Marc Bolan and T-rex were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and “Angelheaded Hipster” is a double album that features artists who have been carefully pickedlike the guest list at a lavish dinner party, to each bring something different to their performances of these classic glam-rock songs.  

Hal Willner, who passed away in April of this year from covid-19, put this disparate list of performers in the studio to record with his house band. As with many of the tribute albums he produced, the album is more a bold re-interpretation of Bolan’s music than just a collection of T-Rex songs played by different artists.

Younger artists like Kesha, Devendra Banhart, Peaches, Father John Misty, and Jessie Harris contribute alongside artists who were more directly influenced by T-Rex like Nick Cave, Joan Jett, Lucinda Williams, Todd Rundgren and U-2. Some stay true to the original versions while others opt to turn the songs inside out. 

Tribute albums don’t have a long shelf-life. Rarely is their popularity more than just a curiousity. “Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T-Rex” will probably have the same fate but it will have had the short term effect of bringing attention to the work of a true original and will continue to enhance his legacy.  

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