Killing Joke - A New Day (EG)

If it actually had a start, a middle, and an end, we might have played it right through. The rhythm track's good, I like all the tom toms and stuff, but it doesn't seem to go anywhere. They'll probably beat us up now but I did like a couple of their records. We've got a roadie who's mad about Killing Joke but he won't go to any of their gigs because you get spat on. (Andy Taylor [Duran Duran], Record Mirror, July 14, 1984)

A very dated guitar riff announces the fact that we're not to expect anything new from Killing Joke in this latest release. They're apparently attempting to sound threatening and raw, but the band have always been a little guilty of being pantomime punks, and this just reinforces that pastiche. Killing Joke are about ten years too late, and the only people they threaten are the record company. (Muriel Gray, Smash Hits, July 19, 1984)

John Lennon - I'm Stepping Out (Polydor)

For an extraordinary man, John Lennon managed to write a lot of very ordinary material before he died. This is so basic and dull that it barely merits criticism Who can take seriously A man who sings "gimme a break, gimme a break"? A lot of people over 30 will buy this and Yoko will become even richer but nobody knows better than poor Mrs Lennon that money isn't everything. (Muriel Gray, Smash Hits, July 19, 1984)

It'll be a hit, it's quite poppy. There's still a sparse amount of genius but it's not as good as his last one. It's not the best thing to talk about, dead people, but I think they should just let him be remembered for the great things he's done because he's not here now to make these records sound the way they should. (Andy Taylor [Duran Duran], Record Mirror, July 14, 1984)

The Blue Nile - Tinsel Town In The Rain (Linn Records)

This is quite an achievement for only their second single, it's quite nice. There's nothing that jumps out at you but I love the strings, more bands should use them. I don't know if it'll be a hit because I'm lousy at picking them. I think they'll develop into quite a big band. (Andy Taylor [Duran Duran], Record Mirror, July 14, 1984)

This comes from the band's new album Walk Across The Rooftops, but there's no doubt that as an album track it's sophisticated, subtle and slightly melancholy. Sadly, though, it's also a single which makes it boring, predictable and slightly weak. It's hard for The Blue Nile to top their wonderful single "I Love This Life" and they certainly won't do it with this. If anything, it's very reminiscent of early '70s Steely Dan which, in 1984, is nothing to be proud of. (Muriel Gray, Smash Hits, July 19, 1984)

Patti Austin - Rhythm Of The Street (Qwest)

Fine strong singing ruined by the lack of a good song. The usual formula guitar solo interrupts just when you think you're about to get a blast of real soul, but the soul never emerges and the song falls flat on its face. Worth about 80p. (Muriel Gray, Smash Hits, July 19, 1984)

 One of, if not, THE all-time highest paid session singers in America. The album was dismissed by a lot of people but it's the sort of record that grows on you. Whether people will allow this single to grow on them, I really don't know, but it's a good record and I like Patti Austin's voice. (Robbie Vincent, Record Mirror, July 7, 1984)

Note: Smash Hits was predominantly monochrome back in 1984, so even though they showed many single sleeves, often the dayglo colour schemes could only be guessed at. It's great to finally see exactly what the reviewers were looking at.