with it. 3/5
Folk Rock, 1970 -> 3
Not bad by any means. The vocal harmonies were quite interesting, and I liked some of the guitar work. However, I found this boring, especially by the end. I appreciate it for being an objectively good album, but for me it was just fine. 3/5.
Good record. This is like a 3,7
I’m very embarrassed to admit that until listening to this album, I thought Friend of the Devil was a Counting Crows song. Feel free to judge me.
never understood the grateful dead hype beyond good branding but this album is decent