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SLADE
Slade in Flame Salvo ****

Written as the soundtrack to the much misunderstood and critical failure that was their Flame film (1974), this did nothing for the band on its release, with fans perplexed by its density of arrangement (by Slade's standards) and melancholic feel. The album has been gradually rehabilitated over the years, and is now viewed as one of their strongest works (if least known). Kicking off with the ponderous ballad, How Does It Feel (one of Noel Gallagher's favourite songs) and containing minor gems in Lay It Down and the more typical Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing, Slade in Flame is the sound of a band trying to escape their teeny-bop following and establish themselves as serious artists. It works in spades here; if you like this, go back and watch the film again - it's very good. www.slade-weerallcrazee.co.uk

Download tracks: How Does It Feel, Lay It Down