However, on the first night of the tour with Osbourne, Slade had to cancel the remainder of the shows when Lea collapsed after the first gig and was diagnosed with hepatitis.

"[12] Guitarist Dave Hill recalled his mixed feelings about the album in a 1986 interview for the Slade fan club, "I personally think it lacked something.

"[18] Upon its release, Garry Johnson of Sounds noted that Rogues Gallery is "chock-a-block with high quality power pop, glorious hooks, instant singalongs, ultra-catchy terrace-style chants and anthemic, hymn-like ballads".

"[25] Robin Smith of Record Mirror praised it as "another glorious celebration from Britain's answer to ZZ Top" and "unbridled mayhem of the best kind", with Holder's voice "still one of the most powerful weapons known to man".

summarised, "What we're presented with here is ten songs that are each hung around totally brilliant choruses; you just can't help but want to singalong [with] Noddy every time he wraps his sandpaper vocals around one.

"[21] Music Week wrote, "These old rogues display with this album their now 20-year-old commitment to persuading people to sing, dance and shout.

"[26] Tom Hibbert of Smash Hits noted the band's "petty musical thievery" across the album, but added, "Never mind, though; those stupid spellings, crunching guitars, boozy lyrics and footer terrace growls are still intact and so Slade continue to preserve the status quo.

Billboard recommended the album and commented: "Modern, muscular and metallic, Slade can hold their own on the present hard rock scene.

"[27] Deseret News stated: "Slade is the epitome of a rock band: catchy melodies, infectious rhythms and the most enjoyable lyrical pacing in contemporary music.

"[28] The Canadian Leader-Post felt that Rogues Gallery was a "neater effort" than the preceding Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply, and concluded: "They may be long in the tooth, but they haven't lost their bite.

"[29] Rich Harry of The Morning Call said: "Slade let non-of that I'm-old-there-fore-I-hurt guff gem up their fine new LP.

Resembling Geritol on plastic, the album is a fine pop primer for enjoying life while approaching the gloomy pit stop of middle age.

"[30] Mark Peel of Stereo Review commented, "Rogues Gallery is the musical equivalent of pub grub – a healthy wallop of bangers and mash washed down with a half-dozen pints of bitter.

The songs slosh merrily around, their horsy rhythms and singsong lyrics spilling frothily forth in invitation to sing along.

The rogues' gallery concept probably would have been a lot more convincing if the music had been stripped of the keyboards and overly slick production and given more of a rock & roll edge.