The Slider by T. Rex

I don’t think I appreciated until today quite how much Tony Visconti was involved in shaping the glam sound of the early 70s. As well as his well known collaborations with Bowie, he produced all of T. Rex’s albums including string arrangements and backing vocals as required. This album has a notably heavier rock sound - even if Metal Guru couldn’t quite be classified as heavy metal, Chariot Choogle is most definitely heading that way.

The quieter tracks are probably a better showcase for Bolan’s unique and slightly fey vocals, and there are definite similarities with Bowie’s sound on the album closer Main Man. We can only wonder what sort of directions Bolan’s career might have taken if not for his tragic death in a car crash in 1978. As it is we are left with a fine collection of a songs and a haunting picture on the album cover (probably snapped by Tony Visconti rather than Ringo as the album credit has it).