Julian Cope - World Shut Your Mouth (Island)

Chop my right leg off and feed it to Ozzy Osbourne, I never thought the day would come when I'd like anything by the eccentric Copey. But what a splendid piece of listenable trash this is. Cope belting his way through a song that knocks down even the strongest walls of apathy. One hell of a rousing theme, I just hope it gets the airplay it so justly deserves. Single Of The Week. (Robin Smith, Record Mirror, September 20, 1986)

One of the great lovable English Eccentrics of pop returns with an uncharacteristically crude crash-bang-wallop affair complete with kerranging guitar and a totally out of place '60s solo. It is, however, the proud possessor of a real tune wot you can hum, and the words - about flying in the face of fashion and telling the world what it can do - might have been written for the reclusive one himself. A splendidly individual effort. (Ian Cranna, Smash Hits, September 10, 1986)

A fair stomper. Julian Cope used to front Teardrop Explodes before he went off on some artistic quest or other. Now, suitably enlightened, he returns after a few false starts with a typically loud declaration to a groovy rock and roll beat. Perhaps this time the world will kindly open his ears. 3/5 (Paul Simper, No 1, September 20, 1986)

Note: Another Top Of The Pops performance I remember from thirty years ago - especially that microphone...

Julian Cope - The Greatness And Perfection Of Love (Mercury)

If Shaky sounds as though he's from the '50s, we all know where Julian's head must be at - the groovy '60s. Jangly guitars, shaking tambourines and bouncy drums all back his "ba ba ba"chorus and knowing, yet wistful, public school voice. A bit of a gem, this one, but sadly probably not a hit. (Peter Martin, Smash Hits, March 15, 1984)

The wild man of Tamworth sounds oddly formal during this discussion of 'the greatest imperfection' that is love. Where the best Teardrop singles sounded a joyful battle charge, Cope's solo singles are distinctly muted. Let me refer you instead to his World Shut Your Mouth LP, where this melancholy melody has its place. (Mark Cooper, No 1, March 10, 1984)

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)

Julian Cope - Sunspots (Mercury)

Poor old Julian. The Teardrop Explodes were the first of those Liverpool bands (Bunnymen, Wah!, etc.) to make the charts. They were also the first to go down the dumper and the singer has not exactly made a frantic success of his solo career since - though this is as much his fault as anyone else's: people who parade around with turtle shells strapped to their backs are bound to be thought slightly eccentric. The man remains however capable of making breathtaking records - like "Sunspots". This is a stern, strident and invigorating march through some lunatic wasteland where tinny guitars slash, people whistle out of tune and someone pipes up on a jaunty recorder during the most compulsive sway-along chorus (featuring heavenly celestial choir) since long before Foreigner. In other words utterly, utterly brilliant and Single Of The Fortnight. (Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, February 14, 1985)

The ex-Teardrop Explodes' leader, who squatted naked under a turtle shell for his Fried album cover leaps out twanging furiously at his . . . erm .. guitar. "Sunspots" is Jules in determinedly hippie mood, recreating - in mock serious tones - a psychedelic stroll through the sunshine. Amusing lyric but a rather ragged and directionless song. He still needs the discipline of a band to channel his wayward talent. (Martin Townsend, No 1, February 23, 1985)

Julian Cope has obviously taken the paisley revival too far, and is now wearing a coat of far too many colours. This EP has two records, four tracks - three of which are new, and a gatefold sleeve, but surely Sunspots have fried his marbles. (Dylan Jones, Record Mirror, February 23, 1985)