Crimes of the Mind is the debut album from The Dude of Life, a childhood friend of Phish leader Trey Anastasio and a lyrical contributor to many of Phish's early songs.

The album was recorded in 1991 but wasn't released until 1994, following Phish's surge in popularity.

[6] The Dude of Life performed several of the songs in a live setting with Phish on a number of occasions.

AllMusic called the album a "loopy, stoned excursion that winds through Dead-style rock and hippie folk-rock.

"[3] Entertainment Weekly deemed it "inconsequential silliness," writing that "the nice part is that the Dude’s ditties force Phish to keep its penchant for kitchen-sink jamming in check.