Track listing
- 1.1 The Spades - We Sell Soul 3:20
- 1.2 The 13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me 2:29
- 1.3 The 13th Floor Elevators - Reverberation (Doubt) 2:51
- 1.4 The 13th Floor Elevators - Tried to Hide 2:49
- 1.5 The 13th Floor Elevators - Fire Engine 3:22
- 1.6 The 13th Floor Elevators - She Lives (In a Time of Her Own) 2:59
- 1.7 The 13th Floor Elevators - Slip Inside This House 8:03
- 1.8 The 13th Floor Elevators - Splash 1 3:57
- 1.9 The 13th Floor Elevators - Dust 4:00
- 1.10 The 13th Floor Elevators - I Had to Tell You 2:28
- 1.11 The 13th Floor Elevators - Postures (Leave Your Body Behind) 6:31
- 1.12 Roky & Clementine Hall - Right Track Now 3:02
- 1.13 Roky Erickson & Bleib Alien - Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog) 3:31
- 1.14 Roky Erickson & Bleib Alien - Starry Eyes 3:34
- 1.15 Bermuda 3:17
- 1.16 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - The Interpreter 2:43
- 1.17 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - Mine Mine Mind 2:36
- 1.18 I Have Always Been Here Before 2:58
- 1.19 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - Click Your Fingers Applauding the Play 3:18
- 1.20 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - I Think Up Demons 2:47
- 1.21 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - Don't Shake Me Lucifer 2:53
- 1.22 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - White Faces 2:34
- 2.1 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - It's a Cold Night for Alligators 3:03
- 2.2 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - Creature With the Atom Brain 4:13
- 2.3 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - Stand for the Fire Demon 5:24
- 2.4 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - Bloody Hammer 4:21
- 2.5 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - The Wind and More 4:00
- 2.6 Roky Erickson & the Aliens - If You Have Ghosts 3:11
- 2.7 Roky Erickson & Bleib Alien - Song to Abe Lincoln 2:25
- 2.8 Anthem (I Promise) 4:24
- 2.9 Warning (Social and Social-Political Injustices) 2:10
- 2.10 Roky Erickson & Evil Hook Wildlife E.T. - The Beast 5:46
- 2.11 You Don't Love Me Yet 4:23
- 2.12 Clear Night for Love 2:47
- 2.13 Don't Slander Me 3:27
- 2.14 Nothing in Return 2:50
- 2.15 Burn the Flames 6:08
- 2.16 When You Get Delighted 3:07
- 2.17 True Love Cast Out All Evil 3:35
- 2.18 For You (I'd Do Anything) 2:17
- 2.19 Please Judge 4:28
- 2.20 We Are Never Talking 3:48
- 2.21 I'm Gonna Free Her 3:03
- Total length: 154:52
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7 Reviews
Roky Erickson is perfect for a compilation like this, because he's done so many great songs in various styles with a career spanning decades. 43 songs is a lot but there are even more that could have easily been on here.
Overall, this is arranged chronologically, so you can hear the different phases of his songwriting. First is the 13th Floor Elevators era, which is essential 60s garage psychedelia. Most of the songs here are from the excellent first two Elevators albums, but there's also a song from the pre-Elevators band the Spades and an amazing recording of Roky and Clementine Hall playing the beautiful folk song "Right Track Now" by Powell St. John.
Next is Roky's post-incarceration horror rock which I think is the peak of his career. He plays with various backing bands and some are better than others. It's interesting to hear the early version of "Two Headed Dog" recorded by Bleib Alien even though the later more well known one by the Aliens is far better. Roky solo never got better than his album The Evil One with the Aliens, much of which is on this compilation. Some of his acoustic folk songs from this era are brilliant, particularly "Starry Eyes," "I Have Always Been Here Before," and the Bob Dylan influenced "Warning (Social and Social-Political Injustices)."
The last part of the compilation is the weakest and consists of many mellow ballad type songs that often come across as sappy and repetitive. Some might like the authentic emotion on display but I don't think he always captures the magic he got with "Starry Eyes." Even his "bad" songs still have that unique Roky touch and are worth a listen.
Overall, this is arranged chronologically, so you can hear the different phases of his songwriting. First is the 13th Floor Elevators era, which is essential 60s garage psychedelia. Most of the songs here are from the excellent first two Elevators albums, but there's also a song from the pre-Elevators band the Spades and an amazing recording of Roky and Clementine Hall playing the beautiful folk song "Right Track Now" by Powell St. John.
Next is Roky's post-incarceration horror rock which I think is the peak of his career. He plays with various backing bands and some are better than others. It's interesting to hear the early version of "Two Headed Dog" recorded by Bleib Alien even though the later more well known one by the Aliens is far better. Roky solo never got better than his album The Evil One with the Aliens, much of which is on this compilation. Some of his acoustic folk songs from this era are brilliant, particularly "Starry Eyes," "I Have Always Been Here Before," and the Bob Dylan influenced "Warning (Social and Social-Political Injustices)."
The last part of the compilation is the weakest and consists of many mellow ballad type songs that often come across as sappy and repetitive. Some might like the authentic emotion on display but I don't think he always captures the magic he got with "Starry Eyes." Even his "bad" songs still have that unique Roky touch and are worth a listen.
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"From the Gargoyles to Stonehenge, from the Sphinx to the Pyramids
To Lucifer's temple praising the devil's rise, to the devil's clock as it strikes midnight
I have always been here before"
And for me at least Roky has always been here. Alongside Arthur Lee's Love, Roky's wonderfully named The 13th Floor Elevators were one of the first bands I fell madly in love with. Granted, bands with electric jug players were always going to sound bizarre to someone raised on britpop but there was always something more to it, an undefinable, ever alluring personality behind the music.
It was Roky Erickson.
Again like Arthur Lee, Roky's perpetual maladjustement and oh so human misguided decisions drew me to him, who needs smiling teen idol posters when right around the corner one can catch a glimpse of unhinged geniuses snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? In no way am I perfect, so perfection isn't something I can relate to, on the other hand seeing people infinitely more talented than myself having bouts of poor judgement makes them closer to my own nature. Fear, self loathing, wild moodswings, mental instability, those are all demons most of us have to defeat or fall under the spell of in the course of our lives. No one lives in a Norman Rockwell picture.
Rocky Erickson's music isn't linear or predictable but even when it's fractured and spins tales of demons, sphinxs, fizzy castles and pyramids it still feels gritty and real. "I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology" is possibly the most complete compilation of his work ever put together, drawing from his first band, The Spades (with the quite good "We Sell Soul"), the trailblazing The 13th Floor Elevators (I happen to think their first two records are essential but I'm still ok with the song selection) and finally from the diffuse and somewhat erratic solo records that would follow.
Of course that while on his own the degree of general noisiness depended on which band (if any) was backing him at which given moment. So the sound is anything but homogenous, alternatively showing quasi metallic fierceness ("Red Temple Prayer" "Two Headed Dog"), others going into power pop crunchiness or folkish jangle (the amusing song that titles the compilation), being sort of moody and mysterious ("Cold Night For Aligators") or simply anthemic ("Stand for the Fire Demon"). Taut acoustic arrangements also mark their presence ("True Love Cast Out All Evil") as there's quite a few stellar examples of his lesser known side as a rootsy troubadour.
And everything framed by that awe inspiring voice, at once frail and commanding, able to summon uncommon firepower in one song and sound frighteningly desolate by the next.
It's true that I was surprised by the non inclusion of the bonafide Roky classic "The Night of the Vampire" and personal favorite "I Love The Living you" (out of the affecting "Never Say Goodbye" record) but this one clearly beats out any other compilation as a comprehensive introduction to the songs of a legend that's been shortchanged far too many times before (not to mention it's one of the few releases of his he gets royalties from). Not anymore then, this is pretty much the overview his amazing music has long since warranted.
To Lucifer's temple praising the devil's rise, to the devil's clock as it strikes midnight
I have always been here before"
And for me at least Roky has always been here. Alongside Arthur Lee's Love, Roky's wonderfully named The 13th Floor Elevators were one of the first bands I fell madly in love with. Granted, bands with electric jug players were always going to sound bizarre to someone raised on britpop but there was always something more to it, an undefinable, ever alluring personality behind the music.
It was Roky Erickson.
Again like Arthur Lee, Roky's perpetual maladjustement and oh so human misguided decisions drew me to him, who needs smiling teen idol posters when right around the corner one can catch a glimpse of unhinged geniuses snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? In no way am I perfect, so perfection isn't something I can relate to, on the other hand seeing people infinitely more talented than myself having bouts of poor judgement makes them closer to my own nature. Fear, self loathing, wild moodswings, mental instability, those are all demons most of us have to defeat or fall under the spell of in the course of our lives. No one lives in a Norman Rockwell picture.
Rocky Erickson's music isn't linear or predictable but even when it's fractured and spins tales of demons, sphinxs, fizzy castles and pyramids it still feels gritty and real. "I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology" is possibly the most complete compilation of his work ever put together, drawing from his first band, The Spades (with the quite good "We Sell Soul"), the trailblazing The 13th Floor Elevators (I happen to think their first two records are essential but I'm still ok with the song selection) and finally from the diffuse and somewhat erratic solo records that would follow.
Of course that while on his own the degree of general noisiness depended on which band (if any) was backing him at which given moment. So the sound is anything but homogenous, alternatively showing quasi metallic fierceness ("Red Temple Prayer" "Two Headed Dog"), others going into power pop crunchiness or folkish jangle (the amusing song that titles the compilation), being sort of moody and mysterious ("Cold Night For Aligators") or simply anthemic ("Stand for the Fire Demon"). Taut acoustic arrangements also mark their presence ("True Love Cast Out All Evil") as there's quite a few stellar examples of his lesser known side as a rootsy troubadour.
And everything framed by that awe inspiring voice, at once frail and commanding, able to summon uncommon firepower in one song and sound frighteningly desolate by the next.
It's true that I was surprised by the non inclusion of the bonafide Roky classic "The Night of the Vampire" and personal favorite "I Love The Living you" (out of the affecting "Never Say Goodbye" record) but this one clearly beats out any other compilation as a comprehensive introduction to the songs of a legend that's been shortchanged far too many times before (not to mention it's one of the few releases of his he gets royalties from). Not anymore then, this is pretty much the overview his amazing music has long since warranted.
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Great career retrospective, including 13th Floor Elevator tracks. Essential even if you have other Roky albums. His songs have never sounded this good.
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Some of the songs here are genius. Ever since I played this "It's a Cold Night for Alligators" keeps playing in my dreams and I have to play it when I wake. Some pretty silly lyrics, but Roky makes them sound pretty cool. Rock and Roll is best when it's just fun. Roky's songs are a lot of fun. I gave this collection five stars ignoring about 10 songs that could have been excluded. There are 43 song on this album I am not going to knock it becuase of some mediocre cuts, I'm appreciative of the many great songs included, and how it gives a historical musical and literary view of one of the most creative artists in Rock.
Published
I could never totally embrace the 13th Floor Elevators, mostly due to the crappy fidelity of their recordings - but at the same time, their weirdness shone through a little bit, and Roky Erickson's genius certainly did. I find his later stuff way more interesting and listenable, especially his work with the Aliens - some sizzzzzling dual guitar leads in there! Sounds like 3 or 4 guitars on most of those songs, and every single one is a hit. Truly tragic this music has been so overlooked.
Published
I stand in awe of Roky Erickson. His is one of the most interesting and tragic stories in rock history. I shall never forgive myself for not taking the opportunity to see him at Austin City Limits in 2005. If I have the opportunity again, I will not waste it.
I Think Up Demons is worth the price of this entire compilation alone. Other highlights are White Faces, Bloody Hammer, It's A Cold Night For Alligators and The Interpreter. Roky went through many different phases in his musical tribulations; all which have something rockin' yet esoteric to offer. This is a great retrospective.
I Think Up Demons is worth the price of this entire compilation alone. Other highlights are White Faces, Bloody Hammer, It's A Cold Night For Alligators and The Interpreter. Roky went through many different phases in his musical tribulations; all which have something rockin' yet esoteric to offer. This is a great retrospective.
Published
CD1 with 13th Floor Elevators & his earliest solo singles is 5***** throughout. CD2 with later solo efforts is a bit weaker. Strange selections - "Night Of The Vampire" isn´t here.
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