If you've never been to an Christmas party where most or all of the songs on this album were played, you are a very rare individual indeed. This is the latest version of Slade's all time classic Crackers The Christmas Party Album, designed to be a great Party soundtrack, it works as well today as it ever did! This is the latest version of this perennial seller.
This opens with the obvious monument for everyone to sing along to, getting into that party spirit to Merry Xmas Everybody, this being about the 8th or 9th version of this I've reviewed this year I know just how catchy it is.
Next up is the second song on the current 12' single of Merry Xmas Everybody which is Slade's cover of the old Chris Montez classic Let's Dance written by the other Jim Lee, no not Jim Lea of Slade fame, this is the mid 80's stomp along romp through this ole chestnut, perfect to get your Xmas party going.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is far more rocking than Bruce Springsteen's version, Noddy's gruff vocals perfect to sing along with, as you take a sleigh ride across the living room floor.
Please go and find you silk scarves and get ready to wave them in the air, for this cover of Jeff Becks monumental Hi Ho Silver Lining, this is played faster than the original, with a bit more bite, but still raise your scarves high and sway along, like your back at a 70's disco, let the crunchy guitars work their magic Noddy and Dave sound like they are having a riot playing this.
We'll Bring The House Down it's time for some proper head shaking, hip moving, fun rock and roll anthem, speeding out of it's mind on Snowballs made with Babycham and a dash of cherry brandy, they do indeed Bring The House Down.
Cum On Feel The Noize (1985) This updated version of an early classic, by 1985 already an unavoidable enduring hit, is more metallic than the original, with far more 80's drumming that's less experimental than the original, but if you ain't screaming along yet, your not having fun, have another snowball or some Brandy butter mince pies.
All Join Hands yep it's time for everyone to join hands and join in with this anthem to friendship and togetherness with everyone who is at the party with you, sorry if you have to put your drinks down for this part of the album but participation is mandatory.
Even more so now your all holding hands it's time to do the Okey Cokey, with full on stomping participation, this gets good and speedy, perfect for some mad fun, the bigger the party the more bonkers this song always gets.
Do You Believe In Miracles is a big haired 80's anthem, its syrupy enough for some Christmas Pudding freshly flambeed while you have a breather, the piano part really is stunning on a song that would make me cringe in the 80's when it came out.
It's now time for some rock & Roll fun with a great rave up cover of the Wanda Jackson staple Lets Have A Party, thankfully not with the most offensive of the lyrics, that Wanda has apologized for. This is a total blast, the band have a great time.
Now you all need to Get Down And Get With It in this case in an 1985 stylee, upbeat with everyone clapping along, having a damn good time getting there boots on and stamping there feet you know the drill by now, good luck still wearing your paper crown by the end of this.
My Oh My sounds like it's time for an Elton John style slow smoochy ballad, so grab someone you love or want to love, get up close on the dancefloor. The big haired Shoulder padded guitar solo gives Jefferson Starship a run for its money, while the bonding between everyone can continue along with the sentiments of this song.
Run Runaway is a song that gives you a chance to go to the bar for some much-needed booze, this is proper 80's rock fun, but because of that, it has a bit of a stocking filler edge to it, I do admit to still knowing all the words, even while not liking it when it was a hit.
Here's To The New Year sounds like they have reworked Golden Brown into a song of good cheer for the new year so raise you glasses for the new year and your good health!! Cheers and whatever you do join in when Noddy our leader tells you too!
Oh Boy you may need to step out for a smoke break while they run through Do They Know It's Christmas (Feed The World) the Live Aid classic, is not the original enough. Obviously, this Xmas this song is more relevant than it has been for a while, so please help make sure everyone gets fed this Xmas while half the party sings along to this.
The next song should close the album as it's closed hundreds of Xmas parties as the first slow Bagpipe led part of Auld Lang Syne comes in everyone joins arms and sings with Slade, as the song mutates into You'll Never Walk Alone as the band comes in, everyone's arms are raised aloft shouting along with them, so that when it goes back to the full on glam stomping part of Auld Lang Syne everyone is ready to go mental for one last time, before they can all kiss hug and say goodnight at the end of another blast of an Xmas party.
Let The Good Times Roll/Feel So Fine lets all the old rockers at the party a chance to get up and jive the night away like you're at a Status Quo gig.
All the rockers can stay on the dancefloor for this amped up run through My Baby left Me: That's Alright pure Rocking magic with a spot-on band.
I'm A Rocker keeps the same Rocking feel with some blasting harmonica, sizzling guitars while everyone grins for ear to ear and how good this sounds.
The album closes with a live version of the always monumental Merry Xmas Everybody so we can all sing along again. This is faster paced than the original but just as familiar, this even has a huge crowd for you to join in with to make your party sound massive.
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