In 1964, when tasked with defining hardcore pornography, Justice Potter Stewart stated, “I know it when I see it.”
In many ways, glam rock faces the same taxonomic difficulty. I’m not sure I could ever dissect and identify the specific elements that make something glam rock. I have tried and failed many times to explain to someone what makes Electric Warrior by T. Rex such a perfect record. I just know that when glam hits, few things are sweeter.
And Mott by Mott the Hoople is sweet.