Search - Roky Erickson, Okkervil River :: True Love Cast Out All Evil

CAST A SPELL

dickydo | Warwick, RI USA | 04/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.

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What a great comeback for Roky

James Zinn | Kansas City, MO | 04/21/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

If you be and let be these words you can receive..

Scott Roberts | 04/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"