release date: Feb. 1, 1974
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,08]
producer: Tony Visconti
label: EMI - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Venus Loon" - 2. "Sound Pit" - 4. "Galaxy" - 5. "Change" - 8. "Liquid Gang"
9th studio album by T. Rex following one year after Tanx (Jan. 1973) is the band's final to be produced by Tony Visconti as also the final with drummer Bill Legend as band member. Once again, the new album from Bolan doesn't add new layers or styles to his repertoire, and the album was now received with less enthusiasm compared to previous releases. Many of the compositions here sound much like former songs, as had been the case with Tanx, and the album title made critics imply this as a lesser copy of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972). It's not really that the music is bad, it actually contains several fine songs with perhaps a darker approach to life, but what could've made critics dislike the album is what may be seen as Bolan's attempt to stay on top despite not having any ideas left, clinging on to a formula and an imaginary throne while the magic has dissolved.
The king will not step down, although, everyone has seen former glam rockers like Bowie, Reed, and Roxy Music more than capable of producing new material building on new ideas and escorting glam rock into new shapes. Contrary to that, Bolan seems to have no intentions to follow suit. It's really not all bad but at the same time it's difficult to embrace this new installation as it replicates so much.
Not one of the best by Bolan.
