Simply Red - Money's Too Tight To Mention (Elektra)

A cover version of a rather obscure but hipper-than-hip song by the Valentine Brothers that first surfaced a couple of summers ago. Simply Red couldn't have chosen a better showcase for their obvious talents - social-comment lyrics attacked by really excellent soul vocals, making a record that's understated but powerful, and impossible to resist. Fitting loosely into the Working Week/ Sade school of new jazz/soul, Simply Red are definitely a name to watch out for. Joint Single Of The Fortnight. (Maureen Rice, Smash Hits, June 5, 1985)

The much discussed Simply Red (i.e. much discussed in three London hostelries), a combo of indistinct heritage and no discernable talent have possibly made the greatest initial career blunder ever. Did no-one tell these poor wide eyed terrors that freshly scrubbed little white boy pop groups just do not attempt covers of mighty black dance discs - especially not those of the frightful might of the Valentine Brothers' "Money's Too Tight To Mention"? Apparently not. (Graham K Smith, Record Mirror, June 15, 1985)

Simply Red, who were no doubt signed to Elektra for a princely sum, debut here with a cover of the Valentine Brothers song about being borassic! (Look it up!) Strange that. As white soul goes this is plain fare. If Kane Gang and Bronski Beat make you splash the cash then step right on up. A fool and his money? It's alright really but some of that advance wouldn't go amiss lads, money being in such short supply. Oops, wasn't supposed to mention that. (Max Bell, No 1, June 22, 1985)

Roaring Boys - House Of Stone (Epic)

When they first appeared earlier this year, perfectly made up with not a hair out of place, the Roaring Boys came in for some stick. Touted as the next DD rumours flew of huge advance payments etc etc. "We're serious musicians," they pouted. Maybe. But this single will do nothing to add to their credibility. Dull, instantly forgettable, and going absolutely nowhere. Don't spend it all at once lads. (Anne Lambert, No 1, June 15, 1985)

Y'know I actually feel quite sorry for those lovable old empty-heads the Roaring Boys. Imagine having all that money and all those people telling you how very talented and good looking you are when in fact - yeah, hilarious isn't it - you're not. In fact an uglier bunch of derivative old also-rans you'd be hard pressed to find. "House Of Stone" treads the well-worn path of sub-Roxy moodiness with all the content, all the right noises but not one whiff of the style or personality. (Graham K Smith, Record Mirror, June 15, 1985)

Kirsty MacColl - He's On The Beach (Stiff)

A sad tale from Kirsty about a boy who takes off on holiday and ends up in Australia. Still, he's happy there. Kirsty will be happy too when the single marches up the charts. It's even better than "A New England", more bouncy and with a chorus that stays in your brain after just one listen. (Anne Lambert, No 1, June 15, 1985)

Even though Kirsty wrote this herself it sounds very like her last single, Billy Bragg's "A New England" - lots of shiny guitars above which a million Kirsty MacColls breathlessly sing the tune. I just don't quite understand why she's bothered to write a song about an old drinking partner who's gone to Australia, spends all his time on the beach and isn't coming back. (Chris Heath, Smash Hits, June 19, 1985)

The lovely Kirsty is always worth a lot of anybody's time. Her appreciation of the finer aspects of pop construction are enough to warm even the coldest discaphile's heart. All the usual ingredients are there - sometime bittersweet but ultimately optimistic lyric, hefty, pacey backbeat, just the right amount of memorable jangling and those trebly harmonised vocals. A tribute to lost love? A yearning for sunnier climes? A summer hit? All these, and more. (Graham K Smith, Record Mirror, June 15, 1985)

The Smiths - This Charming Man (Rough Trade)

This should have seen them move from 'one to watch out for' to 'this week's thing' but the gorgeous melody and unusual. sensitive lyrics are all but shot down in flames by a horribly ham-fisted production job. One day. (Mark Steels, Smash Hits, November 10, 1983)

Raw but gentle rock that pulsates yet gets slowed down by the clear and haunting melody in Johnny Marr's unique voice. It has that slight off-key quality that makes Siouxsie's voice so brilliant. A strong single with a style unto itself. (Debbi Voller, No 1, October 29, 1983)

Morrissey is the man of the moment, a handsome devil,with his finger in other people's pies and a lyrical twist ejaculating unforgettable one liners in a sensual celebration. He is touched and touching - a beautiful pivot for the pure pop jangle of Johnny Marr's trembling strings and the plop 'n crash of those other rigorous Smiths - a winner, a grinner. (Graham K Smith, Record Mirror, November 5, 1983)

Paul Young - Tomb Of Memories (CBS)

Well, you won't catch me saying a bad word about Paul Young, though I do think it's a bit of a swizz taking a fourth single off The Secret Of Association LP. Paul sings predictably well on this song co-written by him and featuring Squeeze members Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook on backing vocals, but Laurie Latham's over-wrought production is really beginning to grate. (Maureen Rice, Smash Hits, June 5, 1985)

Think of something smooth. Something round, featureless and very, very bland. Something instantly forgettable. Something entirely worthless. Yes? Well, you're getting near to appreciating what the (wow) New Paul Young Single is really like. Paul Young's assimilation so quickly into the belly of the beast of boredom is tragic considering the class of interpretations like "Wherever I Lay My Hat" and, more recently Daryl Hall's "Every Time You Go Away". Young's voice can assume magical properties (occasionally) but the boy can not write songs. (Graham K Smith, Record Mirror, June 15, 1985)

From his latest LP The Secret Of Association this song is one of the weakest and a waste of his wonderful voice. Everything he's done so far has been great, but methinks everything must change if Paul is going to stay at the top. Loyal fans will probably make it a hit, but he doesn't deserve it with this funeral dirge. (Anne Lambert, No 1, June 15, 1985)