T. Rex (October 28, 1972) – The Slider Album Review - The Daily Dispatch
This positive Daily Dispatch review gives T. Rex’s The Slider a three-star rating, praising the album as an enjoyable collection of Marc Bolan compositions. The reviewer highlights the established hits “Metal Guru” and “Telegram Sam”, alongside tracks including “Chariot Choogle,” “Baby Boomerang,” “Rock On” and “Ballrooms Of Mars,” before selecting the title track as probably the strongest recording on the album.
Publication: The Daily Dispatch
Date: October 28, 1972
Country: United States
Rating: ★★★
Label: Reprise
THE REVIEW
The review introduces The Slider as T. Rex’s latest release for the Reprise label and gives the album an enthusiastic assessment.
The writer describes it as:
“a really nice album with a lot of nice songs by Marc Bolan and company.”
Attention is immediately drawn to Bolan’s songwriting, with the review noting that Marc wrote all 13 compositions on the album.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on Bolan, the article acknowledges the musicians surrounding him and the production team responsible for the record.
T. REX
The article identifies the T. Rex musicians appearing on the album as:
Marc Bolan
Mickey Finn
Steve Currie
Bill Legend
Backing vocals are credited in the review to:
Howard Kaylan
Mark Volman
The writer also notes that Tony Visconti produced the album, while Ringo Starr is credited with the photography.
These credits give the short review a useful contemporary record of some of the people responsible for the sound and presentation of The Slider.
METAL GURU AND TELEGRAM SAM
Two of T. Rex’s major hits are specifically highlighted:
“Metal Guru”
“Telegram Sam”
The reviewer places both songs among the attractions of the album before moving on to some of its other tracks.
OTHER ALBUM TRACKS
The review singles out several additional songs:
“Chariot Choogle”
“Baby Boomerang”
“Rock On”
“Ballrooms Of Mars”
Their inclusion shows that the writer’s favourable assessment extended beyond the familiar hit singles.
THE SLIDER
The reviewer reserves the strongest praise for the title track:
“The Slider”
It is described as probably the best cut on the record, with particular praise given to Marc Bolan’s vocal performance.
The writer finishes the T. Rex review by encouraging readers to listen to the album and concludes that:
“Marc and the rest of T. Rex really get it on.”
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The clipping provides a notably favourable American assessment of The Slider, contrasting with some of the more hostile reviews T. Rex received from sections of the United States press during 1972.
The three-star review concentrates on the album’s songs and musicians rather than analysing Bolan’s image or the wider phenomenon surrounding T. Rex.
Immediately after the T. Rex section, the column moves on to a separate review of Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan’s The Phlorescent Leech and Eddie album, noting their earlier work with Frank Zappa’s Mothers.
That adjacent review is separate from the assessment of The Slider, although Volman and Kaylan are also acknowledged for their backing vocals on the T. Rex album.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Review of The Slider
Publication Date: October 28, 1972
Era: The Slider era
Rating: Three stars
Label: Reprise
Tone: Positive and appreciative
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• The Slider receiving a three-star review
• Marc Bolan credited with writing all 13 compositions
• Mickey Finn, Steve Currie and Bill Legend identified alongside Bolan
• Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman credited with backing vocals
• Tony Visconti identified as producer
• Ringo Starr credited with the photography
• “Metal Guru” and “Telegram Sam” highlighted as major hits
• References to “Chariot Choogle,” “Baby Boomerang,” “Rock On” and “Ballrooms Of Mars”
• “The Slider” selected as probably the album’s best track
• Particular praise for Marc Bolan’s vocal on the title track
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