Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy - She Makes Me Quiver (10 Records)

There's probably some perverse logic behind having such an unwieldy name, but if I were Stephen I'd drop the Tin Tin bit, pronto. That aside, the quest for the hit solo single by the Duran that got away continues. I'm not sure if this is the one though. It's got the right ingredients, but it doesn't make the impression it should. Could have something to do with all those rhyming lyrics. Narcotic/ neurotic/gothic/exotic . . . it all gets a bit wearing after a while. (Karen Swayne, No 1, September 22, 1984)

Anne Clark - Hope Road (10)

It pays to be conscientious, pop tarts. Hidden away amidst all the good, bad and just plain average records which crowd the Singles Box every fortnight, there is always one unexpected gem which stands high above the crowd. And this is it! Over a simple but effective backing track of vaguely melodic electronic "oohs" and "aahs" (sort of Laurie Anderson meets OMD), Anne Clark recites her sorry tale of how she met this nice, interesting guy at a party, was invited to dinner in a faraway town and turned up only to find, despite following instructions, that the address he gave her - Hope Road - just doesn't exist. Wail! A metaphor too, methinks, for politicians and, erm, the world around us. A few neatly cutting observations get slipped in too before Anne ends sadly with a warning to beware of unaccountably nice people because "there's no place called Hope Road". Sniff. A hit? Almost certainly not, but for making a record that dares to be different, that works on its own terms and doesn't try to sound like anybody else or as if it would sell its granny to be a hit - just this once, Anne Clark - come on down! - yours is Single Of The Fortnight. (Ian Cranna, Smash Hits, May 8, 1987)

Almost a very good little record this, as poor little Annie gets the run-around from a party acquaintance and decides to have nothing more to do with men. The sparse musical setting has a wonderfully hypnotic effect, but there are one or two outrageous bits of scanning and the odd struggle to match rhymes. In the end one has to conclude that Anne Clark gets a bit het up about not very much or all, if being given a bogus address at a party is the worst thing that happens to her, she obviously doesn't go to the parties that I do. (Andy Strickland, Record Mirror, May 9, 1987)

Mancrab - Fish For Life (10)

Written by Tears For Fears keyboard player Ian Stanley with the help of Roland Orzabal, this is the sort of record the self-conscious Spandau Ballet would give their right arms to make - natural, uplifting lyrics set to a kind of swinging semi-funk arrangement with bags of unforced energy. More of this sort of thing please. (Ian Cranna, Smash Hits, September 10, 1986)

You can watch the video here.

Angel Chorus - Devil On My Shoulder (10)

Angel Chorus are Glynnis, allegedly a Zulu Princess, and Mark, formerly a Welsh sheep farmer. No offence to the sheep but their loss is hardly our gain. This single, bad even by the standards of Luxembourg's Eurovision entry, is produced by Zeus B. Held who did things for Dead Or Alive in the good old days before people took them seriously. I hope this isn't an omen. (Max Bell, No 1, February 1, 1986)

The Flying Pickets - Only The Lonely (10)

Jill: I don't like this song, I don't like how it's done - electrobop, disco, acapella, whatever. But I do quite like the idea of this lot being pop stars - I don't think they'd abuse the position or anything. I mean they're so gormy. Rose: Yeah, I suppose they're a harmless enough bunch. (Jill Bryson & Rose McDowell [Strawberry Switchblade], Smash Hits, March 28, 1985)

Shriek! Lock up your mothers. The unholy sextet have gone back in time to filch this Roy Orbison classic, the original of which is probably nestling in your mum's collection. She'll love it—and when mums start buying records we all know what happens (step forward [Elaine] Paige and [Barbara] Dickson). Meanwhile, I'll donate my copy of the record to the first person who can tell me why the lads are garbed in Red Indian gear on the cover. It's a strange enough world, without The Flying Pickets having hits.  (Paul Bursche, No 1, March 23, 1985)

A Girl Called Johnny - Hello It Isn't Me (10)

More perfect pop with a few more jangly guitars and an incredibly photogenic lead singer. (Edwin J Bernard, Record Mirror, November 15, 1986)