Customer Reviews

True Love Cast Out All Evil [Vinyl]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Comeback stories, inherently elicit good feelings. This isn't just a comeback, its a resurrection of one the greatest casualties in rock history. The fact that he's touring and making NEW music is astounding. Uplifting, heart wrenching and poignant are just some of the adjectives to describe the amazing True Love Cast Out All Evil. How is this possible, that a man ravaged with mental illness for decades can produce this startling a disc. A lot of the credit has to go to Will Sheff and his band Okkervil River. Sheff's production is as understated as the songs themselves, which have been culled over decades. The band provides the perfect accompaniment. Rock, Country, Blues, Gospel: this covers the musical gamut. Songs of love, redemption, and spirituality as well as the pain of years of mental illness and incarceration are the focus of the man who once sang about two headed dogs and goblins. When listening to these tracks , it sometimes feels like your watching someone's life pass before your eyes. The songs are sparse, bringing to mind Rick Rubin's productions of Johnny Cash. "Goodbye Sweet Dreams", previously heard acoustically on the You're Gonnna Miss Me soundtrack, is given a spirited rendition. "John Lawman" and "Bring Back The Past" rock while eschewing the acid overtones that have tinged most of Erickson solo work. It's easy to forget that for a brief shining moment Erickson, delivered one of the greatest vocal performances in rock history with 1966 single "You're Gonna Miss Me". So, let us rejoice that he's back, and never forget that he's made one of the best albums of 2010.

Much like Johnny Cash, this CD brings out songs of Prison/Incarceration/God/Redemption all together in one great listen. In a way, sort of reminds me of Skip Spence's "Oar" LP, but not quite as weird. This music is not as weird as early solo outings, more interesting than his 1990s output, and could be Roky's best studio album if you take it in terms of what he's been through. Complements to the producer Wil Sheff for bringing out out the best and keeping things from going out too far, like Rick Rubin did with Johnny Cash as another reviewer mentioned.

I own many recordings of the 13th Floor Elevators through all of Roky's solo years and this is definitely the most soulful one by far. If you're looking for hard-driving songs about Demons & Goblins, you'd better opt for "The Evil One" LP or other collections from the late 1970s-80s. Or for even more "out there", just about anything from the 13th Floor Elevators will suffice (don't expect good sound, though).

The booklet has a great up-to-date biography of Roky and sympathetically describes his early quick rise, quick fall, and just awful experiences with the redneck authorities and legal system in Texas of the 1960s. Then when everyone thought it could never happen, Roky ends up seemingly back to a fairly normal life and personal redemption. I am so happy for him and his family who have endured it all. Just the fact he survived through it all is a miracle in itself. Let's hope he can continue to bring his music to the masses and get the attention and fame he deserves. His life story in itself has such a great ending compared to many others like Syd Barrett, Skip Spence, and others who didn't make it back to us. Too bad Stacey Sutherland and Danny Galinda couldn't live long enough to see him back with us.

Keep up the great work Roky, and hope you can keep the flame burning.

Triumphant return for lost but never forgotten icon of rock and roll! For those of you unfamiliar with the story of Roky and that of the mid-sixties band he co-founded, the 13th Floor Elevators (genre defining godfather's of psychedelic rock from Austin, TX circa 1965-69), let me be the first to explain what musicians, producers and the rest of the music industry have known for decades: Roky Erickson was THE voice of Rock'n'Roll (apologies to Van and Mick). Unfortunately, for reasons oblivious to this reviewer, the masses remain generally unaware of Roky's undeniable influence on EVERYTHING rock and roll! Big thanks to Okkervil and Will Sheff for coaxing Roky out of retirement for this effort. 'True Love Cast Out All Evil' is another reason Roky DESERVES enshrinement into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Need more proof of his place in rock history? Check out Kevin McAlester's amazing doc about Roky for the compete story. . You're Gonna Miss Me: A Film about Roky Erickson.

R.I.P. STACY SUTHERLAND!

'True Love Cast Out All Evil' is the first `new' album by Roky Erickson in a very long time. That is not to say the material is new; in point of fact, many of the songs are at least ten years old and many are even more than that. What makes this album diametrically opposed to anything issued as being by Roky Erickson - solo or with any of the various bands with which he recorded - in the last few decades is that - with, two exceptions - the recordings are new.

That alone made the album of interest to me. Erickson had become what I'll call a `fly in amber.' The material beings released by various and sundry labels, bootleggers and friends was all dated. (Please note that I am not - in any way, any shape and/or any form - criticizing `I Have Always Been Here Before' anthology which was very clearly a labor love by folks looking out for Erickson.) That meant a majority of those interested in the man and his music - and unable to attend recent performances at SWSX in Austin, Texas, or sporadic TV or live shows here and there - had no idea what he sounded like now or what styles were involved.'

The back-story to this CD, as related by Will Sheff is contained in the liner notes. After arriving in Austin, Sheff became involved in a band Named Okkervil Rivers in 1998 then added to that participation in a spin-off band named Shearwater in 2001. Both bands - I admit I have heard none of their music, but likely will do so shortly - operate under the moniker of indie rock, so let's just accept that as the case. Sheff and Okkervil River back Erickson at SWSX. This lead to a call from Erickson's manager asking of interest in doing an album with Roky.

Thus the album was made. Twelve songs, two said to be recordings from Roky's days at Rusk State Hospital, others from, as mentioned, various times since then. The start of the record is truly jarring: a decidedly lo-fi tape of Rocky and someone else - both on guitars - with conversation as a preface and near-incomprehensible dialogue from a movie or television or maybe a movie on television. What has occurred is Sheff's setting the stage of what Rusk must have been like for Erickson. The end of the disc is the same; a song from Rusk. The difference between the two is the overlay of strings, implying peacefulness, a sense of redemption.

In between these dark views of Roky's past are ten other songs written across the span of decades. Some are short - as little as 1:20 - others are longer. All except one, a rail against law enforcement entitled `John Lawman,' are surprisingly low key and understated. This is particularly apparent on material that has already been released such as `Please Judge' and `True Love Cast Out All Evil.' As it appears on the aforementioned anthology, the former song has a somewhat desperate tone - something one might expect given the circumstance described. The latter song is changed, I think, more profoundly. Earlier versions are driven by stating the importance of finding such love. This version seems to be a confirming statement of just how right the quest was for that love.

This brings me to the crux of the matter; namely how Erickson sounds currently. I've already mentioned that the first and last songs are from the 1970s. I am assuming the others are current. The current voice is still Roky Erickson, a little bit more coarse and gravelly and, at least with most of the phrasing found here, more country than in the past. (`John Lawman' being the only song that, with its more driving rhythm, but decidely limited lyrics, is a spot where the older Roky can be heard.) In that aspect, this is a fine, very fine body of work. It is something that I am please to be able to hear and enjoy. But, I am afraid that I do have some issues with production.

I believe Will Sheff set out to produce an aural portrayal of Roky Erickson's trials and redemption. Beginning the disc with a depiction of the hell he endured at Rusk, we are given a fairly good image of what schizophrenia must sound like. Returning to this place in the last song might be seen as indicative of failure, but for the inclusion of Beatlesque strings which announce that, although one is never cured of the disease, life can be serene and satisfying. In between, we continue to experience this somewhat pastoral effect on most of the songs. This messaging is carried through melody and phrasing that is decidedly country in feel.

None of this is a complaint. It is simply my point of view. And within that framework, I must say that I find the album is over-produced. Now, I understand that Sheff is trying to paint a sound picture here, and within that framework I can appreciate the inclusion of movie and TV dialogue at the end of cut 1 and in a few other locations - once even inside the song as a sonic-bridge of sorts. This is reflective Roky's use of sound in lieu of psychotropic drugs at one stage in his life. I also didn't mind the feedback and studio talk found here and there. What I didn't care for was the heavy, dense, almost Spector-intense instrumental additions, They seemed contrary to my perception of what Erickson and his songs should be. At the risk of restarting a cottage industry, I'd like to hear the tapes without the overdubs and with Roky's voice pushed up more.

Can I recommend the album: yes.

Brilliant, beautiful and absolutely essential. Roky's songs and Will's outstanding production make this, for me at least, the most important album of the year. Thank you!

As inspirational as this comeback album is, I'm also a bit disappointed, in light of seeing Roky perform 6 times over the past 4 years or so - always with my friends The Explosives, who struck me as his all-time best backing band. To me, when all is said and done, Roky's one of the all-time great rock & rollers - it's what he was born to do. After seeing him twice in '08, in NYC, his plans at the time were to record with The Explosives, with Billy Gibbons hopefully producing. Next thing I knew, he was playing with The Black Angels, performing a lot of 13th Floor Elevators material, then wound up with Okkervil River as a backing band.....a fine band, I might add, but are they right for Roky? Depends on if he wants to be a folk-rock artiste, versus the fire-breathing force of nature he appeared to be morphing into a couple of years ago. (Per a Bucketfull of Brains interview with Freddie of The Explosives last year, they quit backing him after he took himself off his medications, with the expected results.....a damn shame!)

Roky Erickson and John Lennon have at least one thing in common: The authorities wanted both of them behind bars, if at all possible. It's no secret that Nixon sicked the FBI on Lennon. They were especially interested in his drug use, as that was seen as the easiest way to "catch" him. Lennon, like Erickson, was literally seen as a threat to society. Nixon was really more concerned about Lennon's leftist views because he had such a massive following. The battle being fought at the time was to convince the public that Vietnam was a good idea. In the end, they couldn't ensnare Lennon, so they tried to get him deported.

Erickson didn't have the global reach Lennon did, but he and his band, the 13th Floor Elevators, were huge in Austin. They unashamedly announced that they were tripping on LSD at -every- live gig, and encouraged their fans to do the same. The local authorities didn't like that, and thus began an organized campaign to bust Erickson and put him away. They were successful, and when Erickson was arrested for possession of -one- joint in 1969, his lawyer decided to enter a not guilty due to insanity. The judge obliged, and Erickson was sent to a state mental hospital, then to Rusk State Hospital, which is officially not a maximum security facility, but as a practical matter has all the earmarks of one. Erickson was subjected to electro shock and permanently zoned out on Thorazine for years.

By the time I was living in Austin in the 80s, Erickson was out of the mental hospital, and living in seclusion. His shadow still loomed large all over town. Many of the counter culture establishments from the 60s, both musical and otherwise, were still alive and well, and the 13th Floor Elevators' presence was everywhere.

Fast forward to 2010, and Will Sheff, frontman of another Austin based band, Okkervill river, is sent 3 CDs cointaining Erickson's songs from the early days to more recent ones, and asked to produce a new album with him. In the CD liner notes, Sheff describes how humbled he felt in the presence of Erickson, and after the album's release, wonders whether he should have picked some additional or different songs to re record from the collection he'd been sent. He wisely left some of the songs exactly the way he received them, in very rough form, as recorded on very basic equipment decades ago. Those capture background sounds like a TV in the living room where they were recorded as well as bird and cricket sounds from the backyard.

After a few listens to the CD, it's hard to describe the songs as beautiful, but as raw as they are, there is a beauty and brutal honesty that shines through. Erickson is purportedly living in South Austin now in his first own house with his first wife. There's a sense in these songs that he has put all the hurt and torment behind him and is at peace. Here's hoping that lasts and we get more music and live shows from Mr. Erickson in the years to come.

Sometimes you come across an album that stands out from the very first listen and then only gets better after repeated listening and `True Love Cast Out All Evil' is one of those. This features Roky Erickson, ably supported by Okkervil River and the combination is something really quite special. This has a wonderfully brooding feel to it and Roky reminded me of Neil Young in places, when Neil was at his very best and turning out music of the highest calibre, but he also has his own distinctive feel and voice that I adore. `Goodbye Sweet Dreams' is one of my favourite tracks on this album and I have played it frequently since this dropped though my letterbox. `Please Judge' has some heart wrenching lyrics, `True Love Cast Out All Evil' is a subtle, but moving track and `Forever' is one of those tracks that can be listened to for the same duration for it's simple elegance and grace. `John Lawman' is one of the more angry sounding tracks on the album and yet it is perfectly placed on the album and gives you a fresh perspective before kicking back into the more nuanced music on offer. This has an excellent booklet with extensive liner notes and photography and this really adds to the overall package. This is a short album that is very near to perfection and once you start listening to it you will want to leave the CD in your stereo (or the album on repeat on your MP3 player) and soak up the atmosphere again and again until it is rooted within you. Excellent music to get you through good times or bad.

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If ever there were a story of rock 'n' roll redemption, it belongs to Roky Erickson, one-time charismatic front man of the pioneering psychedelic-rock band the 13th Floor Elevators. It's been a harrowing life, spiraling from late '60s cult hero into serious mental illness and dreadful, even criminal, treatment at the hands of the state.
Incredibly, Erickson, 63 this year, has made a triumphant comeback, with folk-rock band Okkervil River's Wil Sheff producing, and, it seems, being a genuine buddy, which, in the shark-infested waters of the music/entertainment business, Roky certainly needs. Members of Okkervil made up the studio band, forging a perfectly sympathetic, ramshackle union with Erickson. There is sadness in these recordings, but no sense of bitterness. Sheff and Roky have created something beautiful and deeply personal here.

It's been a few years since I have heard a "new" album sound this good. Roky Erickson's gentle genius shines like a voice in the darkness. If you even remotely enjoy Roky Erickson, buy this. If you want to take a chance on something new, buy this.