T. Rex - The Slider (1972)

The Slider

Up until August 2010 I had somehow never listened to Marc Bolan, otherwise known as T. Rex.  I had certainly heard the name before, and through my love of Oasis I knew that they drew inspiration from him (as well as swiping the riff from Get It On for their song Cigarettes & Alcohol). 

Along with David Bowie, T. Rex is probably the artist most related to the genre of "glam rock".  Throughout the 1970s there was perhaps no artist as influential, combining mystical and sexual lyrics, with gritty guitar and Beatlesque melodies.  The Beatles themselves were admitted fans of Bolan.

Originally beginning in the late 1960s as Tyrannosaurus Rex, Bolan's outfit was a mystical folk group, releasing albums with names such as "My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows."  By 1970, however, the name had been shortened to T. Rex and Bolan's popularity was about to skyrocket with the release of albums T. Rex (1970) and Electric Warrior (1971).  He scored his first number 1 in the UK with the single "Hot Love," and its performance on Top of the Pops has been referred to by some as the birth of glam rock due to the glitter Bolan wore under his eyes.  Watch that performance HERE.  Electric Warrior has probably Bolan's best known song, Get It On, which hit number 1 in the UK and became a top 10 hit in the US.  The group's popularity took off and spawned the term "T.Rextasy" in a comparison with Beatlemania.

Which brings us to my favourite of Mr. Bolan's albums - The Slider (pictured above).  While not drastically different from the predecessors, this album rocks harder, the guitars are edgier, without losing any of the pop hooks.  The album starts off with a joyous yell from the band and Bolan on "Metal Guru", an irresistibly poppy song with nonsensical lyrics.  It's trademark Bolan, sounding like a mix of 1950s rock n roll with Beatles screams and electric guitars. 

The other more well known song on the album is "Telegram Sam," a rollicking song where Bolan name-drops his manager, his manager's assistant, and Bob Dylan, and it all works perfectly.  One of Bolan's best riffs drives the song, slightly distorted and reminiscent of Get It On, the song also features a brass section and plenty of the weird, fantastical imagery T.Rex was known for.

My personal favourite on the album, however, is the title track.  The Slider is slower than most everything else on the album, with Bolan singing about cosmic seas (what else) over a bluesy, distorted guitar riff before the release of him singing..."And when I'm sad....I sliiide."  The guitar fades from the front to the back of the mix with the arrival of an orchestra giving the track a lush production during the chorus.

Other notable tracks on the album are Baby Boomerang, Mystic Lady, and Baby Strange - but again it is an album that rewards a full listen.  The whole T.Rex catalogue is worth listening to, as it is has some of the best rock melodies and fun music to listen to.  Unfortunately Bolan was killed in a car accident far too young, but he left a wealth of excellent music.

Also look below for the AWESOME version of "Children of the Revolution" with Marc Bolan, Elton John and Ringo Starr.