Though a collection piece in any Grateful Dead discography, in comparison to their other works it is sometimes difficult to understand the hype behind this record. If you're looking for material with energy, this isn't the place to look; rather the album

The Grateful Dead’s 1970 classic, American Beauty would prove to be a monumental part of the band’s discography and favourite of fans worldwide. The disc is a graceful addition to the Dead’s music, with most of the record possessing an acoustic, folky aura that would become a staple to the bands sound. Tracks like “Sugar Magnolia” and “Ripple” top out on the album, while also becoming recognized hits for the band. Personally, the album feels less charismatic to me than other recordings, though the tranquil feeling if gives off can be great depending on your mood. All-in-all, I wasn’t that impressed after all the hype I’d heard behind this record, though some of the tracks make up for the rest of the disc.