Grateful Dead - Aoxomoxoa (1969)
Tracklist front / back album covers
Tracks / lyrics written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter
Side one
1. "St. Stephen" 4:26
2. "Dupree's Diamond Blues" 3:32
3. "Rosemary" 1:58
4. "Doin' That Rag" 4:41
5. "Mountains of the Moon" 4:02
Side two
1. "China Cat Sunflower" 3:40
2. "What's Become of the Baby" 8:12
3. "Cosmic Charlie" 5:29
Rolling Stone, upon reviewing the album, mentioned that "no other music sustains a lifestyle so delicate and loving and lifelike". The album was certified gold by the RIAA on May 13, 1997. In 1991 Rolling Stone selected Aoxomoxoa as having the eighth best album cover of all time. It was voted number 674 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000).
Grateful Dead – Aoxomoxoa (1969)
Album Review
Released in June 1969, Aoxomoxoa represents a crucial turning point in the Grateful Dead’s evolution. Sitting between the raw psychedelia of Anthem of the Sun and the roots-oriented clarity of Workingman’s Dead, this album captures the band at the peak of their studio experimentation. It is dense, surreal, and unapologetically psychedelic—an album that sounds like it was designed to be explored rather than simply listened to.
Unlike their debut, Aoxomoxoa fully embraces the possibilities of the recording studio. The production is layered and abstract, with backward tapes, sound effects, and nontraditional song structures. Jerry Garcia’s guitar floats rather than leads, while Phil Lesh’s bass lines move independently, often functioning as melodic counterpoints rather than rhythmic anchors. The result is a swirling, hallucinatory listening experience that mirrors the late-1960s counterculture.
Songs like “St. Stephen” and “China Cat Sunflower” stand out as essential Grateful Dead compositions, blending poetic lyrics with rhythmic shifts and intricate arrangements. “Rosemary” and “Mountains of the Moon” showcase the band’s softer, more baroque side, while “What’s Become of the Baby” pushes into near-abstract sound collage territory. The album closes with “Cosmic Charlie,” a loose, groove-driven track that hints at the more grounded songwriting to come.
While Aoxomoxoa can feel overwhelming on first listen, it rewards patience. It is not an album designed for radio or casual listening—it is immersive, exploratory, and deeply reflective of its era.
Tracklist
Side One
St. Stephen
Dupree’s Diamond Blues
Rosemary
Doin’ That Rag
Side Two
5. Mountains of the Moon
6. China Cat Sunflower
7. What’s Become of the Baby
8. Cosmic Charlie
Fun Facts & Trivia
The album title Aoxomoxoa is a palindrome, meaning it reads the same forwards and backwards.
The original 1969 mix reportedly cost over $180,000, making it one of Warner Bros.’ most expensive albums at the time.
Jerry Garcia later admitted the band was “too stoned” during the original mixing sessions.
A fully remixed version was released in 1971, offering a cleaner, more balanced sound.
“St. Stephen” and “China Cat Sunflower” became long-standing live staples.
Did You Know?
Did you know the cover art includes hidden lettering and mirrored symbols, reflecting the album’s psychedelic themes?
Did you know Aoxomoxoa was one of the first rock albums to use the studio as an experimental instrument rather than a recording space?
Did you know the band barely broke even on the album due to its high production costs?
Did you know many fans prefer the 1971 remix for clarity, while others favor the original for its raw psychedelic feel?
Album Grossing and Commercial Performance
Aoxomoxoa reached No. 25 on the Billboard 200, marking one of the Grateful Dead’s strongest chart performances of the 1960s. While exact revenue figures are difficult to determine, the album eventually achieved Gold certification in the United States, representing over 500,000 copies sold.
Despite its commercial success, the album’s high production costs significantly reduced its profitability. Over time, however, reissues, remasters, and inclusion in box sets have ensured steady catalog sales, making Aoxomoxoa a long-term commercial asset rather than an immediate financial win.
Legacy
Today, Aoxomoxoa is regarded as one of the Grateful Dead’s most daring studio albums. It captures the band at the height of psychedelic experimentation, just before they pivoted toward a more Americana-influenced sound. While not as accessible as their later classics, it remains an essential listen for understanding the Dead’s artistic journey—and a defining artifact of late-1960s psychedelic rock.
