Customer Reviews

Slider (Dlx)

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3 star:		(2)
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T. Rex and Marc Bolan had the U.K. wrapped around their fingers from 1971 to 1973 as "Trextasy" was at its height. In 1971 the band released the seminal "Electric Warrior", which launched the band into stardom. Surprisingly, they raised the bar (and then some) once more with "The Slider".

Featuring two U.K. number one hit singles, -- the effervescent "Metal Guru" and the bluesy pop of "Telegram Sam -- "The Slider" is the band's best produced album and arguably the most accessible. The strings give the songs -- with their rough glam guitar -- more ground and a more lush setting, that pairs nicely with Bolan's earthly poetic lyrics. The title track is an esspecially great groove-filled song with an odd use of vocals as an instrument (other than singing).

The rough glam tracks like "Buick Mackane", "Chariot Choogle", and "Baby Boomerang" work well with slower ballads like "Main Man", "Mystic Lady", and the simplistic acoustic sound of "Spaceball Ricochet". The lyrical content still uses the same whimsical storytelling from his previous work, which is certainly a good thing. And the background vocals are used much in the same way as on "Electric Warrior", sometimes gratuitously, but usually effectively.

The remastering is done excellently, very much like the other re-releases done for the T. Rex catalogue. The crafty production of Tony Visconti (who was at his best at the time) and the mixing highlights the skill of Mickey Finn and Bolan's playing nicely. The bonus disc is a good treat as well, giving an alternative take of each track on the album, which are usually demos or acoustic sessions.

This album helps prove that Marc Bolan was one of the truly great prolific songwriters of his day, despite his steady decline in the mid-70's and his eventual tragic death. Thankfully, the songs still hold up today, showing the strength of his words and music.

I was in my early teens and The Slider was one of the first, if not the first, record I purchased. T Rex was my first concert I attended also - happened to be on my 14th Birthday. So will be bias in my review. But received the double CD in the mail yesterday, and enjoyed opening this CD immensely. Rhino has packaged the CD beautifully, including a nice booklet. I have listened to The Slider CD, and part way through the alternative mix CD, and the sound quality seems excellent. It is more than appreciated that a record company would take so much care and I suggest that any T Rex fan, young or old in years, or long term or a more recent devotee, should buy this CD. Electric Warrior may be my favourite T Rex album, but The Slider has many outstanding songs, including the title track, Ballrooms of Mars and Main Man, hit singles in Metal Guru and Telegram Sam, and the odd rocker in Buick Mackane. Although a pioneer in Glam Rock, I think both Electric Warrior and The Slider show Marc Bolan and T Rex had substance.

for some reason, Marc Bolan never has recieved the fame in current day United States that he should of. This album is a classic and one of my all-time favorites. the first time i heard it, it was so overwhelmingly good i didnt know how to handle it. now, every time i hear it, it gets better and better. if you are interested in listening to T. Rex, go for 'Electric Warrior' first, then this 'The Slider.'

This one of my favorite T. Rex albums. I never get tired of this material. I have been listening to this album for over 30 years now and it's still rocks! This two disc set is just great. I love everything about it. The packaging, the essay about the album, but most of all, the music. Bolan was on a roll. The sound on this is the best yet, I had second thoughts about buying this for the third time, but I am glad I did. The sound beats any of the previous issues of this album. The first CD I bought of this album in 1986, made in France, had more bonus tracks, these were singles issued around the same time as the album. Fortunately these are on The Wax Singles, A's & B's 1972-77, so I haven't missed any of this great material. The second disc titled "Rabbit Fighter" is a very nice compliment to the album. Almost the entire album in alternate takes and mixes. This and "Electric Warrior" are two of the best of all time. A must have, especially for T. Rex fans.

First of all I would like to say that Marc Bolan has a really cool voice. His voice stands out from any other singer. This whole disc is full of great songs like "Metal Guru", "Rabbit Fighter," "Main Man" and of cource the best track on here the tital track "The Slider." This is a great CD. Pick this up today. R.I.P. Marc.

Reason? It's a good song, and isn't easily obtainable, except on Rabbit Fighter (The Alternate Slider), here included as the second disc. Note this song bears no resemblance to either the released version of "Buick MacKane," also on this set, or its most similarly titled, "The Street & Babe Shadow," on Tanx. The notes point out that the song's real, although "fictitious," title is "Buick MacKane & The Babe Shadow," as it is listed the tape. But Rhino (or whomever) included it on this release anyway, because it bears the same title, and they couldn't find a real "Buick MacKane" outtake. Whatever. It's a welcome addition.

As for the rest of the release; the sound is topnotch, and the other alternates are interesting, if unnecessary. My opinion of The Slider is, as it has always been, that it is Bolan at his Glam best, with nary a mediocre tune in the bunch. Outstanding tunes include "Rock On," and the eternal "Ballrooms of Mars." It certainly reminds me of being in high school, and that is not at all a bad thing. But by that same token, I have long since lost my objectivity to it. A lovable CD, to say the least.

This and the album before were the only two albums I thought were any good by T-Rex and they were both dynamite.

" . . . I wanna ball ya, eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwww!" - "Baby Strange"

Wow people! It just doesn't get any more brilliant than that!

Seriously though, there's a reason why T. Rex's music isn't widely known today. Aside from a few choice songs, it really isn't all that great and most of it sounds pretty dated. Today, the majority of T. Rex's music sounds like fairly run-of-the-mill "boogie-woogie" rock n' roll. Marc Bolan does deserve credit for spearheading Glam Rock, but he was soon surpassed by David Bowie who made the timeless glam-rock classic ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS.

If you're new to T. Rex, just be aware that this forum attracts a lot of non-objective worship from die-hard fans. It's perfectly understandable that some people like this music, but moreso for those who were actually around to witness the glam rock craze unfold.

To me the best part of this CD set is the artwork on the CD cover.

It's got T-Rex with the big hat on the front and then when you open it that same image is in color.

I remembered seeing this album at a guy's house back in the 70s so I thought I would pick it up for old time's sake.

The music isn't really that sophisticated.

It also has overtones of what we might call an 'alternative' message.

Jeff Marzano

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