Slik

From nowhere to the top of the world in less than six weeks. When the so stately "Forever and Ever" topped the U.K. chart in early 1976, Slik surely believed all their birthdays had come at once. And when they went into the studio to cut their debut album, that's the way they played. Don't ever let anyone -- Midge Ure included -- tell you that Slik is formulaic pap, the sound of two seasoned songwriters (Bill Martin and Phil Coulter) jerking the strings of their latest puppet dynasty. From the glorious beginning that is "Forever and Ever" to the knucklehead funk of the closing "Dance-arama," through the growling "The Kids a Punk" to the mournful, moping "Requiem," and on to the shocking island bop of "Bom Bom," Slik is unadulterated pop joy, not to mention one of the finest accomplishments in Ure's entire career. True, there are hints of the songwriter's past activities on board -- "Don't Take Your Love Away" borrows its harmonies and vocal refrains from the Bay City Rollers, which speaks volumes for Slik's own chosen audience. But a spunky version of the Everly Brothers' "When Will I Be Loved" has more in common with Dave Edmunds and Rockpile than it does with the tartan terrors, while even more challenging vistas await. Of the two band originals on board, Billy McIsaac's "Darlin'" echoes the kind of tender little ballad which would occupy the later 10cc, while Ure's "Do It Again" can't make up its mind whether it's a cheeky Beatles pastiche or a faithless Rutles cover. An additional steal from a Motown classic tends to confirm the latter suspicion. The crowning glories, however, are "Requiem," a disinherited second cousin to the Yardbirds' "Heartful of Soul," and "Bom Bom," a mutant calypso which, to the horror of any passing Caribbean music archaeologists, apparently predates the commercial birth of soca (Lord Shorty, Eddy Grant) by a full 18 months. Of such twisted ironies, however, are rock's greatest legends made. And Slik deserves nothing less. ~ Dave Thompson, All Music Guide