Roky Erickson: Don't Slander Me

 Roky Erickson: Don't Slander Me

1986

Light in the Attic Records

Format I Own it on: Compact Disc

Track Listing: 1. Don't Slander Me  2. Haunt  3. Crazy Crazy Mama  4. Nothing In Return  5. Burn  6. Bermuda  7. You Drive Me Crazy  8. Can't Be Brought Down  9. Starry Eyes  10. The Damn Thing  11. Hasn't Anyone Told You  12. Realize You're Mine  13. Haunt (Alt Take)


Oh, man. I love this record. If it's not as good as "The Evil One," then it's only by a centimeter. Alright, here's your guide to how much you'll like "Don't Slander Me," based on how much you loved "The Evil One" (you did love the 'The Evil One', right? Of course you did...):

If you loved The Evil One" mostly for its rocking and catchy songs,  then you'll love this one equally as much.

If you loved "The Evil One" mostly for the horror imagery, then you'll like this one a bit less. It's about 50% less evil. 

If you loved "The Evil One" but wasn't wild about the horror element, then you like this more than "The Evil One."

Yea, there's about 50% less devils and monsters. But what does he replace it with? BUDDY HOLLY LOVE SONGS THAT SOUND LIKE IF BUDDY HOLLY HAD SURVIVED THE PLANE CRASH AND TOOK PART IN THE LATE70's/EARLY 80's POWER POP SCENE!!! And I'm completely serious when I say that "Starry Eyes" and "Nothing in Return" can stand up to any Buddy Holly song. If Buddy had written and recorded "Starry Eyes" it would be hailed as one of the greatest pop songs of all time, no question. 

There are a couple other non-monster movie songs here that don't fit into the Buddy Holly mold: "Hasn't Anyone Told You" and "Realize You're Mine" are disarming, lovey indie pop. I'm still torn if the insanely rocking "Can't Be Brought Down" falls into the horror/supernatural category. Due to the usually macabre imagery found in his songs, I initially assumed the protagonist was a zombie, but now that I re-listen to it, it might just be a tall-tale, Texas-outlaw. Fucking rocking song either way.

Lots of great horror stuff here: From the stripped down rocking of "Haunt" and the completely bonkers, alien-obsessed title track to the slow, burning theatricality of "Burn," which just might highlight Roky at his horror-host best. He really sounds like he's lurking in the rafters, sawing away at a chandelier on this one. I'm also endlessly fascinated by Roky's repeated insistence that the devil is innocent in "Bermuda" (which as you can guess is about the Bermuda Triangle). This song's awesome and reminds me most of "The Evil One" musically speaking.

Special shout-out to "The Damn Thing" which for some reason, always cracks me up. He sounds so teeth-grindingly irritated at some damn demon lurking out there. Not horrified out of his freaking mind like you'd expect, but just sorta real-world irritated. Think of your Dad complaining about some damn raccoons in the wood pile. That's the level of discomfort on display. A must-hear. 

It's a nice day out today, maybe I'll step away from the computer for a bit...But before I do, let's listen to some music. Here's "Starry Eyes" by Roky Erickson. Enjoy...