Back catalogue: Psych/Garage Rock

Review: The Grateful Dead's From The Mars Hotel gets a grand remaster for its 50th Anniversary, enriched with rare demos and a live performance from 1974. This deluxe edition, meticulously curated by the band's legacy manager David Lemieux and remastered by David Glasser, enhances the album's historic sound with modern clarity. The release showcases the Dead's explorative phase, featuring standout tracks such as 'Scarlet Begonias' and 'Ship Of Fools.' Highlights include a live performance capturing the band's synergy and the iconic Wall of Sound, a revolutionary audio system that defined their live shows. This edition not only revisits the band's studio talents but also celebrates their live energy, immortalising the Grateful Dead's enduring influence on rock music.

Review: Go To Heaven is a solid record musically, showing the band's musical evolution. The biggest change is the arrival of keyboardist Brent Mydland, who replaced the late Keith Godchaux and introduced a wide array of piano, organ, synth, and vocals, adding a fresh composition style. Produced by Gary Lyons, Go To Heaven merges elements from the band's previous styles, including jazz, prog-rock, and disco, while incorporating modern funk and synth motifs. Drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann provide consistent but reserved rhythms that anchor the album's diverse sounds. The album opens with 'Alabama Getaway,' a short blues rock jam, followed by Mydland's catchy rocker 'Far From Me.' Garcia's 'Althea' stands out with its bluesy slide guitar and buzzing bass by Phil Lesh. Bob Weir's co-written tracks with John Perry Barlow, such as 'Feel Like a Stranger,' bring funk/rock vibes with Mydland's wild analog synth. 'Lost Sailor' and 'Saint of Circumstance' add jazzy elements and upbeat pop, respectively. Mydland's 'Easy to Love You' offers smooth vocals reminiscent of Michael McDonald and the traditional 'Don't Ease Me In' closes the album with a bluesy, country-infused jam.

Review: The Grateful Dead's Reckoning, originally released in 1981, stands out among their many live albums for its completely acoustic set. This album captures the band's exploration of their roots in folk, country-western, and traditional music. Highlights include Garcia's heartfelt rendition of 'Been All Around This World' and the charming 'Monkey and The Engineer,' a nod to their jug band days. Tracks like 'Jack-A-Roe' showcase Garcia's emotive storytelling and guitar skills, while 'Dire Wolf' and 'Cassidy' bring an upbeat vibe and folk rush to the collection. The album closes beautifully with ''Ripple,' featuring Garcia's heart-felt vocals and flawless harmonies. Now reissued by Rhino Records, Reckoning offers a pristine version for both new listeners and longtime fans to enjoy.

Review: The esteemed Rhino stable is kicking off 2025 with a series of 26 limited edition reissues from rock giants like ZZ Top, Ramones, Fleetwood Mac and - in this case - Californian stoner icons Grateful Dead. Their second live album was originally released in 1971 and showcases them - in quintessential quintet form - blending rock 'n' roll energy, Bakersfield twang and psychedelic exploration. The album features a diverse setlist with a healthy hit of covers, from the hard-hitting version Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B Goode' and the Stones' 'Not Fade Away' to the heartfelt balladry of 'Me & Bobby McGee' and the cosmic depths of 'The Other One'.