Tyrannosaurus Rex –
UNICORN
This is such an
insane little album. How do you describe it? Sixteen songs of mysticism,
eccentric folk melodies and Bolan’s magic? Lyrics dealing with royal crocodiles
and wizards and unicorns? Bongos and John Peel reading a short story and
Peregrin Took looking like Faramir on the cover?
Total insanity. I
guess the best way to be introduced to this album is to hear a pleasantly
demented song like “Iscariot” and see if this makes any sort of sense on a
purely metaphysical level. Because once you crack it, Bolan’s vocal style and
the general mood of this album, you will realise this is something very special.
Honestly. “Bang A
Gong (Get It On)” never stood a chance against the unforgettable melody of “Cat
Black (The Wizard’s Hat)” and the charming shamanism of “The Misty Coast Of
Avalon”.
*On the issue of trolling
and this not being Abbey Road or something. I
genuinely believe there is no point in putting a band like The Beatles on any
sort of list. Which is not to degrade the utter genius of “Her Majesty”, of course.
