Search - Slade :: Slade In Flame

Not as much fire as other albums

David Chave | Dorking, Surrey, England | 01/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Slade's journey into the world of film and acting was seen by many as a mistake. However the film received reasonably favourable reviews. The problem a lot of the industry had was that it was too true to life, reflecting the seemier side of the business at that time. The album eminating from that film is a mixture of the hard edged with the occasional softer track. The album's stand out track and arguably their most acomplished song ever, is "How does it feel". the song commences with slow piano hook and Noddy Holder's vocal, at this stage surprisingly restrained for such a powerful singer. The song builds with the introduction of the rest of the band and an orchestra and creates a wall of sound that is contrastingly both electrifying and beautiful. The song ends with the Jimmy Lea's piano and a beautifully constructed bass solo. The majority of the album comprises fairly standard Slade songs. However one other song grabs the attention and that is "Far far Away". The song has received a bit of a revival in the UK with Ford using it on their adverts for Transit Vans. It is a happy and uplifting song again underpinned by Jimmy lea's dynamic bass lines. Whilst not the best Slade studio album ("Til deaf us do part" has that honour in my opinion) it is a worthwhile purchase from an historical perspective as the film showed Slade as more that just a good time band. It is also worth the money just for "How Does it Feel". If you like Slade, you'll like the album."