Reviews (page 7 of 14)
Great, more mellow / oblique than I’d anticipated
4.4
Solid album.
Elements of the Troggs and Mungo Jerry, it’s a fine sounding album, with “Bang a Gong” at the next level.
Loved Cosmic Dancer.
Just so cool
4.0 pleasantly surprised.
#36 - some bangers in here and a unique sound! Quite advanced for '71, I like it
this shit was that good shit that sauce i look for on here type shit 4.4/5
Auch nach über 40 Jahren noch tolle und eingängige Rockhits.
Fun listen! Like a post-beatles hangover with a bit of Stones, and funky disco.
Hot Love is good, the rest ok
Good shit. Simpsons: No
Good vibes. Some of the songs / riffs sound very similar. But still enjoyable on a sunny day. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good solid album.
This was a good album. I like the sassy rock tones from the lead singer. The songs were simple, but punchy. Drum and guitar tones were solid.
Bang a gong man! These are good vibes!
My expectations for this album were relatively low, I thought T-rex was a bit of a one-hit-wonder. At first I thought my expectations were correct but it won me over with that sort of glam-like sound that just puts me in a good mood.
I'm surprised that I'm not familiar with this band. The only song I recognized was "Bang a Gong". It was a fun album with an interesting sound. There were a few songs that kind of slowed down the momentum, but I have a feeling I'll listen to it again, and it will grow on me.
pretty nice to listen to in the background, its a vibe
### **Electric Warrior by T. Rex: An In-Depth Review** Released in 1971, T. Rex's "Electric Warrior" is a landmark album that firmly established Marc Bolan and his band as pioneers of the glam rock genre. This in-depth review will explore the lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence of the album, as well as highlight its pros and cons. #### **Lyrics** Marc Bolan's lyrics on "Electric Warrior" are an intriguing blend of mysticism, romance, and playful absurdity. Bolan often veers away from conventional storytelling, opting instead for evocative imagery and enigmatic phrases. **Key Tracks and Analysis:** - **"Cosmic Dancer"**: This track features introspective lyrics that touch on existential themes. "I danced myself out of the womb / Is it strange to dance so soon?" captures a sense of eternal recurrence and self-discovery. - **"Jeepster"**: Here, Bolan's playful, swaggering lyrics dominate. Lines like "Just like a car, you're pleasing to behold / I'll call you Jaguar if I may be so bold" showcase his ability to mix humor with sexual innuendo. - **"Get It On"**: Perhaps the most famous track on the album, it blends straightforward rock 'n' roll bravado with a touch of mysticism. "Well, you're dirty and sweet, clad in black / Don't look back, and I love you" perfectly encapsulates the glam rock ethos. Overall, the lyrics are marked by a combination of poetic flair and a carefree attitude that aligns well with the album's sonic landscape. #### **Music** Musically, "Electric Warrior" is a seamless fusion of rock, folk, and blues, with a pronounced glam rock sheen. Bolan's distinctive voice and guitar work are front and center, supported by the band’s solid rhythm section and Tony Visconti's lush arrangements. **Instrumentation and Arrangement:** - **Guitar**: Bolan's guitar playing is both raw and melodic. He employs a mix of crunchy riffs and fluid lead lines, as evident in tracks like "Mambo Sun" and "Rip Off." - **Strings and Brass**: Visconti's production includes string and brass arrangements that add depth and sophistication. The lush strings on "Cosmic Dancer" and the brass on "Get It On" are standout examples. - **Rhythm Section**: The bass and drums provide a steady, infectious groove throughout the album. The interplay between Steve Currie's bass and Bill Legend's drumming is tight and dynamic. The music is characterized by its simplicity and effectiveness. Bolan's riffs are catchy, and the melodies are memorable, making the album accessible yet richly textured. #### **Production** Produced by Tony Visconti, "Electric Warrior" benefits from a polished yet organic sound. Visconti's production style enhances Bolan's vision, creating a cohesive album that feels both intimate and grand. **Production Highlights:** - **Balance**: Visconti manages to balance the rawness of rock with the sophistication of orchestral elements. This is particularly evident in tracks like "Monolith," where the strings blend seamlessly with Bolan's guitar. - **Soundscapes**: The album employs various soundscapes, from the reverb-drenched "Girl" to the dry, punchy "Jeepster." This variety keeps the listener engaged and adds to the album's dynamic range. - **Vocals**: Bolan's vocals are front and center, with just the right amount of reverb to give them presence without overwhelming the mix. His voice is distinct and charismatic, adding to the album's charm. The production on "Electric Warrior" is meticulous yet unobtrusive, allowing the songs to shine while providing a lush backdrop that enhances their impact. #### **Themes** "Electric Warrior" explores a variety of themes, from love and sexuality to mysticism and existentialism. Bolan's lyrics often juxtapose the earthly with the ethereal, creating a rich tapestry of ideas and images. **Major Themes:** - **Romance and Sexuality**: Many songs on the album, such as "Jeepster" and "Lean Woman Blues," focus on themes of love and desire. Bolan's approach is often playful and hedonistic, reflecting the carefree spirit of the era. - **Mysticism and Fantasy**: Tracks like "Cosmic Dancer" and "Planet Queen" delve into more mystical and fantastical themes. Bolan's fascination with mythology and the cosmos is evident, adding a layer of depth to the album. - **Identity and Self-Expression**: The album also touches on themes of identity and self-expression. Bolan's flamboyant persona and the glam rock aesthetic are celebrations of individuality and nonconformity. These themes, combined with Bolan's lyrical style, create an album that is both grounded and otherworldly, reflecting the dualities that define the glam rock genre. #### **Influence** "Electric Warrior" had a profound impact on the music world, helping to define the sound and style of glam rock. Its influence can be seen in the work of numerous artists who followed, from David Bowie to The New York Dolls. **Cultural and Musical Impact:** - **Glam Rock**: The album's success played a significant role in popularizing glam rock. Bolan's blend of rock 'n' roll with flamboyant visuals and theatricality set the template for the genre. - **Future Artists**: Many future rock icons, including David Bowie, were influenced by "Electric Warrior." Bowie's Ziggy Stardust persona owes a debt to Bolan's pioneering work. - **Legacy**: The album is considered a classic, frequently cited by critics and musicians as a pivotal work in rock history. Its songs continue to be covered and referenced, demonstrating its lasting appeal. #### **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** - **Catchy and Memorable Songs**: Tracks like "Get It On" and "Jeepster" are timeless rock anthems with infectious hooks and memorable lyrics. - **Innovative Production**: Tony Visconti's production adds depth and richness to the album, making it a sonic pleasure from start to finish. - **Distinctive Style**: Bolan's unique blend of rock, folk, and glam, along with his charismatic persona, gives the album a distinct and enduring appeal. - **Variety**: The album covers a wide range of musical styles and themes, keeping the listener engaged throughout. **Cons:** - **Repetitiveness**: Some critics argue that the album can be repetitive, with similar-sounding riffs and structures across different songs. - **Lyrics**: While often poetic and evocative, Bolan's lyrics can sometimes feel nonsensical or lacking in depth, which might not appeal to all listeners. - **Overproduction**: For some purists, the lush production and orchestral elements might detract from the raw rock 'n' roll energy that defines the genre. ### **Conclusion** "Electric Warrior" by T. Rex is a seminal album that encapsulates the spirit of glam rock with its blend of catchy melodies, innovative production, and charismatic performance. Marc Bolan's enigmatic lyrics and distinctive guitar work, combined with Tony Visconti's lush production, create a record that is both timeless and influential. While it has its flaws, such as occasional repetitiveness and overproduction, the album's strengths far outweigh these minor issues, solidifying its status as a classic in rock history. The album's exploration of themes like love, mysticism, and self-expression, coupled with its musical variety, ensures that it remains engaging and relevant. "Electric Warrior" not only defined a genre but also inspired countless artists, leaving an indelible mark on the music world. Whether you are a longtime fan or a new listener, the album offers a rich and rewarding experience that showcases T. Rex at the height of their creative powers.
If you’d tell me Electic Warrior was released in 2010 I’d believe it. Very chill, very good 8.1/10
Tons of great songs and clearly an influential album relative to sounds of the time.
Pretty straightforward slightly blues-influenced classic rock. There's some good dynamics throughout, and the band has a good feel for when the music needs to start rocking or when it needs to chill out. "Get It On" is a classic rock anthem and staple in any good mid-summer BBQ playlist. Enjoyable, solid, and tight.
Get it on was the only song Inwas familiar with. Pleasantly surprised with the other tracks. A fun first listen.
Loved it. A little Bowie, strong songwriting with hooks, and a lot of early 70s bubblegum AM pop with rock star sex appeal and you get a classic. For me, T. Rex hit their stride with this album; I like this glam rock version of the group over their earlier, folk rock version of the band. Bang a Gong is such a fun, sexy bop and it’s not the only one like it throughout. If there’s a small knock on the album, some songs are a little thin beyond a catchy hook but that’s the thing: the hooks are often so solid that it holds up as a cohesive work. A fun listen.
I liked this a lot more than the other T. Rex. This one is more varied and I feel like the songs have individual personality where The Slider sounded like the same good song, multiple times. 3.75/5
I think I prefer Roxy Music for my glam, but I cannot deny Marc Bolan’s guitar tone (his voice, however…). Really killer set. B+
Much of the same, i like his soft voice. Does not get boring.
One of the best glam rock albums ever. Mambo Sun and Monolith are under-appreciated gems, and of course there’s hits like Jeepster and Bang a Gong. This album is not peak Bolan, but it’s pretty close.
Unverkennbar.
4/5 stars
very nice
Brilliant. Gone too soon.
really good, but not consistently amazing. super solid 4.5
Bien ! Je réécouterai à l'occasion
Some of these songs are absolute classics that I grew up with. Others I didn't find until years later but ended up becoming recent favorites. The album has some strong points and some weaker points, but overall it's just a solid classic.
Wow! So much better than I anticipated. The early 70s edgy glam rock shone through in this album.
This is an album well ahead of it's time. Mambo Sun Great song. Could've been released in the 2010s and wouldn't have seemed out of place. The vocals are slightly dated but you can tell right the off the bat that this is proto-Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys.
This is good. I really enjoyed this.
This is a fantastic record. Many times when I hear an album noted for how influential it is, I'll be a bit bored because so many people have copied it, that I've hear all of the jokes before. But not here. T. Rex doesn't sound like the bands it influenced. Those bands sound like T. Rex. I definitely hear some Bowie-like qualities here, but the sound is more like two artists channeling the same vibe rather than one following the other. Bang a Gong is the perfect example of an awesome song that has been totally played out. I've skipped it so many times in the past, but it sounds great on the tracklist here. Cosmic Dancer is a new surprise favorite of mine. I'm impressed with what Bolan was able to do here though I do wish the album was more consistent. Four stars.
Always liked this record. Super groovy, but comparatively subtle and tasteful as 70s rock records go.
No individual track stands out massively and yet it's just a super fun sound.
I think a true rating would be 3.5 but I'll round it up to 4 because Bang a Gong is such a proper tune. Some good songs on here but was kinda meh on a lot of it as well.
So classic 🎸 great production and playing to complement the groovy tunes
mer beatles rip off tack! de hä va nice
Mostly boring, but some songs are fun and Bolan gets a pass. 'Get It On' was on a "Rock Oldie" compilation that was among my first active and conscious music listening experiences. And the part time hippie here had fun with his Prophet, Seers & Sages. But really, one of the albums that could be anywhere from a 2-4 for me. Today, 4.
T. Rex was an early producer of glam rock that was the creation of Marc Bolan. Bolan released a few solo tracks, and was part of a band called John's Children before forming Tyrannosauras Rex, a folk band that met with modest success in London's hippie scene. After four albums, the band changed directions, their sound, and their name became T. Rex. T. Rex is part of the same tradition that gave us Ziggy Stardust - early 70's glam rock. This album includes "Bang a Gong," the arguable "one-hit wonder" of T. Rex's career - which was covered by Robert Palmer's supergroup, The Power Station.
This is what I got into in high school a good thirty five years later. It does have that optimistic, swaggering quality to it that makes glam rock so identifiable.
One of THE essential glam rock albums. Bold, brash, and propelled by Marc Bolan’s unashamedly brilliant slinky charisma.
Experimentak, excellent album. Jazz, blue, rock and even some hits!
There is a great feeling for groove in these songs. Still you can't shake the feeling that T. Rex is a bit of "dad rock". Might be unfair to say it but yeah.
I liked it
4.75
4.5, so many many bangers. only knock on T. rex's sound is that it doesn't have much of a dynamic range to it. gets old after 30 min.
I danced myself out of the womb Is it strange to dance so soon
Glam at its best.
Such a cool album! Must have been mind blowing to hear it for the first time!!
Fantastic album and a lamentable loss Glam with no spam
I have not heard of this album before but I know of the band T. Rex. I did enjoy listening and even recognized the song Bang a gong (get it on). A lot of the songs sounded very similar so I don’t have a favorite at the moment but I will continue listening!
Much enjoyed this one. Everyone knows "Bang a Gong" but I liked all the tracks.
Coming to this only knowing "Bang a Gong" (and incorrectly always assuming it was an '80s hit). This album has got a great sound and feel to it; reminiscent of glam era Bowie but more subdued. The production is done really well, making it always feel like a single cohesive work; a true album. That being said, there wasn't anything that was really mind-blowing on a first listen. I do feel like this is a grower though, and I know if I keep listening to it (and I will) I'll continue to find little interesting details that will make me fall in love with it. The raw energy of "Rip" is such a killer way to close an album.
A great album. I never heard it through until now and now wish I had.
Sempre desprezei a banda por considerar perda de tempo escutar rock farofa clássico, nem o hit Get It on. Pensei em tentar dar uma chance com a versão do Nick Cave para Cosmic Dancer, que continua sendo bm melhor. Mas o disco funcionou bem.
I like it. bang a gong or something
3.5. Pretty good. Fun, catchy.
Giving it a 4 mostly on the strength of Get It On which is such a great song. The other songs weren't up to that level but some weren't too bad
Enjoyed the whole album. I knew only the most famous songs, Cosmic Dancer, Get it on... This album will never get old! 4/5
Listened to this a couple of months ago before we started this. Quite liked it then, still do. A couple of the songs sound the same, though. Saw a documentary while back on glam rock in the early 70’s, which featured how huge a star (and heartthrob) Marc Bolan was in his heyday in England.
Better album than expected. Dirty, sweet oh yeah
I honestly didn't expect to see T-Rex on this list. I only know a couple of their songs, and never liked either of them enough to convince me to give a full album of theirs a try. Thankfully, I never disliked them enough to intentionally avoid their albums either. I'm generally excited to hear a fuller picture of the band. It did exactly that. I'm considering giving another album or two of theirs a look at some point. It's definitely blues-inspired, but it's not just "blues but with fuzz", like I expected. If anything, "Bang a Gong" isn't the best example of their sound, similar to how "How Soon is Now?" doesn't reflect the overall sound of The Smiths, despite their respective songs' popularity. It was much more glam rock than I expected, in that sort of early Bowie way. "Cosmic Dancer" was probably my favorite track on the album.
I was pleasantly surprised. The only song of T. Rex that I was familiar with was "Bang a Gong," and I never thought it was very good. But I really liked this album. It was so much more than I expected.
I knew the name but couldn't name a song to save my life going into this album. There was definitely some "oooh so T Rex made that song. Okay" going on. All in all, this was a damn pleasant listen. Will revisit.
I remember some of these songs from my childhood and I liked everything about this album. Glam rock that's fun and approachable and sounds good today.
Timeless. Great production from Tony Visconti.
there is just something about T. Rex's sound that is so fucking cool, man. like this shit just oozes cool. i can't explain it. this was my first time listening to this album in full and i enjoyed it! i think overall, i prefer 'the slider' because i think the sound is more fleshed out and the crop of songs is stronger, but this one is still a fun time.
Never listened to. Expecting zeppelin style rock from the album cover. Feel like it would have inspired slash. Let's get listening. Live thoughts: Opening song is a lot more lofi than I expected. Feels like middle of the road black keys. Love the Ozzie Osborne sounding yahhhhhh ahhhh in the background Cosmic dancer, didn't expect to hear strings on this album. David Bowie space oddity style? But this time about dancing from the cradle to the grave. Jeepster. There's the 70s rock I came to expect. I really dig the guitar tone on this one. Boogie down. And it's ending how I'd expect it with a big ol woahhhhhh. Monolith. Will it meet expectations to it's name? Starting off slow with a steady beat. This albums got gospel tones almost at times. Can see Beatles and Floyd inspo. Also can see it going on to inspire bands like Jesus and Mary chain with these slower rhythms. Oh yeah I can start to see peppers of glam inspo in this. The guitars aren't glam but the vocals have that basis where it's sorta whiney but cheeky too. Lean woman blues. Sometimes you just need a funky blues bass line that goes for a walk. B.B king, muddy waters. This song would be gigantic live I reckon. Ahh got it, white stripes ball and biscuit if it has a bass to back it up. Get it on. Okay I know this song. This was used in an ad for something like a decade ago. This is an absolute tune and a half. The epitome of coolness. The addition of a brass section is also welcome. I love how the guitar isn't doing anything too fancy staying in it's lane but keeps you jiving on your toes. Lonely boy style from the black keys. Planet queen. Intermission thoughts, I can see why this is loved by many after giving a quick Google. It's not trying to be too flashy with crunchy guitar solos and in your face attitude. But in saying that, it just oozes that mesmerizing tempo on each song. Some songs could be trimmed down a bit but they're very transcending. Okay I gotta get off the train. But I'll definitely continue to listen to this album. Recommended for sure. 4/5
Like a bit of T.Rex, never listened to a whole album. Quite liked it.
Very cool guitar work, sort of mellow rockin' stoner music.
Like it, nice feel to it, but don't love it
je connaissais deja un peu l'album. de très bons sons et une bonne ambiance meme si j'aime pas tous les sons
Отчасти конечно тут можно завести шарманку, что на самом деле больше исторически и контекстуально важны лайвы и образы. Но музло вполне себе такое зажигательное. Буги-вуши, рок-н-рольчик, только теперь приправленый бэк-вокалом и блёстками. p.s. Егор поставил один, потому что здесь не было главных синглов. А они такииие пиздатые... просто почему-то он решил не издавать их на пластинках в принципе.
I freaking love this album. Its an all time classic.
bang a gong, get it on
Oddly cozy, despite the name.
Pretty stellar glam rock album. Has a few lulls but the hits are great. I'd rate it between a 4 and 5 but will round down here
Good stuff.
Bangers and vibes
Wall to wall catchy
Solid 70's rock! nice!
Never listened to the whole album before. Really fun, cool glam rock. Not my usual thing, but loved it. 4.5 🌟
What a treat ! I loved the hits, took me back to school discos. He was a lovely man and I remember where I was when I heard he’d died, way too soon. 4* for those rocking disco classics
Excellent early hard rock album
Sexy, entertaining, all very listenable and great guitar.
Solid album. One real famous song in there but other than that just good solid tunes.
Surely the best of that genre.
A timeless classic, it sounds as fresh as the first time I heard the singles in the 1970s, unlike other 'Glam-Rock' acts of the same era. I mean who could listen to the Bay City Rollers nowadays without cringing? I love Bolan's guitar style, it's surprising how influential he was. Shame he drove into a tree. A low 4.
Beautiful album, full of 70s pop and blues. Voice of a naughty angel. Immerse yourself
Definitely some good songs, but not my favorite type of 70s music
Fantastic, no notes. I'd only heard "Get It On" before and will be listening to more T. Rex discography for sure.
People call The Smiths a singles band, but T. Rex is both their forebear and superior in every regard. Almost every great T. Rex song is a single without an album. But Electric Warrior represents the rare convergence of their more cohesive albums and their pop chops, and it's their best record for it.
More focused than The Slider and with better songs. On this listen I get why Nick Cave loves "Cosmic Dancer" so much.
I liked this a bit better than the other T. Rex album. Mambo sun and Jeepster have almost southern rock-ish, dirty boogie grooves. I've always loved the guitar tones on Bang a Gong, but it's clear it pervades this whole album. His voice keeps reminding me of Bowie and Ty Segall. Rip Off is a fun closer, percussion and drums, strings and sax playing the same melody lines.
Solid 70s rock with a bit of that 50s swing to it. Has some hits that I recognized. 7/10
Marc Bolan and the boys. This one was my favorite of their releases. I wasn't a big fan back then, didn't dislike them, I just got distracted by other acts. 4 stars.
Great album, had a fun time listening. Not all of them are super memorable, but I feel like the general bar of quality is quite high. Unfortunately nothing on this album tops 20th Century Boy, but Bang a Gong is a legendary tune. Album cover is pretty sweet, and with the album title they have created a super solid rock n roll vibe.
Electric Warrior is a brilliantly tight and well-executed album, so much so that I can't really believe it was just their second record and that Marc Bolan was 23 when he was putting it together. Every song has a tight composition that delivers a groove and a vibe and a proper distinct sound; you know very quickly when you're listening to T-Rex and this is the album that defined that. No bad songs, a couple of quality ones (Mambo Sun, Monolith), and an all-timer in Get It On. Give it an easy 4 and enjoy.
Yeah, this is really good. Could maybe do with a bit more oomph - Get It On has that in spades, and it's by far the best track on the album - but it's still a great listen, a unique sound and voice and it works really well. 4/5.
I've always got to give credit to the creators of glam rock, as while some of my favorite bands and singers, such as Sparks and David Bowie, would still exist, they would not be the same without Marc Bolan and co.'s influence, and show how good they are making one of the best record's in the genre very early into its lifetime. However, I do think some flaws with the album peek their head in as the album can feel sort of repetitive, and I think it tends to be too mellow, never really exploding into something that forces you to listen like most glam albums. Its sensual, but never makes its move, y'know? This is still a great time though, its smooth, Bolan's voice is fantastic, and there are some certifiably amazing songs in this one record to make it a worthwhile listen.
Chill 70s guitars, cool for cleaning, just hanging, road trip
I knew bits and pieces of T Rex - my Spanish teacher at school used to sing Debora all the time - but this is my first full listen of any album. It’s good stuff. ‘Life’s a Gas’ is so good - I wish it was longer. I think it needs a bit more variety and one BIG hit to be a 5/5 though. 4/5
Comparisons to David Bowie and Ziggy Stardust will inevitably be made, and true, Ziggy is a slicker and more grandiose record, but ‘Electric Warrior’ still more than holds its own against it in contrast, considering it predates Ziggy by a year as the first Glam Rock record proper. It’s a more straight-ahead rock record but it chugs along with relentless rhythm and groove, and before you know it, it’s gotten under your skin and you’re bopping along. This was a lot of fun.
Engelsk 70’er glam rock, lidt poppet, get it on
This band had such a cool, unique sound and the songs are clever and well-written.
Didn't know t.rex made get it on
Ive always loved this album. Every song is catchy. Will be checking out their other albums.
hard to believe this came out a year before the Dolly Parton record we just listened to. this is it for punk and glam all rolled into one.
Heck yeah. Mambo Sun has a special place.
A classic, not bad.
Excellent, I've heard of T Rex but never listened before for this was a good introduction.
Loved this but it’s not quite up there for a 5 I think. Didn’t quite realise how influential he was
Solidly enduring sound, doesn't sound dated. Enjoyable and lots of music I'd never heard before
Like this one. Saved a few to listen again.
Thank you for a break from the noise experiments.
Generous 4 maybe, love how slinky this is
Great Record! Bang a Gong
Very good. Particularly enjoyed the second side. Half and half in terms of familiarity, so it was good to hear it afresh
Sounds huge !
Another very good album that at times rocked, rolled, grooved, rumbled, and blues-ed out. Bolan has a very unique voice, and at times when very emotive feels like he carries the whole room. Favorite tracks: Jeepster, Lean Woman Blues, Bang a Gong (Get It On), The Motivator, Rip Off.
The highs are very high and the rest is decent but I don't have the reverence for this that others do. Honestly struggling to write anything about the album, it left a very little impression on me besides thinking, That was pretty good. Maybe I'll try it again in the future, but at least I got a few new songs for my playlist. 16/01/24
Loved it.
Great album all the way through, added these guys to my Beatles station
Loved the music.
This album is great. Some really amazing tracks, I can totally hear how this influenced artists like Bowie. I’d give it a full 5-stars if I thought all the songs were knock your socks off level
Strong Beatles vibes on Cosmic Dancer. That's pretty cool and one of the first times I've seen a real direct influence that would be relatively contemporary Have definitely heard Get It On before. Not sure I would have guessed this was British rock. Bass line and rhythm riff feel like southern rock to an extent. There's an undertone of Zeppelin here. I'd be interested to know if the prior Tyrannosaurs Rex albums were closer to Zeppelin. Wiki says they were more folky prior to this album.
Classic album for the time period
this website really seems to like showing me glam often, not that i mind! it's really interesting hearing true glam; to an outsider i feel like the genre makes people think of shit like twisted sister... when really the actual style of the genre is much more... artistic, diverse, gritty and brash. this album is smooth and bumpy at the same time, some really good rock tracks that i feel like a lot of people, especially newcomers would enjoy if they took some time to themselves. nothing too complicated, nothing too confusing... just juicy, fuzzy, invigorating rockkkkkk.
An oldy but a goody. Although I am realising that I am less of a rock person than I used to be when I was younger...
I learned that I should listen to more T. Rex! really fun album!
Surprisingly solid 70s rock album.
Great sound with some classic hits.
Track 5 - Old time favorite. Get it on…
My foot never stopped tapping the whole way through. Marc Bolan's untimely passing robbed the world of so much great music.
Cool album with lots of funky beats to spare
Bonkers lyrics, choogling guitar, a sprinkling of glitter - what's not to love? The album where Tyrannosaurus Rex goes electric, becomes T. Rex and which brings a clutch of top notch pop-rock LPs, dominating the charts for a couple of years with some stellar singles.
Love me some T. Rex, though I prefer The Slider to this one. This one is pretty great as well. That song Lean Love is kinda lame though, wanky 12 bar blues. It doesn’t live up to the material around it.
I got into this album in the early 2000s, but haven’t listened since. I very much enjoyed this relisten, but this album drops off in quality after Get It On. There are some overall flaws, and some of the lyrics are repetitive. But overall, a lot of fun and I loved the guitars.
250226 18:04 4
Honestly we need half stars. 3.5 is legit. Fun record that launched a thousand glam rockers. Pretty great even if I never need nor want to hear Bang A Gong again. It's a nice day-starter this morning, hadn't put in on in a minute.....
Good glam rock
A great blast of Glam, it's the simplicity that makes this album groove. And combining the upbeat songs with some very reflective lyrics. Life's A Gas was a highlight for me on this album, about not dwelling on missed opportunities but embracing life’s joys and celebrating the beauty that it has to offer.
Incredibly I had never heard this album. Everyone has heard the classic Bang A Gong track, but the rest was a mystery. Sonically it’s pretty interesting considering when it was recorded. I’m not so sure the songwriting overall stands up a well as I would have hoped. But still, pretty solid.
I'd never heard that album before or even know that Bang a Gong (get it on) was from a band call T-Rex. That was a really cool album, very funky and rock forward. Would listen to that again for sure!
Liked it a lot. Sounds kinda like bowie, looks to have influenced ratatat based on the album cover, only knew get it on before this.
Get it on - i know that one!
rock lable is not appropriate
продолжаю нюхать классику. сегодня у меня культовый альбом 70х. на удивление мне очень зашло, приятная поп музыка с роцком и даже с фолком в начале альбома. фолк рок корни тирекс всё таки ощущаются в этом релизе, и это придаёт ему какой то особый шарм. не поклонник текстов Марка Болана, но голос у него что надо, он очень грамотно играет вокалом и прекрасно чувствует инструментал, а музыка тут довольно разнообразная. от альбома с таким названием ждешь яркого дерзкого глэм рока, а тут чисто медитативный +вайб. вообщем очень понравилось, наверное буду включать на фоне во время работы время от времени. фаворитов сложно выделить, опять же, мне зашла большая часть альбома. короче балдёж оценка - 8/10
I love this album. Unique sound. Great songs. And so timeless. Last night while listening I asked my daughter, who is an amateur musician like the rest of us, to guess when the album came out. "2000s? 1980s? Is it new? Not the 90s." Like Roxy Music, the NY Dolls, and Velvet Underground, it's such a unique sound that it would have worked (and wouldn't have been popular) at any time in the last 60 years.
bomb ass album. fav song is definitely mambo sun. added it to my playlist right away. it was nice to hear some 70s rock that i didn't know.
Very good
Truly excellent in every way. Nothing to complain about from a songwriting, performance, or production level. It’s all very good and I like it a lot. I just don’t have much of an emotional reaction to it, which is why I can’t go all the way with my score. 4/5
From the first note of Mambo Sun you knew this album was going to be great. Would have given it 5 stars if I was high when I listened.
Pretty good
Exactly what you'd expect.
Liked it
A pleasant listen, compared to to the few other recent titles from this list. Much more gentle than I expected
Okay, turns out I like T.Rex! Somehow I missed that they wrote "Cosmic dancer".
Solid work.
Play TRex and people get up and dance
Need to delve deeper into the T Rex discography! I dig the vibe.
Pleasantly surprised at how much im loving this! Grungy and rockin and fun! Getit onnnnnnnnn woohoo! ok they really wrote a song where most of the lyrics are doodoodoo woodland rock sounds quite different from the rest with a swing vibe
Glam rock but had enough pop and folk sound to be a really enjoyable album. Beyond the catchy hit "Get It On", "Mambo Sun" and "Hot Love" are great.
Kinda nice
I liked most of the songs. They sound like classic rock and don’t really disappoint. I found some of them much better than others. I feel the way about this as how I remember classic rock when I was a kid — some bands had a good sound and nothing about it was bad but some songs were hits. It was interesting to hear some of the good to great sounds and recognize them from other places which I think speaks to the influence of this and how easily good the album is.
Loved it sm!! psychedelic indie rock vibes, each song brought something new and fresh :)) will be returning to T Rex and looking for their vinyls secondhand! Faves were definitely Mambo Sun and Get it on, Cosmic Dancer was a sleeper build but unexpectedly loved it cause of the lyrics and my own self-discovery through dancing
erg goed, kende er een paar erg goed. Rest was ook allemaal beetje die classic rock. Ga er erg goed op
Psychedelic stuff really isn’t for me but the album is solid.
Blind album, know the artist and the hit from this album. Thought it was really good! Had some great gems sprinkled throughout and see how the band influenced many others and established Glam rock
Nice 60s/70s rock. Gives me Beatles vibes, which is never wrong!
Enjoyed that album, pretty cool and appealing. My favorites in no order are: The King Of The Mountain Cometh Get It On Cosmic Dancer 4.2
4.5 was a nice albumg with good songs,
Einige gute Songs, die schnell ins Ohr gehen. 7.1/10
Know some of the songs but not the entire album. Enjoyed it.
Surprisingly enjoyable! The songwriting is nearly immaculate and this is really elevated 70s glam.
First time listen besides the single “Bang A Gong”, which isn’t my favorite song. The album was a pleasant surprise. The album has a good mix of ‘70s rock sounds. It felt like Bowie lite at times.
Knew a song from this. It's not bad 70s glam rock.
3.5
get it on is a classic banger vibes are great
Good to have on as background music. Low-key, good beats
Influential.
0/0 You
Put on the lipstick and eye shadow. Hold your guitar for me, right out there in front of you.
I really didn’t know any T. Rex besides the big hit off this album. I actually liked a lot of the other songs. They’ve got a great style that speak to their early 70s setting. Another standout song for me was “The Motivator” possibly because it was similar to “Get it on (bang a gong).” Speaking of which, it’s still the standout track, but I’m not sure if that’s because I know it well, or because it’s actually better.
First time I've listened to T Rex past Bang a Gong and 20th Century Boy. Pleasantly surprised at how easy this album is to listen to. A mix of chill, psachadelic tunes with the occasional fusion of funk. Almost like a more striped down David Bowie.
Not my personal taste but I do see why it's appealing. Groovy melody and interesting vocals. 4/5
3 for actual quality, 4 for personal enjoyment. It grew on me.
Classic rock
Bang a gong? Wtf?!!!
Love love love. Always think I'm listening to Bowie but an album I love either way. Always fun. 4? 4.25?
It was a pretty good album and one I am glad to have listened to. I probably wouldn't put it on again, but I'd be glad to hear it if it were playing somewhere.
Well lets try this thing.... gonna just write down the songs that catch my attention the first time around. Mambo Sun Monolith (this one is weird but pretty) Get It On is iconic Hot Love Woodland Rock (ISTG I've heard a song identical to this but I'm sure its not this one) I feel like so many of these songs sound the same oh wait shit some of these songs are in here twice
The poster that came with the album was on the wall for some time. A super fine collections of songs many of which stand up today, some down to familiarity. Plenty of positive and bouncy tunes elevated by the clever well crafted production.
This must have sounded pretty extraordinary when it came out. Still sounds good today.
Didn’t realize I knew a couple of these songs. Groovy dude
Another one I haven't encountered before, but this was a really cool album! It starts off with - in my opinion - the albums best song 'Mambo Sun', and just keeps going with cool songs. When I got to 'Get It On' the coin finally fell down since that is quite a well known song. The singer had a quite unique style, but it fitted very well with the songs. I think in general most songs were just very good, which doesn't happen very often when I come across an "ordinary" rock album. Hats off to this!
There is just something so fun and upbeat with T.Rex, it's just a joy to listen to. There are plenty of good tracks on here "Mambo Sun", "Cosmic Sun" "Jeepster" and "Get it On" to name a few. Qirky, upbeat and interesting without being pretentious. I only miss "20th Centuary Boy" on this album to make it my one stop all T.Rex album.
The entire albums feels as though it as sung at 3am in all it's glory. I feel as thogh i could listen to this album lying in the dark doing nothing, and my mind would never drift. Overall a very solid melow rock album
Yet again T. Rex surprises me with how great it is. Just a fun vibe and sound over the whole album . 4/5
quite nice, a taste of fresh stuff from some time ago
Mambo Sun is a very call yet soothing vibe. 4/5 Cosmic dancer had amazing vocals in the background and the guitar reminded me of exactly the 70s. 4.5/10 Jeepster was alright but the lyrics for me didn’t really resonate. 3/5 Monolith intro reverberated into my soul. The guitar throughout as well as the lyrics. 5/5 Lean Woman Blues was good at capturing the feel of the blues yet with a more rock style that fit the 70s. 3.5/5 Get it on perfectly encapsulates what the rock and upbeat feel of a country drive. 4.5/5 Planet Queen felt very rhythmic and smooth while also having a nice higher voice and showing off the range. 3.5/5 Girl takes on the slower side and sadder side of the album comparative to the rock side. The guitar in the background makes it. 4/5 The Motivator held good vocals and better guitar, especially the mini solo. 4/5 Life’s A Gas was a lot slower than I thought it’d be for the name. 3.5/5 Rip Off felt slightly repetitive coming back to the song title over and over I’ll be frank. 2.5/5 Hot Love - A Side reminded me of the more upbeat songs from this time. An ode to a girl yet catchy and slightly repetitive but not annoyingly. 3.5/5 Woodland Rock - B Side reminds me of much older times, such as older rock and the 50s and Elvis. Not expected in this album. 3/5 The King of The Mountain Cometh - B Side had a good part it kept coming back to that was an incredibly vibe to come back to over and over and the feel of the song felt like you were pushing in and waning back with each sentence. 5/5
Overall a good album, but I never knew they played "Bang a Gong (Get it On)"
In many ways this album reminds me of a love child between Bowie and Lou Reed or Iggy Pop. There is an effortless feel that the latter engender mixed with some of the eccentricities and strong song-writing / composition of the former. Early standout is Cosmic Dancer, which is a such a pretty song with the string flourishes accompanying wistful lyrics and a tight drum progression. Monolith is another that features layering of choral vocals around some slithering guitar and a slow RnR. Bang a Gong is the one that everyone knows and its obvious why. This song is a low-key jam. Fuzzy bass tone with smoky vocals and a chorus everyone can hang onto. Such an effortlessly cool song. This was a lot stronger album than I ever would have expected. I mean Bang a Gong is a cool song, but I did not expect T. Rex to show as much depth across a whole LP. I will definitely come back to this one at some point. 4 / 5
2 songs in and I love it. Cosmic Dancer specifically rocks. Definitely heard this recently on a Bowie documentary (which makes sense given the significance of this album to Glam Rock). Had to make sure Apple Music was working correctly with Jeepster. Just started and ended choppy. I'm sure it was an artistic decision but meh. Next two songs are good but nothing special. I have heard Bang a Gong a shit ton of times in my life and don't think I ever knew the name or band. Jam of a song. The sax is awesome. Planet Queen is also a jam. Love the fuzzzzz on Life's a Gas. Was boppin to Rip Off. Very solid album I had never heard of. I'll be back for more Cosmic Dancer.
C'était cool, excellent glam rock.
Yeah good album. Didn't love any of it, but liked pretty much all of it. Fav track: Life's a Gas 3.5
I've been looking forward to this album for a while, and not just because it has a fucking iconic album cover. I've been surprised by how much I enjoy glam music. I'd always thought of it as being superficial in nature before I'd actually listened to it. However, I've really enjoyed the glam that I've gotten on this list, especially the 70s stuff. This album is no exception. It's more mellow than I thought it would be, but it's good throughout. The production is excellent. It really lets you hear the little details of the album. It feels very intimate. The vocal harmonies are a nice touch, though Marc Bolan's vocals always steal the show. It's really interesting that they were a folk band previously. You can definitely hear that influence on the album 4/5
har fått sansen får denna t.rexen i da sista
*Get It On* is the typically "oh that's who sings that song" song, but I'm really feeling *Monolith.* 19 September 2023
T. Rex were a bit on the whimsical side for me, but can't deny this is a great album. Favourite: Planet Queen.
Yeah, great. Such a distinctive sound. MB was a great pop star, and the songs are good.
slay
Lots of good tunes here!
Good album, just some nice bread and butter songs. Sounds amazing and loved the background vocals. But nothing really mind blowing, just some good music. 7/10
Very good
Another favorite album of mine. Another one where I wish half stars could be rewarded because it’s just shy of a 5.
I started off thinking I wasn’t going to like this. The lead singer’s voice was grating and I found it very annoying. For reasons I can’t explain, though, this band grew on me as I listened more. Now, I really think I’m going to listen to this one some more.
Production really holds up! Very glam. Catchy, cool, and iconic. Cosmic Dancer is the biggest surprise to me... really nice song. A lot of similar sounds going on, but it is super solid. 4/5
Delightful.
Classic
Mambo Sun // Cosmic Dancer // Jeepster // Monolith // Get It On // The Motivator // 4-4.5/5
Feels a little like early glam...
Big fan of trex and Bolan for that matter. This is an all timer for me, but I'd like to address some negative reviews. This is trexs most pop-y album. It seems like the payoff IS missing from some of these tracks. I feel mark played ot safe here and got what he wanted. Earlier tracks are less polished and more heartfelt
Fun album
First listen to a John solo album, and he maintains the great quality.
Not bad, didn't really pop for me but easy to listen to
A funky rocky jam session.
Didn't realise there were so many stone cold classics on this. Great album
Distinct sound
Fíla þetta glam rokk.
Super buena guitarra 8/10
Ate
hmmmm idk, love it or no
Hårdrock. Över förväntan. Några bra låtar som jag skulle kunna lyssna på.
Groovy, funky, psych rock. Enjoyed it
You can feel some Beatles influence, but also hear the contributions he made to David Bowie and Sweet among others.
Dunno what made me really like this album. The charisma, probably. And the great melodies. And instrumentation. Damn, it just does lot really well.
Chill
favs - there was a time / raw ramp / electric boogie - mambo sun - monolith - planet queen - life's a gas - woodland rock
This is a good album full of good songs, all of which are outshone by Cosmic Dancer, which is excellent. But the rest is still good. Best songs: Cosmic Dancer Worst song: Rip It Off
The album starts out very laid-back with Mambo Sun. Cosmic Dancer reminds me of Bowie. Reminds me of Five Years from Ziggy Stardust. Not the biggest on Jeepster, doesn’t appeal to me. Monolith was better. Lean Woman was vibey. Loving Bang a Gong. Planet Queen is even better. Girl even BETTER? Loving the acoustic tracks on this. Ironic considering the name of the album. The Motivator is nice, so is Life’s A Gas. Rip Off is an alright album closer. I liked the album overall.
Me gusta el estilo y el nombre T rex
Enjoyed listening to this album. Went by fast. Had hints of The Beatles about them, though Get It On was fun to relisten to after a while!
Nice consistent album, with no particular weak songs. Bluesy, with a lot of backing vocals and strings. The guitar and drum fills keeps the songs interesting. The vocals doesn’t do much for me, though. I haven’t found a glam rock album that I really love yet. Maybe it just takes some getting use to.
A pretty good record. Lots of great songs filled with great guitar riffs and vocal performance from Marc Bolan. Honestly don't really have much to say except this record was a very pleasent listen. favourite tracks: Cosmic Driver, Jeepster, Lean Woman Blues, Get It On and Planet Queen. Lest favourite tracks: Mambo Sun and Life's A Gas, didn't really enjoy them.
Such a cool funky album. I love this one, even upon first listen years ago! The songs feel like jams but work very well! 8,5 out of 10
Intersring. Worth rehearing
The movie Longlegs opens with a title card with the lyrics "You're dirty and sweet, oh yeah Well, you're slim and you're weak You've got the teeth of the hydra upon you You're dirty, sweet and you're my girl" from Bang a Gong (Get It On) off of this album. Not really sure what it had to do with the movie other than part of the movie taking place in the 70's but neverthless, Longlegs is now one of my favorite horror movies. This album on the other hand is also really quite good! It really exemplifies what I love about 70's rock n roll. It never becomes too much. It never outstays its welcome. Really well produced and everyone in the band is clearly playing at top form. It's not anything I've never heard out of 70's rock but it's well done. I don't think it's aged as well as some of their contemporaries like Bowie but that may be partially due to their frontman's death. They may not have had the chance to really take off yet. Anyway, I remember this album selling a lot and I always meant to listen to it. I'm glad I did! 4
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Mambo sun, Cosmic dancer, Get it on
unsurprisingly i liked this a lot
Surprise. I really enjoyed every bit of this, despite my lack of love for Brit pop/rock.
This was a really solid album! I totally understand why these guys are known for "Get It On", but so much of the rest of their music falls into obscurity, which is too bad. You can tell that this album is a pioneering album among glam rock. It has all of those essential elements, and yet there's still a psychedelic crunchiness to this; it exists somewhere between David Bowie and The Beatles -- the straddling of two decades of sound. I never would have guessed T. Rex to be pioneers in this space, or that this wasn't their original sound. Super enjoyable! 3.5
Enjoyable listen, and some classic tracks and guitar work.
Galm rock pretty much perfected. Really need more time with it.
I love this album. For some reason, on Apple Music, the song 'Jeepster' is not available which is a crime. What is Electric Warrior without Jeepster? Anyway - love it.
Exhibits A and B: "You're built like a car / You got a hubcap diamond star halo" ...and... "Just like a car you're pleasing to behold / I'll call you Jaguar if I may be so bold" ...pretty much sum this album up. Those lyrics are at once wonderful, stupid and nonsensical. It's pure blarney, but of the most addictive kind. And the music? Glam rock, yes, but glancing over its shoulder to the bongo'd-out sounds of Donovan and his ilk. There's a lazy, strolling feel to these songs - the biggies have it, but so does album fodder like 'Planet Queen' and 'Life's a Gas'. Do you like Marc Bolan's elfin bleat? I've lived with this music for a while and find it just another weird facet in this idiosyncratic collection of wigged-out star-bops. Just the ticket.
Really great considering where rock was at when they wrote it
One of my college favorites and first vinyl purchases. T. Rex is completely underrated in the grand story of rock legends, but I still love Marc Bolan’s ability to move across genres and styles seamlessly. This album holds up, even if gets kind of stale after 6 or 7 tracks.
Classic album, a bit generic, but Bang a Gong gets it up to 4 stars by itself
groovyy i just wish there was more of an overarching concept
4/5 I liked T. Rex last time the band popped up, and I liked them this time too! This band sounds like what I imagine when I think "Rock Band." The music is so smooth, and listenable. I really like the singer's voice. Overall just a really good experience.
My first
Fucking excellent
Não conhecia a banda mas com certeza ja escutado algumas das músicas do álbum, excelente trabalho, guitarra e vocais distintos com músicas que misturam estilos.
A fun, sometimes laidback, listen
Solid classic rock album, with a bit of David Bowie glam, Rolling Stones driving blues, and Hendrix guitar licks. The singing isn’t my favorite and there are some throw away tracks, but it’s overall not bad
Never listened to T.rex before, obviously recognised get it on. Really enjoyed this one, such a cool vibe and for 1971 it’s very impressive, Marc Bolans voice is so cool and uses it really well.
ganz chillig
Not bad...chill 70s vibe
Really fun album. I’ve never listened to any of these songs other than the two hits.
Part of what I like about T.Rex is it's all so economical - there are no wasted notes or superfluous parts. On paper these songs should be bog-standard, basic rock 'n' roll tunes, but between Marc Bolan's breezy vocals, the punchy production, some simple but impactful chord changes and some well deployed strings and horns, they're transformed into something a bit magical. Effortless cool and swagger.
Great album lots of fun!
8/10
7/10. Pretty good. Reminded me of Ziggy Stardust in parts, but not nearly as good overall.
A bit better than The Slider since I like Bang a Gong and Mambo Sun. 7/10
Really like this album. New to me.
Okay, so this was miles better than The Slider on basically all parameters. It still feels slightly like generic late 60s/early 70s psych/glam rock, but the songwriting is solid. 'Mambo Sun' kicks it all of with a pulsating rhythm that is groovy as hell, and 'Cosmic Dancer' is a great tune. Of course, 'Get It On' is a stone cold classic. It sounds formulaic but mainly because it somewhat defined the formula.
Great album. Grabs your attention and doesn't let go.
Not very familiar with this band, but I really like the sound and vibe on this album. Great, easy listening rock music!
Kende deze band alleen qua naam, maar zitten wat nummers bij die eigenlijk wel heel bekend zijn. Klinkt modern voor zijn tijd
Love the glam rock - it's a fun listen & Bang a Gong bangs! Very listenable, lots of attitude, love it!
Never heard of T. Rex before but definitely have heard Get It On. I can see why this album is influential. It has a really cool sound. Have to listen more to really get the lyrics and themes.
4.5
J’aime beaucoup T. Rex, mais ce n’est pas mon album préféré. Par contre, la chanson Cosmic Dancer est pratiquement un chef-d’œuvre
As one of the most representative acts of the glam rock, T Rex is a charming band and this album is an example of that. I don’t know if it’s the voice delivery or song structures, but each track on the album is special. Even those that use the typical blues formula sound renovated, fresh. Cosmic dancer is one of the songs I would like to be played at my funeral.
Very pleasing and exciting at the same time, Bolan's smooth vocals and the warm overdriven guitar just sound beautiful together, and the tunes are very good.
felt like a rising dancing sun! joyous, 7/10
As someone who isn't typically a fan of psychedelic rock I was pleasantly surprised by this album and will definitely be checking out more T. Rex because this album absolutely slaps. Best tracks: Jeepster, Lean Woman Blues, Girl, Motivator, and Rip Off.
Help
Good album.
Highlight: Get It On