The Grateful Dead – American Beauty (Target Exclusive)

Description

Standout tracks include, “Truckin’,” a blues/boogie-based rock tune with a shuffle rhythm,  “Ripple”, “Box of Rain”, “Sugar Magnolia”, and “Friend of the Devil”.

The title of the album has a double meaning, referring both to the musical focus on Americana and to the rose that is depicted on the front cover. Around the rose, the album title is scripted as a text ambigram that can also be read “American Reality”. The back cover is a George Conger photograph of a diorama containing ferns, roses, a bust, shadowboxes and other curios. To each side of the photo are illustrated panels with a vaguely-shaped guitar, whose strings are also rose stems. The cover artwork was produced by Kelley–Mouse Studios. Great album from opening to closing cuts.