After owning the British and European glam market for a few years Marc Bolan went to US with his band aiming for a big breakthrough there. This album was supposed to make way for American success, but instead it started a downward spiral that would last for three years and he never fully recovered before passing away 1977. It was a brave move. Tastes have always differed between Europe and US - many albums and '45:s being mega hits on one side of the Atlantic didn't even chart on the other and the European glam rock Bolan represented so far never really hit it off with the American public. At the time he'd been sacked by Reprise Records in US but signed a contract with newly founded Casablanca instead. Three of the cuts were re-used from UK "Zinc Alloy" album - not yet issued in US - and the remaining eight recorded at Music Recorders Inc. in Hollywood, produced by Bolan himself in the absence of Tony Visconti. However at time for marketing the label went bankrupt and in spite of a grand promo tour and some radio play the album failed to appease the American buyers and became his last US release. The eight new tracks were later used on his next UK LP "Bolan's Zip Gun", but since this actually had sold as export to Europe, fans already had most of the cuts and that failed too. Personally I enjoy most of the stuff he did up to "Zinc Alloy". There's a rascallion attitude and good humor to a point where you forget the flaws and the sometimes shameless commercial output. IMO that had a lot to do with Tony Visconti. His experience and skill lifted the material and could turn even the simplest basic tunes into something bright and joyful. Bolan's own productions comes through a lot more dense and serious which kills most of the joy - for me anyway. So my favorite here is one I already have on "Zinc Alloy" - "Teenage Dream". 1995 UK CD on Edsel (EDCD 413). First US had label as shown here and matt cover. (RÄX*) (YZÄ*)
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