Why is Terrapin Station so maligned?

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I've always liked it. "Samson and Delilah??" Come on, that song is perfect.

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Saturday, 20 December 2003 19:12 (9 years ago) Permalink

Besides the title suite, there's a few good moments on Terrapin Station, but for me "Samson and Delilah" isn't one of them. It's better than "Dancin' in the Streets" though.

― Sean (Sean), Saturday, 20 December 2003 19:29 (9 years ago) Permalink

Because it has the Grateful Dead on it.

― Speedy Gonzalas (Speedy Gonzalas), Saturday, 20 December 2003 19:32 (9 years ago) Permalink

I really like the Dead, but I still don't any of the post-Warners studio stuff. I have later live sets Reckoning and One From the Vault, though. I should probably pick up Terrapin; it's like their prog-rock record, right? Back in high school when i hated the Dead, my stoner buddies used to swear by this one..

― Broheems (diamond), Saturday, 20 December 2003 20:47 (9 years ago) Permalink

If you don't have any post-Warners stuff, you need to get their UA stuff before the Arista stuff without a doubt. Wake of the Flood/Blues for Allah/Mars Hotel are their best albums.

― Sean (Sean), Saturday, 20 December 2003 20:50 (9 years ago) Permalink

I love Terrapin Station, it's one of my 2 or 3 favorite Grateful Dead albums.

― scott m (mcd), Sunday, 21 December 2003 04:00 (9 years ago) Permalink

Weird album. Very clean recording & they were a little disco at that point, but also kinda prog. Title track is OK never listen to it otherwise.

― Mark (MarkR), Sunday, 21 December 2003 04:09 (9 years ago) Permalink

To answer the question, it's maligned because it's the Grateful Dead.

― scott m (mcd), Sunday, 21 December 2003 04:16 (9 years ago) Permalink

You're a little late on that joke, Scott (see above).

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Sunday, 21 December 2003 04:19 (9 years ago) Permalink

Oh yeah! But really, I love it. There's a certain stigma regarding the Grateful Dead that a lot of people can't get past, though.

― scott m (mcd), Sunday, 21 December 2003 04:28 (9 years ago) Permalink

I used to be so blind. I was tricked into liking the Dead many years ago (search the archives if yr interested in the story) but i've been a fan for years. Once you ignore the connotations, you can appreciate the sweet sweet music. Love 'em.

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Sunday, 21 December 2003 04:34 (9 years ago) Permalink

i love the grateful dead. just gotta stay away from the studio stuff...

― arjun (arjun), Sunday, 21 December 2003 05:12 (9 years ago) Permalink

2 years pass...

Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme, suggesting rhythm,
That will not forsake you, till my tale is told and done.
While the firelights aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow,
Till things weve never seen will seem familiar.

Shadows of a sailor, forming winds both foul and fair all swarm.
Down in carlisle, he loved a lady many years ago.
Here beside him stands a man, a soldier from the looks of him,
Who came through many fights, but lost at love.

While the story teller speaks, a door within the fire creaks;
Suddenly flies open, and a girl is standing there.
Eyes alight, with glowing hair, all that fancy paints as fair,
She takes her fan and throws it, in the lions den.

Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell?
I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance.
The sailor gave at least a try, the soldier being much too wise,
Strategy was his strength, and not disaster.

The sailor, coming out again, the lady fairly leapt at him.
Thats how it stands today. you decide if he was wise.
The story teller makes no choice. soon you will not hear his voice.
His job is to shed light, and not to master.

Since the end is never told, we pay the teller off in gold,
In hopes he will return, but he cannot be bought or sold.

Terrapin station

Inspiration, move me brightly. light the song with sense and color;
Hold away despair, more than this I will not ask.
Faced with mysteries dark and vast, statements just seem vain at last.
Some rise, some fall, some climb, to get to terrapin.

Counting stars by candlelight, all are dim but one is bright;
The spiral light of venus, rising first and shining best,
On, from the northwest corner, of a brand new crescent moon,
While crickets and cicadas sing, a rare and different tune,
Terrapin station.

In the shadow of the moon, terrapin station.
And I know well get there soon, terrapin station.
I cant figure out, terrapin, if its the end or beginning, terrapin,
But the trains put its brakes on, terrapin,
And the whistle is screaming, terrapin.

Terrapin station - at the siding

While you were gone, these faces filled with darkness.
The obvious was hidden. with nothing to believe in,

Sullen wings of fortune beat like rain.
Youre back in terrapin for good or ill again, for good or ill again.

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Monday, 2 October 2006 22:03 (6 years ago) Permalink

That song is so meta.

It also kinda sums up the dichotomy of the band pretty well. The first half covers the poetic, allegorical side of the Dead and their interest in lyrics-driven folk music. Right up until the "Inspiration" moment, at which point the band goes into lava lamp mode.

― cosmo vitelli (cosmo vitelli), Monday, 2 October 2006 22:21 (6 years ago) Permalink

the strings.

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Monday, 2 October 2006 22:38 (6 years ago) Permalink

5 years pass...

this album rules but I can see how serious deadheads wouldn't like it.

― blank, Saturday, 1 September 2012 02:13 (8 months ago) Permalink

it's kind of like they're collaborating with pink floyd, sons of champlin, and... some other weird thing. Keith olsen's production is amazing, though.

― blank, Saturday, 1 September 2012 02:16 (8 months ago) Permalink

is cosmo vitelli still around to gloss what 'lava lamp mode' means

― thomp, Saturday, 1 September 2012 11:27 (8 months ago) Permalink

i mean whatever it means its awesome but:

― thomp, Saturday, 1 September 2012 11:27 (8 months ago) Permalink

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