Electric Warrior
by T. Rex

Good news first or bad news..? Well, the bad news ain't so bad, so let's start there... Bad news: "Mambo Sun" and "Planet Queen" are actually the same song - BUT good news: it's a really good song. (Same with "Get It On" and "The Motivator," but that's an even BETTER song.) And just a little more bad news: "Monolith" sounded a little more alive when Gene Chandler did it in 1962 and called it "Duke of Earl," but good news: when Marc Bolan rips off a song, he rips off the best.

The good news - and it's really good: this album sounds like it came from outer space, coated in candy, and the songs sound really do sound electric, you know, alive ("Mean Woman Blues" excepted.) So I don't care if it's a "rip off" or not, b/c it's one of the best I've ever heard. 90/100

From buzzdainer TOP 100 COMMENTER 04/25/2021 16:09 | #268965 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Glam rock powerhouse T. Rex escaped my attention until I was a teenager, when I first heard supergroup Power Station's cover of "Bang a Gong (Get It On)." Even now I'm not so sure it's a great song, but it's a pretty good gateway drug into Electric Warrior, which is undoubtedly their most exciting and rocking album. While not quite as ambitious as fellow glam rock superstar David Bowie, Marc Bolan and company carved out a niche within the genre with their crackling guitars and endless pop hooks. An excellent album by one of the decade's greatest bands. I'd suggest "Jeepster" is the place to start here, but the whole album is incredibly consistent. (Edited)

A decent glam rock album that might be simplistic but it works really well especially on the big hits which sound great. Get It On is the stand out track as it is such an infectious song and is so easy to sing along with. It always cheers me up when I hear that song as well. The record is then bulked up with more great hits such as Cosmic Dancer, Mambo Sun, Jeepster and Life's A Gas. The group have a way of creating catchy songs that when paired with the vocal become enjoyable rock experiences. Also, they definitely have their own unique style formed on here which is helped by the unique percussion and Bolan's singing. Overall, there is a lot of fun to be had on this record and plenty of great songs backing up this fact. (Edited)

From planetneutral 01/07/2018 21:40 | #204902 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Awesome. A genuine and positive surprise. Just the thing for transitioning from your Bowie mourning period. Like same-period Bowie without the existential angst and gravitas.

I have known this album for years and really enjoyed it throughout. If it is simplistic and formulaic and poppy then so be it. I read Boltzmann comments below really trash it and I felt a little sad about that. But I guess there might be albums that they love that just don't land with me. But I'm sticking with loving this album. (Edited)