Unicorn – TYRANNOSAURUS REX****

Chariots Of Silk/’Pon A Hill/The Seal Of Seasons/The Throat Of Winter/Catblack (The Wizard’s Hat)/Stones For Avalon/She Was Born To Be My Unicorn/Like A White Star/Warlord Of The Royal Crocodiles/Evenings Of Damask/The Sea Beasts/Iscariot/Nijinsky Hind/The Pilgrim’s Tale/The Misty Coast Of Albany/Romany Soup

Unicorn was the third album from Marc Bolan, still very much in hippy-dippy mode. It achieved the highest placing of the four Tyrannosaurus Rex albums, before the change to a more commercial direction. (UK:12)

"Tyrannosaurus Rex's hippie music won't please every fan of the more straightforward T. Rex glam sound that's for sure. Bolan's lyrics and poems are fun to listen to, but some people might find them a bit too odd to enjoy."

"The final Bolan/Took collaboration is really an awful lot like the earlier ones. Unicorn is a pleasant enough album on its own, but only pleasant. Taken in the context of the group's earlier recording, it is clear that here is a band which is merely treading water. In retrospect, it's probably a good thing Took left after this one - it opened the way for further experimentation, But here, his talent just isn't showing."

"The album continues in the same vein as its predecessors, whether it is the mystical lyrics or the innovative music that has the psychedelic, trippy, journey of mind kind of atmosphere. However, this album is even more solid when it comes to instrumental arrangements and the addition of effects that are done naturally in the studio, giving some tracks an even more epic presence."

"This album is a real grower. I didn't like it so much at first glance, but each time around it reveals itself a bit more. One of the most important psychedelic folk albums around, and also one of the most versatile. The lyrics are naive, but Unicorn would not be more magical with more sophisticated lyrics. The naiveté just makes Marc Bolan, ambitious little hippie that he was in the late 60s, all the more authentic and charming. This is a magical piece from a magical place and time."

"Catblack (The Wizard's Hat) is my favourite Tyrannosaurus song, absolutely brilliant sly vocals, descending organ and falsetto backing vocals. Chariots Of Silk and Like A White Star are other major highlights. Minor highlights are pretty much every other track except for the weakish Stones For Avalon and the disposable Romany Soup, which is not actually a song."