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TYRANNOSAURUS

It is quite difficult to describe an album like this, and, since it is a rather unknown, or should I say unpromoted English album costing six dollars, not many people will buy it. But that is not the purpose of this review. Nor will I fill your head with a cut-by-cut synopsis and explanation of the very heavy poetry and symbolism of the album.

March 1, 1969
Phip Richardson

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TYRANNOSAURUS

Phip Richardson

It is quite difficult to describe an album like this, and, since it is a rather unknown, or should I say unpromoted English album costing six dollars, not many people will buy it. But that is not the purpose of this review. Nor will I fill your head with a cut-by-cut synopsis and explanation of the very heavy poetry and symbolism of the album. That is something that is something that should be left to the individual.

The lyrics are done by an obviously very heavy person named Marc Bolan, who also does vocals and guitar. It is acoustical guitar, so all you Iron Butterfly freeks can forget this one. The lyrics are also wisely enclosed in the album. I say wisely because the rhythm technique and vocal style used by the Rex may at first seem to distort or run words together. But I don’t think it detracts from the sound; it is part of it. Their voices are used like musical instruments and the words become an intricate rhythm pattern. When you do start to get into the words, you will find some very obvious and beautiful poetry. You will also find some very heavy. thoughts or maybe just words, but what was just words to me might involve a very deep and personal thing for you. Possibly you won’t dig something in the album for years, and then someday you will. Steve Peregrin Took completes the pair and plays every kind percussion instrument from African talking drums to a Chinese gong and also contributes vocally. You may have trouble deciding if the beat is Near East, Far East, African, or to some people, noise. Once again, it is your own opinion. Some of it probably is African, some may have been inspired by the Tablas of India; all of it is inspired.

The words, “In the head of a man is a woman/in the head of a woman is a man/But what wonders roam/In the head of a child,” are on the very artful cover, and if they mean anything to you, perhaps you should try to hear this album.

The first cut starts with a a rhythmic chorus of “Dug and redug and dug and redug redug.” There are also other means of getting into music and poetry, but don’t get caught.