12'' Front Cover U.K.

12'' Rear Cover U.K.

12'' A Side U.K.

12'' B Side U.K.

"Slade In Flame" was Slades 4th studio U.K. album, it was released and produced by Chas Chandler via Polydor record label on 29th November 1974.
This album reached number 2 on the U.K. chart,the album contained songs from their film 'Flame' and produced 2 hit singles, "Far Far Away" and "How Does It Feel". The band tried to give the album a "sixties" feel, as its eponymous film was set in 1966.
Though the record was lauded by critics, the response of the general public was somewhat muted, and the album did not sell as well as expected. In February 1975.
The album was certified U.K. Gold by BPI in February 1975.
Record Mirror magazine voted the album number 5 on the top 10 best albums in February 1976.
The album was originally scheduled for release on 22nd November 1974 but Polydor record label were unable to produce enough copies to cover the pre orders at the time.
Before the album's release, the album itself was awarded with a Silver and Gold Disc based on pre order sales.
By February 1975, the album had surpassed 200,000 sales in the U.K.

Background
In 1974, Slade left behind a remarkable year in which they saw 3 number 1 singles and sell out tours attended by hordes of near hysterical fans. Slade had peaked all over Europe and the group sensed that 'more of the same' was not the way forward. When manager Chas Chandler suggested a movie as the next step, Slade agreed. The subject matter was to be the gritty tale of the rise and fall of a fictional 1960s group called Flame with the story based on various true music business events that had occurred to Slade and other groups of the time.
The accompanying soundtrack album was naturally Slade's responsibility and a perfect opportunity for the group to flex their musical muscle. Although the album would be marketed as Slade's next record, it gave the group a chance to use the Slade - Flame hybrid to step back a little from their massively successful hit formula of stomping grooves and rowdy choruses and re establish their versatility.
The audience had been tipped off that the forthcoming "Slade In Flame" album would feature an evolving Slade sound by the release of "Far Far Away", a month before the album and movie. A swaying, acoustic track featuring the musings of a man who has seen the world but still feels the pull of his roots, it was a personal song written largely by Noddy Holder. However, nothing in Slade's catalogue to date quite prepared the listener for "How Does It Feel" including a huge horn section, flutes and haunting piano. The piece was nothing less than the sound of Slade coming of age. Having just returned from a 5th U.S.A. tour and finally agreeing a script, Slade had a month to record an album of songs designed for the film.
While "Slade In Flame" was clearly a distinct step forward for Slade, it also marked the end of their reign as the U.K.'s favourite band. "Far Far Away" performed respectably in the U.K. however "How Does It Feel" had such an indifferent sound that it reflected the gap between where Slade were at and what was expected of them. Although regarded, 30 years on, as one of the greatest rock films, at the time the movie itself hardly helped matters. Slade's audience were used to Slade delivering a rollicking good time whereas the movie's bleak, sour atmosphere had understandably confused rather than enthused fans.

Recording
"Slade In Flame" was released via Polydor record label on 29th November 1974.
It marks the end of Slade's rule over the British charts, the album went to number 6 (the band's previous 3 LPs reached number 1), but it would be nearly 10 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, light hearted 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 1st solo album. On "O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday", Noddy Holder gives his lungs a big time workout.

Release
"Slade In Flame" was originally released on 12" vinyl and cassette and 8 track cartridge.
The album was originally scheduled for release on the 22nd of November, 1974 but Polydor record label were unable to produce enough copies to cover the pre orders at the time. Before the album's release, the album itself was awarded with a Silver and Gold Disc based on pre order sales. By February 1975, the album had surpassed 200,000 sales in the U.K. and was certified U.K. Gold by BPI..
The album was released in the U.S.A. on the Warner Bros. record label, with "The Bangin' Man" replacing "Summer Song (Wishing You Were Here)" and "Thanks For The Memory" replacing "Heaven Knows". Although no single was released in America from the album, most radio stations were playing "How Does It Feel".
Record Mirror magazine voted the album number 5 on the top 10 best albums in February 1976.

Promotion
For the album, the band continued to tour and promote the singles on U.K. TV plus cinemas where their Film of the same title were being shown.

Chart Performance
The album reached number 6 on the U.K. chart.

Track listing - 12" LP U.K.
A1. How Does It Feel? (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 5:57
A2. Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:25
A3. So Far So Good (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:00
A4. Summer Song (Wishing You Were Here) (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:35
A5. O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:58
B1. Far Far Away (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:37
B2. This Girl (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:32
B3. Lay It Down (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 4:10
B4. Heaven Knows (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:55
B5. Standin' On The Corner (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 4:45

How Does It Feel?
"How Does It Feel" written by Holder and Lea, this was originally released as a single by Slade via Polydor record label on 7th February 1975 and reached number 15 on the U.K. chart.
This is the opening track of Slades hit film "Flame". The song was originally written by Lea, back in 1970 on an old out of tune piano with half the keys missing. It was brought out of the cupboard to be the theme tune for "Flame". Chris Ingham of Rock Back pages stated "Lea's simple piano part, Holder's vocal intoning a lyric full of philosophical wonder, ghostly backing vocals, organ and flute. These elements would be enough to mark "How Does It Feel" as a notable Slade recording but with addition of a huge horn section to, piping flutes and a running time of over 5 minutes." Allmusic stated "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." The track was released as a single, peaking at number 15 on the U.K. chart.

Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing
"Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing" written by Holder and Lea, is 1 of the up tempo rock tracks, Chris Ingham described the track as "a propulsive number that manages to be powerful but also taut and contained." The track is the 1st appearance by the group (Flame) on screen, featuring Hill's searing slide guitar. Allmusic wrote "They don't let up on the classic "Them Kinda Monkeys Can't Swing," which features great drumming by Powell."

So Far So Good
"So Far So Good" written by Holder and Lea, is the optimistic track that is used as "Flame's" 1st hit, this was the b - side to Slades original single "So Far So Good". Chris Ingham wrote "The song is a good example of Holder's pithy way with a lyric, intimating success is about having the right attitude of life ("making the best out of having ago") while also celebrating the good luck of a survivor ("taking chances...I'm alive!"). A good example of how even a 2nd drawer mid 1970s Slade song, i.e., probably not commercial or extraordinary enough to be a single, is still replete with craft." Allmusic stated "So Far So Good" is a beautiful rocker." The track was covered by Alice Cooper songwriter Mike Bruce on his 1st solo album 'In My Own Way'.

Summer Song (Wishing You Were Here)
"Summer Song (Wishing You Were Here)" written by Holder and Lea, attempts to recreate the magic of their 1973 mega hit "Merry Xmas Everybody" by applying that record's shuffly groove and song structure (seasonal details in the verse, hopeful athemic chorus) to another part of the year. Chris Ingham stated "The results are rather bittersweet as the song evokes the silliness, excitement and temporary nature of the holiday romance." It was featured in an in concert scene in the movie.

O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday
"O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday" written by Holder and Lea, this was the b - side to Slades original single "Far Far Away" and is described by Chris Ingham as "a ribald salutation to growing up, teenage rites of passage and the inevitability of female surrender." In the film, "Flame" are seen powering out the opening riff - another slide guitar feature while being memorably elevated into view via a hyraulic stage. Allmusic wrote "On "O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday," Holder gives his lungs a big time workout."

Far Far Away
"Far Far Away" written by Holder and Lea, this was originally released as a single by Slade via Polydor record label on 11th October 1974 and reached number 2 on the U.K. chart.
 is a swaying acoustic track featuring the musings of a man who has seen the world but still feels the pull of his roots, it was a personal song written largely by Holder.

This Girl
"This Girl" written by Holder and Lea, is a electrophonic keyboard driven song. Chris Ingham wrote "A bitter little track about a fickle female featuring an extravagant echo effect on Holder's voice and some particularly strident lead guitar from Hill." For the film, it was rewritten and rearranged to be the number that horror rockers Roy Priest and the Undertakers sing. Their erstwhile singer soon to be "Flame" front man Stoker (played by Holder) delivers the song from a coffin in a version unavailable on record. The track was covered by Andre Verhage and The Jinx.

Lay It Down
"Lay It Down" written by Holder and Lea, is much like the Stones, with Powell laying a rock solid, 'Brown Sugar' like foundation before guitars, bass and brass build the song. Lea cited the Stones as his bigger influence earlier on, before he rediscovered The Beatles' melodic power.

Heaven Knows
"Heaven Knows" written by Holder and Lea, is a light hearted, optimistic song which functions as the b - side to "Flame's" inaugural single, seen in the movie to be given a quick spin by pirate DJ Tommy Vance. Chris Ingham wrote "The song is treated to a suitably jaunty treatment, but is probably the moment that most betrays the deadline pressure Slade were working under. The song perhaps deserved performances of greater refinement than it receives here."

Standin' On The Corner
"Standin' On The Corner" written by Holder and Lea, this was eventualy the b - side to Slades original single "('88 Remix)" in October 1988, features a horn section (including the only saxophone solo in Slade history) and scatter gun lyrics style. Chris Ingham wrote "The result if 1 of Slade's great underexposed rockers. Holder's lyrics lustily appreciates the merits of "Good Time Gals'."
The track was covered by Polish band Sapo.
In a mid 1989 Slade fan club magazine interview, Powell was asked if there was a Slade track that he felt was one of the band's best efforts on record. Powell replied "Difficult to say, I suppose "Standin' On The Corner", from the film "Flame". It's got a great swing to it and its the first time we even used brass."

Credits
Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
Noddy Holder - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jim Lea - bass guitar, piano, organ, backing vocals
Don Powell - drums
Bud Beadle - baritone saxophone
Ron Carthy - trumpet
Mick Eve - tenor saxophone
Steve Gregory - tenor saxophone
Malcolm Griffiths - trombone
Chris Mercer - baritone, tenor saxophone
Eddie Quansah - trumpet
Chris Hammer Smith - trombone
Chas Chandler - producer
Alan O'Duffey - engineer
Paul Welch - art direction
Wadewood Associates - art design
Steve Ridgeway - logo design
Welbeck Photography - production stills
Gered Mankowitz - photography (front, back & portrait photos)