"Signed to Warner Brothers with a "jazz rate" deal-meaning they were paid by song length, not number of tracks-the band conceded to nearly every label expectation, transforming themselves into something like a traditional garage rock band. In thirty-five minutes, they speed through the album's nine songs with an anxious energy, resulting in an endearing-but-muddy listen-something Phil Lesh would describe as "sound and fury buried in a cavern." Maybe it was the nerves of a group of young freaks trying to sell themselves for the first time, or maybe it was the massive amount of Ritalin they were all on, but the Grateful Dead sound more energetic here than they ever would. Which is to say, if the Dead's characteristic brand of sprawling experimentalism isn't your bag, then this might be the album for you".