Terrapin Station

Although most consider 1977’s Terrapin Station as a continuation of the Dead’s trend toward production so clean that it’s practically passionless, the first side has a couple of good songs.

“Estimated Prophet” and “Passenger” became concert staples, but the real highlight here is the title track. Robert Hunter’s classic tale-within-a-tale, love/sea story embodies much of the Dead’s strengths, and Paul Buckmaster’s orchestral arrangement helps “Terrapin” build to a stunning climax.