Grateful Dead – In the Dark (1987)
Album Review
Released in July 1987, In the Dark marked a major commercial breakthrough for the Grateful Dead, becoming their highest-selling studio album and introducing the band to a broader mainstream audience. After years of moderate commercial success, the album demonstrated that the Dead could craft accessible, radio-friendly rock while maintaining their signature improvisational spirit. It blends rock, blues, folk, and funk influences with polished production, reflecting the band’s maturity and evolving sound in the late 1980s.
Musically, the album is tight, focused, and melodic, showcasing Jerry Garcia’s expressive guitar work alongside Bob Weir’s rhythmic precision and Phil Lesh’s inventive bass lines. Brent Mydland’s keyboards and backing vocals provide harmonic richness, while dual drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart anchor the rhythm section with precision and energy. The songwriting is concise but dynamic, balancing upbeat rockers with contemplative ballads.
Standout tracks include “Touch of Grey,” the band’s first Top 40 hit and a testament to resilience and optimism, “Hell in a Bucket,” a funky rock anthem, and “Throwing Stones,” which combines social commentary with a compelling groove. In the Dark demonstrates that the Dead could evolve with the times without losing the essence that had made them iconic live performers.
Tracklist
Side One
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Touch of Grey
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West L.A. Fadeaway
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Hell in a Bucket
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Keep Your Day Job
Side Two
5. Black Muddy River
6. Little Star
7. Tighten Up Your Wig
8. I Will Take You Home
Side Three
9. Throwing Stones
10. When Push Comes to Shove
11. King Solomon’s Marbles
12. In the Dark
Note: Track order may vary slightly between vinyl, cassette, and CD releases.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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In the Dark became the Grateful Dead’s first platinum-selling studio album, eventually selling over 2 million copies in the U.S.
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“Touch of Grey” reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning the band unprecedented mainstream exposure.
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The album’s production was handled by Dan Healy and John Cutler, who emphasized a clean, contemporary sound while preserving the band’s character.
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Songs like “Throwing Stones” and “Hell in a Bucket” retained the Dead’s signature social commentary and humor.
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The album artwork features a stylized, colorful lightning bolt design, reflecting the band’s iconic iconography and renewed energy.
Did You Know?
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Did you know In the Dark was recorded in a more compact, focused style compared to previous Dead albums, making it their most radio-friendly release?
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Did you know the music video for “Touch of Grey” received heavy rotation on MTV, introducing the band to a new generation of fans?
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Did you know the album’s success helped revitalize the Dead’s touring career, leading to sold-out shows across North America?
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Did you know this was Brent Mydland’s last studio album with the band before his untimely passing in 1990?
Album Grossing and Commercial Performance
In the Dark reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200, becoming the Grateful Dead’s highest-charting studio album. It was certified Platinum in 1987 and eventually Double Platinum, selling over 2 million copies in the U.S. alone. Its commercial success was fueled by “Touch of Grey,” strong critical reception, and the band’s dedicated touring schedule.
Legacy
In the Dark stands as a milestone in the Grateful Dead’s career, proving that the band could achieve mainstream success without sacrificing musical integrity. It introduced the Dead to a wider audience, solidified Brent Mydland’s contributions to the band, and contains tracks that remain live favorites to this day. The album represents a late-career high point, blending accessibility, musicianship, and the enduring improvisational spirit that defines the Grateful Dead.
