People seem to either love the Grateful Dead or absolutely despise them. However, any music fan can find enjoyment in â??Ripple,â? â??Box of Rain,â? â??Uncle Johnâ??s Band,â? â??Dire Wolfâ? and â??Friend of the Devil.â?

When the Grateful Dead are mentioned, there are numerous images that may pop into one“s head.

Many may think of long songs, others may think of Jerry Garcia and his Santa Clause-like features, and some may think of dancing bears and others may simply think of tie-die shirts.

“There is nothing like a Grateful Dead show,” is a famous quote that followed the band throughout its entire 30-year touring career, and rightfully so, as the band was always an amazing live spectacle.

However, the band did release two stellar studio recordings in 1970, “Workingman“s Dead” in June of 1970 and “American Beauty” in November of 1970.

People seem to either love the Grateful Dead or absolutely despise them. However, any music fan can find enjoyment in “Ripple,” “Box of Rain,” “Uncle John“s Band,” “Dire Wolf” and “Friend of the Devil.”

Composed mainly of songs written by guitarist/singer/pianist/pedal steel guitarist Jerry Garcia and lyricist Robert Hunter, “Workingman“s Dead” and “American Beauty” are not just cited as amazing albums by Deadheads but by rock critics as well.

Voted the best album on 1970 by Rolling Stone Magazine, “Workingman“s Dead” was titled after a Merle Haggard song the band had been covering called “Workingman“s Blues.” Inspired by the harmony sounds of Crosby, Stills and Nash, the Grateful Dead recorded the entire album in three weeks because of already sky-high debt from their last studio venture.

One of the Dead“s most accessible songs, “Uncle John“s Band” opens the album on a high note, and the next seven songs are of equal caliber. Among those seven songs is the instantly recognizable “Casey Jones.” However overrated it may be, it contains what is probably one of the most recognizable choruses in rock: “Driving that train, high on cocaine â?¦”

Containing more hit singles, but not necessarily better songs, “American Beauty” was released in the fall of 1970 and although still dominated by Garcia-Hunter compositions, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and Pigpen all take their stabs at a track.

Lesh“s most famous composition, “Box of Rain,” opens the album and is followed by the folk-like “Friend of the Devil.” One of Weir“s most famous songs, “Sugar Magnolia,” also finds it place on side one.

“Ripple,” one of the most beloved Dead songs ever written, opens up side two and the Dead“s most famous composition, “Truckin,” closes the album. Unfortunately the song is also responsible for a few too many senior quotes with its famous break, “sometimes the lights are shining on me / other times I can barley see / Lately it occurs to me â?¦ what a long strange trip it“s been.”

Yes, many Deadheads are horribly annoying and yes, the band did have many off days. However, when the band was on, they were hard to beat, and on these two studio albums, they are on.

A little bit country, a little rock n“ roll, a little blues and a little folk, “Workingman“s Dead” and “American Beauty” are two great albums by a great band that truly belong in any music collection.

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