The Psychedelic World of the 13th Floor Elevators

The 13th Floor Elevators were one of the most important bands of the '60s and in all of rock 'n' roll, though their reputation is mostly known only to hardcore music fans and rock historians. The Texas group's innovative pursuit of punkish psychedelia made them pioneers, but Roky Erickson's peerless vocal style set them far apart from the competition. The Elevators were a ferocious, forward-looking combo. Guitarist Stacy Sutherland added brutal, concise leads that never devolved into noodling. The songwriting sealed their greatness. "You're Gonna Miss Me" is a bona fide garage rock classic, but "Roller Coaster," "Reverberation," "Fire Engine," "You Don't Know," and "Kingdom of Heaven" are worthy follow-ups. This deluxe edition of the first album adds raw live recordings from 1966, where the group work through their early catalog and covers of Buddy Holly's "I'm Gonna Love You Too," The Kinks' "You Really Got Me," and The Beatles' "The Word." It also includes the early Erickson-led band The Spades: in 1965 they did a version of "You're Gonna Miss Me" and the b-side "We Sell Soul."