13th Floor Elevators - The Psychedelic Sounds Of... (1966) (2005 Reissue) BBM

Released November 1966
Recorded January 3; April; September 20; October 9–11, 1966 at Sumet Sound Studios, Dallas
Genre Psychedelic rock[1], garage rock[2]
Length 35:35
Label International Artists (1966 first US issue)
Radar (1978 first UK issue)
Decal (1988 UK reissue)
Fuel 2000 (2003 reissue)
Charly (2005 UK reissue)
International Artists (2009 remaster as part of "Sign of the 3-Eyed Men")
Producer Lelan Rogers; Gordon Bynum ("You're Gonna Miss Me")
Codec: mp3 V0
Source: Original CD



This album is a gem, finding the Elevators traversing the territories of folk, garage, blues and psychedelia, often seamlessly as on the almost-tropical “I’ve Seen Your Face Before - (Splash 1).” The upbeat tune “Fire Engine” is one of the only tracks where things feel forced, over the top with ecstasy. This is because the Elevator’s true strength lies in their moodier and psychedelic material. “Reverberation” with its weighty distortion, pounding bass and beat, hypnotically swirling guitar riffs and Erickson’s calm-yet-disturbed vocals. The gorgeous slow-burning “Kingdom of Heaven,” drenched in moody blues guitar, is a highlight and one of a trio of tracks not written by Erickson and/or Hall.

This album is truly one of the great works of rock. It stands the test of time, sounding as fresh to these ears in 2008 as it did the first time I heard it in my teens (and I’m sure as fresh as it sounded to ears in the late 60s). Its bold concepts, both lyrically and musically, are still daring and avant-mainstream today. The sounds just as powerful. The music just as remarkable, showcasing the Elevator’s masterful control over mood. It’s little wonder the Elevators, and particularly the tragic and triumphant figure of Roky Erickson, inspired and influenced so many major and diverse figures in music including Henry Rollins, ZZ Top, the Allman Brothers, Janis Joplin, the White Stripes, Sonic Youth and many more. Undoubtedly they will remain a staple influence for generations.


Track listing

1. "You're Gonna Miss Me" – 2:31
2. "Roller Coaster" – 5:07
3. "Splash 1" – 3:57
4. "Reverberation (Doubt)" – 2:51
5. "Don't Fall Down" – 3:03
6. "Fire Engine" – 3:23
7. "Thru the Rhythm" – 3:10
8. "You Don't Know (How Young You Are)" – 2:59
9. "Kingdom of Heaven" – 3:11
10. "Monkey Island" – 2:40
11. "Tried to Hide" – 2:48

2005 Reissue

12. "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" - 5:15
13. "Before You Accuse Me" - 2:35
14. "I'm Gonna Love You Too" - 1:53
15. "You Really Got Me" - 6:18
16. "Roll Over Beethoven" - 2:47
17. "The Word" - 2:45
18. "Gloria" - 3:56
19. "She Lives (In a Time of Her Own)" - 3:01
20. "We Sell Soul" [The Spades] - 3:19
21. "You're Gonna Miss Me" [Live; The Spades] - 3:24