Sladest was the first compilation Slade put out way back in 1973, it contained most of the band's hits that at that point had never been on an album, those hits were packaged up, with a selection of earlier album tracks and singles to generate interest in the back catalogue, while showcasing some wider variety in the band's sound.
This expanded version comes in a cd sized book with extensive liner notes, some bonus tunes, the rarest of which is the studio version of Hear Me Calling, the live favorite cover of the Ten Years After classic that was on the previous re-issue of Sladest.
This expanded re-issue opens with the siren call of Cum On Feel The Noize the first mega hit on the album, a perfect party favorite, if you're not singing along with this you clearly haven't listened to much pop music in the last 50 years. They will have you clapping along with them in no time at all.
Look Wot You Dun is yet another monster hit, this time about going out and doing exactly what you want, not listening to the people who say you should conform. Musically this doesn't play it safe, with percussion that sounds like it's been sampled on thousands of dance records since, the driving force of the piano, this is no foot stomper.
Gudbuy T'Jane is one of those songs that can catch you out, as you start to realize what it is the songs about, the cautionary tale at the heart of another song that's an enduring hit. The shaking percussive edge, with glammy guitar.
One Way Hotel is the first non-hit on the album, this is an early song, about being broke on the road, with no money all sharing one room, while also having elements of being condemned to a cell for the mentally unstable, this works on a similar level to David Bowies All The Madmen a rather deep and disturbing tale.
Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me is a great foot stomping dance floor filling hit, Slade having fun and making sure everyone who shows up to hear them has fun too.
Pouk Hill is a far earlier song, back when they were as much Hippy as Skinhead, this song is about being told by a photographer to go for a topless shoot in the snow, how ill the band became afterwards, this may make you want to go on a pilgrimage.
The Shape Of Things To Come was the theme song to Wild In The Streets and gave Slade there first Top Of The Pops appearance, this is a classic Skinhead tune, part of which was stolen and used on The Streak.
Tak Me Bak 'ome is a plea for a little bit of loving and understanding. Coz I Luv You continues the theme of love and has that delicious violin part and inventive percussion with a mix that shows they were conscious of more people owning stereos, it demonstrates how stereo spatiality works.
Wild Winds Are Blowin' has a bit if a Hendrix vibe musically, as Noddy songs about the winds of change, how things will be better in the future, once you've got the hell out of town, this has that skinhead edge, it was the first single they put out after signing up to Chas Chandler's management team.
Know Who You Are is about as proggy as they ever get, which thankfully is more about the harmonies they use and the structure of the song, but this doesn't forget to keep to the point as they encourage you to go and do what you want when you want too, this is apparently about Dave Hill it was originally an instrumental entitled Genesis.
Get Down And Get With It is the bands original foot stomping headbanging anthem, it still sounds just as vital as ever, so get on that dance floor and go for it. Come on now stamp your feet etc.
Look At Last Nite is all about being a here today gone tomorrow star on the rock and roll treadmill, one minute you're the next big thing and then you're a has been, this stomps along with Dave Hills guitar doing plenty of work, as ever Don Powell's drums and percussion are doing way more than just providing the beat.
Mama Weere All Crazee Now is another evergreen hit to stomp and sing along too, of course about having loads of fun, destroying a venue at a Slade gig, that inspired the song in the first place.
Hear Me Calling is a sweaty blues stomp along with close miked vocals and slow burning guitar solo over that propulsive beat that reminds me of Golden Earring.
My Friend Stan has a sort of musical hall feel to it, as Noddy sings about his friend and what a work ethic he has, over carefully placed guitars and nice harmony backing vocals.
My Town is an evocation of life in Wolverhampton, as Noddy and the boys make sure you know they are now the towns kings, they have returned to share the acclaim, despite everyone trying to jump on the bandwagon with them, they know what they are doing.
Kill 'Em At The Hot Club Tonite really sounds like a 1930's pop song in the vein of Stephan Grapelli and Django Reinhardt this is about as uncool as they could be, yet sounds great.
Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me (US 7" Edit) is the radio friendly American hit version of this foot stomping classic.
Of course, this album closes with the monumental Merry Xmas Everybody, more about this classic in my other Slade re-issue reviews, especially the ones for the 12" single of this and the re-issue of Crackers, so just smile and shout along with this once more.
Find out more at https://slade.tmstor.es/product/102267 https://www.facebook.com/Sladeforlife
