Tanx

Sound DNA

• Rock
• Glam Rock

• fuzzy
• playful
• theatrical

About

Though 1973’s <i>Tanx</i> fared well in Europe, T. Rex’s eighth studio album didn’t live up to the preceding <i>Slider</i> in America. This was partly because fatigue from constant touring (as well as increased partying) was taking away the taut punch of former performances. But another factor was that Marc Bolan was evolving out of glam and delivering darker, more aggressive songs trimmed with backing soul singers and horn arrangements, predating David Bowie’s similar move on <i>Young Americans</i> by two years. “Tenement Lady” kicks off <i>Tanx</i>, sounding like the album will pick up where <i>Slider</i> left off; then the swampy strut of “Shock Rock” jabs at the very glitter-rock genre that Bolan and the band helped pioneer. This is followed by the similarly short “Country Honey,” where rootsy rhythms play under Bolan’s wishes for a pastoral holiday. Of course “Born to Boogie” contradicts all this sentiment with textbook bubble-glam.

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits