AMG Review of Two Headed Dog

David Cleary
All Music Guide

This brief platter was originally released as a 7" EP in 1977 by Sponge Records; thus, it contains some of Erickson's earliest attempts at a solo career after the demise of his 1960s group 13th Floor Elevators. The first three songs here would be released in more professional-sounding versions on Roky Erickson and the Aliens and The Evil One. Listening to this re-release is a very frustrating experience. One the one hand, the performances here are extremely compelling, with the stripped-dowm, gutsy feel of punk and garage band styles. The title track gets a committed rendition that underscores the song's frightening excellence. "Mine Mine Mind" is a fine uptempo rocker strongly hinting at Erickson's mid-1960s psychedelic roots. "Click Your Fingers Applauding the Play" is a worthy, funky midtempo number. And "I Have Always Been Here Before" is a ringingly memorable selection presented most effectively in singer-songwriter fashion. On the other hand, shockingly primitive production values, featuring badly distorted sound, make this record almost unlistenable.