Marc Bolan & T. Rex (April 20, 2024) – Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow Picture Disc RSD 2024
Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow was originally released during one of the most ambitious and experimental periods of Marc Bolan's career. Credited to Marc Bolan & T. Rex, the album represented a stylistic shift, incorporating broader soul, funk and theatrical influences while retaining the distinctive songwriting style that had made T. Rex one of the defining acts of the glam-rock era.
This Record Store Day 2024 edition reissued the album as a picture disc, bringing one of Bolan's most distinctive releases back into print for collectors and fans..
The album was written and composed by Marc Bolan.
Production duties were shared by Marc Bolan and Tony Visconti, with Visconti also arranging the string sections. String performances were provided by Maestro David Katz & The Pop Arts Orchestra.
The recordings capture Bolan's increasingly sophisticated approach to arrangement and studio experimentation during the mid-1970s.
STYLE & THEMES
The album combines glam rock, pop, soul and orchestral elements.
Featuring elaborate song titles, character-driven narratives and adventurous arrangements, the record stands apart within the T. Rex catalogue. The material reflects Bolan's desire to expand beyond conventional glam rock while maintaining his unique lyrical voice and melodic instincts.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Venus Loon — Opening track introducing the album's theatrical atmosphere.
• Sound Pit — Continues the record's expansive musical approach.
• Explosive Mouth — One of the album's more energetic performances.
• Galaxy — Reflects the album's futuristic imagery.
• Change — Mid-album composition highlighting Bolan's evolving style.
• Nameless Wildness — Features the album's adventurous lyrical themes.
• Teenage Dream — One of the key recordings from the period.
• Liquid Gang — Opens side two.
• Carsmile Smith & The Old One — Character-driven narrative piece.
• You've Got To Jive To Stay Alive - Spanish Midnight — One of the album's best-known tracks.
• Interstellar Soul — Combines soul influences with glam styling.
• Painless Persuasion V. The Meat Hawk Immaculate — Example of Bolan's imaginative song titles.
• The Avengers (Superbad) — Driven by funk and soul influences.
• The Leopards Featuring Gardenia & The Mighty Slug — Concludes the original album.
RELEASE HISTORY
Originally released during the Marc Bolan & T. Rex period, Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow has remained one of the most discussed albums in the T. Rex catalogue.
For Record Store Day 2024, Demon Records reissued the album as a limited-edition picture disc. The release was issued across Europe on April 20, 2024.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — written by, composed by, producer
Tony Visconti — producer, string arrangements
Maestro David Katz & The Pop Arts Orchestra — strings
PRODUCTION
Produced by Marc Bolan
Produced by Tony Visconti
Strings Arranged by Tony Visconti
Photography by Neal Preston
Photography by Richard Fitzgerald
Polaroid Photography by Alphi O'Leary
Label: Demon Records
Catalogue Number: DEMREC117
Barcode: 5014797910577
NOTES
• Record Store Day 2024 release.
• Picture disc edition.
• Reissue of the original album.
• Stereo pressing.
• Released throughout Europe.
• Catalogue Number DEMREC117.
RELATED RELEASES
• Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow
• Teenage Dream
• You've Got To Jive To Stay Alive - Spanish Midnight
• The Avengers (Superbad)
• Tanx
RELEASE TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow | Demon Records | Europe | DEMREC117 | April 20, 2024 | LP, Record Store Day, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP Picture Disc | DEMREC117 | Side One: • Venus Loon • Sound Pit • Explosive Mouth • Galaxy • Change • Nameless Wildness • Teenage Dream Side Two: • Liquid Gang • Carsmile Smith & The Old One • You've Got To Jive To Stay Alive - Spanish Midnight • Interstellar Soul • Painless Persuasion V. The Meat Hawk Immaculate • The Avengers (Superbad) • The Leopards Featuring Gardenia & The Mighty Slug |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 Worlds, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Demon Records, Official Marc Bolan archives
All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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