Blend of acoustic and electric styles remains Bolan's best

In a rather ecstatic review for the earlier unremastered Castle

CD of this first T.Rex album from 1970, I declared it Bolan's absolute best, a transitional work that combined prime but far more accessible examples of the earlier acoustic Tyrannosaurus Rex sound ("The Visit", "The Time Of Love Is Now", "Root Of Star") with thrilling embryonic versions of the T.Rex electric pop sound ("Jewel", "Childe", "Beltane Walk", "Is It Love?", "One Inch Rock"), with not a single weak track in sight and capturing Bolan's magical personality at its purest. The last album with the two-man lineup of Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn, it was also the first album to feature strings, drums and Flo & Eddie on backing vocals (albeit on only one song, the gorgeous "Seagull Woman").



My opinion remains unchanged and has only grown with time; what was always frustrating was the thin sound of all previous CD releases, which did not do justice to such an important work. This latest deluxe reissue finally gives the album its due, with a loud and clear remaster that highlights every explosive guitar solo, epic scream and production trick. The lyrics and artwork

are restored, although unfortunately the bonus tracks are the weakest of all the remasters: while the seminal non-LP single "Ride A White Swan"/"Summertime Blues" is included, the outtakes sound almost identical to the released versions despite being labeled "works in progress". Outside of a slight remix, I found nary a difference to the album versions. What's more, the fantastic instrumental outtake "Deep Summer" is not included, one of the few T.Rex cuts to remain in the hands of the bootleggers. Despite this, I would recommend everyone get their hands on a copy of this reissue, if only for the quality of the album itself, combined with the vastly improved sound.

Bolan on the Verge of Electric

This newly issued remaster of the first T Rex album is available in the UK only--and that's a shame. The album captures Bolan moving from the acoustic Tyrannosaurus Rex sound to the T Rex pop-rock sound that would make him famous. Very good to excellent tunes of both varieties plus bonus of the great breakthrough single "Ride a White Swan" backed with "Summertime Blues." Also alternate takes. Buy this one--not the remaster issued in the '90s without the bonus tracks. Great sound.