13th Floor Elevators to Be Chronicled in 10-CD Set

The 13th Floor Elevators came out of Texas in the mid-60's and the world of rock was never to be the same. The group, fronted by Roky Erickson, challenged the listener with mixes of songs running from folk-rock to what is considered an early version of acid rock. Peter Buck of R.E.M. once commented that "They kind of sounded like Buddy Holly but on acid!"

The band only released three studio albums, but the folks at International Artists (the label that originally released the albums in the 60's) have tracked down hours of outtakes, unreleased tracks and live recordings to produce the 10-CD set Sign of the 3 Eyed Men. The company has been taking pre-orders at their website for the set, limited to 4,000 copies, and will be shipping within the next couple of weeks.

The CDs contain the band's three studio albums including rare mono versions, two "lost" albums of unreleased material and previously unreleased live recordings. Along with the ten CDs, the set also includes a 72-page hardcover book written by Paul Drummond with group information, rare photos and a full discography. Also included is reproduction memorabilia including photo prints, reproduction posters, stickers and handbills.

The important part, though, is the music. Below the cut is the complete track listing for Sign of the 3 Eyed Men. Headstone: The Contact SessionsYou're Gonna Miss MeTried to HideEverybody Needs Somebody to LoveTake That GirlYou Can't Hurt Me AnymoreI'm Gonna Love You TooMonkey IslandRoller CoasterNow I'm Home (Splash 1)Where Am I? (Thru the Rhythm)Fire EngineYou Can't Hurt Me (Take 1)Fire Engine (Take 8)Tried to Hide (Take 7)I'm Gonna Love You Too (45 RPM)Bad SeedsAll Night LongYou're Gonna Miss MeLive! In TexasMonkey IslandRoller CoasterGloriaYou're Gonna Miss MeInterviewFire EngineYou Really Got MeRoll Over BeethovenGloriaFire EngineYou're Gonna Miss MeRoller CoasterMercy MercyTried to HideI'm Down(I Can't Get No) SatisfactionI'm Gonna Love You TooI Feel GoodGloriaMC/Everybody Needs Somebody to LovePsychedelic Sounds (Mono)You're Gonna Miss MeRoller CoasterSplash 1ReverberationDon't Fall DownFire EngineThru the RhythmYou Don't Know (How Young You Are)Kingdom of Heaven (Is Within You)Monkey IslandTried to HideReverberation (45 RPM)Fire Engine (45 RPM)Reverberation (Acetate)Fire Engine (Alternative Mono Mix)Psychedelic Sounds (Alternative Stereo)You Don't Know (How Young You Are)Through the RhythmMonkey IslandRoller CoasterFire EngineReverberationTried to HideYou're Gonna Miss MeSplash 1Don't Fall DownKingdom of Heaven (Is Within You)You Don't Know (How Young You Are) (Backing Tracks)Roller Coaster (Backing Tracks)Don't Fall Down (Backing Tracks)Larry Kane/Don't Fall Down/Band IntroductionsLive! In California, Avalon Ballroom (Stereo)Everybody Needs Somebody to LoveBefore You Accuse MeYou Don't Know (How Young You Are)Splash 1I'm Gonna Love You TooYou Really Got MeFire EngineRoll Over BeethovenThe WordMonkey IslandRoller CoasterEaster Everywhere (Mono)Slip Inside This HouseSlide MachineShe Lives (In a Time of Her Own)Nobody to LoveBaby BlueEarthquakeDust(I've Got) LevitationI Had to Tell YouPostures(I've Got) Levitation (45 RPM)Before You Accuse Me (45 RPM)She Lives (In a Time of Her Own)Baby Blue (45 RPM)Slip Inside This House (45 RPM)Easter Everywhere (Alternative Stereo)Slip Inside This HouseSlide MachineShe Lives (In a Time of Her Own)Nobody to LoveBaby BlueEarthquakeDust(I've Got) LevitationI Had to Tell YouPostures (Leave Your Body Behind)Fire in My BonesDust (Alternative Mix)Right Track NowSplash 1Before You Accuse Me(I've Got) Levitation (Take 1)(I've Got) Levitation (Take 2)A Love That's Sound (Lost 3rd LP)Wait For My LoveIt's YouMay the Circle Remain UnbrokenLivin' OnNever AnotherDr. DoomSweet SurpriseMoon SongLivin' On (Acetate)Never Another (Rehearsal/Demo)It's You (Rehearsal/Demo)Moon Song (Rehearsal/Demo)Bull of the Woods (Remastered 4th LP)Livin' OnBarnyard BluesTill ThenNever AnotherRose & the ThornDown By the RiverScarlet & GoldStreet SongDr. DoomWith YouMay the Circle Remain UnbrokenLivin' On (45 RPM)Scarlet & Gold (45 RPM)May the Circle Remain Unbroken (45 RPM)Livin' On (Alternative Brass Arrangement)Bull of the Wood (Radio Spot)13th Floor Elevators Live: Death in Texas (1967 & 1973)(I've Got) LevitationReverberationDon't Fall DownKingdom of Heaven (Is Within You)She Lives (In a Time of Her Own)Rock 'n' Roll (Jam 1)Jam 3Baby Blue (Jam 4)She Lives (In a Time of Her Own) (Jam 5)Maxine(I've Got) LevitationShake Your HipsRoky on KAUM RadioStumble (Smoke the Toilet)You're Gonna Miss Me