You're Dirty Sweet and You're My Girl

T. Rex - "Electric Warrior" (1971) - Reprise Records

Hello Friends,

Sorry its been a while but we're getting back to the business of pouring cocktails and listening to records after a brief and unplanned hiatus. (Editors note: No bars can hold us!)

We're celebrating our return in style with T. Rex's seminal 1971 LP, Electric Warrior.

Their sixth album (and second under the abbreviated "T. Rex" moniker) this is the record that really gave glam rock its start.  By 1971 elfin singer, guitarist & songwriter Marc Bolan (along with percussionist Mickey Finn and producer Tony Visconti) abandoned their mostly acoustic, folkie approach for a fuller, more electric and hard rocking sound. 

The songs are all pretty much simple blues songs enhanced by Bolan's quivering vocals, his Chuck Berry-on-steroids style of guitar playing and Tony Visconti's glossy but balanced production.  Mickey Finn's manic-sounding bongos are present throughout as are the background vocal talents of Flo & Eddie (The Turtles) and the sax playing of King Crimson founding-member, Ian McDonald.  Even a young Rick Wakeman gets in on the fun when he lends his keyboard talents to the hit single, "Bang A Gong (Get In On)"-- a gig he took because he was desperate for rent money at the time!

Bolan's lyrics here aren't as "English" as they have been in the past (I'm looking at you, "Ride a White Swan") and are instead about getting it on, banging gongs, crooning beneath bebop moons, cosmic dancing, electric witches, hubcap diamond star halos and generally being an all around jeepster for your love!   

Girl, I'm just a vampire for your love / I'm gonna suck you!

Electric Warrior is a classic from start to finish.  From its iconic cover to the 11 mini-masterpieces contained within its grooves, this record and its follow-up, 1972's The Slider, capture Marc Bolan's band at its absolute peak.  It would introduce the band to American audiences with the hit, "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" but in the UK, Electric Warrior would reach Number 1 and Bolan would be elevated to rock god status.  Bolan would influence a generation of glittery, pan-sexual, cross-dressing, vampy glam rockers including Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Elton John and later Jeff Lynne of ELO as well as a bunch of young punks who sat in their dark corners and sneered.

RATING: 5 planet queens perchance to dream she used my head like an exploder out of 5