This is the album that may well have inspired the BBC's Children In Need Red Nose Day, as it features the band on the front and rear covers sporting Red Noses a good 12 years before it became a charity fundraising thing, It's also why this review is being posted on Red Nose day 2023.
This album originally came out in 1976 and was not in step with the punk explosion happening that year, probably because Slade had moved to America the year before, it also doesn't contain any hits. The re-issued vinyl is clear vinyl that's splattered red, while the cd comes with several bonus songs, but I am reviewing the vinyl.
The A-side opens with the title track Nobody's Fool a piano led plea for Noddy's lover to stay with him, as Noddy admits he'll never be super cool, as the guitars stay just the right side of widdly.
Do the Dirty is a blues rock stomp celebrating infidelity while suggesting you may as well Do The Dirty as your partner already is, as the guitars get wilder.
Let's Call It Quits is a sing along for the end of a relationship, as Noddy hopes the split happens before things get too nasty.
Pack Up Your Troubles has an acoustic strummed guitar opening before a countrified Dobro comes in, this isn't the old first world war song, as Noddy suggests fleeing for the hills and sanctuary. In For A Penny is a slow love song telling his partner to commit fully to the relationship.
The B-side opens with Get On Up that isn't the James Brown classic, but a foot stomping rocker imploring you to get on up to the dancefloor.
L.A. Jinx has funky guitars, as Noddy tells us all about the L.A. Jinx and how they overcome it on an episodic tune.
Did Ya Mama Ever Tell Ya is a nursery rhyme soul stirrer, with some very cool backing vocals from Tasha Thomas that raises this to the next level, as the double entendres fly at the listener, this is great cheeky fun.
Scratch My Back is asking for a favor over some chugging blues rock with a stonking guitar solo before all the yelps and bedroom sounds.
I'm a Talker is more of a fireside chat gospel confessional that re-works May The Circle Be Unbroken with some very un-church like lyrics.
The album closes with All The Worlds A Stage that was the title song for last year's Live box-set, it's a slow building anthem for a hard touring band who will play anywhere and even has a cool string section.
