70's Glam, Pop, Pop Rock: T. Rex - Dandy In The Underworld (2019 Edsel, Reissue, Deluxe Edition) 3 Disc & Book

 

Within twelve months of Dandy In The Underworld being released Marc Bolan was dead, a statement made sadder by the fact it proved his best album for some time. Released during the punk explosion of 1977, it was viewed as something of an irrelevance to all but the die-hard fans but,

musically, had a great deal in common with the anarchic scene of the time. Both were based firmly in stripped to the bone barroom boogie - punk coated in a patina of rage and aggression, whilst Bolan's roots were way back in late 50s / early 60s rock and roll.

 Bolan, whether in a clever marketing ploy or a genuine belief, even labelled himself the Godfather of Punk and invited The Damned as a support band on a T.Rex tour. So what made this album better than its predecessors? Well for one thing, Bolan had become much less dependent on the wailing backing vocals of his girlfriend Gloria Jones which, for me,

always detracted from what made T.Rex great: killer riffs and crazily poetic lyrics. And, secondly, there seems to be a heightened sense of enjoyment about the whole venture. Rather than worrying about image and sales,

Bolan seems to have regained his love for music which comes across in some of his most basic and best songs for years: "Crimson Moon", "Visions Of Domino", "Groove A Little" and, in retrospect, Dandy In The Underworld is a fitting epitaph to a unique talent. (rateyourmusic.com, Grampus user)

I don't really have anything to say about the last Bolan album. I think that it is mainly for fans. And was his best in years. Enjoy.(Frank)

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