Disco de T. Rex: “Dandy in the Underworld [Expanded Edition]”

Dandy in The Underworld, is Bolan back to his best. This a clean and mature sounding album from a clean and mature person. the craziness in his life has gonw and his music is back to where it should be. Dandy in the Underworld the title track, very clever about himslef. Groove A Litle a good tight funky number. Perhaps the inclusion ofI Love To boogie seems out of place, but it was a hit single in the UK, so it had to go on. Teen rioy Structure is classic Bolan Boogie, whilst the atmospheric Pain & Love shows that Marc could right songs a a deeper level if needed and make them truly haunting. Perhaps the album lacks the raw sex appeal of Slider and Electric Warrior, but then this was a much saner and happier Bolan than the Bolan of 71 and 72. bBolan's voice has returned and is on top form, the lyrical madness is stll there and the production is smooth. Also worth a mention is the excellent hang Ups an simple number that has an excellent feel. Please don't believe those eho say only buy Slider and Electric Warrior, Bolan was far more than that. Dandy really shows Marcs universal ability as a song writer and true individual, there are some very beautiful songs on here, don't let anyone tell you other wise. Pleae feel free to E Mail me, I currently writing articles on all the Bolan Albums and would like any thoughts or comments, especially to do with the lyrics

I remember buying this one in '77 - the guy behind the counter said it well: "This is a good one."

Bolan had lost himself for a while, and I had dreaded being disappointed in his music again. Thankfully, this one was not a letdown. He had rallied himself to produce a high-quality pop record.

The embarassing moments of over-indulgence that riddled Bolan's efforts since '74 had been reduced to a minimum; be forewarned that there's still some of those here, and they have not aged well. (The mannered hiccup-ish vocals on some numbers is a good example.) That said, there's some strong riffs here, and the lyric lines are as zany (and real) as any of Bolan's best work.

Bolan had said that he wanted to produce a "serious glitter album", and by Gumm he did it. In the process he left his own best tribute behind without even intending to do so.

Marc Bolan left a legacy of great music behind when he died in 1977. This album ranks as one of his best. If you're a fan of the man's music and don't have this album - get it. Songs like "Dandy In the Underworld," "Crimson Moon," "Hang-Ups," "Visions of Domino" and the B-Side single "Tame My Tiger" are not only great songs, but great poems set to music: "This woman is a perfumed breeze/Greek Gods recline upon her knees/I'd freeze the sun to kiss her ear..." Edsel has done a wonderful job packaging this release. Get a copy while it's still in print. This is a wonderful album

I wasn't a big T rex fan, born in 1954, but always loved "Jeepster" and "Bang a Gong" But I'm just now starting to hear a lot or Bolan's music. I bought "Electric Warrior" and this CD. I like "Electric Warrior"...but when I heard this CD I clicked with it immediately. I love it! And find myself listening to it over and over...I just did this review to say that I much prefer this CD much more than "Electric Warrior". A lot more.

Dandy in the Underworld is the grand conclusion of a groundbreaking glam rocker who was easily a few notches better than several other of the glam stars at the time, and the really strange thing about is all is that, I wouldn't even categorize Dandy in the Underworld as a glam rock album. More like a slight attempt at punk with the constant, noticeable heavy guitar tones. That really feels like the direction T Rex would have continued exploring had that horrible September day never taken place.

Coincidentally the accident that took Bolan's life happened 6 days after my parents got married, and T Rex had been my fathers favorite band up to that point (and still is, actually). Weird timing.

For whatever reason I have trouble getting into the title song. It's biggest problem is the fairly weak vocal melody that, in my opinion, isn't suitable for its 4 and a half minute time length. At any rate, the album immediately improves after that with a wickedly haunting chorus in "Crimson Moon". Listen to THOSE vocals and tell me you're not impressed. I wouldn't believe you!

Speaking of which, there's a distinct lack of female background vocals on this particular effort, perhaps another indication T Rex was moving away from their glam rock roots. It's all just speculation nowadays, but it really does feel like Marc Bolan was taking going for a more hard rock affair and perhaps even preparing for another creative effort in the genre, but it wasn't meant to be. In other words, Dandy in the Underworld's harder and aggressive nature feels like it was just a small taste of what could very well have been a steady, consistent change of pace for Bolan.

"Universe" has an amazing vocal melody and chorus, and it takes advantage of the late 70's recording technology by giving it a very outer space feeling. Listen to the vocals for further proof. A GREAT pop song is next- "I'm a Fool for You Girl". "The Soul of my Suit" is right in the same exact territory of pop-writing perfection. Speaking of hard rock, does "Visions of Domino" remind anyone else of Thin Lizzy? Just listen to that crunching and soaring chorus. Wow!

"James B. Sad" takes us back to the bluesy/glam rocks, perhaps the only true glam rocker on the entire album. "Groove a Little" is a danceable little blues song, nice and pretty and easy to remember. "Pain and Love" is a little repetitive but I believe it's because the lyrics are supposed to be the center of attention. Listen carefully to them. "Hang Ups" is a great song, and the closer "Teen Riot Structure" actually reminds me of the pop band Weezer a little bit, no kidding. I wonder if it could have been an influence?

All in all a terrific album, and it's hard to decide between this or Futuristic Dragon. We can only assume T Rex would have continued to produce more hits had it not been for that fateful day. In fact, I feel extremely confident they would have made a few hits in the 80's and would have resembled artists such as Prince or Billy Idol, but of course in a distinct "This is T Rex" kind of way, therefore re-energizing the bands career, and even gaining more fans as a result.