Wall of Hits (1991)
Wall of Hits is a compilation album, released by Polydor on 11 November 1991. The album included the last two singles to be recorded by the band: "Radio Wall of Sound" and "Universe". It reached No. 34 in the UK and remained in the charts for five weeks.
Background
After the commercial failure of the band's 1987 album You Boyz Make Big Noize, and the end of their contract with RCA, Slade decided to take an eighteen month break. Although the band announced their intentions to record a new album, these plans did not materialise and band activity remained limited. Later in 1991, the band's former 1970s label Polydor Records approached the band with the idea of recording two new singles to promote a new compilation album Wall of Hits. The two singles, "Radio Wall of Sound" and "Universe", were soon completed, with Polydor offering the option of a new studio album if both singles were successful. "Radio Wall of Sound" was released in October 1991 and reached No. 21 in the UK, earning the band their twenty-fourth Top 40 single and their first Top 40 hit since 1984.
Wall of Hits was then released in November and would peak at No. 34. It was certified UK Silver by BPI that month. A VHS of the same name was also released, featuring numerous music videos and filmed performances of the band's singles over their career. In December, "Universe" was released to attract the Christmas market and further promote the compilation over the festive period. However, it failed to chart and Polydor withdrew their option for a new studio album. The band would split up in March 1992.
The album contained twenty tracks covering the band's career from 1971 to 1991. However, some critics were quick to notice the omissions of a number of charting singles, including "In for a Penny, "We'll Bring the House Down", "All Join Hands" and "Myzsterious Mizster Jones". In a 1992 fan club interview, Holder spoke of the track selection on the compilation: "Something had to go to enable the inclusion of the two new tracks and the two RCA tracks which made it a good overall package, although we are not likely to get a volume two deal if the first volume doesn't do that well."
In a 1992 fan club interview, Dave Hill mentioned the compilation in a story of seeing Kiss live: "A couple of weeks back, I went to see Kiss in concert at the NEC. It was good to see Gene and the band again, and as many fans will know, Kiss do admit to being influenced by the music of Slade. The joke of the night was that Kiss had sent out for the Wall of Hits album to play in the dressing room to get revved up before they went onstage! Gene said to me that he just wanted to check and see if he had nicked all the riffs correctly! It was good to have a chat and they gave a good show, lots of pyrotechnics and tons of noise, but yes, really nice to meet up with them again."
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Retrospective reviews
Chart performance
Dutch Album Charts: #65
European Top 100 Albums: #76
German Album Charts: #44
UK Albums Chart: #34
Track listing
1. Get Down and Get with It (Bobby Marchan) - 3:50
2. Coz I Luv You (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:32
3. Look Wot You Dun (Holder, Lea, Don Powell) - 2:50
4. Take Me Bak 'Ome (Holder, Lea) - 3:13
5. Mama Weer All Crazee Now (Holder, Lea) - 3:43
6. Gudbuy T'Jane (Holder, Lea) - 3:31
7. Cum On Feel the Noize (Holder, Lea) - 4:27
8. Skweeze Me Pleeze Me (Holder, Lea) - 4:28
9. My Friend Stan (Holder, Lea) - 2:41
10. Everyday (Holder, Lea) - 3:10
11. Bangin' Man (Holder, Lea) - 4:08
12. Far Far Away (Holder, Lea) - 3:36
13. How Does It Feel (Holder, Lea) - 5:55
14. Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam) (Holder, Lea) - 4:34
15. Let's Call It Quits (Holder, Lea) - 3:32
16. My Oh My (Holder, Lea) - 4:11
17. Run Run Away (Holder, Lea) - 3:42
18. Radio Wall of Sound (Lea) - 3:47
19. Universe (Lea) - 4:12
20. Merry Xmas Everybody (Holder, Lea) - 3:25
Personnel
Slade
Additional personnel
Background
After the commercial failure of the band's 1987 album You Boyz Make Big Noize, and the end of their contract with RCA, Slade decided to take an eighteen month break. Although the band announced their intentions to record a new album, these plans did not materialise and band activity remained limited. Later in 1991, the band's former 1970s label Polydor Records approached the band with the idea of recording two new singles to promote a new compilation album Wall of Hits. The two singles, "Radio Wall of Sound" and "Universe", were soon completed, with Polydor offering the option of a new studio album if both singles were successful. "Radio Wall of Sound" was released in October 1991 and reached No. 21 in the UK, earning the band their twenty-fourth Top 40 single and their first Top 40 hit since 1984.
Wall of Hits was then released in November and would peak at No. 34. It was certified UK Silver by BPI that month. A VHS of the same name was also released, featuring numerous music videos and filmed performances of the band's singles over their career. In December, "Universe" was released to attract the Christmas market and further promote the compilation over the festive period. However, it failed to chart and Polydor withdrew their option for a new studio album. The band would split up in March 1992.
The album contained twenty tracks covering the band's career from 1971 to 1991. However, some critics were quick to notice the omissions of a number of charting singles, including "In for a Penny, "We'll Bring the House Down", "All Join Hands" and "Myzsterious Mizster Jones". In a 1992 fan club interview, Holder spoke of the track selection on the compilation: "Something had to go to enable the inclusion of the two new tracks and the two RCA tracks which made it a good overall package, although we are not likely to get a volume two deal if the first volume doesn't do that well."
In a 1992 fan club interview, Dave Hill mentioned the compilation in a story of seeing Kiss live: "A couple of weeks back, I went to see Kiss in concert at the NEC. It was good to see Gene and the band again, and as many fans will know, Kiss do admit to being influenced by the music of Slade. The joke of the night was that Kiss had sent out for the Wall of Hits album to play in the dressing room to get revved up before they went onstage! Gene said to me that he just wanted to check and see if he had nicked all the riffs correctly! It was good to have a chat and they gave a good show, lots of pyrotechnics and tons of noise, but yes, really nice to meet up with them again."
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
- "Slade were up there with Bolan at the cutting edge of '70s pop rock. While Bowie's glam rock disappeared into outer space, Slade were firmly earth-bound - a jubilant celebration of laddishness and back-to-basics rock. The titles might be iffy but the songs are incredible. A band ahead of their time." - Danny Scott of Select (four out of five star rating)
- "Ah, the memories, the memories. Those of a certain age will no doubt go all misty eyed at the thought of a greatest hits package from Slade. Slade's mix of great chantalong choruses and catchy hard rock riffs was perfect for the time, and has worn surprisingly well. This is a fine reminder of a great singles band." - Neil McKay of Sunday Life (Northern Ireland)
- "Six number ones during the early seventies are the highlights of this set which has fewer and fewer hits as the years go on." - The Lennox Herald
- "Greatest hits package from the Black Country boys with all the badly-spelled youth club favourites, from "Gudbuy T'Jane" to "Mama Weer All Crazee Now"." - Aberdeen Evening Express
Retrospective reviews
- "By no means the first (or last) ever Slade hits collection, Wall of Hits is nevertheless the only one you truly need, a solid roundup of every British Top Ten smash the band ever scored, plus a smattering of lesser-rated (but equally deserving) Top 20 entries, and only one track - 1991's "Universe" - that really doesn't belong. Neither has time taken any toll on the quality of the music. Whether causing roaring traffic to grind to a halt or bearing their souls in a ballad, the members of Slade not only made great records, they also tapped emotions that make fans never tire of singing their songs." - Dave Thompson of AllMusic
Chart performance
Dutch Album Charts: #65
European Top 100 Albums: #76
German Album Charts: #44
UK Albums Chart: #34
Track listing
1. Get Down and Get with It (Bobby Marchan) - 3:50
2. Coz I Luv You (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:32
3. Look Wot You Dun (Holder, Lea, Don Powell) - 2:50
4. Take Me Bak 'Ome (Holder, Lea) - 3:13
5. Mama Weer All Crazee Now (Holder, Lea) - 3:43
6. Gudbuy T'Jane (Holder, Lea) - 3:31
7. Cum On Feel the Noize (Holder, Lea) - 4:27
8. Skweeze Me Pleeze Me (Holder, Lea) - 4:28
9. My Friend Stan (Holder, Lea) - 2:41
10. Everyday (Holder, Lea) - 3:10
11. Bangin' Man (Holder, Lea) - 4:08
12. Far Far Away (Holder, Lea) - 3:36
13. How Does It Feel (Holder, Lea) - 5:55
14. Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam) (Holder, Lea) - 4:34
15. Let's Call It Quits (Holder, Lea) - 3:32
16. My Oh My (Holder, Lea) - 4:11
17. Run Run Away (Holder, Lea) - 3:42
18. Radio Wall of Sound (Lea) - 3:47
19. Universe (Lea) - 4:12
20. Merry Xmas Everybody (Holder, Lea) - 3:25
Personnel
Slade
- Noddy Holder - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Lea - bass, piano, violin, keyboards, backing vocals, producer (tracks 18-19)
- Don Powell - drums
Additional personnel
- Chas Chandler - producer (tracks 1-15, 20)
- John Punter - producer (tracks 16, 17)