The 13th Floor Elevators - "The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators" (1966) - International Artists Records
From the Liner Notes..."Recently, it has become possible for man to chemically alter his mental state and thus alter his point of view (that is, his own basic relation with the outside world which determines how he stores his information). He then can restructure his thinking and change his language so that his thoughts bear more relation to his life and his problems, therefore approaching them more sanely.
It is this quest for pure sanity that forms the basis of the songs on this album."
Hello Friends,
Tonight we're listening to the Elevator's first proper record, The Psychedelic Sounds of The 13th Floor Elevators. We believe that this is the first record released that used the term "psychedelic" in its title!
As part of the Music of the Sphere's box set, this re-issue includes the original mono record in the original sequence as well as a 2010 re-issue, remastered in Stereo with the originally intended track listing.
This is a pretty significant debut record in terms of 60's psychedelia/garage rock. Every song is pretty much amazing featuring the Elevators' signature twangy guitar driven blues rock, Roky Erickson's demonic vocals and Tommy Hall's maniacal electric jug playing throughout! Produced by Lelan Rogers (Kenny's older brother), the album was the first LP released by fledgling Austin record label, International Artists.
Lyrically, most of the songs are about different states of consciousness or the desire to achieve altered states of consciousness through the use of psychedelics.
The key word, kids, is psychedelic. Probably an overused term by 1970, but at the time, this was the kind of music being made by teens and twentysomethings who weren't quite satisfied hanging around the garage drinking a few beers and smoking a few joints. No, no. You can tell, in the very fabric of the music and lyrics, that these young troublemakers were into some pretty strong shit. Mushrooms, Pills, DMT, LSD, Adrenochrome, whatever the hell they could get their hands on. Blast off to Monkey Island, kids!
We're not sure if the album accomplishes its stated goal as a quest for pure sanity, but it certainly does rock our socks off...
RATING: 5 Kingdoms of Heavens within you out of 5
As part of the Music of the Sphere's box set, this re-issue includes the original mono record in the original sequence as well as a 2010 re-issue, remastered in Stereo with the originally intended track listing.
Original 1966 Track Listing (Mono)
Side One: You're Gonna Miss Me
Roller Coaster
Splash 1 (Now I'm Home)
Reverberation
Don't Fall Down
Side Two: Fire Engine
Thru the Rhythm
You Don't Know (R.P. St John)
Kingdom of Heaven (R.P. St John)
Monkey Island (R.P. St John)
Tried to Hide
2010 Track Listing (Stereo)
Side One: You Don't Know (How Young You Are)
Through the Rhythm
Monkey Island
Roller Coaster
Fire Engine
Reverberation
Side Two: Tried to Hide
You're Gonna Miss Me
I've Seen Your Face Before (Spash 1)
Don't Fall Down
The Kingdom of Heaven (Is Within You)
This is a pretty significant debut record in terms of 60's psychedelia/garage rock. Every song is pretty much amazing featuring the Elevators' signature twangy guitar driven blues rock, Roky Erickson's demonic vocals and Tommy Hall's maniacal electric jug playing throughout! Produced by Lelan Rogers (Kenny's older brother), the album was the first LP released by fledgling Austin record label, International Artists.
Lyrically, most of the songs are about different states of consciousness or the desire to achieve altered states of consciousness through the use of psychedelics.
You gotta open up your mind and let everything come through - Roller Coaster
The key word, kids, is psychedelic. Probably an overused term by 1970, but at the time, this was the kind of music being made by teens and twentysomethings who weren't quite satisfied hanging around the garage drinking a few beers and smoking a few joints. No, no. You can tell, in the very fabric of the music and lyrics, that these young troublemakers were into some pretty strong shit. Mushrooms, Pills, DMT, LSD, Adrenochrome, whatever the hell they could get their hands on. Blast off to Monkey Island, kids!Through the stained glass windows moonlight flashes on the choirA weird and wonderful debut LP. A definite standout in an era of landmark LPs. Overall, the production is a bit more "polished"-sounding than Headstone: The Contact Sessions, but the Mono-version of the LP still sounds gloriously distorted and muddy!
And splashes on the altar in glows of liquid fire
Then it bathes you with its glory and you begin life anew
And the kingdom of heaven is within you - Kingdom of Heaven
We're not sure if the album accomplishes its stated goal as a quest for pure sanity, but it certainly does rock our socks off...
RATING: 5 Kingdoms of Heavens within you out of 5
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