| features in: Album Chart of 1977 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s |
The twelfth, and final, LP from T. Rex arrived in March, 1977, and, with it, Bolan kept his decent record intact, never having released a poor album statement, respect is due. Almost wilfully unfashionable, it starts with, of all things, a glam-tinged doo-wop ballad, “Dandy In The Underworld”, starring the dashing one himself: “Prince of players, pawn of none, born with steel reins on the heart of the Sun”. He's almost doing his own album review there! Of course, he very much adds to the old 1950s template, the piece being awash under waves of synthesizer, a recurring feature of the album whole, as is the famous fretless bass of 'slinky' Herbie Flowers.
Side one's the poppier of the two, at best with the funky “I’m A Fool For You Girl” on which the band are super-cool. Not quite so cool is the single “I Love To Boogie”, which dumbs down too much. The best tracks all appear on side two with the Bang-A-Gong-aping “Jason B. Sad”, the classy pop chug of “Soul Of My Suit” and the deeply funky “Hang Ups”. Album closer “Teen Riot Structure” hints at a new pop punk direction that we'll never find out about.
On 16 September 1977, Bolan was riding in a Mini driven by his partner Gloria Jones (he never learned to drive, fearing a premature death) as they headed home from a restaurant in Berkeley Square. She lost control, hit a tree and killed Bolan instantly, suffering herself a broken arm and broken jaw. He was only 29, with a lot of creative work bubbling away. “I hope you enjoyed it, just remember, keep a little Marc in your heart.” ~ Marc Bolan, August, 1977
The Jukebox Rebel
20–Dec–2007
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [04:26]  T. Rex - Dandy In The Underworld (Marc Bolan) Rock n Roll Ballad |
| A2 | [03:25]  T. Rex - Crimson Moon (Marc Bolan) Rock |
| A3 | [02:44]  T. Rex - Universe (Marc Bolan) Cerebral Pop |
| A4 | [02:18]  T. Rex - I’m A Fool For You Girl (Marc Bolan) Pop |
| A5 | [02:15]  T. Rex - I Love To Boogie (Marc Bolan) Pop |
| A6 | [02:28] T. Rex - Visions Of Domino (Marc Bolan) Pop |
| B1 | [03:23]  T. Rex - Jason B. Sad (Marc Bolan) Rock |
| B2 | [03:25]  T. Rex - Groove A Little (Marc Bolan) Pop |
| B3 | [02:37]  T. Rex - Soul Of My Suit (Marc Bolan) Pop |
| B4 | [03:29]  T. Rex - Hang Ups (Marc Bolan) Alternative Rock |
| B5 | [03:41] T. Rex - Pain And Love (Marc Bolan) Rock |
| B6 | [03:41] T. Rex - Teen Riot Structure (Marc Bolan) Pop |
