Men Without Hats - Living In China (Statik)

Set the synthesiser controls for the heart of the sun, as Ivan and his band embark on a headlong dash through the perils of living in China. Too frantic to dance to and too frenetic to pick out a melody, "Living In China" is a track off their debut album Rhythm Of Youth which was recorded at least two years ago. Unfortunately it shows. (Frank Hopkinson, No 1, February 4, 1984)

According to their press handout this incredibly silly Canadian group featured Margaret Trudeau on their last single and the defecting Chinese tennis star Hu Na on this one. I reckon they could hire Jesus Christ, Lassie and the Dagenham Girl Pipers and still not get a hit. (Max Bell, No 1, June 18, 1983)

The Chameleons - A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days (Statik)

Not Lori and the Chameleons but a Manchester skinchange. This morbid ditty takes its own title at face value and proceeds to unleash the kind of down mood that could have the entire nation slashing its wrists were it to be played on daytime radio. (Max Bell, No 1, June 18, 1983)

The Sound - Counting The Days (Statik)

A light, melodic piece of strummy pop which fairly races along and brings a smile to the lips. A lack of light and shade means it tends to wash over you rather than impress, but it's good. A hit. (Andy Strickland, Record Mirror, April 28, 1984)

The Chameleons - In Shreds / Nostalgia (Statik)

Indie heroes from Manchester make a renewed attempt at chart status with the help of a Steve Lillywhite produced hard hitting rocker - all sounds a bit dated to me. "Nostalgia" is definitely the better of the two A-sides. (Diane Cross, Record Mirror, February 9, 1985)

Listeners to the John Peel Show just lurve The Chameleons - but then they would, wouldn't they? For the group sound sort of like an aggressive Cure and sing about holes in their heads. This is/was the first ever Chameleons single, re-released by "popular demand". And four years on, "In Shreds" sounds exactly like it did in the first place: sort of like an aggressive Cure . . . I just love it to death. But then I would, wouldn't I? (Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, February 14, 1985)

This was presumably named after the state you're in once you've sat through it. Starting off like The Sex Pistols "Pretty Vacant", it tumbles headlong into a crazed cross between U2 and The Psychedelic Furs. The singer yelps frantically about "machinery" while the rest of the band race each other to the end of the song. I wouldn't like to get stuck in a lift with these boys. (Stuart Husband, No 1, March 2, 1985)