Tanx [Expanded Edition] (1973)

by T. Rex

By 1973's Tanx, the T. Rex hit-making machine was beginning to show some wear and tear, but Marc Bolan still had more than a few winners up his sleeve. It was also admirable that Bolan was attempting to broaden the T. Rex sound -- soulful backup singers and horns are heard throughout, a full two years before David Bowie used the same formula for his mega-seller Young Americans. However, Tanx did not contain any instantly recognizable hits, as their past couple of releases had, and the performances were not quite as vibrant, ... Read More

By 1973's Tanx, the T. Rex hit-making machine was beginning to show some wear and tear, but Marc Bolan still had more than a few winners up his sleeve. It was also admirable that Bolan was attempting to broaden the T. Rex sound -- soulful backup singers and horns are heard throughout, a full two years before David Bowie used the same formula for his mega-seller Young Americans. However, Tanx did not contain any instantly recognizable hits, as their past couple of releases had, and the performances were not quite as vibrant, due to non-stop touring and drug use. Despite an era of transition looming on the horizon for the band, tracks such as "Rapids," "Highway Knees," "The Street & Babe Shadow," and "Born to Boogie" contain the expected classic T. Rex sound. The leadoff track, "Tenement Lady," is an interesting Beatlesque epic, while "Shock Rock" criticizes the early-'70s glam scene, which T. Rex played a prominent role in creating. Other highlights include one of Bolan's most gorgeous and heartfelt ballads, "Broken Hearted Blues," as well as the brief, explosive rocker "Country Honey." Tanx marked the close of what many consider T. Rex's golden era; unfortunately, the bandmembers would drift off one by one soon after, until Bolan was the only one remaining by the mid-'70s. [The 2002 reissue adds seven bonus tracks, plus a full-length second disc featuring a plethora of alternate takes. The first disc's extra tracks are "Children of the Revolution," "Jitterbug Love," "Sunken Rags," "Solid Gold Easy Action," "Xmas Riff," "Free Angel," and the incredibly influential and awe-inspriing glam anthem "20th Century Boy." The second disc offers the entire album in its original order but using alternate takes, plus alternate takes of "Children of the Revolution," "Solid Gold Easy Action," and "Free Angel"; semi-acoustic takes of "Mister Mister," "Broken Hearted Blues," "The Street and the Babe Shadow," and "Tenement Lady"; and straight acoustic versions of "Tenement Lady," "Broken Hearted Blues," "Mad Donna," "The Street and the Babe Shadow," and "Left Hand Luke."] ~ Greg Prato, Rovi Read Less