Slade in Flame

• Artist: Slade
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1974
• Type: Soundtrack
• Genre: Rock

Review

Slade in Flame is a tough album to judge. It marks the end of Slade's rule over the British charts -- the album went to number six (the band's previous four LPs reached number one), but it would be nearly ten years before the band would return to the top of the pops. Made as an accompanying piece to the movie of the same name, Slade in Flame was different than the group's other records. It's an artistic tour de force for a band that was looked on as "just a good time." Although Slade was that, the band had a lot more in its bag of tricks, and this album shows it. Most folks (if not all) were expecting Slade to come out with a Monkees-type movie: lots of slapstick and a funny, lighthearted good time. Instead, the band delivered a much more reality-based film and album. Don't worry, though, because it's still pure Slade. The album stretches the band's stylistic universe to include brass and more keyboards than before. The lyrics are a little more serious than you might expect -- the album is about what a bummer it can be to be famous, as well as the all of the advantages (girls). From the opening number, "How Does It Feel," Slade sets a different tone. A piano and vocal intro greets the listener. Of course, by the end of the song the full band is rocking furiously. They don't let up on the classic "Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing," which features great drumming by Don Powell. "So Far So Good" is a beautiful rocker, and was covered by Alice Cooper songwriter Mike Bruce on his first solo album. On "OK Yesterday Was Yesterday," Noddy gives his lungs a big-time workout. [The British and American versions of this album differ slightly. The U.S. version added two British A-sides, "Bangin' Man" and "Thanks for the Memories," while deleting a couple of tracks. "Bangin' Man" is definitely one of Slade's best, and worth seeking out on a greatest-hits CD.] ~ Geoff Ginsberg, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
How Does It Feel?	Jim Lea, Noddy Holder	Slade	(5:55)
Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing	Noddy Holder	Slade	(3:28)
So Far, So Good	Noddy Holder, Jim Lea	Slade	(3:02)
Summer Song (Wishing You Were Here)	Noddy Holder	Slade	(3:36)
O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday	Noddy Holder	Slade	(3:59)
Far Far Away	Jim Lea, Noddy Holder	Slade	(3:37)
This Girl	Noddy Holder	Slade	(3:32)
Lay It Down	Jim Lea, Noddy Holder	Slade	(4:09)
Heaven Knows	Noddy Holder	Slade	(3:56)
Standin' on the Corner	Noddy Holder, Jim Lea	Slade	(4:54)

Credits

Malcolm Griffiths (Trombone (Bass)), Eddie Quansah (Trumpet), Jim Lea (Songwriter), Jim Lea (Violin), Bud Beadle (Sax (Baritone)), Dave Hill (Vocals), Noddy Holder (Guitar), Chas Chandler (Producer), Mark Brennan (Project Consultant), Chris Mercer (Sax (Baritone)), Noddy Holder (Vocals), Jim Lea (Digital Remastering), Paul Welch (Art Direction), Chris Frazer Smith (Trombone), Steve Gregory (Sax (Tenor)), Noddy Holder (Songwriter), Mick Eve (Sax (Tenor)), Dave Hill (Guitar), Jim Lea (Vocals), Ron Carthy (Trumpet), Don Powell (Drums), Steve Ridgeway (Logo Design), Jim Lea (Keyboards), Alan O'Duffy (Engineer), Chris Hammer Smith (Trombone), Jim Lea (Bass), Chris Ingham (Liner Notes), Chris Mercer (Sax (Tenor)), Gered Mankowitz (Photography), Malcolm Griffiths (Trombone)

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)