Includes liner notes by Nikki Sudden, Cliff McLenehen & Bill Legend.
Includes liner notes by Nikki Sudden, Cliff McLenehan and Bill Legend.
Prior to ELECTRIC WARRIOR's release, T. Rex (or, as it had mostly been known, Tyrannosaurus Rex) was a folk-rock duo that played acoustic guitar and bongos augmented by the occasional electric and full drum kit. While some of the hippie-prophet philosophy that dominated Tyrannosaurus Rex's music can still be heard here (especially on the dreamy geneology of "Cosmic Dancer"), ELECTRIC WARRIOR, for the most part, represents a revolution in attitude and approach. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Marc Bolan expanded the band here for a full rock sound, and focused on lean, hook-heavy pop songs that relied on slinky grooves and the riveting energy of early rock & roll. Married to Bolan's cheeky sexuality and theatrical flair, the results were undeniable.
From the mid-tempo thump of "Mambo Sun" to the crashing yowl of "Rip Off," ELECTRIC WARRIOR is fuzzy, nasty, and immediately appealing. Songs like "Jeepster" and "Bang A Gong" pump straight from the elemental heart of rock & roll, yet the songs are fleshed out beautifully with strings, handclaps, backup vocals, and Tony Visconti's expansive production. Bolan's glitzy, sexy aesthetic directly sparked the glam movement (he was a huge influence on David Bowie and the creation of his Ziggy Stardust persona), while his punchy, back-to-basics approach also presaged the stripped-down, three-minute song attack of the Ramones and the punk movement in the later '70s. As a result, ELECTRIC WARRIOR can be seen as one of the most enduring and quietly influential records in the rock canon.
Remastered W/ 7 Bonus Tracks.
T. Rex: Marc Bolan, Mickey Finn .
Personnel: Marc Bolan (vocals, guitar); Mickey Finn (vocals, percussion); Ian McDonald (saxophone); Burt Collins (flugelhorn); Will Legend (drums); Howard Kaylan, Mark Volman (background vocals).
Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.
Liner Note Authors: Séamus Egan; Bill Inglot.
Photographers: Ed Caraeff; Kieron "Spud" Murphy.
Unknown Contributor Role: Dann Davis.
Additional personnel: Steve Currie (bass instrument); Howard Kaylan, Ian McDonald, Mark Volman, Burt Collins, Will Legend.Rolling Stone (1/6/72, pp.64-66) - "...he plays to the post-J.F.K. set, yet with enough decadence and sarcasm for any war baby to hum along....Marc is one of the eternally precocious, fated to live outside the world of adults forever..." Q (9/01, pp.137-8) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Glistening, seemingly extra-terrestrial prettiness....bewitching stuff..." Mojo (Publisher) (10/01, p.133) - "...This music may even sound better than it did at the time: stripped of baggage, it's the kind of pop-rock deluxe which is, these days, in short supply..."
Bolan's Best With the release of Electric Warrior, Marc Bolan dropped his hippie persona and boogied headlong into glam rock, territory where only Bowie and Mott the Hoople could also sustain any success. Electri Warrior is the best example of the glam rock period and Bolan's best effort. His verbose sci-fi based lyrics (such as "It's all right, love is what you want, flying saucer take me away, give me your daughter" from "Planet Queen") actually help accent the music. From the opening Bo-Diddley like chords of "Mambo Sun" (check out that guitar solo at the end) to the bizarre sustained strings at the end of "Rip Off," "Electric Warrior" is a fun ride. Stand out tracks include the ballad "Life's A Gas," the Gene Vincent-styled "Jeepster," and Bolan's anthem "(Get it on) Bang A Gong." Another highlight is the aforementioned "Planet Queen," complete with eerie background vocals from the Turtles' Flo and Eddie. The remastered version of this album clarifies the strings, which are used to great effect, as well as Bolan's funky and concise guitar playing. Bolan had one other great album in him, the equally rocking "The Slider" and one fair album "Tanx," before glam rock ran its course and he perished in a car accident (T-wrecks indeed), but "Electric Warrior" is his moment in the spotlight and a worthy addition to anyone's record collection. Submitted by a reviewer (Hartsdale, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Electric Warrior I bought the album (already had the tunes though) and it was way better than what I'd had before. "Mambo Sun" was a way better recording than what I already had. Plus, the booklet and everything else is totally awesome. The folding picture of Bolan in the chair is pretty rad. All the songs rock. It's not quite my favorite album, but still, a very solid one. Submitted by linnftw (Weir, KS, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Music to Boogie By If this CD don't get you out of your seat and boogie-ing around the room, then you are clinically DEAD. Buy this CD. You won't regret it. I rest my case. Submitted by Johnny (I Live In A Van Down By The River) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Unmistakable rhythm If you're an afficionado of the late '60's and early '70's rock scene (arguably the finest outpouring of rock in history) then you need at least one Marc Bolan offering. This is as good as it gets, with the monster hits Bang a Gong and Jeepster. Worth the price just for those two beauties. A few more decent cuts, then some repetitive filler, but all in all a solid rock classic. Fabulous tunage for the road. Submitted by Pat (Yardley, PA, 19067) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Electric Warrior Indeed I have been into Bolan for some time now - I think his music is a kind of folk music that summed up the early 70s in a way no dry essay ever could. The album starts really well, and one can see the lines of Bolan's best work in much early 80s new romantic music, for example his impressionistic lyrics that convey a mood rather than say definite things. Most of the tracks on this album are excellent, light musicianship is blended with Bolan's spacey lyrics to invoke a kind of Aubrey Beardsley/ Tolkien /Cheech and Chong decadent, ambisexual ambience. Excellent. Submitted by Muzo (Manchester UK) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Bolan's Best
Electric Warrior
Share this Product