Return To Base - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

At the time of release, reviews were overall mixed.

Record Mirror stated "assuming that the title 'Return To Base' should be taken to mean that the group are trying to visit the territorial war grounds of their golden years in the singles charts I reckon they are in for a shock. At one time everyone loved Slade with those wonderful rocking melodies, and one of the best Christmas songs of all time, ensured them a permanent holding in the top ten. I accept that Slade are not the most intelligent of men but then that's not what I demand from my pop stars, but I do expect a little more than references to Big brother, Stereo, Radio etc, in the otherwise catchy 'Sign Of The Times' and the reflection of 'Born To Run' in the opener 'Wheels Ain't Coming Down'. Noddy's vocal prowess certainly hasn't dimmed on 'I'm a Rocker,' and on 'Nuts Bolts & Screws' and 'My Baby's Got It' Slade start to rock, but there's nothing here to distinguish them from any other rocking combo. 'I'm Mad' is the nearest thing here to a hit single with its jump along beat and pure sixties chord changes, the production is by the band and Andy Miller which really is excellent, especially the little tricks like the backwards tremeloed guitar intro to 'Lemme love into ya' and the very ambient sound throughout. I wasnt expecting another 'Cum On Feel The Noize' or 'My Friend Stan' but just something a little more inspired. From a new band this would be a fairly good debut, from Slade I want more."

Sounds magazine wrote "Slade started life in the sixties as a Wolverhampton club band called the in betweens who changed their name to Ambrose Slade, eventually dropping the Ambrose at the suggestion of erstwhile Animal Chas Chandler. As Slade they came to the media's attention because of their skinhead image (later played down with bullshit about their cropped barnets stemming from working abroad) which was widely reported around the time of their first hit single, a raucous revamp of Bobby Marchan's 'Get Down And Get With It'. Thenceforth they established themselves as perhaps the biggest of the glitter generation teen bands, banging home an unbroken succession of hits including six number ones, capturing the support and imagination of millions of kids (including me!) with their illiterate brand of glitter stomp ie 'Gudbuy t'Jane', 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now' and the definitive 'Cum on Feel the Noize', changing direction in later life with the likes of 'My Friend Stan' and the more ballady 'Far Far Away' and 'Everyday', before fading out of the public eye til their disappointing 'reincarnation ' tour last year. Like most purists I believe that Rock and Roll heroes should die, or at least retire gracefully, before the rot sets in (nothings quite so disgusting as seeing latter day heroes squirming on good ol' family tv) and though recording the Okey Cokey is tantamount to public suicide, Slade have managed to pull a fair to impressive performance out of the bag with this one. Sure to new wave lugs it sounds dated, but 'Return to Base' still rocks like a good un', utilising standard rock 'n' roll/hard rock foundations for commendable displays of tightness and old time rock bite. And I'm sure it just aint nostalgia bringing me to the conclusion that Noddy's got one of the all time classic rock voices - as he belts through ten steamy originals and one Chuck berry (who else?) cover. Slade may have stood still, but their own brand of rock shout clout still sounds good to these biased ears."

Wolverhampton Express and Star wrote "Slade haven't had a big hit for some time now, but it would be silly to write them off just yet, to judge by their new album Return to Base. Still one of the most entertaining live groups around, they have too much talent not to get another hit, but I'm no sure if they'll hit the mark with their new single. They've revived the Hokey Cokey, no less. It's their contender for the Christmas charts, and it will certainly get a few parties going if it's put on the turntable. Slade's version is a hard-rocking, full of fun song that combines their musical toughness and ability to create a good time atmosphere to perfection. The song really suits Slade's style, but whether or not it will be a hit is anyone's guess. I don't know whether Return to Base refers to their music, but there is definitely a Sixities feel to some of the songs, though others are vintage Slade. Most striking thing about the album is its variety, for Slade have loosened up a bit for this one and included much more variety of mood. It certainly pays off. As usual they start off with force, singing a song which went down well everywhere on their last tour. It's called Wheels ain't Coming Down, a power-packed churning song with a catchy hook line. After that, however, come all sorts of songs from frantie ravers to more gentle songs. One, which sounds similar to Bob Dylan's early tracks with The Band, especially the organ sound, really takes the ear - it's called Don't Waste Your Time. Another striking factor is the guitar playing of Dave Hill, who has really been allowed to branch out on this disc. In all, it's an album which will please Slade's still huge army of fans, both for its fidelity to the Slade sound and for its inventiveness and freshness."

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 ‘Superior: Reputation Cementing’ section, a review of We’ll Bring the House Down mentioned Return to Base, writing "‘We’ll Bring the House Down’ was cobbled together quickly after the band’s Reading triumph, largely from the contents of their previous (overlooked) album, ‘Return to Base’."

In May 1980, Jon Young of New York magazine Trouser Press reviewed the album. "Is Slade a burned-out embarrassment that ought to give up? No! Although the world would seem a more just place if the boize themselves were to blame for their commercial demise, it ain't so Joe... On "Return to Base", seven of the eleven cuts connect in every possible way, for a batting average of .636. If it had been released in 1973, the classic "Nuts, Bolts and Screws" would've easily topped the UK charts. Then there's a defiantly predictable reading of Chuck Berry's "I'm a Rocker"; 50,000,000 cover versions can't be wrong!... Okay, there's nothing here quite as wonderful as "Cum On Feel the Noize". But who's fault is that? This kind of music isn't meant for a vacuum! It's meant to be enjoyed! Give Slade some encouragement! You will be glad that you did!!"