Giant Metal Crickets Premiere Visionary Version of The Grateful Dead’s “China Doll”

Ambient isn’t a typical adjective you’d use to describe a Grateful Dead song, but it is when it’s being done by Giant Metal Crickets. This is the latest project from producer, composer, and experimental guitarist Adam C. Tenenbaum. Today, he unveils a cover of the Dead song “China Doll.” The song was originally released on the Dead’s seventh studio album, From the Mars Hotel, released in 1974. This is an ambient, chiller interpretation of the song, perfectly representing the versatility and creativity of Giant Metal Crickets as an artist.

This release is a collaboration between Tenenbaum and Oteil Burbridge who provides vocals on the track. Burbridge is well known for his expertise as a bassist and multi-instrumentalist, playing with the Allman Brothers Band for nearly two decades and as a founding member of Dead & Company. Formed in 2015, Dead & Company is a collaboration between the founding members of The Grateful Dead, Burbridge, John Mayer, and others.

Discussing “China Doll” and what led to this collaboration, Tenenbaum tells us:

“I’ve always loved the Dead’s ‘China Doll’ and I have long wanted to do a cover of the song in a kind of ambient, down-tempo vibe. Working on Oteil’s album, A Lovely View Of Heaven organically paved the way for us to come together on this track, which I had started creating.”

For several years, Tenenbaum worked extensively with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart as well as with Dead & Company. He assisted in production, creating loops and effects, as well as playing with the band live. He also contributed to several of Hart’s solo albums. During his time touring with the band, Tenenbaum became friends with Burbridge, contributing guitars and sound design to the latter’s 2023 album, A Lovely View of Heaven. That collaboration paved the way for this interpretation of “China Doll.” This collaboration has proven to be a fruitful, productive one that has enabled Tenenbaum to take on new musical challenges. Giant Metal Crickets released their most recent full-length explico last April, the third album Tenenbaum has released under that name.

The collaborative effort between Tenenbaum and Burbridge has spurred the recording of a full-length album they plan to release later this year. Like with “China Doll,” it will be imaginative, inventive, and as original as you might expect.

Giant Metal Crickets “China Doll” single artwork