When Slade Rocked the World

When Slade Rocked the World 1971–1975 is a compilation box set by the British rock band Slade, released by Salvo in November 2015. The box set, housed in a 12-inch box, covers the band's commercial heyday from 1971 to 1975, with a mix of reproduced vinyl LPs, 7" vinyl singles, a two-disc CD, a scrapbook-style book and a reproduced edition of the book The Slade Story, written by George Tremlett.[1][2]

When Slade Rocked the World 1971–1975
Box set by
Released13 November 2015
GenreRock
LabelSalvo
ProducerChas Chandler
Slade chronology
Merry Xmas Everybody: Party Hits
(2009)
When Slade Rocked the World 1971–1975
(2015)
Cum On Feel the Hitz: The Best of Slade
(2020)

When Slade Rocked the World was first announced in July 2015 and was made available for pre-order on PledgeMusic. A limited edition version of the box set was made exclusively available through the platform, which included an exclusive set of reproduced Slade in Flame film lobby cards.[3][4] Speaking of the project, BMG's Steve Bunyan later commented to Music Managers Forum: "We wanted to put something together that the band, fans and media would all think was a worthy summary of Slade at the peak of their powers. I think we achieved it."[5]

In September 2016, the box set won "Special Catalogue Release of the Year" at that year's AIM Awards.[5][6] It was also nominated for the Classic Rock Awards "Reissue of the Year".[7]

Contents

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Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Arts Deskfavourable[8]
Classic Rockfavourable[9]
Daily Mirror     [10]
The Guardian     [11]
Mojo     [12]
Record Collector     [13]
The Sunday Timesfavourable[14]
Uncut          [15]
Vive Le Rock          [14]

Upon release, Vive Le Rock described the set as the "ultimate box set", adding that it "deserves a place in every self-respecting rock 'n' roll and glam rock-loving home."[14] Daily Mirror praised the compilation as a "sumptuous vinyl box set", describing it as "major[ing] in roof-raising pop glories" and being the "perfect Yuletide gift for the discerning rock 'n' roller".[10] The Sunday Times noted the set stood out for its "spectacular packaging, humour and reproduced curios".[14] David Cavanagh of Uncut wrote: "As we hear time and again on When Slade Rocked the World, they weren't just churning out chart fodder to fill the nostalgic dancefloors of future school discos. They were better musicians than that for a start; a tight, syncopated four-piece, they could swing viciously and attack with force."[15]

Daryl Easlea of Record Collector described the set as a "superbly packaged collection" and a "very fitting tribute". He concluded: "This collection emphasises how unique they really were, not to mention their instinctive way with a melody. To this young fan, their tunes were accessible in a way that, say, Bowie's was not."[13]Alexis Petridis of The Guardian commented: "Its deathlessness ["Merry Xmas Everybody"] has fixed Slade forever in the public imagination as beloved purveyors of glittery, raucous pop anthems. They were more complex and expansive than that, as When Slade Rocked the World proves..."[11] Kieron Tyler of The Arts Desk described the box set as "lavish", but felt it was "unlikely to alter perceptions". He said: "Being confronted with this much Slade in one go is daunting. The familiar hit singles whizz by but the context of their albums brings a new life and a surprising freshness. When Slade Rocked the World is not strictly essential due to the availability of much of its content in its original form. But it is well-conceived and will thrill any fan of the band."[8]

Personnel

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Slade

References

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  1. ^ "Slade - When Slade Rocked The World 1971-1975 (Box Set, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Vinyl Album - Slade - When Slade Rocked The World 1971 - 1975 - Salvo - UK". 45worlds.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Slade: Box Set on PledgeMusic". Pledgemusic.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  4. ^ "When Slade Rocked the World 1971-75 / super deluxe box set". superdeluxeedition. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b ""When Slade Rocked the World 1971 – 1975" Award Winning Box Set by BMG – Interview by Key Production with Steve Bunyan from BMG. ‹ MMF (Music Managers Forum)". Themmf.net. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Salvo". Salvo-music.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Salvo". Salvo-music.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Reissue CDs Weekly: Slade". The Arts Desk. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  9. ^ Reviews / 02 Oct 2015 / by Ian Fortnam (2 October 2015). "Slade: When Slade Rocked The World 1971-75 - Classic Rock". Teamrock.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b "Album releases. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Slade: When Slade Rocked the World 1971-1975 box set review – more complex than they get credit for | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  12. ^ Mojo magazine - Look wot they dun - John Harris - December 2015 issue - page 101
  13. ^ a b "When Slade Rocked The World 1971-1975 - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  14. ^ a b c d "Slade - When Slade Rocked The World 1971 to 1975". Union Square Music. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Slade - When Slade Rocked The World 1971 - 1975". Uncut. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2017.