T. Rex 2-CD Expanded Editions

There's a track on the alternate Zinc Alloy that extends the ending where Gloria Jones and the girls are wailing uncontrollably; *that* one is pretty amazing, albeit berserk (much like the entire album).

But I see what you mean. Songs like "Tenement Lady" are so fantastic -- such a great Mellotron and that AMAZING out-of-tune splice into the second part of the song. I have a hard time believing the demos would do them justice. Maybe i was just imagining it would do something like splice those songs into some other fantastic snippet...

Ha! It's the most conservative sounding song on the record!

But yeah, any T-Rex is worth buying. Tho I'd recommend getting the Tyrannosaurus Rex albums first, before the alternate T-Rex ones. Especially Unicorn.

But the more I've heard Zinc Alloy, the more I've liked it. Actually, I think one of the most interesting things about it is the plastic production of Bolan's clashing with Visconti's orchestral arrangements. "Galaxy" w/ the spacey production, that low brass coda to "Liquid Gang." Brilliant.

"After all, hadn't Bowie already done the Fictional Someone & the Somethings From Somewhere routine?"

Rhino, late last year, shipped out expanded remastered versions of The Slider, Zinc Alloy, Dandy and The Wax Co. singles.

Of these, the Slider and the Wax singles are must-buys right?

And now, tomorrow brings Tanx, Zip-Gun, Futuristic Dragon and "Work in Progress" (?).

Any of these necessary?

-- Sean (saturns...) (webmail), December 21st, 2002 12:30 AM. (link)

Of course, you are both right.

Ah, but you're both probably not here now.

What the hell is Work In Progress? Isn't that what all the second discs are?

After some serious trepidation ("Zinc Alloy" left me seriously cold...), I picked up "Dandy in the Underworld" yesterday. I'm flat-out floored. One of the best T.Rex albums, period. Probably better than "Tanx".

Bolan sounds focused again on this album, where it didn't seem like he really was on the last few. It's not a 100% solid album like "Electric Warrior" or "The Slider", but I'm now of the opinion that it's required listening for anyone who's into T.Rex. I mean, "I Love To Boogie" is worth the price of admission alone (and, to be honest, that's what got me to buy the thing), but the rest of the album is just fun.

Pleasing. I think it's as good as Electric Warrior and The Slider!

Based on my previous experience with them, I don't really think they'll blow me away in the say fashion that "Dandy..." has, but maybe I'll find something to like about them.

I agree that "Dandy in the Underworld" is definitely a "return to form" bum that simultaneously extends the "old" sound to the point at which it's once again fresh. It's definitely not Bowie going from "Diamond Dogs" to "Young Americans" or "Low" (or even "Station to Station") in terms of radical breaks from previous sounds, but I'm not sure Bolan was interested in (or, frankly, capable of) that. I look at it more of like a "Led Zeppelin" compared to "Led Zeppelin IV" kind of thing: a nice refinement of the original (and superior) sound that produced an undeniably classic album that wasn't quite as good as the original (not trying to pick any Led Zeppelin fights, incidentally... just my opinion...)

Unlike "ZOSO", however, Bolan had 3 pretty sub-par albums in-between "Dandy in the Underworld" and his prime material which, in my mind -- and, obviously, a lot of reviewers' minds -- served to tarnish the reputation of what is actually an extremely enjoyable album. As for similarities to "The Slider" or whatever... granted. Like I said before, I'm not convinced that Bolan was ever the sort of pioneer that Bowie was. But, of course, very few of the big acts of the 60's and 70's were. Bolan was good at what he did and he struggled for a few years to try to find a way to make it work in a new musical environment. I doubt T.Rex could ever have put out something like "Low" any more than Eric Clapton could've put out something Iggy Pop's "The Idiot." It's just not what Bolan was about.

With that in mind, I think calling "Dandy in the Underworld" a "return to form" album is no put-down at all. After all, the "form" he was returning to was the art of laying down an album of absurdly addictive pop songs.

In that, I now convinced that he succeeded well beyond what was appreciated at the time. The album stands with his best work.

I blame alcohol.

oh my god

zinc alloy

oh my GOD

Where can you get the more contemporary Gloria Jones stuff? Anyone know?

nice to see people appreciating zinc alloy on this thread, i feel like i've never heard a nice word said about it (cept in the liner notes) i have the 2 cd version and recently almost bought a cheap used lp, a decision i now regret. totally crazy album, usually can't make it all the way through, it's a workout for the ears.

Gloria Jones - Share My Love at Dusty Groove

I picked it up last year, great stuff.