I Hate Psychedelic Rock, But For Some Reason I Listen to Grateful Dead

I don’t know why, but I can’t help but listen to the Grateful Dead. I hate psychedelic rock, but their music is just so catchy!

Introduction

Hermetically sealed in my car, I am free to listen to whomever I choose. Recently, this has meant a lot of Grateful Dead. I’m not sure how it happened. Stuck in traffic, I found myself one day grooving to “Bertha” from the 1971 album “Grateful Dead” (known as “Skull and Roses” to fans). This is not music I should like. I hate psychedelic rock.

What is Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as acid rock, is a type of popular music that emerged during the mid 1960s. The genre is characterized by its use of electronic and experimental music, as well as feedback and distorted guitars. Psychedelic rock often makes use of lengthy jams, and is inspired by Eastern philosophy and the use of drugs such as LSD. Many artists who emerged during the psychedelic era would later be associated with the counterculture movement of the 1960s.

Why I Hate Psychedelic Rock

I don’t like the sound of it, I don’t like the way it makes me feel, and I don’t like the culture that surrounds it.

Why I Listen to Grateful Dead

Though I can’t stand most psychedelic rock, there is something about the Grateful Dead that keeps me coming back for more. It could be Jerry Garcia’s hypnotic guitar playing, or the band’s knack for improvising jams that go on for hours. Maybe it’s because I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Grateful Dead are something of a local institution. Or maybe I’m just drawn to their defiance of convention and their countless live albums, which document their legendary marathon concerts.

Whatever the reason, I can’t help but admire the Dead and their place in rock history. They were one of the few psychedelic bands that survived the ‘60s, and they continued to make music until Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995. The Dead were also ahead of their time in many ways, using cutting-edge recording techniques and integrating multimedia into their live shows long before it became common practice.

So even though I don’t love all of their music, I have a deep respect for the Grateful Dead and what they accomplished. And who knows? Maybe someday I’ll come to appreciate psychedelic rock after all.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I don’t really like psychedelic rock, but for some reason I find myself listening to the Grateful Dead a lot. I’m not sure why this is, but it might just be because they’re a good band. Either way, I’m glad I gave them a chance.