American Beauty
++++++++++++ Released in Nov. 1970, it was their sixth album and first
true studio album, the last to feature the percussion work of Mickey Hart
(for a while), and recorded in a time when Jerry's mother and Phil's father
died. Warner Brothers finally gave them the sort of publicity and attention
they'd wanted and needed all along. The backcover should originally be a
photograph of the band with pistols. They spent time shooting at Mickey's
Hart ranch and even shoot up a golden record. Robert Hunter rejected the
photo. The front lettering can also be read as AMERICAN REALITY. The DeaD
had stopped their acoustical sets in concerts. Weir was not writing much
and most of the songs he sang were covers. SUGAR MAGNOLIA was his first
lead-vocal since ANTHEM. The song is about a free spirited but foolish woman.
FRIEND OF THE DEVIL is a blue-grass tune about a man on the run who bargains
with the devil, and has David Grissman on mandolin. CANDYMAN is a "gambling"
song, OPERATOR was sung and written by Pigpen. TILL THE MORNING COMES was
inspired by C,S,N & Y. BOX OF RAIN was Lesh's first vocal and has a
perfect vocal interplay. RIPPLE is a folksy tune about enlightenment that
comes from within and is a favourite of Deadheads. ATTICS is a three harmony
song about friendship with only guitar and bass. TRUCKIN' is autobiographical
which recounted the events of a year in which they had been busted again,
this time in New Orleans, and sacked their manager. It did quiet well as
a single. The album became a favourite on college camps.
nr. 1 The group's patchouli-oil philosophy, which does
nothing more than reinforce solipsism and self-indulgence in its listeners,
except when it is nurturing its Hells Angels fan club, is exactly the sort
of stuff that gave peace 'n' love a bad name. * *
DAVE MARSH, R.S. RECORD
GUIDE, 1983
nr. 2 Another gem in the same vein as its
predecessor, but even more vocally orientated and more ploished lyrically.
Again, there are classics every DeaD fan knows, but the album has a few
marginal songs, as well (OPERATOR, TILL THE MORNING COMES, CANDYMAN). I'
ve yet to meet a Deadhead who doesn't love AMERICAN BEAUTY and WORKINGMAN'S
DEAD, and they are still the group's most accessible. * * * *
BLAIR JACKSON,
THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED,1983
nr. 3 These (delicate, multipart
harmonies) tunes are some of the catchiest and most melodic Grateful Dead
have ever come up with. The album is packed full of classic Grateful Dead
tracks. TRUCKIN' shot straight to Number One, in Turlock, California.
JAMIE
JENSEN, BUILT TO LAST, 1990
nr. 4 This is the simplistic
folk-rock album WORKINGMAN'S DEAD is supposed to be-sweeter vocally and
more direct instrumentally, with words to match. Robert Hunter is better
at parsing American conun-drums than at picking American Beauties, so too
many of the lyrics revolve around love, dreams, etc. But only ATTICS has
nothing upstairs. (rating: A-)
ROBERT CRISTGAU, ROCK ALBUMS OF THE 70'S,
1982
nr. 5 The album opens with an classic track, BOX
OF RAIN, a song so strong it's uplifting in times of trouble. FRIEND OF
THE DEVIL seems to be speeded up, but is nice all together. A beautiful,
but short Pigpen song, and an easy-going CANDYMAN are all on side one. Side
two opens with another classic; RIPPLE. BROKEDOWN PALACE is a slow song,
but also very beautiful. TRUCKIN' makes up for the weaker ATTICS OF MY LIFE
and TILL THE MORNING COMES. An classic album. * * * *
ERIK SCHOTHANS,
July 1992
nr. 5 ANTHEM and AOXOMOXOA are weirder, goofier,
more out there - but for melodic ease of listening AMERICAN BEAUTY is more
fulfilling and proves that the DeaD could cut it as a strange saloon outfit
and still write memorable, disciplined songs. Since the DeaD remain intrinsically
psychedelic to this day (as much a jazz band as anything) only they are
capable of defining their own rules. BOX OF RAIN sets a golden standard,
and a high proportion of the ensuing album remains in the band's repertoire
to this day. Bittersweet West Coast pop rock at its finest.
VOX ESSENTIAL
PSYCHEDELICA ON CD, July 1992
nr. 6 Any record that continues
in the same vein as Workingman's Dead has got to be something special. a
perfect record that exudes warmth and friendliness from every song. It positively
overflows with character and vitality, expressing both lyrically and musically
a full range of emotions. BROKEDOWN PALACE and BOX OF RAIN are favourites
of mine. But as Garcia remarks: 'They're good tunes. Everyone of 'em is
a gem. I modestly admit.'
ANDY CHILDS, ZIG ZAG Magazine
