Customer Reviews

We'll Bring the House Down

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This is the ultimate Rock album. Pure bouncing, hoppin', sing-along rock all the way.
A few pints and some Slade.... It doesn't get any better that that!!!!
The massive amount of fantastic extra stuff on this remaster is a definate added bonus as well.
BUY IT!!!

weather that is good or bad depends on your taste in music. to me its wonderful, a very solid album with all the songs so its fun from back to front or front to back. its not a very long album just over 30 minutes but its 30 minutes plus of great noize. get this record if you like to rock because that is what it does. you cant go wrong with it.

This album has a raw edge to it. It almost sounds home recorded but it rocks.From the superb drum solo at the start of we'll bring the house down to the slightly surreal lemme love into ya I enjoyed every note and every beat of it. A bit harder and edgier than their early stuff and a foretaste of the masterpiece of rock that was to be till deaf do us part. Vastly underrated by a band at the peak of their form. This group could blow most of the "monsters of rock" off the stage.

1980 and Slade were unofficially split up after years of commercial failure since their peak fame in the glam rock era of the early to mid 70s. However, in August that year, Slade replaced Ozzy Osbourne at the Reading festival. Osbourne had pulled out in short notice and so Slade were invited to play what was to be their final live performance in front of thousands of rock fans. Slade went down a storm and were once again hot news. Following on, the band took advantage of their new flood of fans and released a new album in March 1981 titled We'll Bring The House Down which contained a few new tracks and some which appeared on their last but overall ignored 1979 album Return To Base. Slade were back - their objective was to conquer the British public once again.

The album starts off with one of Slade's most fierce album openers titled We'll Bring The House Down. The introduction starts with some thunderous drumming by Don Powell. During the recording of this track, the percussion was double tracked which gave an echoey sound. Seconds into the track, a fantastically infectious and rather heavy sounding chant begins. The chant rightfully does the job in capturing the listener immediately. The idea for the chant came when the band were performing in Amsterdam and the audience kept repeating the chant used in this song. Noddy Holder proves he has one of the greatest voices in rock, providing one of his most strongest vocals for a Slade track. Lead guitar is a highlight here, giving Dave Hill a great showcase and a fantastic solo. The chorus of this track is fanatically energetic and hard hitting whilst being highly memorable at the same time. "Turn the megawatts way up loud, send an earth tremor through the crowd, come on, ya heads start shaking, come on..."

The next track Night Starvation follows the same vein as the album's opener in terms of musical style. This track immediately begins with a brilliant guitar riff and hard hitting percussion. The lyrics are full of lust and humour which Noddy expresses in the vocals well. The chorus is very memorable with the feature of energetic backing vocals. The ending to this track is one of the most frantic endings to any Slade song with lightning speed vocals from Noddy, a continuous string of backing vocals, pounding drums and some great guitar licks. "Satisfaction guaranteed if I can get my way. Satisfaction, yes indeed, there's nothing more to say, only that boys will be boys, and they rise to the occasion. Girls, lovely girls, wanna start your night starvation..."

Wheels Ain't Coming Down features full plane sound effects for the intro until a simple rhythm gets the song going. The track doesn't rely on anything but the lyrics which were based on a true story of how Noddy Holder and Jim Lea took a plane flight to Los Angeles. The plane looked as though it was going to crash. Noddy's lyrics keeps the track interesting whilst the chorus crashes in with an infectious sound of great guitar and thumping drums. This track was originally the opener to Slade's 1979 album Return To Base. "Altered course for San Francisco, standing by on a red alert. Gonna chance a landing on the sea, hoping nobody gets hurt..."

Following on is Hold on to Your Hats which is a very rock `n' roll influenced track with great backing vocals, great pounding drums and some infectious guitar including a great solo. Noddy's vocals are strong whilst the lyrics are fun. The production here gives the feel of rock `n' roll throughout. The track couldn't be described as full on rock but nonetheless shines on the album. This track was originally on Return To Base. A highly infectious song overall. "Got your girl, got your boy, got you something to get you high. Better hold on to your hats now..."

Next is When I'm Dancin' I Ain't Fightin' which is the perfect example of a Slade rocker. The track begins with a fantastic guitar riff and another memorable but short chant. The verses work very well with some interesting lyrics, strong vocals and plenty of energetic guitar. The chorus flows from the verses nicely whilst being highly infectious and perfect to sing along to. A memorable guitar solo is included and the track ends on a real high note. "There's nothing like it when frustrations are relieved, and when fantasy ambitions are achieved..."

ZZ Top clone Dizzy Mamma follows which immediately begins with a fantastic and memorable guitar riff. Noddy's vocals are at their best here with a perfect mixture of strength and energy. The lyrics are simple but effective - both fun and easy to sing along with. There's an interesting section in the middle of the track where the vocals are more dominant. This section is followed by a brilliant guitar solo. The ending is bursting with energy, making the entire track a showcase for the band's unique level of sound. "I said hey dizzy mamma won't you let me take you home I said hey dizzy mamma let me take you home. You ain't in no fit condition to be wandering the streets all on your own..."

Nuts Bolts and Screws is an up tempo track with some great lyrics from Noddy. These lyrics keep the song interesting throughout. The guitar carries the verses along nicely whilst the chorus bursts in with a catchy sound. Noddy leaves no time to rest his vocals during the song, making one energetic track. The ending even features a huge drum roll with some blasting vocals. The track was originally on Return To Base. "All of the cuckoos at rest, one flies away from the nest. Finds himself a cutie, a root-tootin' beauty. She'd make the hair stand up on his chest..."

Following on is My Baby's Got It which is brilliantly energetic and fun throughout. No doubt influenced by rock `n' roll, the track features some great guitar riffs, wild piano, thumping percussion and some great vocals. Something Slade proved they could do very well. A highly infectious track and a real highlight of the album. The track originally appeared on Return To Base. "Well maybe you think you're Harlow, Lana Turner or the Hedy Lamarr. Well baby, baby, baby, believe me you go too far..."

Lemme Love Into Ya is one of the most unusual Slade track on the album. The entire track is a showcase for Dave's guitar using some great effects. The track has a very ambient sound throughout whilst maintaining a rock image. Noddy's lyrics are full of lust and desire as the title hints. Certainly an interesting track, proving the band knew how to produce. The track was originally on Return To Base. "Lemme give you something, lemme, lemme give you something to remember, lemme bend ya, let me give you love..."

The closer of the album is a blasting and loyal cover of Chuck Berry's I'm a Rocker. The sound is tight and energetic whilst Noddy pulls off some great vocals. The great thing about the track is the band are clearly having great fun playing it. Each instrument is playing something exciting every second of the track with Dave Hill`s guitar solo being a highlight. There's even some harmonica. The track was originally on Return To Base. "I went out on the floor when they played number two, she said she don't but I know she do..."

For the remaster of this album there are eight bonus tracks which the majority are the remaining tracks from Return To Base which were not included on We'll Bring The House Down. Chakeeta was one of the exclusive Return To Base tracks. The band prove that their catchy trademark sound is as strong as ever with this song. Some fine guitar here with a great melody. Noddy's lyrics are certainly interesting here whilst the chorus smashes in nicely with an anthemic feel. Noddy's vocals are energetic and work perfectly. There's so much going on that the track remains lively throughout. The only downside is the track is too short. "Hey Chakeeta, you put the hurt on me, you put the hurt on me..."

Don't Waste Your Time (Back Seat Star) is one the band's finest ballads from the late 70s. A beautiful melody involving meaningful lyrics. Acoustic guitar carries Noddy's vocals along whilst there's some great organ is present in the melody. vocals are sensitive to the situation but firm on the message as well. A fine guitar solo wraps this strong track up. This great song was another lost song, only available on the Return To Base. "Your finer points are gonna make someone's day and I know it pays to advertise the goods on display..."

The next bonus track titled Sign of The Times is another ballad from Return To Base which was also released as a single in 1979 and finally appeared as the b-side to the 1981 single Lock Up Your Daughters. This ballad features some fantastic vocals from Noddy. There are some meaningful lyrics which are carried along by some fine lead guitar. The lyrics refer to technological revolution of the time. The chorus flows nicely with a flow of feeling. A strong perspective of a certain generation leaving their time behind. Like Don't Waste Your Time, there is no doubt this track was left off We'll Bring The House Down as it wasn't up tempo rock that the new fans were interested in. "Mondays, we've seen a man up on the moon. The 21st century is coming soon, it's a sign of the times..."

The great I'm Mad is a mid tempo ballad that tells the tale of a man in thrall with his fantasies and dreams. A great tune with the lyrics being carried by acoustic guitar. Some great lyrics by Noddy which also mark some of his most unusual and well constructed. There's some fine guitar from Dave and the chorus works perfectly with an overall great sound. This track originally came from Return To Base and is certainly a highlight of that album. It was also a b-side to the 1981 single Knuckle Sandwich Nancy. "I'm mad, this pounding in my brain, will somebody explain the way back to reality? Hey you, you keep your nose so clean, your mind is so obscene, you'll find another change in me..."

Ginny, Ginny was originally from Return To Base and was also released as a single in 1979. This song has a great melody with some interesting lyrics about a wild girl. The entire track remains infectious throughout but what's most special here is the catchy chorus that should have made this single a hit. Sadly and much like Slade's output at the time - it wasn`t successful. "Always said she wants to find a millionaire but he must be one with understanding to spare cause Ginny ain't the kind of girl a man can tie down..."

The next track titled Not Tonight Josephine was originally the b-side to two singles - 1979's Sign of The Times and 1981's Wheels Ain't Coming Down. This song features an eccentric guitar riff whilst the fun and witty lyrics are said to refer to a hero returning home to enjoy domestic pleasures. Noddy's vocals make the track even more lively. Another hidden and sadly forgotten b-side which has finally been revealed once again. "So keep it safe and keep it warm, don't you let it stray, a little bit of loving goes a long long way. Cool, calm, collected, erected and injected, have no fear my pretty one you'll get what is expected..."

Next is a cover of the popular party song Okey Cokey which the band released as a single in 1979. This cover naturally has a great rock sound to it with the usual Slade stomp whilst Noddy's vocals are strong throughout. A nice touch to the song is that the band increasingly speeds up in tempo in the final section of the song. The ending is highly energetic by using Noddy`s strong vocal and audience chants, creating the perfect party atmosphere. The track is pure fun and obviously not to be taken seriously as this is a novelty song. "You put your right arm in, your right arm out, in out, in out, shake it all about. You do the okey cokey and you turn around, that's what it's all about..."

The final bonus track is titled 9 To 5 which appeared as a b-side on the band's first extended play single titled Six of The Best. The song has a strong acoustic guitar riff throughout and some great percussion. The verses flow along perfectly well whilst the witty lyrics obviously refer to working nine to five. This alone keeps the song interesting using the band's usual fun tone and the chorus has the usual infectious Slade sound. "Clocking in and clocking all the office girls, oh let me take you out tonight Joanne. Will ya lend a fiver Ma? I'm broke and I've got a date. She's a cracking bit of stuff but she don't know when she's had enough..."

We'll Bring The House Down was released to great success in the UK where it peaked at #25 in the album chart. The We'll Bring The House Down single peaked at #10 in the UK and Wheels Ain't Coming Down peaked at #60 which was enough to keep the momentum going. This allowed the band some time to write new material and prepare for a new European tour. The band had now pushed their sound into the heavy metal territory of the early 80s which appealed to all the new fans found at the Reading festival.

I highly recommend this album for any fan of classic rock. The remaster brings the best out of the sound, making it all very lively and fresh. This was Slade's second chance at commercial success which the band began toured excessively to capitalise on at the time. Slade were back and had captured the UK's rock fan base with ease once again...

I was a fan of Quiet Riot before Slade but the vocals are similar. Kevin Dubrow could have formed a killer cover band since he sounded almost exactly like Noddy Holder. If not for QR I would probably never have found Slade and I would have missed out big time. Slade is a great rock band with catchy songs and their humor made it fun.