That Slade were one of glam’s finest exponents of the crowd-pleasing 7″ A-side is undeniable, but how well do the B-sides stack up with the benefit of hindsight?
This limited-edition boxset of 10 rare internationally released singles joins the dots for those only familiar with the big hits.
They’re mostly here, of course, from the swaggering howl of Mama Weer All Crazee Now, gonzo charms of Gudbuy T’Jane and raucous call-to-arms of Cum On Feel The Noize to the surprisingly touching Far Far Away. The B-sides are by no means throwaway detritus; there’s the thoughtful Mott The Hoople-esque Wonderin’ Y, lurching boogie of I’m Mee, I’m Now, An’ That’s Orl and jazz pastiche Kill ‘Em At The Hot Club Tonite.
Meanwhile, the 80s hard-rocking reinvention for Night Starvation and When I’m Dancin’ I Ain’t Fightin’ feels undeniably persuasive.
7/10
Steve Harnell