Kim Wilde - The Second Time (MCA)

The good news to emerge from Kim's long absence is that she's now writing her own songs. The bad news is that 'The Second Time' is not one of them. Penned once again by Dad Marty and brother Rick it's a fusion of fashionably 'hard' sounds. But it lacks the fluency of good dance music and the killer punch of Frankie-pop. Check out her own 'Fit In' on the new LP to find – at last – the real Kim Wilde. (Martin Townsend, No 1, September 29, 1984)

Ricky and Marty Wilde (her brother and Dad) always manage to build a classic little pop song around Kim's vulnerable falsetto, yet for some reason she doesn't do as well in the charts as she used to. I've got most of her singles, but it's a sad fact that they were all found in bargain bins. (Vici MacDonald, Smash Hits, September 27, 1984)

The title fits as Kim tries again with MCA and starts by nicking the chorus from "Let's Dance". Still, long as she does something risque in the video it'll be a hit - that's the way it works, I believe. (Paul Sexton, Record Mirror, September 29, 1984)

Kim Wilde - Say You Really Want Me (MCA)

Gone are the days when Kim's brother Ricky Wilde would conjure up twee, frivolous songs for his sister to sing. Now she's moved up-market, gone all "sophisticated" and taken a fancy to clumsy disco dirges that don't mean anything at all. Kim sings with about as much passion as Hilda Ogden (sob!) doing the hoovering, while some bloke programmes the computer with a flimsy drumbeat that could just about raise a shuffle on the dancefloor. (Ro Newton, Smash Hits, July 29, 1987)

Good old Kim! She's a bit of a girl and I like girls with a bit of spike in their stilettos! However goddess-like Kim is though, the record is a bit pony and trap. I wish she'd find another good song like "View From A Bridge" or something. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, August 8, 1987)

Kim Wilde - View From A Bridge (RAK)

The Wilde family come up trumps again. Dad's written a spry story, Ricki (why this silly new spelling?) has peppered his production with some Trevor Horn tactics while Kim supplies those wonderfully subdued and smokey vocals. Have you ever noticed how clever the Wilde intros are? This is one of the best yet. Put that needle back to the start .. . (Ian Birch, Smash Hits, April 15, 1982)

The Mighty Lemon Drops - Out Of Hand (Chrysalis)

I love the 60s Phil Spectorish production on this. The song's not bad - but it doesn't move mountains or anything. This is the first thing I've heard from them and on the strength of the production I wouldn't mind listening to some more. (Kim Wilde, No 1, April 18, 1987)

A bit "Needles And Pins" and a bit "Back Of Love", but a damn fine record even among those odious comparisons. The MLD's have delivered what they promised, and that's a relief. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, April 11, 1987)