Even Ringo Starr said that the madness surrounding T. Rextacy was on par with the height of Beatlemania. America and history haven't treated T. Rex with the same kind of reverence reserved for the fab four. By no indications does that mean T. Rex was a one-hit teen-idol waste as well.

Marc Bolan could be credited as single-handedly inventing glam and reinvigorating the three minute rock song. Complete with all the humor, sleaze and groove that made rock and roll great in the first place.

The original Tyrannosaurus Rex was a folk duo consumed by all things Bob Dylan and J.R.R. Tolkien. The title of an early album is sufficient evidence at Bolan's musical leanings, Prophets, Seers and Sages.

It wasn't until Bolan shortened the name to the catchier T. Rex and plugged in an electric guitar that the public started to take notice. A few singles had T. Rex at the top of the charts but it was with the release of two records in two years that propelled T. Rextacy into the stratosphere.

Electric Warrior and The Slider are the most enduring albums of the T. Rex catalog. They are also responsible for inspiring artists as divergent as David Bowie, Def Leppard and any other band that relied on greasy riffs and cheap lipstick.

In the states it's near impossible to get original copies of these two records. Reissues are around and are actually preferable. The Electric Warrior reissue includes several of the band's non-album singles. Not only do you get Electric Warrior in its entirety, you'll get Bolan diamonds like "Hot Love" and "Raw Ramp".

The joy in T. Rex's music comes directly from the absurdity of Bolan's lyrics and the timeless excitement of a great rock riff.

Electric Warrior begins with a trio of songs that become the archetype of T. Rex. It was Bob Dylan that said every songwriter just keeps writing the three same songs. "Mambo Sun" is a laid back shuffle. Bolan's guitar never had muscle but it always laid down the perfect groove. "Cosmic Dancer" is a simple and beautiful folk song. Bolan could sing lyrics like "I danced myself right out the womb" and "What's it like to be a loon/I liken it to a balloon" and it feels authentic and moving despite itself.

"Jeepster" is the driving rock number that would have everyone in the crowd shaking what they got. Taking a page from Chuck Berry, Bolan puts the riff out front and throws in every car/girl comparison he can think of.

T. Rex follows this simple three step formula throughout the rest of the album. An extra helping of the blues for "Lean Woman Blues", some extra bombast for "Bang a Gong (Get it on)" and some uncharacteristic Bolan anger on "Rip Off".

Electric Warrior is a complete fusion of the folksy Tyrannosaurus Rex and the new trashy rock of T. Rex. This blend would be perfected on The Slider.

If Electric Warrior was the mission statement, The Slider is the unabashed celebration of that mission. From the beginning, a howl and a riff kick of the record with the infectious "Metal Guru". Immediately the record is louder and more jubilant than its predecessor.

Marc Bolan is not to be confused with the virtuosity of Eric Clapton, but his guitar is alive on The Slider. A funky riff punctuates "Rock On" and the title track is a gruff, sleazy masterpiece that contrasts Bolan's breathy vocals. "Buick Mackane" is a heavy dose of rock that could please any Led Zeppelin fan. Bolan surrounded himself with some top notch talent that really found their groove on The Slider. The rhythm team of Steve Currie and Bill Legend give the band a stomp and groove that brought a song like "Buick Mackane" down to a primal level.

"Telegram Sam" is one of T. Rex's most recognizable songs, relying on the same boogie-rock riff elements that drove all of T. Rex's best loved songs. The whole record is incredible and stacked with hits. If the music business in 1972 was anything like it is currently, T. Rex would have been touring behind The Slider for 4 years and seen just about every track hit the top ten. Instead, T. Rex released a winning, if not classic record just one year later.

The argument against T. Rex was that their music was disposable. The "serious" rock journalists and fans couldn't be bothered with anything so frivolous. They demanded art. Once they got sick of their "art", punk came along as the new exciting thing. Nobody probably made the connection that punk took more from Bolan and T. Rex than any overblown and arty progressive rock band.

A good song will always trump any fads, fashions or trends. At its moment, T. Rex was not just good but undeniably great.

Landmark Albums: T. Rex - Electric Warrior and The Slider

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