T.Rex
Dandy in the Underworld

'Cause he's a Dandy in the Underworld...

Some critics have deemed this album Marc Bolan's best; I don't fully share this view, but "Dandy" is certainly another demonstration of the elusive beauty that makes all of Bolan's work irreducible to a single genre. This album contains rock'n'roll reminiscences, almost a return to the early '70s, a good dose of pop (which might slightly annoy the lovers of the aforementioned "rock" period), and even bursts bordering on electronics.

The current reissue includes a double CD (and the second CD is particularly interesting, with alternative versions of the most well-known tracks and some lesser-known ones, like the remake of "To Know You Is To Love You," a Teddy Bears' hit that Bolan reprised accompanied by his girlfriend Gloria Jones). I don't see much punk in it - as some have suggested - indeed, I believe that Marc demonstrated in this last work of his a great innovative capability tempered, however, by the grace that has always distinguished him (at least in my opinion). Because he loved excess, it's true, but the reason he's adored is for being so perfect, so balanced, never a note out of place - that voice that vibrates just when we want it to, the guitar riff that comes and lasts as long as we want it to be fully enjoyed.

That's the reason why he's a Dandy in the Underworld: because he was different from all the others, destined never to be fully understood.