ALBUM REVIEW: Slade – Sladest (BMG Records)
Slade were one of the biggest-selling bands of the early ’70s, and this new vinyl version of their first UK compilation album is the latest part of BMG Records’ extensive reissue campaign.
Sladest was originally released in September 1973, achieved silver sales status in its first week on its way to the No 1 spot, and went gold by November.
As a greatest hits set by one of the most popular bands around, it found its way into many a Christmas stocking, and BMG are no doubt hoping this reissue will do the same.
It’s on blue and white splatter vinyl rather than the black, and housed in a single sleeve rather than the original gatefold, but is otherwise a faithful reproduction, right down to the LP-sized inner booklet.
Irritatingly, that includes the rear cover tracklist, which still bears no resemblance whatsoever to the songs in the order they appear on the record!
I never did understand why Polydor had done that, but 49-year quibbles aside, this remains an album to get any party started, packed full of their biggest hits so far.
Any music lover of a certain age will know Cum On Feel The Noize, Look Wot You Dun, Gudbuy T’Jane and Skweeze Me Pleeze Me – and that’s just from side one.
Side two continues in the same vein, with Take Me Bak ‘Ome, Coz I Luv You, Get Down And Get With It and Mama Weer All Crazee Now – super glam-rock stompers, one and all.
They’re the riff-filled singalongs which most people bought this album for, but the six tracks from their pre-fame albums show a different side to Slade and will perhaps intrigue the casual listener most.
There’s the 1969 non-album single Wild Winds Are Blowing; One Way Hotel, Pouk Hill, The Shape Of Things To Come and Know Who You Are from 1970’s Play It Loud album; and Look At Last Night from 1972’s Slayed?
They show that beneath the glam-rock trimmings, there’s an accomplished hard rock band trying to get out – something that wouldn’t be recognised until 1980, when they enjoyed an unexpected revival after becoming a late addition to Reading Festival.
Sadly, the biggest Slade hit of them all, Merry Xmas Everybody, is missing, as it didn’t come out until the first week in November (though it’s on the 20-track CD edition).
It is available as a four-track 12in on coloured vinyl, pictured above, as is a deluxe reissue of 1985’s Crackers – The Christmas Party Album, full of hits old and new and a few fun covers too.
Go on, treat yourself or the Slade fan in your life – you know you want to feel the noize!
