The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

At the time of release, reviews were overall positive.

Record Mirror stated "Romping back into the forefront of Eighties pop with an apparently effortless confidence and an untainted infectiousness. Slade are riding hard on the heels of a smash hit single with an album that decently consolidates the success of 'My Oh My. Noddy Holder only has to turn on that formidable voice on the opening 'Slam The Hammer Down' and you know straight away Slade will never abandon the battle while there's spirit enough left to fight It. Now this is the Slade we’ve known and loved and laughed with for years - a raucous, rollicking and simply addictive little riot that kicks the album off with a resounding start - no wonder people are rediscovering rock ‘n’ roll these days.

And there's more of same craftsmen at variations on a theme. Slade storm on through the vinyl with 'In The Doghouse', the irresistible 'High And Dry’, the excellent 'Cheap n' Nasty Love' and a grand finale with 'Razzle Dazzle Man'. Look for humour and you’ll find it dotted around all over the place. "Get your oats in while you can can", hollers Holder on 'Cocky Rock Boys (Rule OK)'. "You're full of wit and it hits the fan".

There are certain moments of contrast to be found on this album. The family sing-song 'My Oh My' fades into something approaching insignificance besides the more fiery stompers, and the percussive, mid-placed 'Run Runaway’, oddly chosen as the next single, droops into repetitiveness before the second verse is out. And '(And Now The Waltz) C'Est La Vie' tends to disappear into the clouds of its own long-winded ambition. Finally though, its certain that for flash and sparkle, slap and tickle, and a ride on a runaway rock n roller coaster. Slade have lost none of their old wicked touch."

Sounds stated "Kamikaze Syndrome? Pardon me, but wouldn't resurrection shuffle be nearer to the point? Slade seem to be eternal, eternally young, eternally fun. As "My Oh My" finds them back in the running for that number one slot eleven years after their first one, this the album of the single, shows conclusively that Slade are still capable of rocking harder and catchier than most bands half their age.They sound so lively and confident you can forgive them the rock 'n' roll clichés they occasionally slip into, though maybe the real key to their survival comes with the track "Run Runaway" which shows them cheekily and triumphantly plagiarising flavour-of-84 Big Country. Elsewhere, the 'Sailing' style scarves in the air of the single is surpassed by the even more anthemic 'C'est La Vie', but as always it's the hell-raisin' metalboogie stomps that really shake the timbers, and there's enough big stampers here to keep Quiet Riot in hits till 1987!

My favourite tracks are the noisy rocker 'Slam The Hammer Down' which is classic Slade party material, the corny epic 'Cocky Rock Boys' and 'In The Doghouse', an out and out Faces belter, all out with the boys and trousers round your ankles. These are all on side one, but side two is just as moving and features a gripping driving documentary 'Ready To Explode', a belting number about Hanoi Rocks drummer called 'Razzle Dazzle Man' and an Abba style tale, namely 'Cheap n' Nasty Love', an epithet which could never fit Slade. If I hadn't already handed in my top 20 for the year, 'The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome' would have pride of place in it.

Joe Geesin of Get Ready to Rock wrote of the remaster "1983's The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome kicks off proving that while it wasn't the classic Slade of old, they still had it. Noddy still sounded like Noddy, despite the hugely updated production. The riffs were still big, and the solos were if anything better, more metal if commercial metal (check out opener 'Slam The Hammer Down'). This was Slade's biggest commercial success in America. The surprise hit single was 'Run Run Away', despite the new wave tribal sound to the drums. It's still a catchy and memorable track but not one you'd attribute to Slade unless someone told you so. Nice time change mid-song, Celtic flavoured crunchy lead riff, and Jim Lea's violin. 'C'est La Vie' was a waltz ballad that flopped as a single - strange choice lads. Extensive sleevenotes, slipcase and 6 bonus cuts make for a first class package though."