Objectively, American Beauty has its flaws. The songs were done in the studio, something the band never looked forward to, and a little bittle of evolution, well, took some of these songs a long way. Look at Sugar Magnolia and Truckin' for instance, two of the bands most famous works, they never became great songs until they played them live, let them evolve, unfold, and bloom. Any experienced listener would take a live Truckin' or Sugar Magnolia over the studio versions anyday. But that doesn't really matter, because what the rest of the album has to offer is probably the best of what folk and rock music have to offer....

Box of Rain, Ripple, Brokedown Palace, Candyman, Friend of the Devil, and Attics of My Life.

Of all the jazz, classical music, folk & roots music, and world & ethnic music I have ever listened to, I still have not found songs which parallel these in their strength and grandeur. These are'nt merely songs, these are moments, these are Zen watercolor paintings, and they are the most sincere, and human pieces of art that I have ever come to know.

Coming to know these songs was like developing a new sense for me. It was like seeing, or smelling, or hearing for the first time, when the buddha sprang from beneath the bodhi tree he must have felt similar. I truly envy you if you have never listened to these songs, I would pay astronomical amounts of money to hear these songs again for the first time.

But then again, that was another time, another world....


Sing me sweet and sleepy, all the way back home.   July 10, 2002
 10 out of 13 found this review helpful

I dont even know where to begin to explain the beauty of this LP. It is simply amazing. There is no other way to describe it. I stumbled upon "american beauty" while parusing my dad's CD collection. I picked it up and my dad came over to point out that on the cover, "American Beauty" can be read two ways (either as american beauty or american reality) and then he said that i was "finally old enough" to enjoy the grateful dead and that i should go listen to it. Although it was over 4 years ago, i still remember being struck by the beauty and complexity of the music the first time i heard it.

This album starts off beautifully with "box of rain." Phil's voice is so beautiful and smooth in this song, and the lyrics are profound to say the least. But of course as in all Dead music, it was the masterful guitar playing that reeled me in. This song holds a special place in my heart because it was the first grateful dead song i ever heard and it was all i needed to hear to become a worshiper of their music.

"friend of the devil" is also amazing. i love trying to keep track of all the different strands of guitar in this song. i pick out garcia's playing first. then, i can hear lesh playing to perfectly compliment garcia. these guys blow my mind.

the lyrics of "sugar magnolia" are beautiful. and the playing is exquisite. though not the best song on this cd, its definitely amazing.

"operator" gets better and better the more you listen to it. pigpen does a great job with it.

"candyman" is one of my favorites on the LP. It is long and mellow, but it carries a serious undertone. i love the guitar in this one. its another one where i like to follow lesh and garcia as they play. garcia is such a master with his instrument and lesh plays perfectly to compliment what garcia produces.

"ripple" is one of the dead's most famous songs, and this is duly deserved. the mandolin playing during the "ripple in still water" parts adds variety and the lyrics, of course, simpley blow me away. "reach out your hand / if your cup be empty / if your cup is full / may it be again"

"ripple" slowly changes into "brokedown palace" which is personally my favorite on the album. its talk of leaving past sorrows behind fills me with a want to just "make myself a bed by the waterside." this song totally calms me down with the beautiful images it puts in my head. "gone to plant a weeping willow / by the bank's green edge it will grow grow grow / sing a lullaby beside the water / lovers come and go / the river roll roll roll" what more can i say? this is a beautiful song. "sing me sweet and sleepy all the way back home"..."fare you well fare you well / i love you more than words can tell / listen to the river sing sweet songs / to rock my soul"

"till the morning comes" picks up with a faster tempo after the mellow-ness of "brokedown palace" this is an upbeat song. when i listen to this cd i never specifically skip to this track but when it comes on, im more than happy to listen to it.

"attics of my life" slows the listener back down again with beautiful guitar playing and mellow lyrics. i like to think of this song as a love song (whether it is or not, i dont know). "when i had no wings to fly / you flew to me"

this amazing album ends with "truckin" once again picking the listener back up with a faster tempo and a fantastic way to end the album. i love phil's voice in this song and its a great song to watch the band play live. "what a long strange trip its been" what a beautiful way to end the album.

writing this review has made me realize that no words can express the complex beauty of this music. you just have to listen to it to understand. this cd turned me into a belated dead-head. i know it sounds melodramatic but i am tormented knowing that i was born to late. i strongly recommend this album to anyone. i played this for my friend and she didnt like it. i lost all respect for her. its truly amazing the feelings i get while listening to this album. every one should own a copy.


A studio masterpiece from the quintessential live band   November 28, 2003
 10 out of 12 found this review helpful

The Dead sound has never been captured in a studio but American Beauty was undoubtedly their best studio album if not the best country/folk/rock album ever released. The remastering of this beautiful collection of songs is well worth owning and the sound quality is wonderful.This was the Dead at the absolutely peak of their creative powers both in terms of the compositions and the musicianship. The influence of Crosby Stills Nash and Young is evident in the harmonizations but the Dead were certainly more on the edge. The lryical tunes that make up this recording are some of my alltime favorite Dead songs. Ripple, Box of Rain, Sugar Magnolia.
"If you go , no one may follow. That path is for your steps alone"