T. Rex (September 5, 1972) –The Slider “Plasticware” Review – The Phoenix
This Phoenix review from September 5 1972, written by Tim Osburn, appears under the “Captive Audience – Phoenix Reviews” banner and offers a lively critique of T. Rex’s The Slider. The piece situates Marc Bolan’s glam‑rock sound within the broader early‑1970s rock landscape, comparing his style to contemporaries like Rod Stewart and Jimi Hendrix while celebrating Bolan’s unique mix of sensuality and pop mysticism.
Publication: The Phoenix Date: September 5, 1972 Country: United States
Osburn’s column, titled Plasticware, opens with reflections on the “jungle rhythms coursing through hot teenage blood,” positioning Bolan as a figure who bridges rock’s primal energy and pop sophistication.
The review praises The Slider for its sleek production and infectious hooks, noting Bolan’s ability to fuse “rock and roll and the jungle rhythms” into a sound both playful and erotic. Songs like Buick Mackane and Telegram Sam are singled out for their swagger and lyrical wit, with Osburn quoting Bolan’s cheeky self‑referential line:
“Slider, slider / You’re just a sexual glider.” The critic contrasts Bolan’s confident glam persona with the introspective tendencies of other rock acts, arguing that The Slider captures the essence of youthful fantasy and flamboyant showmanship.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
By 1972, The Slider had cemented T. Rex as a leading force in glam rock, following the success of Electric Warrior.
American reviewers like Osburn viewed Bolan as both a pop idol and a poet of excess, whose music embodied the glittering escapism of the era.
The Phoenix review reflects the period’s fascination with British glam culture, emphasizing Bolan’s charisma and his ability to make rock feel simultaneously mystical and accessible.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Review of The Slider album
Era: 1972 – Glam Rock Peak / T. Rex U.S. Tour
Era
Tone: Energetic, humorous, and culturally observant
Photography: Illustrated header “Captive Audience” with comic‑style art
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Full‑page Phoenix review of The Slider under “Plasticware”
Commentary on Bolan’s lyrical style and glam‑rock persona
Comparison to other major rock artists of the early 1970s
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