Nobody's Fools (album) - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Upon release, Record Mirror magazine wrote "Having given out the information that a large part of motivation behind their moving to the States last year was to go for pastures new in order to widen their horizons somewhat, this album becomes important in more ways than one. Two of the tracks are already familiar - being Slade's two last singles, but the remaining numbers, all written by Noddy and Jimmy Lea offer a lot of variety. The most immediate thing I noticed was the arrangements - which included some solid bass work that would have done justice to Led Zeppelin. Next, there's the use of backup vocals, something Slade haven't used too much in the past. Finally, there's the pace, lots of it. "Pack Up Your Troubles" is about the slowest number on the album, but even then it bounces along briskly, using an almost busking tempo. It's not an album of singles - it does present tracks that are a lot deeper than I expected. You're right lads, you're nobody's fools!"

New Musical Express wrote "Well if this album is an accurate representation of their album-making ability I doubt it very much. Oh, Slade are an exciting band. Plenty of kick and grit, and their unrefined charm which has been captured from their live performances in the studio environment, but though superficially the music here is of reasonable standard, there's not a lot of depth. Really the album is just a collection of hooky little singles."

Music Week wrote "A cracking album, the group is now playing better than ever. Slade have matured to the point of being able to convert an older audience to their cause."

Another magazine wrote "'Boogie!' is the frenzied cry at the opening of "Do the Dirty," the second track on this album, and it's a sentiment that's repeatedly implied throughout the proceedings. Slade Boogie hard and they boogie good, and if there's a total absence of refinement and subtlety, then at least there's no pretence of being anything other. Playing as if they mean it, Slade have always had a closer affinity with REAL rock & roll than most bands of the Seventies, and for all its obvious limitations, it's a strategy that's served them well. For a couple of years they were indisputable kings of the castle, and for all that (musical) crudeness I've always felt they wore their crown with distinction. Recently of course, inferior bands have edged them out of the affection of young female hearts, while Slade have attempted to anticipate the growing maturity of their audience by pursuing their own natural desire to develop beyond the vigorous three minute thrash. Their "Slade In Flame" album, for example, showed a much calmer, more tender side, which we might have assumed was the way they were going to play it from now on, in their bid for wider acceptance.

Unfortunately, judging by the comparatively apathetic reaction to their last few singles. the 'wider audience' hasn't embraced them too lovingly, and with "Nobody's Fools" Slade have now done a swift about turn as they attempt to recoup their losses . It's very much the wild Slade we have come to love/loathe, a panic stricken retreat to a faithful formula. The Holder/Lea songs (which make up all the material on the record) are straight forward and earthy, and Noddy's foghorn voice is characteristically raucous and raw. There's one moderately gentle country blues number, "Pack Up Your Troubles," which is given much appeal by the acoustic guitar rhythms, but that is the only basic diversion from the powerhouse onslaught—Slade the John H Straceys of rock! They apply a reggae tinged backing with good effect to "I'm a Talker", and the occasional ambiguity of their lyrics is given reign on the mildly rude, vaguely funny "Did Your Mama Ever Tell Ya?", On which they tell the 'true' story of those innocent nursery rhymes. The rest is the honest, driving, yet often quite melodic, commercial rock commonly associated with Slade, including their last two singles "Let's Call It Quits" and "In For a Penny", and the new one "Nobody's Fool". Solid, compelling stuff, even if it is a bit of a cop out."

Upon release, the editor of the Slade fan club stated "I should say for me this is the best album that Slade have made so far, and I say this not just because I am writing for Slade admirers but because musically this is the breakthrough I have been hoping they were going to make."

In early 2010, Classic Rock magazine featured Slade as part of their ‘The Hard Stuff Buyers Guide’ where the magazine reviewed numerous Slade albums. As part of the ‘Good: Worth Exploring’ section, a review of Nobody’s Fools wrote “At great cost to their popularity at home, during the mid-70s Slade had wasted 18 months courting the USA. The experience appears to have rubbed off on ‘Nobody’s Fools’, a surprisingly slick-sounding album that saw them out of the charts for five years. The singles ‘In for a Penny’ and the throbbing, suggestive ‘Let’s Call It Quits’ (‘I got something here for you that’s big enough for two’) are among its most immediate moments. A dalliance with reggae on ‘Did Ya Mama Ever Tell Ya?’ proves very regrettable. The reissued edition is all the richer for the inclusion of the non-album single release ‘Thanks for the Memory’.”