The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

This is one of those albums that must've sounded great when they created it at 3 in the morning then woke up the next day and realized it's absolutely not what they thought it sounded like.

Brilliant from start to finish - exactly what I joined this list for. An absolute gem that i’d have never otherwise known about.

I fully endorse this album to become the new official music of elevators from now on.

I was looking forward to listening to this as I do love psychedelic sounds and was intrigued by the idea of an electric jug as instrument. While I could see that this likely had some influence on later works, it never really grabbed my attention. It had a bit more garage band feel than what I'd think of as psychedelic. "Reverberation" would be an exception. Once I noticed that the electric jug sounded like Curly from the Three Stooges was in the background, then that's all I could hear.

It's not impressive, and it's not easy on the ears.

beautiful album - 10/10 I’m a slut for acid rock

That amplified jug is wild

Pretty solid psychedelic rock. Surprised I’ve never heard of the band before.

Very samey, hated that sound effect they used on most songs.

The electric jug is an awful, horrible, terrible, evil "instrument".

Utter crap. Hate the jug sound

Going through this list, it's kinda become clear I'm not a huge fan of a lot of psychedelic rock, especially when it really gets long and spaced out. However, this type of psychedelic rock I do kind of enjoy, especially when it sounds like it's paired with elements of garage rock and surf rock. The Elevator's debut is a compact yet quite enjoyable record, with some catchy riffs and great singing, along with one of the most odd instruments I've heard yet in an electric jug. I imagine somebody was baked beyond belief to try that, but it kinda works for some of these songs.

Any album with an electric jug is at minimum a 4.4 and then they make the rest up with fantastic songwriting. There’s only 1 mediocre song on the whole album (Monkey Island) everything else are classics. I just wished they hadn’t called it psychedelic cause it’s not really. The album has more in common with stoner/ garage/ punk rock than it does psychedelic music. Although it was released in 1966, the same year Tomorrow Never Knows came out, so was there at the very start of the psychedelic movement. I’d forgotten about the sound-quality which is a shame. It sounds cheaply produced with the sounds muffled and distant. But I LOVE this album. All the songs sound different and exciting, the songwriting is excellent and there was nothing like this in 1966. Maybe my favourite album cover of all time too. 5 stars.

Feral for 1965. Texas menace with amplified jug. Some hate Roky's vocals, but they are philistines.

Really cool psych surf garage gem from 1966, almost an entire year before the psychedelic era of rock was in full swing. The sound is here and the instrumentation is spot on, with some of the lyrical cadence reminding me a bit of Zappa’s first album from this year “Freak Out”. I would definitely consider this essential listening- glad I finally got to hear it beyond “You’re gonna miss me”. Go enjoy!

This is such a historically important album. Not technically the first “psychedelic” album, but the first album to be officially coined as psychedelic. I listened to the original mono recordings, and man they are raw as hell! I can only imagine what it was like seeing them live. And Janis Joplin wanted to join this band? Man, what could’ve been!

We should all thank the Sandoz Corporation for creating LSD in 1938, which ended up changing the course of modern music forever.

Awesome. Can't believe I never heard about this band.

I'd never associated the name of this band with "You're Gonna Miss Me"--for some reason I thought the 13th Floor Elevators were a late 80s/early 90s band. So I wasn't all that excited to listen but the minute the first song started, my mood brightened. Rocking greatness! Love the harmonica. And now I'm being led down a mossy acid path into the rest of the album. Quick takes: Quite happy though Roller Coaster isn't as good a ride as "You're Gonna Miss Me." I wish Eric Burdon was singing Splash One instead of the guy who is. Reverberation would be better if they muttered "and dance" each time after they said reverberation. Don't Fall Down is quite earnest and I dig it. Fire Engine brings everything together: rock rhythm, kind of bad vocal effects (is someone trying to imitate a fire engine?), urgent vocals--like if you'd only listen the world would be a much better place, and most importantly, just lots of fun. I want to play it loud and do the frug while some dude sings about taking a trip to an empty place. Through the Rhythm reminds me of an earlier question: what is that sound that sounds like someone is doing the scales up and down with their lips? Is that what that is? Omg it just started again with You Don't Know. What is that sound? I heard it earlier but tried to get it out of my mind. I just looked them up on wikipedia and omfg that sound is, I believe, an ELECTRIC JUG. Nothing says 60s more than an electric jug. Also, I do not like Electric Jug. I do not like it. Onto Kingdom of Heaven--a slow burn which sounds like something they play on the ABC Afterschool Special on the dangers of drugs: heroine puffs pot and next thing you know she's swirling around the stars as the Kingdom of Heaven plays. Monkey Island--This is a little more bluesy omg someone is now making little monkey sounds. What is it with the 60s and monkeys? Monkees, Kinks' Apeman, Planet of the Apes, etc. Tried to Hide reminds me that I do not like Electric Jug. I think their rhythms and guitar work is really outstanding. Downgrading for the jug.

La conception de cet album s'est faite dans des conditions extrêmement particulières, c'est pourquoi je le note avec indulgence. Les 13th Floor Elevators choisissent en 1966 le studio du douzième étage (13th Floor aux USA) d'un immeuble pour l'enregistrer. Après avoir installé la batterie, les membres repartent chercher les autres instruments sans remarquer que la fenêtre est ouverte. Problème : l'immeuble en question est encerclé par des conifères habités de pygargues à tête blanche. Une branche voit d'ailleurs son extrémité s'arrêter juste sous la fenêtre en question. À leur retour, les musiciens ne remarquent rien de particulier et commencent la session d'enregistrement. Très rapidement, des petits crissements se font entendre. Le chanteur et le guitariste se retournent alors vers le batteur qui ne semble pas comprendre d'où peut provenir le bruit. Ce dernier continue donc de tambouriner sur sa grosse caisse. Quelques minutes plus tard, il sursaute en apercevant les gros yeux blancs d'un pygargue le fixer. L'animal est coincé dans la caisse qu'il est en train de castagner. Il prévient alors les autres avec un jeu de regard, et, tout en continuant l'enregistrement de l'album, se lancent dans une opération de sauvetage de l'animal. ♫ But what's gonna stop me, baby ? ♫ chante le leader tout en se saisissant d'un sécateur. ♫ Am / Dm / Am / Em ♫ joue le guitariste au moment de jeter des graines à l'animal. ♫ BAM ! BAM ! BAM ! BAMMM ! ♫ continue de bourriner le batteur pour les besoins de l'enregistrement et au grand dam de l'oiseau. Une dizaine de morceaux plus tard, une brèche est ouverte dans la grosse caisse et l'on entend le "FLAFLAFLAflaflafla...." du piaf qui s'en va retrouver sa liberté, merveilleusement capté par l'outro de l'album.

It got old fast. It's protopunk I guess but the recording style kills it for me.

Cet album a été enregistré dans des conditions exécrables. En effet, un volatile est venu se glisser dans la caisse claire du batteur du groupe. Ceci va complétement venir gâcher la prestation proposée sur cet album. Dans la première partie de l'album, les différents membres du groupe vont venir tenter d'amadouer le volatile, à l'aide de différents appâts. Le volatile répondra par de nombreux cris et gloussement, mais ne se décidera pas à sortir de sa cachette. Dans la seconde partie de l'album, le batteur tenta d'utiliser ses baguettes afin de doucement pousser le volatile vers la sortie de la caisse, mais là aussi, tout ce qui sera obtenu sera des cris et gloussements de la part du volatile. Enfin, la troisième et dernière partie montre un groupe résigné à accepter la présence du volatile, qui fait désormais partie intégrante du groupe et de leur enregistrement musical, pour le plus grand bonheur de tous les ornithologues.

So “The 13th Floor Elevators” album was absolutely dreadful… Perhaps that’s a bit unfair – as the actual music and lyrics – sounded just like every other band of their ilk from the time, so not very original, but then they decided to just kick their album into the absolute shitter by adding in “the electric jug”… Had know idea there was such a thing – and perhaps that is the only reason that this album made the list, was because of the jug (i.e. I saw some mention of just how innovative “the electric jug” was for its time…). I guess maybe if you want to slip it in for a track here or there – I wouldn’t advise it, but sure, experiment a bit – but not on every god-damned track… The only other time the use of an instrument totally ruined a song for me – was when Mr. Zimmerman decided to ruin the track “Highway 61 Revisited” with that stupid siren-whistle - but at least Dylan had the sense to ONLY use it on one song – but I digress… Dull, unoriginal, mono, and hopefully the ONLY album on the 1,001 that used an “electric jug”…

I'm getting very strong "surely-there-are-1001-better-albums-than-this" vibes from this one.

Seems like the generator is throwing me alot of psychedelic rock records and 'weirder' things. This one is very good. Or am I getting an ear for it 😁

5/5

Seminal psychedelic garage rock. This 1966 record still routinely inspires quite important musicians today (examples : Osees, Ty Segall, Chad Van Gaalen, The Black Angels...). It's not so hard to put your head back to 1966 and imagine the shock that the album's lo-fi sound and wild performances throughout must have been for innocent rock'n'roll ears at the time. There's also that crazy electric jug, not to the taste of some reviewers on this app, apparently. It's obviously a noticeable detail in the instrumentation, but at the same time, I find it pretty unfair to dismiss the whole album because of it. Especially when the majority of the songs are so great and catchy on a compositional level ("You're Gonna Miss Me", "Splash 1", "Reverbation", "Don't Fall Down", "You Don't Know (How Young You Are)" "Kingdom Of Heaven", "Tried To Hide"). And if the rest doesn't exactly reach that stellar level, it's pretty groundbreaking stuff for 1966, performed with a lot of heart and stamina by Roky Erickson. Number of albums left to review: around a hundred, as I've went over the 1000 line and this generator is including albums from all editions of the book Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 431 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 255 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 315

If this is not the best psychedelic rock record I don’t know where you lived and you have listened to before. Because it most definitely is!

Yes. This is the good and outstanding shit that deserves its "psychedelic" label. I may be somewhat influenced by reading this band's story and just how much they LIVED that, but this alone - sparking my curiosity to learn about an album and not be disappointed - puts this into a high rating. And even though the Jug overstays its welcome, there are enough amazing bits in here (Roller Coaster!!) that I think I'd like to continue the trajectory of my last 5 star rating, CAN's Tago Mago.

Fierce, bright, explorations of psychedelia, turmoil and inner space. Best in mono.

My partner's review: "I like it. 4 stars?" (I'm a true freak so I'm giving it 5. Roky forever)

Really cool psychedelic 60s. Lots of fun!

Trippy!

My favorite album featuring an electric jug. Essential psych rock from the Evil One himself, Roky Erickson. What a great scream and songs you'll find yourself humming for days.

My favorite psychedelic album ever. Unfortunately spotify doesn’t have the tripped out philosophy behind each song from the liner notes.

My first thought was "oh great, another old psychedelic rock album no one's ever heard of before". I don't mind the style per se, but I often find it overdone, with good musicianship let by the roadside in favor of uncomfortable experimentation just for the sake of it. This album took me by surprise though. It's excellently executed with great musicianship (especially the fantastic guitar work). The psychedelic elements feel organic and actually enhance the enjoyment of what would otherwise already be accomplished classic rock.

Desert island selection.

Wow!!!!

Psychedelic Rock is a favorite genre of mine. This release (some would argue) solidified the sound of the genre.

First use of the word "psychedelic" to describe their music? Sign me up! This was an instant favorite with clear signs of what would become garage rock and even early hard rock and metal - the riff on 'Kingdom of Heaven' is nasty! There's definitely a sense of purity surrounding this album.

60s psychedelic garage bands will always be my shit. why are we remastering songs and labeling them with the remastering year tho, that’s so goofy.

I enjoyed this albums, would absolutely put it on when I’m in a psychedelic mood. Had to skip Fire Engine, that one was just too much for me.

cool

Album Nr. 8 Endlich mal ein Album aus den 60's, welches sich wirklich gut anhören lässt.

This was a big surprise, excellent psyc rock album!

Love this album. Worth 5 stars for Fire Engine / Reverberation / Tried To Hide alone. The opener is not bad either. It lives up to the title, really capturing (and informing) the psychedelic era, but it is just bonkers and individual enough to stand out and pass the test of time.

I’d like to take a moment to thank these guys for starting a musical movement that is still going strong to this day.

This was pretty fantastic! And I mean fantastic in the literal sense. It's imaginative and unique. An electric jug player? I mean common! Listened to it twice back-to-back.

Unhinged in a way that only someone truly unhinged could be. You can hear notes of psychobilly, punk, and country in here. It's fantastic and exactly why I started doing this thing, over 800 albums ago. Favorite tracks: "Reverberation", "Thru The Rhythm", "Monkey Island", "You're Gonna Miss Me"

I never knew how much I loved psychedelic rock until I started listening through this book. The ability to produce sounds like this through instruments is so impressive to me. This was wonderful, and it's a clear rotation piece going forward for sure. Favorite track: Roller Coaster

Proto-alternative album, great influence

To me this is THE definitive psychedelic album. Certainly among the pioneers of the genre. At their best, they meld surf and garage rock into a hair raising sonic assault - often verging on proto punk. But there's a lovely sensitivity there as well. They don't overdue the effects, or include things like sitars, but the electric jug gives them an exotic, immediately identifiable sound of their own. I love that they came from Texas, and remained there, rather than fleeing for the coasts. Perhaps that was not necessarily by choice though, especially after Roky's mental breakdown and incarceration. Roky Erickson's story is fascinating - certainly a bit tragic, but there is a beautiful redemption there as well. I'd definitely recommend the documentary "You're Gonna Miss Me" that came out on him around 2007. He's like an American Syd Barrett that miraculously kept coming back again and again over the years despite the odds. A beautiful, if tortured, soul.

I loved this, very psychedelic as the name suggests

I had never heard of this band before, but I was blown away. This album contains elements of Dick Dale style surf rock which almost gives it a proto-punk sound. The music itself is dark and exploratory with explosive and gritty vocals. This album is cohesive and is a blast of fresh air.

This is a great psychedelic rock album and a great debut by the 13th Floor Elevators. I've definitely listened to this one before but mostly remembered the song 'You're Gonna Miss Me', as I think it's easily their most popular. I really enjoyed this one. The "amplified jug" playing, which almost sounds like a Theremin, adds a cool vibe to most of the songs. These guys were out their in 60s Austin, TX doing it right before many others in the genre. Standout Tracks: You're Gonna Miss Me, Roller Coaster, Splash 1, Reverberation, Fire Engine, You Don't Know, Tried to Hide

Excellent album for those who like psychedelic rock. Trully felt I was listening to some 60's band

Prefs : You're Gonna Miss Me, Roller Coaster, Splash 1 (Now I'm Home), Reverberation (Doubt), Fire Engine, You Don't Know, Kingdom of Heaven, Monkey Island, Tried to Hide Moins pref: Don't Fall Down (still good)

Wantlist

This is great. Greasy, salty surf punk that rolls right over you like a California breaker. Them with Dick Dale on lead guitar.

So good. Plenty of that dirty 60's sound, strong vocals, and amplified jug. Roller Coaster is my favorite of the album.

didn't know an electric jug existed before this. I can tell this record was really innovative and I enjoyed it a lot.

If the Beach Boys did a LOT more acid… but I kinda dig it.

Solid psychedelic madness as the name would suggest. I think the monorail version is better but does it really matter?

Pretty cool album. One of those that you've heard the songs on the radio or TV show 20 years ago. While not spectacular this would be nice to have on vinyl

"Let me take you to the empty place / In my - fire engine" is one of rock's coolest, peculiar and most exhilarating opening lines. I've got this album and I think it's real swell.

A solid album. Had a similar impact on me as The Stooge’s Fun House

I dig it maaan : ) I wasn't really familiar with this band - while this particular genre gets a bit tired for me, these tracks have a lot of musical and melodic diversity that kept me entertained, mainly because they reminded me of so many other bands. At times I heard the Guess Who, early Van Morrison (Baby please don't go esp)the Kinks, the Animals, early Stones, HEAVY Pixies and Breeders /Deal sisters in 4. Don't Fall Down, Beach boyesque bubble sounds in You Don't Know. So cool. Who influenced who!

At the damn is the psychedelic rock movement - this is an album that doesn't forget the rock part. Fun, weird, adventurous, primal. This avoids the many pitfalls of psychedelia because it was made before those tropes of psychedelia we firmly ensconced This is the exact type became cliches. It's baked into the cake and not just piping added later by twisting some knows in the studio. Perhaps because of their Texas origins - away from SF/LA. And I'm no small part to the recurring roll of the electric jug. It runs out of steam by the end but it comes raging out of the gate and there are great songs and ideas throughout. A unique voice for sure. Guitars look back and forward. Excellent drumming. This album is the epitome of why this book/list exists.

This was some very high quality mid-60s psychedelic rock from the mid. The singer gives me mad Mick Jagger vibes, but the rest of it is so much better than any Rolling Stones album we've had to listen to on here. I do find it funny that they have that weird back and forth blipping sound going from end to end across this whole album. It is a quirky little effect that is kind of like having a Muppet in the background speaking gibberish. Roller Coaster is a wild one -- singer sounds like Mick Jagger and is the most "rooted" thing in the mix alongside the beachy guitar. Otherwise, the drum work is nuts (full of crazy polyrhythmic cymbal/snare hits). Under all of that there is an element that sounds like somebody just mumbling into the microphone (could be a synth, but I have no idea). Absolutely love the controlled chaos of it all. Relieving transition into Splash 1, which is a pretty straightforward rock song of the era. Reverberation brings more of that wild mumbling sound, but a little less forward. Just some good ol' fashioned driving psychedelia. Monkey Island is another great jam on here. Tried to Hide is familiar -- definitely have heard it or a cover at some point in my life. Has a bluesy vibe to it, but keeps that blipping/mumbling going end to end. This was highly entertaining. Short and sweet with a dusty layered mix. Very solid -- middling 4 for me.

no way that came out in 2010

A landmark album that i need to spend more time with.

4.

Really enjoyed the first half of this. Tails off pretty badly but who cares.

The title of the album put me off initially, but it actually ended up being quite good. Short and to the point, funky and catchy. Highlights: You're Gonna Miss Me Reverberation You Don't Know Monkey Island

You could easily convince me that this was the Rolling Stones. Very similar vibe and sound.

Very good album, sounds way ahead of its time and sure should be on the list - close to 5 stars but I prefer Easter Everywhere.

Обожаю психоделический гараж, но было немножко затянуто и нудно.

Super groovy vibes that I enjoyed very much.

A forgotten classic. For as weird as this is, Roky got even weirder.

When it’s good it’s very good.

This was really good especially for 1966. This plus some LSD probably melted faces and obliterated egos back then.

7/10

I liked it a lot

Proper piece of early psychodelic rock. Really good.

Pretty straightforward psych rock. Ok to listen too, but not super interesting. Actually from 2010, so they clearly tried to recreate the sounds of the 60s/70s which I think they succeeded with. Double album - single would have been enough. Cool artwork.

alveg feyki skemmtilegt. lenti reyndar á sílspikaðri plötu á spottanum. þarf að finna einfaldari útgáfu. 4,5.

I love Roky Erickson's music. But there's a limit to the number of these songs I can listen to in a single sitting. There's a tribute album called Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye that has some interesting takes on a lot of these.

3.7/5 listened 2x. I would like to come back to this one eventually and listen again. listened to extended album on 2nd listen through (1h 27m)

I see from the reviews that the jug sounds split a room. Ha! I thought it was brilliant if a bit dated. Unreal singing, great garagey sound to the music. Yup yup

This is the exact kind of album that should be on this list. I don't think I ever would have discovered it on my own, and I don't think it will be in my permanent rotation, but I'm glad I gave it a try. Holds up pretty well for being nearly 80 years old.

I liked how garage-y this sounded. The opening track is a classic. As others noted the electric jug is hard to unhear once you know to listen for it.

A most fitting album title if I ever saw one.

you hadda be there

i have a deep fondness for 60's garage rock and psychedelia, and this album is really important in the merging of those genres. the first track, 'you're gonna miss me' is one of my favorite songs of this era. there are lots of great tracks on here like 'reverberation' and 'roller coaster' and it is rightly considered a classic of this era - HOWEVER, i think as many point out, the big "feature" of this album is an "electric jug" which is prominently displayed on every track. i think it's actually a very psychedelic "percussion" instrument choice to include, but its welcome is worn out very quickly. i can handle it in spurts listening to 'you're gonna miss me' but an entire album's worth is a bit much. i don't think it makes this album unlistenable, but is undeniably present and will wear on you.

Awesome. People still try to sound like this. White Stripes, King Khan, etc. This record sounds more sincere. And even though it’s mono, it sounds powerful. I skipped the bonus tracks. They’re not part of the album, youtube. The original album is perfect length. Favorite song: reverberation.

Yeah, this is actually ace. Garage psych, full of energy, and unlike a lot of stuff like this ACTUAL TUNES.

Really just the perfect representation of mid 60's psych. This is the type of record we needed from the Grateful Dead, but never got.

Very early acid rock featuring an iconic screaming vocalist and some wild exotic instrumentation. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of Disraeli Gears, in terms of the psychedelic style and blend of hard rock and ethereal dreamy tracks. Highly innovative, each tracks offers some crazy idea you won't hear on other albums. There is some repeated tricks between some songs (like similar riffs or choruses), but I found each song had their own distinctive ideas to make each one memorable. No bad tracks, with energy and passion going into each one. The other downside is obviously the shit fidelity, which adds to the otherworldly effects and garage style, but it would surely benefit from a studio that matched Disraeli Gears. I personally revisit this album often, because I can find something of unique value in each song, usually the psychedelic effects and personality, but I know it could be stronger. The last few tracks do feel a bit out-of-place.

I think I listened to this band once back in college. The leader singer, Roky Erickson had a crazy life plagued by mental illness and I might've watched a documentary about him. It's cool to hear such a raw and rough-around-the-edges psychedelic rock album that was released before huge bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones embraced this sound the following year. Apparently this was the first time "psychedelic" was used to describe music. One of the band members played an "amplified jug" which is cool as well. I'm guessing the background sound that kinda sounds like a ghost is from that. Some of the songs are a little too messy at points, but overall, I thought this rocked.

I really dug the vibe of this record. Pretty groovy. Big fan of psych rock and all of its offshoots. Fav Songs You’re Gonna Miss Me Roller Coaster Reverberation Kingdom of Heaven