The Slider by T. Rex

The Slider

T. Rex

3.28
Rating
21031
Votes
1
3%
2
15%
3
43%
4
29%
5
10%
Distribution

Album Summary

The Slider is a 1972 album by Marc Bolan's band T. Rex, the seventh since their debut as Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1968, and the third under the name T. Rex. It was released on 21 July by record labels EMI and Reprise. Two singles, "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru", were released to promote the album. The Slider received acclaim from critics, and reached number 4 in the UK charts and number 17 in the US.

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Length: All Short Long
Apr 10 2021 Author
5
4.7 - Have loved Cosmic Warrior since I first heard it and love this one maybe even more. Wonderful glam rock, which I love, without the more do-woppy elements of CW that I don't prefer. On initial listen, I'm hearing no weak moments. Just an upbeat, fun and stylish record from beginning to end. Lush orchestrations, shimmery guitar, solid fills and solos, sexy sneering attitude.
May 27 2021 Author
5
Heard this more times than the national anthem. This album feels like a close friend. Every track is energetic, catchy, and GREAT.
Mar 19 2021 Author
4
Always here about t-rex in reference to Bowie. I can see why. Feels very fresh from track one. Real classics jump right out at you, and this one does. I have yet to know a song, but they all feel familiar. It's very obvious how this influenced decades of pop and rock.
Nov 30 2021 Author
5
Totally unfamiliar with this band. Album extremely listenable. I’m really impressed with this. Like the Kansas City reference in Baby Boomerang.
Jan 12 2023 Author
5
Marc Bolan could have rivalled David Bowie in creativity and spark. He did at this stage and this album proves it. Shame he didn't keep up the momentum and his life was tragically cut short before any chance of a second act. Solid album filled with glam stompers and cosmic jams
Jan 07 2023 Author
5
There isn’t a noticeable difference in approach between this record and Electric Warrior. In some respects, the tongue-in-cheek innuendo and downright silliness are amped up a bit (with track titles like “Baby Boomerang” and “Chariot Choogle” it’s clear Mark Bolan doesn’t take himself too seriously). Only someone as charismatic and unique as Bolan could pull off those eccentricities without falling into parody. He achieves the delicate art of making glam rock a legitimate vehicle for chart success without compromising the music. That’s because these songs are simply so outstanding that they cannot be ignored. Behind the playful facade, there’s a top quality songwriter. Tony Visconti’s production is fleshed out a lot more on this record and it makes nearly every one of these tracks a winner. Although it spawned two chart hits in “Metal Guru” and “Telegram Sam”, album cuts like “Buick McKane” could easily have landed him on Top of the Pops. That’s how good this record is. Highly influential from an utterly singular character in the history of pop music.
Jun 21 2022 Author
3
Individually I like a lot of this. As an album it drags and meanders too much for me.
Jan 18 2022 Author
5
T Rex is consistently good throughout Bolan's all too brief career. This is easily my second favorite T Rex album, just a smidgen behind "Electric Warrior." Every song is so enjoyable and they all mesh well together. He makes rock and roll sound so fun and inviting. Doesn't take itself too seriously but at the same time feels very genuine and heartfelt. Lighthearted perhaps, but by no means "lightweight." The songs still manage to resonate emotionally without getting too down or sorry for themselves; something people tend to equate with "serious" music. "The Slider," by contrast, is a nimble celebration of life and is a joy to listen to in that regard. I think it's an absolutely valid take, which is often overlooked artistically for some reason. I guess most people, or perhaps critics, would rather stew in their own heartache and misery? Not me, give me T Rex any day.
Sep 19 2021 Author
5
This is such a fun album, a favorite from one of my favorite bands. The Slider probably is the quintessential expression of Marc Bolan's vision as an artist. This is his moment musically, and he would never quite capture it again. The sound of the album is distinctive, full of great, glammy, hooky songs. It’s good old fashioned sexpot rock and roll embellished with the loveliest string arrangements and some killer guitars. T. Rex has a true pop sensibility while also being unabashedly strange, building on Bolan's origins in psychedelic music. The band moves effortlessly from ethereal to full on rocker mode. They've got songs that pull at your heartstrings and songs you want to crank the volume on and just rock out to. You can hear all the little tendrils that grew out of this music and ended up seeding everything that came after it for many years, from heavy metal to post punk and indie. As a front man, Bolan is confident, puckish and sexy, but he’s also unafraid to show his vulnerability. His vocal delivery is all at once quirky, heartfelt and expressive. The lyrics run the gambit from fanciful to achingly sad and are best enjoyed if you don't over analyze them. Fave Songs: Main Man, Telegram Sam, Ballrooms of Mars, Rabbit Fighter, Buick McCane
May 07 2021 Author
5
Beautiful rock album, sending it back almost 50 years yeeshhh
May 07 2021 Author
5
Amazing glam rock, the title track is a mellow beautiful song. Start to finish, amazing songs
Jun 01 2023 Author
2
The lead singer on this album cover looks like the lovechild of Noel Fielding and Slash (of Guns & Roses) cosplaying as Willy Wonka
Jul 16 2021 Author
2
Mysticism and pop can be a perfectly fine combination. Sometimes a perfect one. But it can quickly turn turgid if the artist gets dumb about transcendence being antithetical to pop. Suddenly, they think tempo, vibrancy, structure and precision are the enemy. Weird, huh? I mean, two years previous to The Slider, Moondance proved for a whole album that there's little more spiritually elevating than perfect songform. Not that Bolan doesn't get it right some of the time here. Metal Guru and Telegram Sam for example. Some more than fleeting moments elsewhere. But then he reveals himself as the easily distracted type, quick to get his head turned by all the 60s psychedelia signified by that silly hat. If he was alive today, he'd be a shortsighted England fan, riding the wave of the Euros success one second, crying for change (probably in the shape of Jude Belligham or Jack Grealish) the next. Haranguing Southgate, the pop maestro, for exercising too much control, for trying to be too perfect, for not *letting loose*. Taking risks. Running free. All of which must leave Southgate, folder brimming with meticulously orchestrated scores tucked under his arm, utterly perplexed.
Aug 30 2024 Author
5
Sounds great 50+ years later, still immediate and exciting. So many great tunes on this, and contemporary stand-alone singles. Neck-and-neck with Bowie here, but didn't even make it to 30! Imagine a post-punk T.Rex...
Mar 28 2023 Author
5
Marc Bolan and T. Rex is like the original garage band. They make it seem like anyone can do this rock and roll thang. They make it seem fun and loud and easy. Just guitars, a look, loud amps, and chooglin’. Of course it’s not easy. As Marc Bolan’s knack for tight, playful songwriting and place as a frontman and rock visionary evidences. I prefer The Slider to 1971’s Electric Warrior, which, to me, feels more polished somehow—more nuanced in certain ways—but overall subtler. Compared to The Slider whose sheer rawness and power is unmistakeable. My favorite kind of album. Fun, loud, distorted, power-poppy rock music for getting up and doing things. The sound is infectious. Between T. Rex and Big Star, every kid with a rock n roll dream had proof that dreams really do come true.
Feb 22 2022 Author
5
I only knew T.Rex by name, never listened to it before. With that being said, I felt completely in love this album! Every track is great! Doing some research I found that T.Rex was a seminal band that had influence on a lot of other musicians. I think this album had a lot of influence on Bowie. Ballrooms Of Mars, for example, reminded me A LOT of the Ziggy Stardust era. Favorite tracks: * Buick Mackane * Metal Guru * Ballrooms Of Mars
Feb 14 2022 Author
5
This album oozes style. Sounds WAY ahead of its time; parts of this sound just like a lot of 21st century indie rock. Other parts felt very glam of course. I was charmed
Dec 13 2021 Author
5
I love me some 70s Glam Rock
Feb 18 2023 Author
4
This album continues T. Rex’s lush glam rock approach. The lyrics are occasionally psychedelic and oblique but the music itself is much more. T. Rex employs a sound that is well filled out, uses many instruments, and has a full sense of harmony. This power pop includes a lot of sounds from the Beatles but also has a wiry electric frenetic feel that pushes the genre forward. T. Rex’s influence on artists such as Bowie and Queen would be immense and the seeds of that can be heard here.
Jun 07 2022 Author
4
Comparing T. Rex to Bowie is futile because they just weren't going for the same thing. Bowie was using glam rock as a tool in a far wider musical spectrum that he had in mind. T. Rex embodied glam rock with a sense of sensuality and a grittiness akin to Iggy Pop. This guy just rocked with passion and that's precisely why I love him so much.
May 21 2022 Author
4
I've just been informed that I've been doing this little exercise for an entire calendar year now. And one of my favorite parts is when you get an unfamiliar album that's so fucking good, without any skips, that you just let Spotify take the controls and keep serving up similar music after the album ends (which is why Spotify is my preferred platform for listening to these). So I, ahem, Get It On (a song not on this album) to the sound of Old T. Rex as the album closes with the great "Main Man", and the follow up song is..."Summer In The City" by The Lovin' Spoonful? I had to assume the Spotify Algorithm was drunk, but then I got to hear the aforementioned Bang A Gong (Get It On) followed by some freaking Moody Blues, and a trippy tune called "Barabajagal" by Donovan (featuring Jeff Beck). This is a long way to say that perhaps T. Rex defies definition in some circles, and might be one reason why it took so long for Marc Bolan's band to finally get elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This one's an absolute banger that I'll likely regret not bumping up to a 5.
Sep 09 2025 Author
1
Tough album to rate. I don't think this is necessarily a bad album, but it is incredibly low-energy and forgettable. The songs amount to a single riff or two stretched over the full runtime, and all feel exactly the same. Not much positive or negative to note, just very underwhelming.
Nov 22 2025 Author
5
T. Rex never let me down. They got the pepper sauce of being the only great band to perform glam rock. The other ones are shite.
May 22 2025 Author
5
another album by t. rex, and i'll be honest, i really like this one better than the last one i heard. fuzzy, boogie-groovin' rock songs that have such ridiculous levels of sleaze, it makes me smile. it sounds like a demented, yet happy hootenanny. sex, glitter, escapism... it's a good example of glam rock at its peak, and with an album like this, it's no secret that other musicians got a big kick out of it. bowie, oasis, prince... all have got major influences from these guys.
Mar 30 2025 Author
5
The unwavering genius of Marc Bolan, supported by the sensitive production of Tony Visconti. A gigantic, dreamy record, slightly weird, always sure of itself, packed with hooks, sung with urgency, jam-packed with great sounds and fantastic songs.
Aug 30 2024 Author
5
This is a rich album, low-key brilliant and heavy. Opener aside, none of the songs called themselves out as hits over the single play-through my day afforded me; they feel too cool for that, have stick but don’t pander, a hangover record. I drank it up. The feints towards LED Zeppelin threaten to eclipse the originals, “Chariot Choogle” coming off as a Dadaist “Kashmir”.
Mar 30 2023 Author
5
Metal guru, could it be? You're gonna bring my baby to me? After the earth rattling, glitter spewing roar of Electric Warrior, Marc Bolan knew he had to keep up the pace in what was now the sped-up rat race of the glam rock world. Ziggy Stardust had made his presence felt, Roxy Music was approaching with its re-make and re-model and a endless array of flamboyant characters were soon popping up amongst the fray. What was Marc and T. Rex to do but make, in my opinion, the best album of their career? Well, simply that. While The Slider does have it's fair share of eccentric characters, they don't occupy the album's space as much as the supernova soundscape does; for Marc and the band's sheer confidence is on full display and shines so brightly that it could replace the sun in the solar system. One wouldn't have foretold the beginning of the end that was approaching and how overshadowed T. Rex would become but, for now, it was the children of the revolution taking hold and they weren't being fooled; for this was their soundtrack and mine too. For when I am sad, I slide towards this and it can get me through. A glam rock masterpiece.
Jan 11 2023 Author
5
Absolutely killer. Never had listened to T. Rex before but this is now going into regular rotation. Heavy riffs, great melodies and sing-along choruses. Def seeing the T. Rex inspiration in a lot of modern day artists like Ty Segall and Smith Westerns.
Jan 11 2023 Author
5
Loved it. Ty Segal made a career ripping this album off
Aug 17 2022 Author
5
Solid rock album start to end.
May 23 2022 Author
5
For a while there, I thought that T-Rex kept recycling three songs, which is appealing but repetitive. Then they started breaking out on the second side. Chariot Choogle is a much fun as the title suggests. Great album.
Nov 16 2021 Author
5
The Glitter Pixie at his best here. His transformation from Mod to Glitter King (Via Hippydom) was almost complete here. Lovely album stand outs of course are "Metal Guru" & "Telegram Sam" Definitely worth a listen if you have never heard of Marc Feld!
Oct 14 2021 Author
5
Great! Liked it
Jan 22 2021 Author
5
great album, added like half of the songs to my playlist
Nov 14 2024 Author
4
No. 281/1001 Metal Guru 4/5 Mystic Lady 4/5 Rock On 4/5 The Slider 4/5 Baby Boomerang 4/5 Spaceball Ricochet 4/5 Buick Mackane 3/5 Telegram Sam 4/5 Rabbit Fighter 3/5 Baby Strange 3/5 Ballrooms Of Mars 4/5 Chariot Choogle 3/5 Main Man 4/5 Average: 3,69 A lot of great songs on here. Loses a bit of steam towards the second half.
Jul 10 2024 Author
4
I was really unsure what to expect, especially after the first song was called metal guru. But this was a pleasant surprise. The guitar on some songs was pretty fire. Rabbit Fighter and Baby Strange were some of my favorite songs. Perhaps Slash have found some inspiration from this guy.
Mar 07 2024 Author
4
I own Electric Warrior and a Best of T.Rex LP, and I thought that would fulfill all of my T.Rex needs. And, truly, a best of T.Rex compilation is all that is really necessary to listen to in life, because Marc Bolan released a string of A-grade pop singles in the early 70s. I was really expecting this to be a textbook "two hit singles and filler" album. But I was surprised. I have listened to this album straight through, like, 8 times in the last few days. Don't get me wrong; the lyrics are meaningless drivel. He uses the same stream-of-consciousness, cut-up lyrics writing as Bowie, but he clearly hasn't read as many books. The words are dumb as a box of hammers, but the record sounds like a million bucks and has this strange charm to it. Bolan wasn't much of a guitar player, but as a result he keeps his riffs simple and catchy (if clumsily cribbed from various Chicago blues records). The tunes are full of hooks, heightened by the amazing backing vocals by Flo and Eddie. Tony Visconti makes sure everything sounds full and compelling, with tasteful orchestral accentuation. The whole thing has a slinky swagger that carries it all along in a fun way. (To hear how much the performances here carry the day, compare Buick Mackane to the stodgy cover by Gun 'n Roses.) Bolan's androgynous presentation can border on camp, but many of the greatest rock frontmen played in that space (Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Little Richard, even Axl Rose to an extent, and it is fun and fascinating). T.Rex hasn't really stayed in the public consciousness. Their songs turn up as needle-drops in films and TV to signal "fun 70s single, with some groove and swagger", but I don't hear a lot of their songs in other context. I feel like I need to start dropping some T.Rex into my DJ sets. There are bunch of cracking tunes on this album in addition to the two hit singles, even if they don't stick in the memory too long. Listening to this album is the equivalent to eating a Big Mac; it's fun and tasty and not particularly nutritious, but every now and then you just want one. Nothing wrong with that. Four stars for being the perfect Big Mac meal.
Nov 03 2022 Author
4
"The Slider" is the seventh album since T. Rex started as Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1968. It was recorded in France and Denmark to avoid British tax laws. It was excellently produced by Tony Visconti and that is one of the strengths of this album. Marc Bolan and T. Rex were pretty much the poster kids of early 70's glam rock which was at the height of it here. I've always liked this album...big guitars riffs, sing along choruses and the as-mentioned production. The album starts out big with the production and the second single "Metal Guru." Strings and the back-up vocals remind me of 60's pop and somewhat doo-wop. Bolan said it was about envisioning a god-head like figure without a telephone. Whatever that means. Great song. A great chunky guitar chorus and riff on "Rock On." Horns included. I think the back-up singers are actually men but they sound like females. That's pretty consistent throughout a lot of these songs and it's a strength. Bolan is broke up about a relationship and he's on the floor. A tougher guitar sound opens "The Slider." The song is slower and ominous sounding with the strings and back-up singers. Sniffling sounds. Well, he is pretty obviously singing about doing cocaine. The second side I found decidedly stronger than the first. The first single "Telegram Sam" begins it with with a classic guitar riff. Geez, I wonder why? It sounds a lot like "Get It On." No matter. Both are great songs. About a festival of life. The last three songs end this album very strongly. "Ballrooms of Mars" is a little slower, almost a ballad. Great guitar solos especially the outre with layered guitars. "Chariot Choogle" has a stomping guitar riff, great vocal chorus and backing vocals. He's turned on by a girl. Bolan randomly shouting "Yeah" is another highlight. Another great chorus in "Main Man." Acoustic guitar. This song appears very auto-biographical. An interesting way to end. I've only really listened to "The Slider" and "Electric Warrior" from T. Rex. Both of them are great and highly recommended. I don't know if I need to go any further. Maybe I will. Maybe I won't. Anyway, this one was fun.
Mar 08 2022 Author
4
I found this album actually pretty difficult to rate— like a lot of reviewers here, I noticed a lot of repetition, but something about these tracks hold a unique charm that surpasses the technical “good” of each track. I really enjoyed this album. There’s a certain sexiness, replay-value, catchiness, that I really quite like. It’s grungy, glamorous, and a lot of fun. It’s hard to believe this album is pushing 50 years old, it really has a lot of modern feel and value. Lyrically it is average with some catchy hooks, but again something about this album keeps me coming back, its compelling. 4/5
Aug 09 2021 Author
4
4, super good rock n roll.
Jul 29 2021 Author
4
I dug it!
Jun 18 2021 Author
4
I enjoyed this way more than I expected. Double-track vocaling, reverb drums, acoustic-fuzz guitar combos, all must have been a novelty at the time. Great songwriting. Great stuff.
Jun 18 2021 Author
4
Pleasantly surprised! Not a perfect album, definitely some weird tracks. But there are some bangers! Rock On, Buick something. Good stuff.
Mar 29 2021 Author
4
pretty good!!!
Feb 04 2021 Author
4
- its fun - its David Bowie
Mar 24 2021 Author
4
Oozes cool and talent
Jan 18 2021 Author
4
Really solid album start to finish.
Feb 02 2021 Author
4
pretty good. Should listen to more T.Rex!
Feb 18 2026 Author
3
Probs a nonce fairly enjoyable though
Oct 03 2025 Author
3
Thoughts before listening: 70s glam rock band led by Marc Bolan. I always enjoy their music, and I am confident this album will be no different. Review: My initial though on listening to this album was that something about this just isn't grabbing me the way the earlier T Rex album did. That being said, looking back at my previous review, I didn't love that one either. Some of the songs were great, but overall it was just okay. That's how I feel about this one as well. Marc Bolan can definitely write a good, catchy rock song, but I have not heard anything that immediately catches my attention outside of the couple of hits ("Metal Guru" and "Telegram Sam"). I gave the first T. Rex album 3-stars, and I think that's accurate for this one as well. Without changing my initial assessment, I will say that this album has gotten better on subsequent listens. Maybe its one that takes time to grow on you...which is probably why I thought I had enjoyed their first album more than my rating indicates. I'm going to stick with 3-stars, but I am enjoying this.
May 23 2025 Author
3
Cool and stylistic in sound, but the songs past that aren't really interesting in the same way as something like Transformer or Ziggy Stardust, still a fun sort of surface-quirkiness to it
May 16 2022 Author
3
The counter-movement of intellectual rock, which in turn were the antithesis of progressive rock of those years. It has a slight trash factor (6/10). FT: Rock On
Jan 30 2021 Author
3
sommige nummers waren echt bangers buick mccane was echt nice maar algemene album niet mijn ding
Apr 15 2026 Author
2
Have you ever wanted to listen to 13 different variations of ‘get it on’? Then ‘The Slider’ is the album for you! Was crying out for something other than a two chord progression with the odd horn section thrown in by the end. So little variety in the songwriting which did very little for me.
Feb 22 2021 Author
2
Not a fan. Didn’t really get what he was going for. The genre itself sounded like The Beatles’ classmates who got jealous and decided to do LSD too and see what happened. Heard some doowop elements too but just couldn’t glom onto it.
Apr 28 2026 Author
5
Not as celebrated as Electric Warrior but just as much glam fun. What a run by Bolan!
Apr 23 2026 Author
5
With its iconic album cover and a track-list defined by memorable melodies and surreal lyricism, "The Slider" is an effective blend of boogie-rock and ethereal ballads. Driven by fuzzy guitar riffs and cosmic imagery, the album feels more grandiose than its predecessor, "Electric Warrior". For many, including me, T.Rex and this record represented a formative entry point into rock music even though this was the "pop" music of its time. Lyrically, Marc Bolan’s work remains fascinating and imaginative. He possessed a particular talent for blending "street-level" rock-and-roll swagger with a specific brand of cosmic nonsense. These lyrics function as textures that complement the heavy reverb and polished production. It is this surrealist quality that prevents the album from feeling like a standard blues-rock derivative, granting T. Rex a distinct identity compared to their contemporaries. A primary example of this is 'Telegram Sam' - a track full of swagger and populated by a strange roll-call of characters. The standout track for me is 'Ballrooms of Mars' - It trades the upbeat boogie for a slower, more cinematic atmosphere that feels transportive. The lyrics are some of Bolan’s most evocative painting a picture of a strange, celestial dance floor. The track showcases Tony Visconti's production at its most atmospheric. For those looking to explore this record, the reissues and remasters featuring bonus material are highly recommended. Unlike many expanded editions, the extra tracks are all worth inclusion and listening to - specifically 'Thunderwing', which is a vital addition to the era’s output. Furthermore, while some suggest that the T. Rex discography ends here, it is worth ignoring that consensus. Subsequent albums, particularly "Tanx", contain excellent material and are well worth the time, especially when heard via the restored reissues. "One and two and bobbly-bobbly-boo-boo, yeah!" - five stars. Side A 1 "Metal Guru" (5/5) 2 "Mystic Lady" (4/5) 3 "Rock On" (4/5) 4 "The Slider" (5/5) 5 "Baby Boomerang" (5/5) 6 "Spaceball Ricochet" (5/5) 7 "Buick MacKane" (5/5) Side B 1 "Telegram Sam" (5/5) 2 "Rabbit Fighter" (4/5) 3 "Baby Strange" (5/5) 4 "Ballrooms of Mars" (5/5) 5 "Chariot Choogle" (5/5) 6 "Main Man" (4/5) Total - 61 Average - 4.69 308/1001 168/308 albums reviewed were new to me.
Apr 19 2026 Author
5
My first ever album. How could I give any less than five.
Apr 15 2026 Author
5
Opens with an absolute banger
Apr 09 2026 Author
5
Damn. Gimme more
Apr 09 2026 Author
5
i slide
Apr 01 2026 Author
5
amazingly fresh. stylish. futuristic. clairvoyant.
Mar 30 2026 Author
5
Favourite songs: Mystic Lady, The Slider, Baby Strange
Mar 27 2026 Author
5
Another incredible showing from T. Rex Crazy they were considered fuckin teenyboppers with multiple number 1 hits in the UK. They don't sound anything like I'd imagine pop music. Very rocky, and dark. That riff on "Chariot Choogle" is just nuts, so heavy and perfectly placed in the mix. "Metal Guru" is super catchy
Mar 24 2026 Author
5
Just some more of that Marc Bolan goodness. 4.5 bumped up to 5.
Mar 24 2026 Author
5
I’m at a 5. Perhaps a touch higher. I remember “Electric Warrior” as the first 5 I gave in 2025, following 2 middling albums to start the second year of this project off. I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed this one even more – this feels like an improvement to my ears, cleaning up all of the little issues I had with “Electric Warrior” (more consistent vocals, less fluff, better sense of progression, better harmony to everything) & just elevating itself higher because of it. It makes for a really good album. Marc Bolan’s approach to this album is a little less varied than it was there, but he’s tightened it up in a more consistent way whilst adding a bit more pure rock to the mix – the biggest comparison here is obviously David Bowie, but to my surprise, this album came out only a month after “Ziggy Stardust”, so I doubt it had much influence here, despite what’s likely to be a pretty similar tone & soundscape. It seems like Bowie was inspired by Bolan & not the other way around anyway, so now I’m REALLY intrigued to get to “Ziggy Stardust” down the line. Beyond the Bowie comparisons, the more direct influences here are the Beatles & Led Zeppelin, with just a touch of Buddy Holly-esque ‘50s delivery on some tracks. You can really feel all of those influences on the stretch from “Baby Boomerang” to “Telegram Sam”. Surprisingly, I can’t really tell you what any of these tracks are about. The lyricism here is stream-of-consciousness poetry, able to conjure up unique imagery in a way that sort of tells a story, but without the more direct substance that I tend to lean towards. For whatever reason, Marc Bolan’s vocal delivery & the sort of hypnotizing tone to the instrumentation sort of washed that aside – the lyricism feels like it doesn’t matter as much as a result, & while there are some great lines that help set a tone, you can largely go through this album & hook yourself onto the vocal rhythm as the driving piece that makes the album work. The only times on the album where the lyricism feels noticeable are on “Rabbit Fighter” (just a bit repetitive) & “Main Man” (just sort of confusing), and the only time where the delivery is lacking a little bit is on “Main Man” (I just think it should’ve been acapella instead of the weird filter). Regardless, I think it’s a super catchy 45 minutes – if it had some extra ‘substance’ to it & just a little bit more of a structure to the whole project to give it some more connecting tissue, there’s a chance I’d be up to a 10 with this thing. Even as it stands, I still think it’s just a little bit higher than a 5. It’s a really, really good album, and for 1972, it feels well ahead of pace. Perhaps David Bowie will give me that extra kick whenever we get to his alter ego, but for now, Marc Bolan & friends have done one hell of a job here. It’s an easy 5. Consider me a T. Rex fan. P.S.: Special props go to the production work as well; between this & his David Bowie collaborations, Tony Visconti just knows how to fucking do it, man.
Mar 20 2026 Author
5
Otro clásico. Bolan es una figura imprescindible en la música, los 70´s fueron suyos. Su influencia es mayúscula, musical y estéticamente. Bowie iba a su rebufo, como todos. Y de ahí en adelante, cualquiera que toque una guitarra o tenga una banda ha sido influido directa o indirectamente por Marc Bolan. Maquillaje, plataformas, boas, sombreros y por encima de todo una música comercial e inigualable. Este disco y el anterior Electric warrior son esenciales. Ambos producidos por Tony Visconti., que les da un equilibrio entre inmediatez y comercialidad sin perder una pizca de la magia que T.Rex destilaban por entonces. Metal guru y Telegram Sam son dos de su más conocidos temas. Rock y The slider, con su guitarra, su tarareo y sus cuerdas suenan deslumbrantes. Baby Boomerang es sonido setentero del que beberán Oasis y el Brit en masa. Spaceball Ricochet tiene exos de sus inicios más folkies. Buick Maccane es rock duro, sin más (la versionaron Gun´n´Roses). Como Chariot Choogle (que ya mete esos coros en la línea gospel que luego seguirá la banda). Baby strange es el arquetipo de glam... Ballrooms of Mars fue versionada y acelerada con mucho acierto por Radio Futura (Divina). Cierra con la calmada Main man. Después de este disco, tuvieron un poco más el buen momento pero terminaron perdiendo el paso. Llegó Ziggy y profetizó 5 años para cargarse el glam, lo que se cumplió al milímetro. Aunque la accidental muerte de Bolan impidió que lo recuperase, a buen seguro que lo hubiera logrado pues talento le sobraba. 5/5
Mar 17 2026 Author
5
I nearly gave this 4 because the first half has a formula, but the second half sold it to me. What a talent that we lost so soon.
Mar 17 2026 Author
5
Clásico en mi rotación, de este disco y Electric Warrior se habla menos de lo que merecen
Mar 16 2026 Author
5
Absolute classic arguably the strongest t.rex album. Unfairly overlooked part of the rock canon. Five stars early.
Mar 10 2026 Author
5
A classic album by T Rex! Just a weird collection of fun glam rock songs. Metal Guru!
Mar 06 2026 Author
5
Really enjoyed this
Mar 05 2026 Author
5
I love T.Rex, but I also just think this is an amazing album, from back to front, especially for glam rock but also just rock and roll, a perfect display of the sub-genre in the early 70's in England.
Mar 04 2026 Author
5
Super fun and catchy, reminds me of David Bowie
Feb 20 2026 Author
5
It just sounds so cool
Feb 18 2026 Author
5
this was excellent.
Feb 09 2026 Author
5
This is how Electric Warrior (the album with Bang A Gong and Jeepster) got followed up. And it kicks just as much booty. And, but, also: this is where Guns N’ Roses go Buick Mackayne from. Actually, you shouldn’t sleep on ANY T. Rex album. Just saying. (Marc Bolan’s American record company made that mistake after this album and fobbed them off on Casablanca.)
Jan 29 2026 Author
5
When to listen: Unoffensive (to the ears) punk mood. I really liked this sound, it felt like melodic but punk-y? At times it felt very Bowie-esque with a little bit of Rocky Horror Picture Show thrown in.
Jan 23 2026 Author
5
Love T Rex.
Jan 23 2026 Author
5
Amazing album. I will definitely be revisiting this one.
Jan 22 2026 Author
5
T.Rex are cool and this is among rheir best albums. There are only hits here.
Jan 11 2026 Author
5
Perfection. No notes. A glam rock masterclass and among the best rock records of the 70s, which means one of the best rock records of all time
Dec 09 2025 Author
5
I feel like this and electric warrior have such a unique and captivating feel despite the formula for most of the songs being pretty simple and generic. I don’t know what it is but I love all these songs so much
Nov 24 2025 Author
5
I don't think I've ever heard a bad T. Rex song. I guess I'm a fan
Nov 19 2025 Author
5
This surprised me in the best way. It felt instantly familiar. It's weird, glammy, and rocking. It has attitude. It's funky, sometimes melancholy, and it all just works for me. I felt pure joy listening to this.
Nov 06 2025 Author
5
First ever listen, straight up repeat!
Nov 05 2025 Author
5
Du genie
Nov 02 2025 Author
5
Oh yes, perfect album. T. Rex can do no wrong!
Oct 23 2025 Author
5
This is why I like doing this list, learning about a lot of unique artists that were revolutionary but lesser known today. T. Rex, the first real Glam Rock band. I hear a lot of similarities between T. Rex and David Bowie, and no surprise Bowie and Marc Bolan were friends. Honestly this album was a real ride and I can't help but feel their live shows would have been amazing. T.Rex was an inspiration for people like Boy George, Duran Duran, Bowie and created the glam rock genre. The songs are super catchy and there's often an element of weirdness that makes it feel unique. Weirdness such as "Spaceball Ricochet" or the way Marc sings "Metal Guru" or that are just....different. Different perspectives are what drives innovation.
Oct 22 2025 Author
5
Bolan at his best, theatric, bold, brash and bluesy. This is the sound and styling that he got famous for. It is why he is a mighty giant in the rock and roll lineage and an posthumous icon that inspires generations. Can't help at dig this sound, it always felt to me as electrific and supercharged rock music meant for the ages.
Oct 16 2025 Author
5
It's rock n roll baby. Doesn't get much better than this.
Oct 05 2025 Author
5
100 years from now, when the AI historians are boiling down what rock n' roll was so they can explain it in one sentence for efficiency, they need look no further than this album. Mark Bolan IS rock and roll, and The Slider is one of the go-to defining albums of the genre.
Oct 05 2025 Author
5
The Glamfather returns to defend his claim to the glitter throne against an army of satined usurpers, laying down twelve tracks of pure cosmic boogie that shimmer with electric swagger (ROCK!).
Oct 03 2025 Author
5
Man - T. Rex is so good.
Sep 18 2025 Author
5
Obra prima
Sep 17 2025 Author
5
Great rock album, love the vocals, I want a vinyl of this!
Sep 14 2025 Author
5
Fun alt rock album with some groovy songs
Sep 11 2025 Author
5
This album triggered a revelation within me. I have realized that I am, in fact, a Glam Rock girl. I loved every single second of this album. It was so dynamic and was great during both its peaks and valleys. There were so many layers here, and they were all done so well. So yeah... I think this is a perfect album. It's definitely my favorite Glam Rock album ever. It was both a display of serious skill AND a super fun, exciting listen. There was not a single bad song. In fact, every song was exceptional. Musical excellence in every way!
Sep 10 2025 Author
5
Really enjoyed this. Glam rock at its very best.
Sep 03 2025 Author
5
This record was so fun. At times it was borderline cheesy but never quite got there. I love the raw garage sound mixed with the more theatrical vocals and lyrics and then the fuzzy guitar solos every now and then. Some of this reminded me of My Chemical Romance and some reminded me of KG. Overall it was super solid and I'll for sure be listening to this some more along with other T. Rex records.