Part II of the Dead's ode to roots music, American Beauty, along with its predecessor Workingman's Dead, stands as the band's creative peak. Concise, well written and timeless songs (a collaboration between Hunter and Garcia, Lesh and Weir) convey a wistful beauty, an elegiac feel and a desire for simpler, pastoral times. A feast of harmony singing and acoustic instrumentation, American Beauty hums with a sense of community: The gorgeous opener, "Box of Rain," features Lesh (the song's cowriter) debuting on lead vocals, backed by guitarist David Nelson and bassist Dave Torbert of the Dead's side project, New Riders of the Purple Sage. Rider John Dawson cowrote the outlaw saga "Friend of the Devil" with Hunter and Garcia, whose bluegrass compatriot David Grisman adds atmospheric mandolin trills to the guitarist's finger picking on "Devil" and the contemplative tour de force "Ripple." Another highlight is Bob Weir's lilting "Sugar Magnolia," which promoter Bill Graham once proclaimed his favorite Dead song. Pigpen's sole turn is "Operator," an old-time number featuring his wheezy vocals and harmonica break. Garcia's soulful ruminations on "Attics of My Life," "Candyman" (with guest keyboardists Howard Wales and Ned Lagin), and "Brokedown Palace" show him at his most… read more »