Slade in Flame [Import, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack]

Slade | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 12, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Label: SALVO
• ASIN: B000MGB1XW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,657 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Forgotten Gem from the Glam Rockers, May 22, 2009

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Slade in Flame (Audio CD)

This is the forgotten gem for Slade, since it ended a dominance on the British pop charts - the first single, How Does It Feel? stalled at #15, ending a string of 12 top four hits - but has a number of very impressive arrangements and solid tracks.

Released in November 1974, the movie soundtrack reached #6 on the UK album chart, while a second single - Far Far Away - peaked at the #2 slot. Produced by Chas Chandler, there is more brass and keyboards than found on prior albums, but the new focus bolsters the artistic vision.

Drummer Don Powell seizes the spotlight on Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing and lead vocalist Noddy Holder is in incredible form on O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday. So Far So Good is truly a classic rocker. A pair of British A-sides replaced Summer Song (Wish You Were Here) and Heaven Knows on the U.S. album, but they appear on this release.

The departure from the formula that brought the band phenomenal success delivered some of their best work, which remains vastly underrated.

3.0 out of 5 stars Como estas chickadee, August 3, 2011

By 

Kil Roi (Ashburn, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slade in Flame (Audio CD)

Slade "In Flame" is indeed one of the better albums to come out of the 70s. It is, and will remain, in my top 10 of all time. It's a collection of infectious songs that transcends anything this great band ever did.

Why only three stars? Well, when "In Flame" was released in the United States in 1974, it featured two stunning rockers--"Bangin' Man" and "Thanks for the Memory." The album's UK version, which is the only one available now, does not feature those twin jewels, but instead offers "Heaven Knows" and "Summer Song (Wishing You Were Here)." I'm docking it two stars for leaving off "Bangin' Man" and "Thanks for the Memory." They could have at least added them as bonus tracks. For the record, "Bangin' Man" can be found on "Get Yer Boots on: The Best of Slade." "Thanks for the Memory" was put on "Nobody's Fools." Go figure.

I have the US version LP and played it endlessly, learning every note, lyric and cowbell plunk. I saw Slade perform in 1977. Loud, showy and boisterous, they ran through their concert staples, "Gudbuy T' Jane," "Cum on Feel the Noize" and Mama Weer All Crazee Now." And much to my enjoyment, they played quite a few songs off "In Flame," including "Bangin' Man" and "Thanks for the Memory." I can still picture Noddy Holder, bushy red sideburns, silly hat and looking more like a deranged auctioneer than a glam-band frontman, wailing out the near-nonsensical lyrics to "Thanks for the Memory" ... "Como estas chickadee, have a housemaid on your knee ..." while Dave Hill, in platform boots, climbed atop the speaker stacks to play the biting guitar licks in a white follow-spot that made him look so real, yet so otherworldly. My ears rang for three days. The images still linger.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from buying this classic. The rest of the tracks are glorious, from "Far Far Away" to "OK Yesterday Was Yesterday," to the beautiful "How Does it Feel."

And don't let the cheesy album cover fool you. The foursome does not look good dressed in white with their legs aglow. And that flame logo, well, it looks like a decal peeled off a Hot Wheels car.

But truly, it's what's inside that counts.

5.0 out of 5 stars Slade In Flame, July 14, 2011

By 

A J Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slade in Flame (Audio CD)

1974 and Slade decided that the next step in their career was to make a full length movie featuring themselves. The band accepted a script which told the rise and fall tale of a fictional late 60s group titled Flame. Of course a film featuring Slade without any Slade music wouldn't make any sense and so the band wrote the Slade In Flame album in an alleged six weeks. The band's previous album Old New Borrowed and Blue had clearly shown the band trying new sounds and moving towards writing a few ballads instead of their usual rock anthems. Slade In Flame proved Slade's versatility as well as showing themselves more than just a glam rock band. The objective of this album was to write both ballads and rockers which would not just fit into the film but also make a creditable album. The band were successful and even today this album remains one the most popular of Slade's career.

The album begins with the most grand opener on a Slade album titled How Does It Feel? This track has so many wonderful features to mention. The intro features a well crafted piano melody and a set of optimistic lyrics from Noddy. The vocals from Noddy are both sensitive and strong throughout - a rather difficult combination to stand up to. Thrown in is a feature of organs, brass instruments and even flute, making this piece one of the most moving ballads from the band. It is only too clear that this track had much thought put into it. "Do you know, know, know what it's like to be searching and suddenly find all your illusion, all your confusion all left behind?"

Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing returns Slade to their usual rock outfit although this time the track again comes with more thought. There's a great drum intro here, some fantastic slide guitar from Dave Hill and Noddy's vocals are on top form. The entire track runs through nicely, maintaining the rock sound but making it sound more contained than usual this time. There's a nice ending to the track as well with some great lead guitar. "Everywhere has a ducker and diver, doing his best to impress, everywhere has a skiver in a mess..."

So Far So Good has elements of both being a rocker and a ballad all at once, something found on other tracks from this album as well. Slade prove themselves more than capable of performing this great mixture of sound. There's a friendly guitar riff throughout but the lyrics shine out here especially in the chorus. Noddy's lyrics reference having the right attitude of life and are rather inspiring. The vocals also reflect the feelings of this message, making this track all more powerful. "Was it all in the mind? Is it living the life of a King? Making the best out of everything?"

Another great example of the rock and ballad combined together comes in the form of Summer Song (Wishing You Were Here). There's a great melody with some nice guitar work. Again Noddy's lyrics stand out, reflecting all the great things of summer fun. Noddy's vocals are solid throughout and capture the summer feeling well. The chorus is beautifully crafted with some great backing vocals - a truly great track from start to finish. "Wishing you were here same as every year cause our summer madness is too short..."

O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday cranks the noise back up, featuring some more great slide guitar, rare use of cowbells and a nice guitar melody. Noddy's vocals are thoroughly strong and the lyrics are slightly tongue in cheek but also fun and infectious at the same time. The chorus arrives in the usual Slade format with a great anthemic feel and some great vocals. A great album rocker. "All young boys play with their toys, call it a teddy bear. Girls instead take theirs to bed to keep it from getting scared..."

Another fine ballad comes along in form of Far Far Away which features some great acoustic guitar which maintains a fantastic melody. Noddy's lyrics refer to seeing many famous places in the world but there's still no place like home. Noddy's vocals are in perfect ballad mode whilst the ending of the song features some great backing vocals and some nice background organ. A truly inspiring and memorable track. "And I'm far, far away with my head up in the clouds. Letting loose around the world but the call of home is loud, still as loud..."

To be honest, the most unexpected and experimental track is This Girl which has a rather haunting melody whilst showing some influences of a funky sound. The organ stands out as the dominant instrument on this track whilst saxophone also features. The organ constantly recalls a funky melody whilst the saxophone adds some more and rather great dimension. The chorus smashes in perfectly with some cruel sounding vocals from Noddy. Undoubtedly an unexpected track but completely fantastic nonetheless. The film version is the only different track between the album and movie. "This girl ain't doing her all, this girl ain't bouncing her ball. She's only out to plunder, that's what makes me wonder if I should give her a call..."

Lay It Down starts with a simple but effective guitar riff which is added with some nice drums from Don Powell. This track doesn't seem to have been constructed the same as any other track on the album but the track still manages to be effective. The verse flows nicely with some interesting lyrics from Noddy. The chorus smashes in with some great guitar work and a hint of saxophone. This track also has a great Dave Hill solo throughout the ending. "Let's play it back with attack, let's make the window pane crack..."

Heaven Knows is another mix of rock and ballad with a great bass intro. There's some great guitar work in the background whilst Noddy's lyrics are again in the meaningful format. The verses flow beautifully and the chorus works as both meaningful and catchy. Backing vocals appear half way through the song which works perfectly around the lyrics, capturing the right mood and atmosphere. A strong but underrated Slade song. "Who's to say where the better wind blows I suppose, I suppose, heaven knows, heaven knows..."

The final closer is titled Standin' on the Corner which finishes the album with high spirits. A great rocking track from start to finish with more brass instruments thrown in. Noddy's lyrics are tongue in cheek, referring to `the girl who stands on the corner'. Noddy's vocals are in great form here which mix well with the brass instruments which also features a saxophone solo at one point. "Standing on the corner handbag on her thigh, standing in the shadows giving all the boys the eye. Does anybody wanna try?"

That is Slade in Flame in all its glory. The album at the time only peaked at #6 in the UK (did top the chart in Germany), marking the band's commercial decline however it remained popular throughout the years which is still evident today. Slade had now fully jumped off the glam rock sound, proving themselves as great musicians.

A highly recommended album. The remaster also brings the best out of the sound, making it all very lively and fresh. This was Slade's attempt of moving away from their standard and commercial glam rock sound and into new musical territory.