T. Rex Vinyl Records – Electric Warrior, The Slider & Essential Albums on Vinyl

T. Rex are Marc Bolan's band, and one of the defining acts of British glam rock. Bolan started out in the late 60s as an acoustic-folk duo, Tyrannosaurus Rex, with percussionist Steve Peregrin Took. When the band went electric, shortened its name to T. Rex, and released Ride a White Swan in late 1970, Bolan became the biggest pop star in Britain almost overnight.

The classic 1971-72 run — Electric Warrior and The Slider — contains some of the tightest, most influential pop songs of the decade. Get It On (Bang a Gong), Jeepster, Ride a White Swan, Telegram Sam, Metal Guru, 20th Century Boy, Children of the Revolution — Bolan's songs rewrote what a British hit single could be, and directly influenced the punk generation that came after. Bolan died in a car crash in London in September 1977, aged 29, just as he was planning a comeback. T. Rex on vinyl is a particular pleasure — Tony Visconti's production is all about space, groove and detail. The Reprise/Fly originals and the recent 180g Demon reissues are all well-mastered.

Best T. Rex Albums on Vinyl

Electric Warrior (1971)
Their masterpiece and one of the defining records of the glam rock era. Jeepster, Get It On (Bang a Gong), Cosmic Dancer, Life's a Gas, Rip Off — produced by Tony Visconti, arranged with unusual economy. A perfect album. Essential.

The Slider (1972)
The follow-up, containing three of Bolan's biggest singles: Metal Guru, Telegram Sam, Rock On. Denser and more confident than Electric Warrior, with the Ringo Starr-shot album cover. A glam-rock peak.

Tanx (1973)
The fifth T. Rex album. Tenement Lady, Broken-Hearted Blues, Country Honey, The Street and Babe Shadow — softer, more soul-influenced than what came before, and increasingly well-regarded.

Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow (1974)
The ambitious concept record that signalled the start of the commercial decline. Venus Loon, Interstellar Soul, Teenage Dream — but full of experimental pleasures for the serious fan.

The Best of T. Rex / Marc Bolan (various)
The essential singles compilation if you want the hits in one place. Ride a White Swan, Hot Love, 20th Century Boy, Children of the Revolution, Solid Gold Easy Action — the definitive British pop run of the early 70s.

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