T. Rex (September 23, 1971) – “Jeepster” / Electric Warrior Album Review - Blaydon and Tyneside Courier

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This Blaydon and Tyneside Courier review examines two advance tracks from T. Rex's newly released Electric Warrior album. The article focuses on "Jeepster" and "Life's A Gas", concluding that the album successfully bridges the gap between T. Rex's earlier underground following and their growing commercial audience.

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Publication: Blaydon and Tyneside Courier

Date: September 23, 1971

Country: United Kingdom

Appearing within the newspaper's music coverage, the review concentrates on "Jeepster", which the writer notes was not a single but a special review track taken from T. Rex's new album Electric Warrior.

The reviewer describes "Jeepster" as an electric, commercial recording and suggests that it could easily have reached the No. 1 spot had it been issued as a single. Particular praise is reserved for Marc Bolan's guitar playing, with the article highlighting a standout guitar break within the song.

Attention then turns to another album track, "Life's A Gas." The reviewer describes it as being closer to the style of material T. Rex performed in concert and links it to the group's earlier reputation as a progressive act.

Rather than presenting the shift towards a stronger electric sound as a negative development, the writer sees Electric Warrior as a successful combination of old and new elements.

The review concludes that the album should appeal equally to T. Rex's newer commercial audience and to long-standing followers from the group's earlier Tyrannosaurus Rex period.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Published shortly after the release of Electric Warrior, the article captures a contemporary reaction to what would become one of the defining albums of the glam-rock era.

The review is particularly interesting because it focuses on album tracks rather than chart singles. The praise for "Jeepster" is noteworthy given that the writer believed it possessed all the qualities of a potential number-one hit despite not being issued as a single at that time.

The assessment also reflects a recurring discussion surrounding T. Rex during 1971: whether the move towards a heavier electric sound had alienated earlier fans. The reviewer clearly believed Electric Warrior managed to satisfy both audiences.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Review of tracks from Electric Warrior

Publication Date: September 23, 1971

Era: Electric Warrior era

Tone: Positive and supportive

Featured Tracks: "Jeepster" and "Life's A Gas"

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Review of "Jeepster" from Electric Warrior

• Suggestion that "Jeepster" could have been a number-one single

• Praise for Marc Bolan's guitar work

• Discussion of "Life's A Gas"

• Recognition of T. Rex's balance between progressive roots and commercial success

• Positive reaction to Electric Warrior

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