The Associates - Club Country (Beggars Banquet)

Like thousands of others, I remained oblivious to the charms of the Associates until "Party Fears Two". This will no doubt float into the charts in the wake of that song, but it's a less appealing number: dry and a trifle dreary with Mr MacKenzie in relatively restrained form. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, May 13, 1982)

The Associates - Take Me To The Girl (WEA)

Pleasant enough release with catchy, tinsel-town melody. Just the sort of song that I imagine Midge Ure doing. 'Cept if old Midge were to record "Take Me To The Girl" it'd be top of the pops for a month. Tough at the top, innit? (Mike Mitchell's Cat, Record Mirror, November 2, 1985)