Simone Appolloni's Album Reviews
By the time of 1987's That's What Friends Are For, Slade were not touring and close to a definitive disbandment. In a desperate move, they attempted to recruit producer Roy Thomas Baker in attempt to get recognition by "glam/hair metal" audiences and even attempted to add Hip Hop vocals on the title track (not included in the original issue), failing once more. "That's What Friends Are For" is a song with great arpeggio guitar hooks in the chorus, but the overblown production (especially vocals and drums) and the wide, off-key vocal choirs drag it down, "Still the Same" sounds like two songs mashed together, with stanzas/choruses clashing each other, is yet another rewrite of past Journey hits with slowed rhythm, and the rest suffers of similarly problematic production/songwriting issues.
Highlights: "That's What Friends Are For", "We Won't Give In".
Highlights: "That's What Friends Are For", "We Won't Give In".
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