Continuing the very nice Slade back catalogue reissues on Splatter vinyl we have the mid-eighties pair of ‘The Amazing Kamakazi Syndrome’ and ‘Nobody’s Fools’ and I must say if there is a shortage of vinyl for pressing records blame BMG and Slade these records feel like 280gms never mind 180gms. Very impressive reproductions they are too and the splatters continue the line of releases.

First up is the mid-70s ‘Nobody’s Fools‘ which reminds me of heyday Mott The Hoople on the opener and title track. The band were untouchable for a period in the 70s with the impeccable melodies and playing to the one-of-a-kind Noddy Holder air raid siren vocals. This was the band’s sixth studio album and was – say, less riotous and hedonistic (even if it did have its moments) it was said that they moved away from their sound and fancied a tilt at the USA market with the more soulful backing vocals and bigger arrangments. It’s still a damn fine album with some great riffs and even though it doesn’t receive the recognition that the more classic albums did and does it’s unmistakable Slade. Spreading their wings maybe but ‘Do The Dirty’ is a rocker alright. I’ve not played this record for many years if I’m honest but I forgot how good some of the songs were. The Honking cotton-picking ‘Pack Up Your Troubles’ and the Lennon like ‘Do You Remember’. There was even some hip shaking in the shape of ‘Did Your Mama Ever Tell Ya’ to the funky ‘All The Worlds A Stage’. Slade still had no doubt about that.

Slade was still unstoppable midway through the seventies and rightly so. Three UK No-1, a run of 17 consecutive Top 20 singles and their hits are synonymous with the glam era.

Buy ‘Nobody’s fool’ Here

‘The Amazing Kamakazi Syndrome’ (BMG)

With a jump of a decade, Slade had had their day (it’s fair to say) but whilst they weren’t dominating the singles charts and shipping platinum discs left right and centre they could still rock out and deliver a tune or two.

Take the opener ‘Slam The Hammer Down’ with its familiar Holder rasp at full tilt – Hill laid down some exquisite chops on that six-string. It might not have troubled the album charts but it still had two top-ten singles on it. the record was retitled for the North American market for some reason but it faired about the same there as well with the two singles hitting the US Billboard top 40.

The single ‘Run Run Away’ was a shift in sound with that fearsome mid-80s drum sound but a memorable riff and Noddy doing what Noddy has always done. Produced by Lea it was contemporary and of its time. Slade were still contenders and would go toe to toe with many of their hard rock contemporaries of the mid-80s – besides the album had that 80s big ballad in ‘My Oh My’. If you’d never heard of Slade (God bless the kids) and put this record on and asked what era – any half clued in muso would place it right in the middle of the decade of decadence – shoulder pads and big hair with that drum sound like its recorded in an aircraft hanger Slade could never be accused of not moving with the times – they did! Now get your lighters out and bang those heads Noddy and the boys are bringing the noize. Hell, they even dabbled in the dreaded MOR with ‘Cheap ‘n’ Nasty Luv’ but that aside it’s a wonderful trip down memory lane Slade style – Now turn it up!

Buy ‘Amazing Kamakazi Syndrome’ – Here

Author: Dom Daley