Sladest
Sladest is a compilation album by the British glam rock band Slade, released on 28 September 1973 by Polydor Records.[1][2] It collects the band's early hit singles and B-sides from 1971 to 1973, showcasing their signature energetic style characterized by Noddy Holder's raspy vocals, Jim Lea's multi-instrumental contributions, and the rhythm section of Dave Hill and Don Powell.[2][3] The album opens with Slade's breakthrough single Cum On Feel the Noize, which reached number one in the UK earlier that year, followed by other top-five hits like Mama Weer All Crazee Now, Take Me Bak 'Ome, Gudbuy t'Jane, and Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me.[2] Running for approximately 45 minutes across 14 tracks, Sladest captures the raw, anthemic sound that defined Slade's dominance in the British charts during the glam rock era.[2] Upon release, it debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and remained in the top 40 for 24 weeks, solidifying the band's commercial peak in their home country.[4] In the United States, Sladest was issued by Reprise Records with a modified track listing, including some non-album singles, but it achieved more modest chart success, peaking outside the top 100.[1] The album's influence extended beyond the 1970s; tracks like Cum On Feel the Noize and Mama Weer All Crazee Now were later covered by American heavy metal band Quiet Riot, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 and No. 51 in 1984, respectively, introducing Slade's material to a new generation.[5] Critically acclaimed for its high-energy compilation of Slade's most infectious glam anthems, Sladest has been reissued multiple times, including expanded editions with bonus tracks, and maintains strong retrospective ratings, such as 4 out of 5 stars on AllMusic.[2][6]Background
Conception
In early 1973, Slade were at the height of their commercial success in the UK, having recently achieved four consecutive number-one singles: "Take Me Bak 'Ome", "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", "Cum On Feel the Noize", and "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me," alongside their second studio album Slayed? also topping the charts. The band's rapid rise from skinhead roots to glam rock stardom had built a fervent fanbase, but their output was constrained by the format of singles that often bypassed full album inclusion. This left a gap in available material for fans seeking a comprehensive collection of their breakthrough hits.[7] On July 4, 1973, tragedy struck when Slade's drummer Don Powell was involved in a severe car accident in Wolverhampton, England, driving his Bentley with his fiancée Angela Morris. The vehicle crashed through a hedge and collided with a tree and brick wall, resulting in Morris's immediate death and Powell sustaining critical head injuries, including a skull fracture that left him in a coma for several days. The incident made national headlines and cast uncertainty over the band's future, as Powell's recovery was far from guaranteed and touring plans were halted.[8][9] To sustain momentum during this hiatus, Slade and their label Polydor opted for a compilation album as a practical stop-gap measure, allowing the band to remain visible without new recordings while Powell recuperated. Sladest, released on 28 September 1973, gathered fourteen tracks spanning their early career, including all seven UK top-ten singles to date—such as "Take Me Bak 'Ome"—alongside breakthrough hits like "Get Down and Get With It" and B-sides like "My Friend Stan" and select album cuts like "Gudbuy t' Jane." This approach not only capitalized on their hit-making streak but also introduced pre-1971 material to newer audiences, effectively bridging their evolution from pub rock to chart dominators. Powell's eventual recovery enabled the band to resume activities soon after, but Sladest itself debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, certifying silver within weeks.[7]Track selection
The track selection for Sladest emphasized Slade's commercial breakthroughs, compiling 14 tracks that primarily drew from their hit singles released between 1971 and 1973, alongside a handful of earlier album cuts to illustrate their development from skinhead rock roots to glam rock stardom. Produced by manager Chas Chandler, the album incorporated all five of the band's UK number-one singles to date—"Coz I Luv You", "Take Me Bak 'Ome", "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", "Cum On Feel the Noize", and "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me"—as well as other chart successes like "Gudbuy t'Jane" and "My Friend Stan". These singles, which had not always appeared on prior studio albums due to the band's focus on 45 rpm releases in the UK market, formed the core of the collection, with non-single selections such as "Wild Winds Are Blowing" from their 1969 debut Beginnings and "Candidate" from 1972's Slayed? added to provide historical depth and showcase their songwriting range. This curation aimed to consolidate Slade's rapid ascent, bridging their pre-hit material with their dominant singles era while the band recorded their fourth studio album, Old New Borrowed and Blue. The approach highlighted the band's anthemic, crowd-chanting style, prioritizing high-energy, riff-driven songs that defined their live performances and chart dominance. In the US edition released by Reprise Records (MS 2173), the selection shifted to prioritize all major hit singles for broader accessibility, described as an "extremely smart maneuver" to position Slade as a singles-oriented act in the American market.Release and promotion
Original release
Sladest, the first compilation album by the English rock band Slade, was originally released on 28 September 1973 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom as a gatefold vinyl LP (catalogue number 2442 119).[3][10] The album collected fourteen tracks spanning Slade's early hits and covers, including "Cum On Feel the Noize" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," and was produced for Barn Productions.[1] Upon release, Sladest entered the UK Albums Chart at number three on 6 October 1973, quickly ascending to number one the following week, where it remained for five weeks and totaled 24 weeks in the top 100.[4] This chart success marked Slade's second number-one album in the UK, following Slayed? earlier that year, and underscored the band's commercial dominance during the glam rock era.[11] Internationally, Polydor and its affiliates issued the album throughout 1973 in multiple markets, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Spain, India, Yugoslavia, and Scandinavia, typically in stereo vinyl LP format with regional catalogue variations such as 2383 237 in Europe.[1] In the United States, it was released by Reprise Records (MS 2173) in late 1973, debuting on the Billboard 200 in October and peaking at number 129.[12] The album also charted in other territories, reaching number three in Norway, number four in the Netherlands, number ten in Sweden, and number twelve in Austria.[3]Marketing efforts
Sladest was marketed as a definitive collection of Slade's early hits, compiling tracks from the band's singles and B-sides—including seven UK Top 10 successes—to capitalize on the band's explosive popularity among working-class teenagers in the UK. Released by Polydor on 28 September 1973, the album featured an eye-catching gatefold sleeve with a 12-page color booklet of band photographs and liner notes by journalist Bob Houston, which were praised in contemporary press for providing an engaging overview of the group's story.[](New Musical Express, 29 September 1973) In the United States, Reprise Records issued a modified 10-track version in late 1973 to align with Slade's third American tour, running from 21 September to 21 October and encompassing 28 coast-to-coast dates, such as shows at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey, and the Long Beach Arena in California. Promotional posters integrated tour itineraries with the album artwork to drive awareness and sales, helping Sladest debut at No. 164 on the Billboard 200 in October before peaking at No. 129. The album also benefited from targeted radio outreach, earning spots in Billboard's Top Album Picks and FM Action Picks for progressive stations.[13] European promotion followed with an autumn tour spanning countries like France, Belgium, Norway, and Germany, where Slade played six cities from 12 to 20 November, drawing crowds of 1,500 to 2,500 per show and sustaining the album's momentum after its UK chart-topping performance.[](Record Mirror, 6 October 1973)Reissues
2011 Salvo remaster
In 2011, Salvo, a subsidiary of Union Square Music, released a remastered and expanded edition of Slade's 1973 compilation album Sladest as part of their "Slade Remastered" series.[14] This CD reissue featured digital remastering to enhance audio quality, drawing from the original Polydor recordings while preserving the band's raw glam rock energy. The edition was formatted as a 6-panel digisleeve, replicating the original LP's gatefold packaging for a nostalgic presentation, and included a 16-page booklet with new sleeve notes providing context on the album's creation and cultural impact.[14] The remaster expanded the original 14-track lineup by adding four bonus tracks, bringing the total to 18 songs and offering fans additional material from Slade's early 1970s peak. These bonuses included the previously unreleased studio version of "Hear Me Calling" (originally a live staple), alongside "My Friend Stan," "My Town," and "Kill 'Em at the Hot Club Tonite," selections that highlighted the band's songwriting versatility and live influences during their Polydor era.[14] The inclusion of these tracks aimed to provide a more comprehensive snapshot of Slade's hit-making period, emphasizing their string of UK number-one singles like "Cum On Feel the Noize" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," which anchored the core compilation.[14] Released in the UK under catalog number SALVOCD053, the 2011 edition catered to collectors and renewed interest in Slade's catalog amid retrospective appreciation for British glam rock. It maintained the album's focus on high-energy anthems but benefited from improved fidelity, making it a definitive audio upgrade for modern playback systems.[14]2022 BMG edition
In 2022, BMG Rights Management released an expanded remastered edition of Slade's 1973 compilation album Sladest, marking the first deluxe reissue of the collection in over a decade. This version, available in multiple formats including a 20-track CD mediabook, limited-edition transparent blue and magenta splatter vinyl, and digital download, features the original 14-track lineup augmented by six bonus selections to provide deeper insight into the band's early 1970s output. The CD edition includes a 12-page booklet with an extended essay on the album's historical context, while the vinyl pressing replicates the iconic original cover art with updated packaging.[15][16] The bonus tracks consist of "Hear Me Calling" (studio version), the non-album single "My Friend Stan," B-sides such as "My Town" and "Kill 'Em At The Hot Club Tonite," the U.S. 7-inch edit of "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" (unreleased on CD prior to this edition), and the holiday staple "Merry Xmas Everybody." These additions highlight Slade's prolific single releases and non-album material from their glam rock peak, bridging the gap between their skinhead-era roots and chart-topping hits like "Cum On Feel The Noize" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now." The remastering enhances the original Polydor recordings, preserving the raw energy of Chas Chandler's production while improving clarity for modern playback.[15][17] Released on November 4, 2022, under the catalog numbers BMGCAT713CD for CD and BMGCAT713LP for vinyl, the edition was distributed by BMG across Europe and the U.S., with manufacturing handled in Austria. It coincides with ongoing efforts to reintroduce Slade's catalog to new audiences, leveraging the band's enduring legacy of eight U.K. hit singles (five reaching number one) included in the core tracks. Critics noted the reissue's value in contextualizing Sladest as a snapshot of Slade's commercial dominance amid drummer Don Powell's recovery from a 1973 car accident and the band's push into the American market.[16][17]Track listing
Standard edition
The standard edition of Sladest, released in 1973 by Polydor in the UK as a stereo LP in a gatefold sleeve (catalogue number 2442 119), compiles 14 tracks spanning Slade's early hits and album cuts from 1971 to 1973.[10] It primarily features original compositions by band members Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, alongside select covers, sequenced to showcase their glam rock singles and B-sides. Track durations were not printed on the original release but have been documented via stopwatch measurements.[10]| Track | Title | Writer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Cum On Feel The Noize | Lea, Holder | 4:25 |
| A2 | Look Wot You Dun | Powell, Lea, Holder | 2:58 |
| A3 | Gudbuy T'Jane | Lea, Holder | 3:33 |
| A4 | One Way Hotel | Powell, Lea, Holder | 2:41 |
| A5 | Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me | Lea, Holder | 4:30 |
| A6 | Pouk Hill | Powell, Lea, Holder | 2:24 |
| A7 | The Shape Of Things To Come | Mann-Weil | 2:18 |
| B1 | Take Me Bak 'Ome | Lea, Holder | 3:16 |
| B2 | Coz I Luv You | Lea, Holder | 3:26 |
| B3 | Wild Winds Are Blowin' | Saker, Winsley | 2:39 |
| B4 | Know Who You Are | Hill, Powell, Lea, Holder | 2:54 |
| B5 | Get Down And Get With It | Marchan | 3:50 |
| B6 | Look At Last Nite | Lea, Holder | 3:06 |
| B7 | Mama Weer All Crazee Now | Lea, Holder | 2:45 |
Edition variations
The original release of Sladest in the United Kingdom by Polydor Records in September 1973 featured a 14-track compilation primarily consisting of Slade's recent hit singles and selected B-sides, presented in a gatefold sleeve with a 12-page booklet containing lyrics and photos.[18] This edition emphasized the band's glam rock hits from 1971 to 1973, including "Cum On Feel the Noize," "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," and "Coz I Luv You," alongside non-album tracks like "Pouk Hill" and "Wild Winds Are Blowin'."[1] In contrast, the United States edition, released simultaneously by Reprise Records, adopted a significantly altered 10-track selection that substituted several UK B-sides and deeper cuts with other non-album singles and tracks from earlier albums to better suit American audiences less familiar with Slade's full UK discography.[12] Notable omissions from the UK version included "Pouk Hill," "Wild Winds Are Blowin'," "Know Who You Are," and "Look At Last Nite," while additions featured "My Friend Stan" (B-side of "Gudbuy t'Jane"), and "My Town" (from Slayed?). The track order was rearranged. This version used a standard sleeve without the UK gatefold format.[12]| Track | UK Edition (Polydor, 1973) | US Edition (Reprise, 1973) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cum On Feel the Noize | Cum On Feel the Noize |
| 2 | Look Wot You Dun | Look Wot You Dun |
| 3 | Gudbuy T' Jane | Gudbuy T'Jane |
| 4 | One Way Hotel | My Friend Stan |
| 5 | Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me | Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me |
| 6 | Pouk Hill | Take Me Bak 'Ome |
| 7 | The Shape of Things to Come | Coz I Luv You |
| 8 | Take Me Bak 'Ome | My Town |
| 9 | Coz I Luv You | Get Down and Get With It |
| 10 | Wild Winds Are Blowin' | Mama Weer All Crazee Now |
| 11 | Know Who You Are | |
| 12 | Get Down and Get With It | |
| 13 | Look At Last Nite | |
| 14 | Mama Weer All Crazee Now |