T-Rex Albums Ranked

T. Rex was an English rock band, formed in 1967 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band was initially called Tyrannosaurus Rex and released four psychedelic folk albums under this name. In 1969, Bolan began to change the band’s style towards electric rock and shortened its name to T. Rex the following year. This development culminated in the 1970’s “Ride a White Swan”, and the group soon became pioneers of the glam rock movement.
From 1970 to 1973, T. Rex encountered a popularity in the UK comparable to that of the Beatles, with a run of eleven singles in the UK top ten. They scored four UK number one hits, “Hot Love”, “Get It On”, “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru”. The band’s 1971 album Electric Warrior received critical acclaim as a pioneering glam rock album. It reached number 1 in the UK. The 1972 follow-up, The Slider, entered the top 20 in the US. Following the release of “20th Century Boy” in 1973, which reached number three in the UK, T. Rex’s appeal began to wane, though the band continued releasing one album per year.
In 1977, founder, songwriter, and sole constant member Bolan died in a car crash several months after the release of the group’s final studio album Dandy in the Underworld, and the group disbanded. T. Rex has continued to influence a variety of subsequent artists. The band will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. Here are all of T-Rex’s albums ranked.

Don’t miss out on TIMELESS T-Trex albums below! Click to experience one of the UK’s best bands!

9. Bolan’s Zip Gun (1975)

“Samples I heard made me decide to purchase it and give it a try. Zip Gun is one of the greatest risks I’ve taken. As far as I’m concerned, this album rivals The Slider. Even though Bolans popularity was waning and he was questioning his place in the music world at the time, he was able to create a masterpiece-even though he denounced it after it’s release. It has a slightly more simplified sound and even has a 50’s feel to it in some places. The album rocks where it needs to, but has some of the most beautiful harmonies and compositions he ever put to vinyl. Just listen to Token Of Your Love and you’ll get what I’m talking about. I guarantee that if you are a T. Rex fan, you will love this album. It hasn’t left my stereo for 3 days-and counting.”

8. Rabbit Fighter (The Alternate Slider) (2002)

“If you love “The Slider” as many do, you owe it to yourself to pick up this little gem. All of the tracks are unfinished, or demo versions, of each track on “The Slider.” Highlights include the smoother Metal Guru (sans yelling/backing vocals,) the completely different Buick Mackane, and the super romantic acoustic version of Cadilac. A great revisit to a classic album.”

7. Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow (1974)

“This album is crazy under-rated, but I understand why. Back when TREX was da bomb, there were some from the metal camp that would not follow TREX into Zinc Alloy territory. What got him to the level of popularity at that point was a minimalist feel. People couldn’t get past Gloria’s backing vocals and such, but the fact is, the strength of Bolan’s writing remains. Plus he lost his Warner Bros contract, so distribution wasn’t what it could have been. Then add to that the fact that this wasn’t even released in the USA. This was what he intended to be released, though.”

6. Futuristic Dragon (1976)

“This is the best T. Rex album, bar none. Ok, “Ride My Wheels” is utter crap and should by collective will be shifted to one of their previous crappy albums. “Electric Warrior” is great but far less interesting than this – lower replay value and less diversity. I would argue, even though it is after glam’s decline so can’t be considered a “peak” and never really got famous, it is in competition with Roxy Music’s “Stranded” for the best album of the genre (and it’s far more listenable than that).

5. Dandy in the Underworld (1977)

“Inspired writing and playing by Marc Bolan, along with the energized efforts of his chosen lineup of mostly session musicians, combine to propel this outstanding gem by T. Rex to among the very best examples of their work. ‘Dandy In The Underworld’, released in March 1977, was also the swan song of T. Rex, as the band’s prime mover/singer/songwriter/guitarist Marc Bolan died in a car accident later the same year, age 29. Not released in North America at the time, DITU astonished this reviewer when discovered on import vinyl several years after its initial release.”

See More:  Hanoi Rocks Albums Ranked

4. T.Rex (1970)

“This is just pure classic T.Rex and probably my favorite of their albums. Sadly the lead singer Marc Bolan was killed before his 30th birthday in a car crash, but folks today can celebrate his amazing contribution to music with this 180 gram vinyl masterpiece. Like Lou Reed and David Bowie, T. Rex was a main player in the glam rock movement of the 70s (T.Rex actually formed in 1967 but changed their name to T. Rex in 1970). Critics debate whether this album or Bowie’s ‘Man Who Sold the World” was the first truly glam rock album. But experts can debate, and fans can just relax and appreciate the music. This album was also important for T. Rex because it is hailed as their first glam rock album after moving away from the folk sound of Tyrannosaurus Rex and the first T.Rex album (self titled).”

3. Tanx (1973)

“Great album!!! Yep, it’s 1972 again and I’m a freshman in high school and T.Rex rocks!! Still sounds great 41 years later! I won’t get deep into the musicality of the music , Marc Bolan was a master of simplicity, his chord progressions and guitars licks are at times a homage to Chuck Berry and 3 chord rock and roll. But his spin is fun and gritty! On the other hand the slower acoustic style ballads and songs masterfully use his cool,quirky vocal stylings to create a sound that made T.Rex stand out. You can catch yourself singing along to lyrics that maybe don’t make any sense at all but you can’t stop because the song sounds so cool! “

2. The Slider (1972)

“I had listened to T-Rex before i.e.Bang a Gong etc.. But Marc Bolan just seemed to speak to me on this one. Over the years I wore it out, I still have it and have since had it framed (great cover photo by Ringo Starr) when I saw it again on Amazon I was thrilled!!! Good job on remastered version. Just as crisp and clear as I remembered. Bolan hit the mark on his writing on this one!! amazon delivered on time as usual and it arrived in great condition. Would recommend this to anyone who has heard even one song by this mad genius! Thanks amazon for helping me re-capture a small bit of my youth!”

1.Electric Warrior (1971)

“Why do I love this so so much? (shrug). Oh, I know, kinda Bowie-ish, kinda Lou Reed-ish, kinda Roxy Music-ish (all of whom I like), but really kinda T. Rex! It’s a view into the future of glam rock, which is why Roxy Music, David Bowie and Lou Reed come to mind. The lyrics can be quite laughable at points, somehow very earnest/sincere/vulnerable at others, but the sometimes gruff and strident, sometimes soft and fuzzy guitar riffs are captivating. In a way, it’s almost a bridge between the flower power electro-pop of Donovan and Beatles and that later Ziggy/Roxy/Reed sound that brought us to Punk. So, take it seriously or take it for fun… just take it in and enjoy.”