Slide It In (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) [Remastered]

Whitesnake’s seventh studio album marked a departure from frontman David Coverdale’s blues rock roots (retained from his Deep Purple days) as the band joined the popular hair metal ranks that were dominating radio and MTV. Hits like ”Slow and Easy” slither with libidinous lyrics while others like “Guilty of Love” boast melodies more sticky than a case of Aqua-Net hairspray. But shortly after the album’s release, Coverdale replaced various band members with younger faced guns for the purpose of conquering a more image-conscious America. Geffen not only approved of the executive decision, but the label also re-recorded and remixed the album with different parts by newer guitarist John Sykes. This 25th anniversary commemorative edition includes both versions — the American and the U.K. release with Sykes’ added leads and riffs peppering the former. It’s difficult to judge which one is better, but with the American version, the drums and Sykes’ guitars carry a more upfront presence with the bass and keyboards tastefully tucked, while the U.K. version puts the bass and keyboardist Jon Lord’s parts higher in the mix.