Sign of the 3 Eyed Men

by

13th Floor Elevators

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This could be the Holy Grail for psych collectors... You get each of the band's original 3 studio albums. Each of these also has another disc of alternate takes and mixes. Additionally, two live cd's, and two albums of otherwise unreleased songs and versions, some of which is also live, some studio. The sound quality on everything is better than I have heard previously. There is also a book included, and a package of posters, fliers, stickers, a copy of their manager's original business card. It all adds up to a rather overwhelming collection of music by one of the true originators of psychedelic music. I just got mine in the mail yesterday, and I have had a great time digging through assimilating the sights and sounds. My brain is dripping out my ears, and I have had no mind-altering substances except for what is included in the box set..... consciousness has shifted and life may never return to what it was before this trip!

Numbered limited edition of 4000.

*As of this writing, the amazing collection is currently in print, available at the official International Artists website. If you are interested, check it out, the price (while still in print) is much cheaper than that presently shown here. Price is 75 Pounds sterling (about $150), and worth every penny.

This box set was supposed to be the "final word" on the Elevators. I debated for a bit, then took the bait and pre-ordered it from the label ('twas a mailorder only release).

The packaging is fantastic, I will give it that. The content, on the other hand, is a bit problematic. Only the mono versions of the first two albums are included. Each also appears in an "alternate" stereo version. Unfortunately, though, the alternate versions are full of false starts, studio chatter, etc. In other words, they're not presented as proper albums, as such, and I find the extraneous stuff annoying.

A bigger issue than the above, though, is the way Charly has handled this. They advertised this limited edition set as pretty much the be-all-and-end-all for the Elevators. As soon as they announced it was sold out, however, they made some other announcements.

On the way was (and is now available), a collection of their complete singles, 7th Heaven: Music of the Spheres - The Complete Singles Collection, including material not in the box.

Up next is disc one of the box, Headstone: The Contact Sessions. But . . . there are four additional tracks not on the box set version.

Scheduled for release later this year are their three albums, in dbl-disc packages, the first two will appear in both mono and (proper) stereo versions. Bull of the Woods will be coupled with A Love That's Sound, from the box.

That leaves three discs of live recordings from the box not yet announced for release, but I won't be surprised if all eventually come out, with additional material.

Charly is milking this for all they can. The music is fantastic, but the scenario is not.