The Collection 1979-1987

RELEASE
June 11, 2007
LABEL
Union Square Music
GENRES
Pop/Rock, Hard Rock, Glam Rock

Album Review

While Slade's early to mid-'70s hit repertoire represents one of the most perfect runs in British rock history and has been amply anthologized accordingly, it is often easy to forget that their career did not end when the number ones did. Slade kept going until the early '90s, enjoying a roller coaster of highs and lows as they did so, and this package delves into most of them. Picking up in 1979, as the band came off a short-lived stint with manager Chas Chandler's Barn label, and fading out with the band's last proper LP, 1987's You Boys Make Big Noize, the package runs through 17 songs, but eschews, peculiarly, the hits for which the period is best remembered. They, of course, have been highlighted on other collections; this set concentrates on the ones that got away, and there's a surprising number of them. Songs like "Ruby Red," "We Won't Give In" and "Little Sheila" may veer a little closer to generic hard rock than Slade really ought to, but that was the sound of the '80s, just as the glam stomp was what powered their years of omnipotence. And, while it's unlikely this collection will ever replace the oldies in your heart, still it's good to hear what happened next.
Dave Thompson, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. Run Runaway
  2. Everyday [Live]
  3. We'll Bring the House Down
  4. Ruby Red
  5. (And Now the Waltz) C'est La Vie
  6. Do You Believe in Miracles
  7. Still the Same
  8. My Oh My
  9. All Join Hands
  10. Wheel Ain't Coming Down
  11. 7 Year Bitch
  12. Myzterious Mizster Jones
  13. Lock Up Your Daughters
  14. Me and the Boys
  15. Gudbuy T'Jane [Live]
  16. Mama Weer All Crazee Now [Live]
  17. Love Is Like a Rock
  18. Sing Shout (Knock Yourself Out)
  19. The Roaring Silence
  20. That Was No Lady That Was My Wife
  21. We Won't Give In
  22. Razzle Dazzle Man
  23. Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)
  24. I'll Be There
  25. I'm a Rocker
  26. Slam the Hammer Down
  27. Ooh La La in L.A.
  28. Harmony
  29. Hey Ho Wish You Well
  30. Hold on to Your Hats
  31. Cheap 'N' Nasty Luv
  32. Little Sheila
  33. When I'm Dancin' I Ain't Fightin' [Live]