In what order should I buy all these T. Rex re-issues, if at all? (other than the obvious chronological order)

Hopefully there'll be some good reissues of the older Tyrannosaurus Rex albums...

A lot of people would probably stop with Tanx or Zinc Alloy, though, and Dandy in the Underworld is one of his best albums.

Interesting. I know that the ones that've been re-issued domestically were originally on Edsel in the exact same format as the "new" reissues. I take it the older albums are the same.

So I’ve not really fallen for T. Rex as of yet; I have the Electric Warrior reissue, it’s nice enough but I haven’t been compelled to check out much else. I’m a big fan of most of the usual reference points, though – Velvets, Bowie, Roxy Music, etc. – so I’ve kept T. Rex in the back of my mind for years, always intending to give his music a good listen but not really having the means or desire, until now.

Yesterday I came across the Rhino 2xCD reissues for the following, $6 to $8 each:

Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow
Bolan’s Zip Gun
Futuristic Dragon
Dandy in the Underworld

What’s worth getting? Is there anything in these that will bowl me over? Or, since I’ve not properly fallen for Electric Warrior, is it just wishful thinking?

I like(d) Bolan's Zip Gun (well, I would, I got it from the man himself)

If you don't like Electric Warrior I'm not sure T-Rex are for you really. I'd pick The Slider over all of those albums though.

Thanks guys.

Still waiting for Ned to thread... and anyone else who loves T. Rex?

Does anyone else love T. Rex?

I'd pick The Slider over all of those albums though.

Oh yes

I'm partial to the early acoustic psych era (the Tyrannosaurus Rex days), but that's not what earned their reputation. Worth checking out, though, but I doubt you'll find any of those cd's on sale anywhere.
Sometimes I think the s/t T Rex album is their best.

Sometimes I think the s/t T Rex album is their best.

Me too. It's right on the cusp between early witchy folk and later sphinxy glam-bop. Some of my favorite guitar sounds of all time on that album.

Of those cheapies you found, Zinc Alloy is probably my favorite. Futuristic Dragon has some awesome stuff on it, but I would hate for it to be someone's 2nd T. Rex record.

Tony Visconti is a household god in my parlor.

the "20th Century Superstar" box set runs the full gamut from the very first singles through the folk, rock, and decadent soul era. recommended (if you can find it)

and btw, Whatever Happened to the Teenage Dream?

Yeah you gotta have a singles & b sides comp for sure. So much of the best shit never got included on an LP.

The other day I saw a woman comin' outta New York City with a frog in her hand. I did! Don't you know?

why they lived and why they DIED:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaGCWejBfFw

love 'whatever happened to the teenage dream'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwaAYc9sI8A

I love T-Rex but a little goes a long way. The box-set is all I need really.

Out of the albums mentioned by ilxor, I have a real soft spot for Dandy In The Underworld.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9rFoPyqFoA

^^^perfect song

altho that version's not as good as the single version with the strings

All T-Rex is amazing, even the infamously "crappy" 70s albums. Zinc Alloy is pretty damn cool. Futuristic Dragon has an unstoppable a-side. Zip Gun Boogie kind bites but has three or four classics anyways. Apart from those, Tanx and everything before including Tyrannosaurus Rex, are classic classic classic.

Um, I agree with Jon. Get "Zinc".

Summer deep is on the hills again. I ride upon my zebra, pterodactyl-beak hat on my brow. The truth is like a stranger.

Search: any Bolan composition likening women to cars or mentioning the purchase thereof (cars that is)

Played CADILLAC on my radio show last night!

Baby I wanna walk you home
There's a shadow in the basement and I'm scared to sleep alone.

Women love T. Rex. Women in my life have responded well to T. Rex (e.g. to me with T. Rex playing). Therefore, I luuurve T. Rex.

Electric Warrior > The Slider > Tanx > Dandy In The Underworld > Bolan's Zip Gun > Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow > T. Rex > Futuristic Dragon > A Beard Of Stars > Unicorn.

My wife loooooves T Rex.

This becomes more or less irrelevant once you're engaged/married, y'know. ;-)

xpost

Whoops! Scratch that. Impressively coincidental wife-post before mine.

its true, the girls love the T. Rex for some reason

It's because women can't get enough of being compared to cars.

Awww girl? I love your chests. Girl I'm just crazy 'bout your breasts. Woman? You think you're a champ but, girl, you ain't nothin' but a raw ramp.

What a charmer!

This becomes more or less irrelevant once you're engaged/married, y'know.

No, it's good when the wife likes something I like. I'm allowed to play it throughout the house when she's around!

I've been delving into T. Rex lately... loved Tyrannosaurus Rex for a long time, but only had the s/t T. Rex and Electric Warrior. And, MAN, Zinc Alloy is an awesome, crazy record. The opening three tracks are like all-time classic. And if you get the version with the bonus tracks, those are great as well (Truck On, The Groover, Satisfaction Pony, etc).

So much cocaine in that album!

Bonus tracks *and* cocaine? That'll be the executive deluxe version.