Anthem of the Sun, Grateful Dead, Warner Brothers-Seven Artists, 1968

Alligator is a favorite of mine. The rest of this is a struggle for me. The words I noticed in a quick look through this record’s Wikipedia page—60-cycle hum and microphone feedback, erratic, experimental, mixed for hallucinations, psychedelic listening experience, songs were mirrors of infinity. That’s the sound of people trying to be nice. My notes: for a jam band with two guitar players, this has a LOT of kazoo in it.

The band didn’t like being in the studio, it is said, and they spent a lot of time getting comfortable. One Warner Brothers exec said it was the most unreasonable project the company did. Here are some cuts. See what you think.

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