Considering it’s almost half a century since Marc Bolan’s death, 50 years during which is back catalogue has been recycled and repackaged in more or less every imaginable fashion, it’s both surprising (and, frankly, unbelievable) that this is the first time anyone has thought of gathering all his b-sides into one vinyl package.
At least for his first four years of stardom, Bolan prided himself on giving the fans full value for their 45 purchases, often including two (or even three) tracks on the flip of the hit. And, even better, they were often as good as the a-side.
Focusing as it does on his 1972-and-after career, this package misses the crucial cuts that backed “Ride A White Swan,” “Hot Love” and “Get It On.” But across side one, “Cadillac,” “Baby Strange,” “Thunderwing” and “Lady” peel off the backsides of “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru” with such supreme confidence and panache that it would be a sourpuss collector indeed who didn’t at least consider all four for their private best of Bolan.
And the mood continues, across the remainder of side one and deep into disc two. Thereafter, the thrills do become more sporadic, just like they did with Bolan’s a-sides and albums. And probably we don’t need reminding of his take on “Dock of the Bay.”
But there’s still fun to be had with “Baby Boomerang,” “Ride My Wheels” and “Solid Baby,” and a few others as well. Go back to those first two sides, however, and ask yourself this. Who else was so bravado-packed and brilliant that they could stick a song the quality of “Born To Boogie” on the b-side of a single? Only Marc….
The Fat Angel Sings 