Despite the recordings' bootleg quality, Live at the Ritz 1987 is a vicious live document of a man who's lived his life at the edge—and sometimes taken a fall. Guitarist Will Sexton adds true bite to The 13th Floor Elevators' "You're Gonna Miss Me" and a nasty snarl to "Night of the Vampire." The entire set is well-chosen, and Erickson is in fine form throughout. Perhaps being in front of a friendly hometown crowd in Austin, Texas, boosted his game. This isn't, however, the best place to start one's Erickson collection. (Try The Psychedelic World of the 13th Floor Elevators or Easter Everywhere for that.) Yet hardcore fans won't be disappointed by the vibrant, crashing performances. "Two Headed Dog," "Starry Eyes," and "Bloody Hammer" are the works of one of rock 'n' roll's most beloved cult artists, who deserved much greater fortune than he received. For the record, Live in Dallas 1979 with The Nervebreakers is a better-recorded release.