Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now (Arista)

Lacking the quirky ingenuity which the Quick Step album made their hallmark, this is, nevertheless, a real grower with Tom removing his goggles and coming on all dewy-eyed and sloppy. (Mark Steels, Smash Hits, November 10, 1983)

The Twins bounce back with something that is far more thoughtful than any of their recent disco fodder. "Hold Me Now" is a well-paced ballad with the accent on melody and hypnotic percussive effects rather than those automaton riffs. If Tom Bailey could sing with the same kind of convincing emotion that they conjure up in the tune the Twins might make a record that outlasts its chart life. (Max Bell, No 1, November 12, 1983)

It's certainly been an interesting exercise watching the ol' TTs, observing the transition from New Wave Hippies to colourful pop wonder-kids. Like many combos before them the accusation of selling out has been flung at them numerous times and it always makes me laugh when I hear that about anybody, as if the world really cares! Bailey's Gang are well and truly in the ring now, boxing clever and delivering some short sharp singles. For me however, they're covered in pretty emulsion and at the end of the 12 rounds, lose the match. (Gary Crowley, Record Mirror, November 12, 1983)

Conspiracy Theory: It's interesting that Smash Hits reviewed this one, the first single from the immense Into The Gap album. You would think that the Twins' bright, tuneful, garishly colourful image and sound would be tailor made for Smash Hits readers. Yet they suspiciously neglected to review "Lies", "Love On Your Side", "We Are Detective", and "Watching" - all four singles from the previous album Quick Step & Side Kick. They also 'forgot' to review "Sister of Mercy" in 1984, during the weeks when NO1 magazine was unpublished due to industrial action. In contrast Record Mirror reviewed all of them, and NO1 was equally supportive.

The Bathers - Fancy Dress (Go! Discs)

This lot are from the same stable as The Housemartins and Billy Bragg. Singer Chris Thomson used to be in the Scottish band Friends Again who I used to really, really like, but success always eluded them for some reason. This is great, but what's interesting is that the rest of Friends Again are now Love And Money so the race is on to see who can chart first. Love the moody guitar. (Gary Crowley, No 1, April 25, 1987)

Billy Bragg - Levi Stubbs' Tears (Go! Discs)

For a long time, Billy Bragg has been about the only politically motivated English singer not to trip over a soapbox every time he opens his mouth. And all he's ever needed is his voice and a guitar. But here he has added some percussion, keyboards, a bit of harmony and some "production" - and (hey presto!) the coarse strength of his old approach is gone. It seems a shame, especially as his gruff old voice is a bit swallowed up, but the words and subject matter (about the lead singer of the Four Tops) are not as strong as usual anyway. Oh dear. (Duncan Wright, Smash Hits, June 18, 1986)

I've always believed that anyone who has to through life looking like me or Billy Bragg deserves fame and fortune as compensation. "Levi Stubbs' Tears" succeeds on the title alone for me: standard Bragg with a story to tell. (Gary Crowley, Record Mirror, June 21, 1986)

Cameo - Back And Forth (Club)

The third brilliant single from the brilliant Word Up LP. Larry Blackmon, the thinking man's codpiece, croons merrily along while the other 300 members of Cameo chant merrily away behind him. Larry refuses to be put off, however, and fights his way through to yet another huge hit. (Barry McIlheney, Smash Hits, March 11, 1987)

These geezers are definitely riding on the crest of a wave at the moment and this is anuwer brilliant single - they just wanna make you get onto the dance floor and strut your funky stuff. It's more like 'Candy' than Word Up' but it's got 'Cameo' stamped all over it. No party is complete without a dose of Larry Blackman's codpiece, you know what I mean? (Gary Crowley, No 1, April 25, 1987) 

Julian Cope - Sunshine Playroom (Phonogram)

'Ultimately butch', 'a devil of sophistication', 'a man for all seasons', all this and more, is the enigma of Julian Cope. As everyone knows 'ol Copey's been away, getting his head/act together and no doubt trying to find where he's coming from, and more important, going to. This piece of platter is very strange to say the least. Disjointed beyond belief, but nonetheless weird and quite wonderful at the same time. Amazing, in a funny way. (Gary Crowley, Record Mirror, November 12, 1983)

Unless you have fond memories of The Moody Blues' "Question" or Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", Cope's three part epic shouldn't seem familiar. It fuses an urgent rock song, a pleading ballad and a harmony chorus, tosses in the theme tune from Hawaii Five-0 and then wraps itself up in the lush string arrangements of Paul Buckmaster (who applies the same magic touch to the new Nick Heyward album). The work of a genius and absolutely wonderful. (Mark Steels, Smash Hits, November 10, 1983)

Tom Robinson - Listen To The Radio (Atmospherics) (Panic)

As someone who finds great solace in the radio on that long and lonely drive back from clubland in the early hours, I feel that Tom's captured the mood perfectly in this poignant and not-a-little sad song. (Mark Steels, Smash Hits, November 10, 1983)

Uncle Tom has changed dramatically from a leader of men to a solitary soul. Here he takes a jazzy stroll through late night Berlin and has the chart sense to mention radios once he gets to the chorus. Funny that such a decadent city should succeed in reviving so many of our jaded stars. First Bowie, now Tom. Is Berlin a health spa? I think we should be told. (Mark Cooper, No 1, November 5, 1983)

Records that boast radio in the title are usually quite desperate affairs. Seeing as most DJs are stupid and totally clueless, the play a 'radio' record automatically and no doubt enliven us all with some inane comment. Tom Robinson knows this and cannot be trusted for pandering. I'll say no more. (Gary Crowley, Record Mirror, November 12, 1983)

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