XTC - No Thugs In Our House (Virgin)

In which two parents try to convince a young constable that their son is not a nasty, vicious hooligan. A little heavy for my tastes, and it does go on a bit. Winner of the Silly Packaging of the Week Award, though, for a sleeve which converts into a toy theatre! How will they try and sell them to us next? I shudder to think. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, May 13, 1982)

XTC - Senses Working Overtime (Virgin)

When will the world put a comforting arm around XTC? They've certainly kept their part of the bargain by dealing out cartloads of invigorating music. This is no exception: a great, metallic sound full of lean energy and Andy Partridge's barking vocals. (Ian Birch, Smash Hits, January 7, 1982)

XTC - Ball And Chain (Virgin)

Now here's a good band . . . but a disappointing follow-up to "Senses Working Overtime". It starts well but doesn't go anywhere much and ends up as the kind of song you admire but don't greatly enjoy. (Tim De Lisle, Smash Hits, March 18, 1982)

XTC - Love On A Farmboy's Wages (Virgin)

Ringing acoustic guitar heralds another XTC classic. Unashamedly rural in feel with a folksy chorus and a melody that is strong but totally unpredictable, "Farmboy" is the soundtrack to a golden autumn. The B-side of the twelve-inch version features three live tracks including "Burning with Optimism's Flame", one of their finest songs. (Martin Townsend, No 1, September 24, 1983)

I'm quite a fan of this band actually. I loved "Making Plans For Nigel", "Generals And Majors" and "Wonderland". I think this is great but it doesn't seem to fit the current pop climate. Maybe that's in its favour...  (Lenny Henry, Smash Hits, September 29, 1983)

XTC - Wonderland (Virgin)

The Swindon popsters - now down to a three piece - have lost a lot of ground through Andy Partridge's illness last year but this dreamy track from their forthcoming album might do the trick - if the weather holds up. (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, July 16, 1983)

So sloppily romantic and sentimental it's got to be tongue-in-cheek. An electro-ballad which pops rather than fizzles behind a lazy but beautiful melody. Extra award for Sleeve of the Week. (Deborah Steels, Smash Hits, July 21, 1983)

XTC - This World Over (Virgin)

AM: The British public chose in their infinite ignorance not to make the last one a hit, which was a belter, and given the state of the world, I see no reason why this one should be a hit. And I can understand more why this one wouldn't. I adored 'All You Pretty Girls'. PH: I really like this one, actually. AM: I like that, but it sounds more like an album track. PH: As a song, which is basically what we're reviewing, it's very very good. (Paul & Andy of OMD, Record Mirror, November 3, 1984)

Mention XTC in mixed company and no doubt you'll be regaled with a chorus of "Making Plans For Nigel", their biggest hit. Five years later, they're still slogging away getting more misses than hits. "This World Over" is a sad, regret-filled postcard of a song from a post-nuclear holocaust world. It's haunting and chilling and might finally end those choruses of 'Nigel'. (Adrian Tierney-Jones, No 1, November 10, 1984)

Anti-war holler, wistful and winsome. XTC have stepped back from music industry machinations and are making better records. (Morrissey, Smash Hits, October 24, 1984)

The Dukes of Stratosphear - The Mole From The Ministry (Virgin)

The best record without a doubt. You can sing The Beatles' "I Am The Walrus" along to it. It's really good. Obviously someone spends the majority of his time listening to their Sergeant Pepper LP. You say it's actually by XTC? Really? They've definitely been studying The Beatles! It's the only single of the lot with a sense of humour. Single Of The Fortnight. (Roland Orzabal, Smash Hits, April 24, 1985)

XTC poke their tongues into their cheeks before taking a magical mystery tour into "I Am The Walrus" - land. Not bad. (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, April 20, 1985)