The Slider (reissue) (National Album Day 2024) vinyl

On limited edition translucent red vinyl comes T Rex's The Slider LP, the then mad-hatted rock maven's seventh and most celebrated album. Known not only for its production by studio legend Tony Visconti, but also for its two lead singles 'Telegram Sam' and 'Metal Guru', The Slider is perhaps one of the best-skimmed creams of the 70s' glam rock era. The Slider caught the peak of what was soon to be dubbed "Bolanmania" and/or "T. Rextacy", owing to Bolan's then almost messianic onstage presence and fan fervour. 'Metal Guru', for example, takes after Bolan's invocation of a sort of rock musical "godhead" in his songwriting sessions; a demiurgic guru whose power compels him to loneliness despite the glamour. The record is also noted for its harder tone than his earlier records like Electric Warrior, with the likes of 'Buick MacKane' and 'Chariot Choogle' earning the cheeky label "Zep Rex", in reference to the zippier among his songs.