+ 1/2 stars...Worthy Follow-Up To ELECTRIC WARRIOR

In the UK, T. Rex had nine top ten hits between 1970 and 1973, including four No. 1's. Unfortunately T. Rexmania never really caught on in the U.S. Marc Bolan's lone top 40 hit was "Bang a Gong" from his classic ELECTRIC WARRIOR album in 1972. He was a superstar in the U.K. and little more than a footnote in the U.S., and that's a shame.



Bolan's follow-up to ELECTRIC WARRIOR, was the equally amazing THE SLIDER. The album kicks off with the electric boogie of "Metal Guru" (a U.K. No. 1) and doesn't let go. Other classic T. Rex songs are "Rock On," "The Slider," "Baby Boomarang" and "Telegram Sam" (another U.K. No. 1). This reissue concludes with three bonus tracks recorded during the original sessions for THE SLIDER. Bottom line? If you enjoyed ELECTRIC WARRIOR, you'll want this album as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

4.5 stars - Underrated Bolan

The Slider (1972.) Marc Bolan's seventh album.



Throughout the late sixties, Marc Bolan's proto-glam rock band, Tyrannosaurus Rex, showed some serious potential, but sadly, they failed to ever live up to this potential. However, when Bolan started going more electric than acoustic, and finding his voice, things started looking up. After a few decent albums, Bolan wowed audiences with the absolutely incredible Electric Warrior album, which remains his most popular one. He followed that album up the following year. How does Electric Warrior's follow-up, The Slider, measure up? Read on for my review.



The Slider is one of Marc Bolan's most interesting albums. On this album, Bolan begans sliding (no pun intended) back to the sound he used before the Electric Warrior album. What we have here is an album that is like the Tyrannosaurus Rex releases, but WAY better. The flow on the album is considerably better than those albums, because Bolan has now found his voice, there is more electric guitar this time around, and, of course, there is a lot more diversity in the song structure. There are rockers and slower tracks alike. I really had my doubts about this album, but those doubts were shattered rather quickly. I've noticed a number of people actually say this album is better than Electric Warrior, and while I wouldn't necessarily agree with that, I won't deny that this release is one of Bolan's finest. If you're a fan of his, this album is worth buying.



Marc Bolan's albums are not easy to come by in America, but there's an import solution - the Russian twofer series. This CD series features Bolan's albums as affordable twofers, each disc containing two albums! These are a much better value than American issues, and they're easier to find (if you look online, obviously.) The Russian versions are the best versions to buy, because they're such a good value. Hell, the American music industry could learn a few things from the Russian one (and NO, I'm not a communist.)



The Slider rocks, plain and simple. If you liked Electric Warrior, or you're just a big-time Bolan fan, you shouldn't hesitate to purchase this album. It's just a shame that Bolan would die only a few years after the release of this album, because he had serious musical potential. Final verdict? Buy this album.

good rex

marc bolan is my main man man. he's just like a lil consuela.

T Rex 's Ultimate Album

If you buy one T Rex CD get this one!



This is the height of Marc Bolan's songwriting ability and is one of those albums that flows seamlessly from the first song right through to the last. A perfect example of a classic rock album, it's boogie swagger and post hippie glam metal pop rock shake make it a firm soundtrack for the early seventies. There is so much good boogie pop rock that flows so easily from the fingertips of Mr. Bolan that no one ever really equalled T Rex in this genre of music.

Song highlights: Metal Guru - an anthem for the glam generation, The Slider - the title track and easily one of T Rex's greatest songs, Buick MacKane, Chariot Choogle - two irresistably catchy chug along rockers, Telegram Sam - probably the best known song from the album.

Get this CD you can't go wrong.