Slade in Flame is a tough album to judge. It marks the end of Slade's rule over the British charts the album went to number six (the band's previous four LPs reached number one), but it would be nearly ten years before the band would return to the top of the pops. Made as an accompanying piece to the movie of the same name, Slade in Flame was different than the group's other records. It's an artistic tour de force for a band that was looked on as "just a good time." Although Slade was that, the band had a lot more in its bag of tricks, and this album shows it. Most folks (if not all) were expecting Slade to come out with a Monkees-type movie: lots of slapstick and a funny, lighthearted good time. Instead, the band delivered a much more reality-based film and album. Don't worry, though, because it's still pure Slade. The album stretches the band's stylistic universe to include brass and more keyboards than before. The lyrics are a little more serious than you might expect the album is about what a bummer it can be to be famous, as well as the all of the advantages (girls). From the opening number, "How Does It Feel," Slade sets a different tone. A piano and vocal intro greets the listener. Of course, by the end of the song the full band is rocking furiously. They don't let up on the classic "Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing," which features great drumming by Don Powell. "So Far So Good" is a beautiful rocker, and was covered by Alice Cooper songwriter Mike Bruce on his first solo album. On "OK Yesterday Was Yesterday," Noddy gives his lungs a big-time workout.

TRACKLIST

01. Nobody's Fool
02. Do The Dirty
03. Let's Call It Quits
04. Pack Up Your Troubles
05. In For A Penny
06. Get On Up
07. L.A. Jinx
08. Did Ya Mama Ever Tell Ya
09. Scratch My Back
10. I'm A Talker
11. All The World Is A Stage
12. Thanks For The Memory
13. Raining in My Champagne
14. Can You Just Imagine
15. When the Chips Are Down