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After the ramalama punk of the first two albums, this is where SLF decided to take their foot off the gas and stretch out a bit. Jake says his intention was to write an album where every song was a contender for a single, and though he failed on that score, this is an excellent album. Oh, and anyone who remembers the lyric sheet on the original LP version probably still has a headache!
Roots, Radicals, Rockers and Reggae - 10. An absolutely stonking opener and a searing vocal from Jake. They take an obscure Bunny Wailer track and put their own indelible stamp on it. If anyone's heard the original, this is nearly a different song, lots of new lyrics and a completely different feel. Probably my favourite SLF song.
Just Fade Away - 8. A straight up anti-love song, shot through with melody and attitude.
Go For It - 7. A brave move putting an instrumental this early on an album but it works. A great shuffling beat, loads of percussion and put to good use as their walk-on music later in their career. I still hear it getting used on tv shows, the royalty cheques probably come in handy.
The Only One - 8. Henry Cluney would sing 3 tracks on this album and this is his best. Great chorus and a wonderful solo from Jake.
Hits And Misses - 6. The weakest track on the album for me. An admirable attempt at a song about domestic violence but the tune is wishy-washy and the lyrics aren't the greatest.
Kicking Up A Racket - 8. Simple but effective, with some nice production effects.
Safe As Houses - 10. Fantastic song about unfulfilled potential, great riff, great singing, another classic.
Gate 49 - 7. Another one of their slight-but-enjoyable songs, this is a nice Rock and Roll pastiche.
Silver Lining - 9. SLF add a horn section to their sound and it works, more great lyrics and very melodic.
Piccadilly Circus - 10. Another storming end to an SLF album, this is a powerful story of a friend who was stabbed whilst shopping in London. Heartfelt vocals and a brilliant outro, top notch stuff.