Not The Clash or The Sex Pistols, but rather The Damned got together to do a tour with Mr Bolan, who was suddenly hip again, if not exactly popular. Still, it was a step forward for him and Bolan loved the respect he was receiving after a good few years of neglect from the critics. 'Dandy In The Underworld' ditches the sometimes overly trying hard production of certain previous Bolan LPs for a simplicity that almost harks back to the likes of 'Electric Warrior'. This serves him well. Yes, a couple or three songs still sound glossy and suitably glam, yet a few other songs are so simple it's a wonder anybody hadn't thought of them before. Well, believe the rumours and people HAD thought of them before, yet since when was nicking a riff here and there and refashioning it into a new song a criminal offence? These days, every bloody new band does it on nearly every song! Still, where were we? Ah yes! Two bona-fide classics reside on this album, at least. The title song is absolutely glorious, classic lyrics relating to everything Bolan had publically presented. Dandy in the underworld? Says enough by itself, doesn't it? Surely?? Even better is 'Soul Of My Suit', a classic slice of Bolan simplicity wrapped up within a great production and guitar lines that stand out. That's what you want from Bolan. Plus, this tune is one of the best Bolan songs that combines guitar with the synths and still comes out smiling happily. And, happy is a good word, this is such a happy, grin inducing song!
'Dandy In The Underworld' saw Bolan presenting an LP set that was easily his most consistent LP playing effort since 'The Slider'. This was good, and had he only lived long enough, could have been a building block for a genuine career revival. I could quite easily imagining Bolan going through the 80s, having good times and bad, but at least making good music throughout. It wasn't to be, and Bolan at least ended on a highpoint. Let's take 'Visions Of Domino'. How storming is this track? Well, very. And the two and a half minute length harks back to earlier Bolan and also fitted in with the punk times, totally. Bolan is also in fine voice throughout the album, as if no time had passed at all since 1972, rather than the five years that actually had. I mean that in a good way, obviously. God, even the terribly titled 'Jason B Sad' harks back to the better moments of 'The Slider'. What more do you want? 'Dandy In The Underworld' is a terribly overlooked album in the Bolan canon compared to his most famous works, but really does deserve more attention. 'I Love To Boogie' is a single riff and a couple of lines of lyrics, but that's all it needs to be life-enhancing.
Tracklist for Dandy in the Underworld:
1. "Dandy in the Underworld" 4:33
2. "Crimson Moon" 3:22
3. "Universe" 2:43
4. "I'm a Fool For You Girl" 2:16
5. "I Love to Boogie" 2:14
6. "Visions of Domino" 2:23
7. "Jason B. Sad" 3:22
8. "Groove a Little" 3:24
9. "The Soul of My Suit" 2:37
10. "Hang Ups" 3:28
11. "Pain and Love" 3:41
12. "Teen Riot Structure" 3:33
'Dandy In The Underworld' saw Bolan presenting an LP set that was easily his most consistent LP playing effort since 'The Slider'. This was good, and had he only lived long enough, could have been a building block for a genuine career revival. I could quite easily imagining Bolan going through the 80s, having good times and bad, but at least making good music throughout. It wasn't to be, and Bolan at least ended on a highpoint. Let's take 'Visions Of Domino'. How storming is this track? Well, very. And the two and a half minute length harks back to earlier Bolan and also fitted in with the punk times, totally. Bolan is also in fine voice throughout the album, as if no time had passed at all since 1972, rather than the five years that actually had. I mean that in a good way, obviously. God, even the terribly titled 'Jason B Sad' harks back to the better moments of 'The Slider'. What more do you want? 'Dandy In The Underworld' is a terribly overlooked album in the Bolan canon compared to his most famous works, but really does deserve more attention. 'I Love To Boogie' is a single riff and a couple of lines of lyrics, but that's all it needs to be life-enhancing.
Tracklist for Dandy in the Underworld:
1. "Dandy in the Underworld" 4:33
2. "Crimson Moon" 3:22
3. "Universe" 2:43
4. "I'm a Fool For You Girl" 2:16
5. "I Love to Boogie" 2:14
6. "Visions of Domino" 2:23
7. "Jason B. Sad" 3:22
8. "Groove a Little" 3:24
9. "The Soul of My Suit" 2:37
10. "Hang Ups" 3:28
11. "Pain and Love" 3:41
12. "Teen Riot Structure" 3:33
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