Audio CD review:
T. Rex - Change (The Alternate Zinc Alloy)

T. Rex - Change (The Alternate Zinc Alloy)

Band: T. Rex Title: Change (The Alternate Zinc Alloy) Rating: Release Date: 17 October, 1995 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Venus Loon 2: Sound Pit (Part 1& 2) 3: Explosive Mouth 4: Galaxy 5: Change (Signs) 6: Nameless Wildness 7: Teenage Dream 8: Liquid Gang 9: Carsmile Smith & The Old One 10: Spanish Midnight 11: Interstellar Soul 12: Painless Persuasion V. The Meathawk Immaculate 13: The Avengers (Superbad) 14: The Leopards Featuring Gardenia & The Mighty Slug 15: The Groover 16: Midnight 17: Truck On (Tyke) 18: Sitting There (Sitting Here) 19: Satisfaction Pony 20: Nameless Wildness 21: Carsmile Smith & The Old One (Solo) 22: Carsmile Smith & The Old One (With Organ) 23: The Avengers (Superbad) 24: The Leopards Featuring Geraldine & The Mighty Slug

Customer Reviews A CREAMED CAGE It could have been the best rock opera soundtrack since "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" but no film is available for such a thrill. I would have enjoyed this album much more if perhaps it was listed as a soundtrack to a rock opera. The raw sound of "Zinc Alloy" does not do T. Rex much justice. It is ironic how Tony Visconti's name appears in the production credits, but in the "T. Rextasy" box-set (Relativity label), he claims "Tanx" as his last works w/ the band. Was he that ashamed with this album that he wouldn't even provide himself with credit? Visconti is one of the best producers of all time. For, he produced the miraculous T. Rex albums before this. Visconti is proof that good production is not a sin, it is a formula. He had the chemistry right since "My People Were Fair. . . " as well as making Bowie what he is today. But, "Zinc Alloy. . . " is nothing but a utter distraction from the T. Rex legend. In fact, some T. Rex loyalists agree that the self-titled "T. Rex" album was indeed the ending to the legacy. I beg to differ, for, my 2 on 1 cassette version of "Electric Warrior/Slider" is what cursed me with T. Rex mania! I haven't lost interest since! But, when I first heard "Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tommorow" I nearly cried. I felt as if I was being taken on a voyage on the Muppet Show with the featured guest, Marc Bolan. The bongos seemed to be completely missing and I was outraged by the over-powered background vocals. It was like disco-mania happened way too soon. Aside from the shrieking background vocals (Gloria Jones?), "Explosive Mouth" and "Change" are exceptions. But, the strength of the previous albums is nowhere to be found. During the 72 explosion of T. Rex mania, Marc Bolan had his share of negative critism from the media. Like many musicians, this crippled the legend. A BBC disc-jockey did a continous airplay of T. Rex songs and concluded the show with how much the tunes all sounded the same. Not only did this break Bolan's well-held ego, but it would eventually destroy him! This gem is reflectant of the new Bolan sound and is by no means the death of a legacy. The bonus tracks included here enrich a reissue of a reissue by all means!. "Change" will make you realize Bolan didn't "lose it" Rex fans quit listening. Zinc Alloy would probably be considered the point where most T. In all fairness to that album, there were some excellent songs, but many were spoiled by overproduction. "Change" rectifies that by showing a hard rocking side missing on the "Zinc Alloy" album. The song "Superbad" shows Bolan rocking harder than usual, with a killer Bolanic wah-wah sound that begs to be cranked up!Also, "Liquid Gang" takes on a hard funky edge that gives T. Rex a powerful sound. Two two versions of "Painless Pursusion. . . " show Marc's lyrical prowess, and thought provoking realizations of how his life changed with success. In some ways,I believe "Tanx" and this album show Marc Bolan at his peak. If you've never heard "Zinc Alloy" or wrote that album off, you should take a listen to "Change" Marc Bolan's music and lyrics are a part of my being. This album won't disappoint any T. Rex fans. . You can see a complete list of all T. Rex discography, or go back to the T. Rex tabs