Skeleton from the Closet

nr. 1 A "dopey", uncool packaging of songs that only slightly approximated their best work. An accessible assortment of the Dead's more traditional compositions, drawing heavily from AMERICAN BEAUTY. GOLDMINE, JULY 1987

nr. 2 Even though the DeaD were recording on their own label, Warners attempted to keep making money off the band by putting out this badly packaged, poorly chosen anthology of DeaD songs. It's not fair to judge the songs in isolation from the albums on which they appeared, but I can comment on the selection of tracks, which is downright bizarre. What on earth makes ROSEMARY, perhaps the most obscure cut on AOXOMOXOA(though I like it a lot), a greatest hit? This is not a representative sample of the Dead's best songs. * BLAIR JACKSON, THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED, PLEXUS

nr. 3 Unless you're a hippie, this is one assertedly major oeuvre that' s virtually worthless except for documentary purposes. rating: * DAVE MARSH, R.S. RECORD GUIDE