The Slade Box (A 4CD Anthology 1969–1991) is a four disc box set by the British rock band Slade. It was released by Salvo on 2 October 2006.[1]
The Slade Box contains eighty-four tracks ranging across the band's career from 1969 to 1991. A 72-page booklet was included with liner notes by Keith Altham. In 2011, the box set was re-issued by Salvo. It featured the same track listing but was packaged in a shortened case with the booklet reduced to 36-pages.[2]
"The problem with Slade is, when they were good they were so very, very good that it becomes very difficult to pay much attention to the rest of their career. Which means, sadly, that anybody buying The Slade Box as any kind of substitute for the earlier albums is in for something of a disappointment. No complaints with the track listing, though. Across 84 tracks, Slade's entire catalog has been cherry-picked for precisely the right songs to illustrate a career of their depth and dynamism. But when the strict chronology means you hit "Merry Xmas Everybody" at the end of disc one; and "In for a Penny" by midway through disc two, that means there's an awful lot more to listen through before the four discs are at an end. And it really is too much, no matter how much you love the band. Of course, a democratic trawl through the band's entire catalog is no less than Slade deserve, and history will thank Union Square for finally giving the later years a fair crack of the whip. The booklet is wonderful, the packaging attractive and the sound quality is superlative."[5]
Gary Crowley of BBC Radio London said: "This splendidly put together 4-CD set is a timely reminder of their might and talent, which went far beyond the numerous foot-stompin', badly-spelt hits they racked up in the singles charts over the years." Gavin Martin of Daily Mirror wrote: "This collection – complete with an excellent essay charting their career – is an essential fan's portrait of a working band in their prime." Peter Makowski of Classic Rock commented: "This four-CD compilation presents a comprehensive history of our dyslexic gurners, from their early skinhead days as an underwhelming rock band to the golden years and a non-stop barrage of stomping hits." Alan Jones from Music Week said: "Appearing hot on the heels of individually upgraded and remastered editions of Slade's albums, this four CD boxed set is a superb alternative, collecting together 84 hits, album cuts and rarities from 1969 to 1991 in a sturdy cardboard longbox, which also includes a 72-page booklet containing an informative essay on the band by Keith Altham, an extensive discography and a multitude of pictures of the band."[4]
