CD Review: Roky Erickson with Okkervil River - “True Love Cast Out All Evil”

CD Review
Roky Erickson With Okkervil River
“True Love Cast Out All Evil”
Anti-
Release date: April 20, 2010

The Deal:
Take Roky Erickson, founder of psychedelic music - with the 13th Floor Elevators - at his drug addled best, arrest him several times at the peak of his powers for marijuana, send him to maximum-security Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane for possession of a single joint, throw away the key and you have the beginning of the Roky Erickson odyssey. Add elements of insanity, addiction, bankruptcy and electro-shock therapy and you have a more complete picture, ‘til decades later producer Will Sheff, from highly regarded Okkervil River, gets the nod to produce legendary figure Roky Erickson - his first recording in 14 years.

The Good:
Well worth the wait, this is so compelling and masterful, it becomes an act of personal redemption. Call it art as it’s got heartbreak, loss, recovery – all high drama – in one powerful recording. Standouts are “Goodbye Sweet Dreams”, “Be and Bring Me Home” and title track “True Love Cast Out All Evil”, all equally moving and downright inspirational.

The Bad: Little Triple A-ish towards the end, but not in a bad way, just more mellow, thoughtful, sad and sentimental. The only real negative here is what the state of Texas did to Roky.

The Verdict:
Survival and redemption are beautiful to see and hear. If this recording of a survivor doesn’t move you, you’re way too far gone.