Record Label: Universal Records

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Giving Slade a bad review would be like punching my uncle whilst he’s drunkenly gorging on sausage rolls and doing his embarrassing dances on the afternoon of the 25^th December – it would be like attacking a part of Christmas itself. Ever since Noddy Holder and his glam gang unleashed `Merry Xmas Everybody` in December 1973, the band have been immortalised into popular culture as a festive novelty – 3 and a half minutes of brilliantly cheesy Christmas pop to be endured/rejoiced for two months of every year. But it’s easy to forget that Slade were far from a one-trick pony. With eleven top 5 singles and six No 1’s Slade were arguably the biggest British group of the early ‘70s, and this `Best Of` reminds us why. Sure, 20 tracks is probably a bit too much Slade for anyone, but the magic formula of Holder’s powerful yell and chugging bluesy rhythms is still refreshing in small doses. Check out Dave Hill’s Stonesy guitars on `Gudbuy T’ Jane`, the sinister vibes of `Coz I Luv You`, or the raucous jive of `I’m A Rocker`.  Slade may not have entered the same cannon of glam cool as their trendier adversaries Bolan or Bowie, but don’t let appearances deceive you, as there’s plenty of fun to be had with Slade any time of the year.