• Reissue
• Remastered
• 180 Gram
• 180-gram vinyl
• 1971 Band-Produced Mix
  
  

The Grateful Dead's Aoxomoxoa arrived in 1969 as the band's third studio album, marking a pivotal moment in their evolution from blues-based jam pioneers toward studio experimentalists. Released during acid rock's peak, the record captures the Dead at a creative crossroads—embracing studio technology and formal composition while maintaining the improvisational spirit that defined their live performances. Within their catalog, Aoxomoxoa stands as their most sonically adventurous work of the era, distinguished by layered arrangements, backward vocals, and the kind of production ambition that set it apart from their earlier, more straightforward rock efforts.

The album unfolds across ten tracks that balance structured songwriting with genuine psychedelic experimentation. "St. Stephen" opens with intricate vocal harmonies and crystalline guitar work before expanding into a showcase for collective musicianship; "Dupree's Diamond Blues" strips things back with rootsy, balladic storytelling. "China Cat Sunflower" presents one of the band's most enduring compositions—a breezily melodic piece that floats on gossamer arrangements. "Mountains Of The Moon" and "Rosemary" delve into folk and chamber-pop territory respectively, while "Doin' That Rag" locks into a hypnotic groove that presages the band's later funk-informed explorations. Throughout, the production emphasizes texture and space rather than raw power, with Jerry Garcia's guitar lines woven carefully into densely layered mixes.

This 2020 reissue, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and marketed through Rhino Entertainment, features a 50th Anniversary remaster derived from the band-produced 1971 mix—a deliberate choice that honors the Dead's original sonic vision over the original 1969 master. The heavier vinyl stock provides improved durability and tracking while the remastering work brings clarity to the intricate overdubs and orchestral arrangements without sacrificing the warmth that defines the record's aesthetic. For collectors and serious listeners, this European pressing represents a substantially improved listening experience compared to earlier vinyl iterations.

Tracklist:

A1. St. Stephen
A2. Dupree's Diamond Blues
A3. Rosemary
A4. Doin' That Rag
A5. Mountains Of The Moon
B1. China Cat Sunflower
B2. What's Become Of The Baby
B3. Cosmic Charlie