American Beauty
by Grateful Dead

I used to think that "Workingman's Dead" with songs like "Uncle John's Band," "Dire Wolf" and "Casey Jones" must be the strongest Grateful Dead album. After listening carefully to "American Beauty" there is no doubt that I have to reconsider my opinion. Where the "Uncle John's Band" has a few less interesting numbers, "American Beauty" comes out as a full set album. Stylistically the two albums, of course, are very close to each other, with the emphasis that is placed in magnificent vocal harmonies, with considerable inspiration from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Grateful Dead's songwriting is troughout the album marked by both inspiration and creativity and many of the group's most beloved songs can be found here. First and foremost, the bluesy "Truckin '" is highlighted because it was a great concert favorite, the closest the group came to a single hit, and of course because it's nice song.

Otherwise, it is the country / folk-inspired songs that dominate with "Box of Rain", "Sugar Magnolia," "Ripple" and "Till the Morning Comes" as my personal favorites.

The magnificent vocals are particularly expressed in the hymn-like "Attics of My Life", which also help make this album an unforgettable milestone.

More upbeat is "Friend of the Devil" and "Operator", the latter written and sung by Ron McKernan. Otherwise, it is as usually Jerry Garcia who is the most prolific songwriter, with Phil Lesh and Bob Weir contributing with the classics "Box of Rain" and "Sugar Magnolia".

In addition to the single versions of "Truckin '" and "Ripple" the bonus tracks consist of fine live recordings from various concerts played in 1970. Fine sound and great performances. (Edited)

I own hundreds of cd's (passe now, I know :-()spanning from post-WWII jazz to Muse and Arcade Fire, and I've come to the conclusion that this is my favorite album ever. It's just dead (pun sorta intended) solid perfect. That's pretty amazing that a band known more for their concerts than studio albums produced such a masterpiece as this. The entire record is great, but is there a prettier song ever recorded than "Ripple"?? Wow!

From Applerill TOP 100 COMMENTER 12/01/2011 03:26 | #31782 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

How can I possibly consider the movie American Beauty to be a nearly unparalleled masterpiece, and yet find the Grateful Dead album American Beauty to be absolute crap? There are several reasons, but I think the top one is lack of avant-garde charisma. Unlike any of their live shows, not once on the album is there a Thomas Newman-esque percussive freakout, nor are there any vocals worthy of Kevin Spacey's genius. All in all, BORING!!! (Edited)

From Brandon8 TOP 100 COMMENTER 03/28/2020 19:50 | #249197 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

I believe this is their best studio album with such classics as Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple & Truckin’. You will hear at least a few of these songs on a bulk of their live albums. It’s a very cohesive set no need to skip any songs. (Edited)

From Romanelli TOP 100 COMMENTER 05/13/2011 00:20 | #21672 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

All those songs they played so great live had to come from somewhere. In 1970, the Dead recorded two great studio albums. They should not be pigeonholed as only a great live band...they were capable of making records as well. (Edited)