Jimmy The Hoover - Bandana Street (Use It) (MCA)

If you blinked two years ago you'll have missed the rise of Jimmy The Hoover - the strange collection of individuals who meteorically shot to fame with the instantly forgettable "Tantalise" and immediately returned to the obscurity from whence they came. Their new offering can best be described as an active assault on the aural cavities, with production overriding content to deliver a wall of sound comprising some 50 voices and a hundred trumpets blowing rather violently into your ear drums. (Eleanor Levy, Record Mirror, September 21, 1985)

The Fixx - I Will (MCA)

I do like this. It's got a good atmosphere. They've never made it big in the UK but I hope they do. I can understand why they're successful in America. I like the singer's voice - he can sing. I will, I will, I will buy it. At the end of the day it's a good song. (Hazell Dean, Record Mirror, March 2, 1985)

Nik Kershaw - The Riddle (MCA)

'The Riddle' in question concerns an old man of Arran going round and round a hole in the ground. Not the most stimulating of exercises but it seems to mean a great deal to mystic Nik. When Sting comes out with this metaphysical hogwash, so sweet are his songs that he gets away with it. Nik Kershaw probably couldn't get away with pinching a pack of liquorice from Woolies. The only riddle is why folk keep buying the boy's records. (Paul Simper, No 1, November 17, 1984)

Somewhere in its dim and distant lineage, this song is related to "Mull Of Kintyre". With its Celtic folksy tune, pushed along by military drums and penny whistles, and references to 'wise men', I suspect it's the first genuine Christmas Single of the season - albeit a little early - and the song most likely to be whistled by your milkmen in the winter months ahead. (Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, November 8, 1984)

Andy Summers - Love Is The Strangest Way (MCA)

Summers' distinctive Police guitar style is bound to appeal to the influential daytime jocks and A-list planners. Whether his lethargic non-singing voice will draw in the punters is debatable, particularly as this song stays on one level throughout and that level is boring. True, musos have had hits before but if Andy Summers was destined to be a front man how come Sting got the job? Besides the title doesn't make sense. (Max Bell, No 1, July 18, 1987)

Nik Kershaw - Wide Boy (MCA)

Perhaps "Wide Boy" is the result of Nik Kershaw realising how absurd it is that a year or so ago no one would even cash his cheques and now there are thousands who'd die for him. So being a responsible sort he takes to task those stars whose heads are turned by fame. "He's no big deal, he's just a wide boy," croons the Ipswich idol backed by the usual sugary melodic pop. I find "Wide Boy" quite forgettable, but I'm glad to see Mr Kershaw has got his feet firmly on the ground. (Adrian Tierney-Jones, No 1, March 9, 1985)

Very enjoyable. The lyrics tell a story about Nik Kershaw himself, I think. What he's trying to say is that his critics think he's stupid but, because he's got so much success, it doesn't bother him. One of those records that you may well find yourself humming at the bus stop. Nice one, Nik. Single of the fortnight. (Marshall O'Leary, Smash Hits, March 14, 1985)

Kim Wilde - The Second Time (MCA)

The good news to emerge from Kim's long absence is that she's now writing her own songs. The bad news is that 'The Second Time' is not one of them. Penned once again by Dad Marty and brother Rick it's a fusion of fashionably 'hard' sounds. But it lacks the fluency of good dance music and the killer punch of Frankie-pop. Check out her own 'Fit In' on the new LP to find – at last – the real Kim Wilde. (Martin Townsend, No 1, September 29, 1984)

Ricky and Marty Wilde (her brother and Dad) always manage to build a classic little pop song around Kim's vulnerable falsetto, yet for some reason she doesn't do as well in the charts as she used to. I've got most of her singles, but it's a sad fact that they were all found in bargain bins. (Vici MacDonald, Smash Hits, September 27, 1984)

The title fits as Kim tries again with MCA and starts by nicking the chorus from "Let's Dance". Still, long as she does something risque in the video it'll be a hit - that's the way it works, I believe. (Paul Sexton, Record Mirror, September 29, 1984)

Colonel Abrams - I'm Not Gonna Let You (MCA)

For sheer cheek Colonel Abrams deserves some sort of prize with this one. It's such a blatant rip-off of his previous hit "Trapped" that you wonder why the record company bothered to release it in the first place. They may as well have just re-mixed "Trapped" and bunged that in the shops. A total, complete and utter swizzle. (Simon Braithwaite, Smash Hits, February 12, 1986)

The Damned - Shadow Of Love (MCA)

Back in 1976 The Damned, one of the first punk groups, used to really live up to their name. These days though they've mellowed out and just make jokey, vaguely pleasant pop songs like "Shadow Of Love" which they're promoting with a massive 40-date tour, as advertised on the sleeve. Myself, I'd rather go and see Bruce Springsteen.(Chris Heath, Smash Hits, June 19, 1985)

Nik Kershaw - I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (MCA)

Nik Kershaw has written some good songs and this is one of the better. He's had a lot flak but I guess that's what happens when you pick up awards for us. A huge hit especially with the fold-out, hunk of the month colour poster. I wish he wouldn't try so hard to shrug off his young image. He should be grateful for it. (John Taylor [Duran Duran], Smash Hits, June 21, 1984)

New name has couple of hits, re-releases oldie that didn't quite make it first time around but is sure to score on this go. Meanwhile he has to contend with trauma of wanting to be serious artist, sensitive musician, etc, but keeps getting screamed at by weenies, teddy bears chucked on stage and so on. Which reminds me - whatever happened to Tears For Fears?  (Sunie, No 1, June 9, 1984)

Kim Wilde - Say You Really Want Me (MCA)

Gone are the days when Kim's brother Ricky Wilde would conjure up twee, frivolous songs for his sister to sing. Now she's moved up-market, gone all "sophisticated" and taken a fancy to clumsy disco dirges that don't mean anything at all. Kim sings with about as much passion as Hilda Ogden (sob!) doing the hoovering, while some bloke programmes the computer with a flimsy drumbeat that could just about raise a shuffle on the dancefloor. (Ro Newton, Smash Hits, July 29, 1987)

Good old Kim! She's a bit of a girl and I like girls with a bit of spike in their stilettos! However goddess-like Kim is though, the record is a bit pony and trap. I wish she'd find another good song like "View From A Bridge" or something. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, August 8, 1987)

Sal Solo - Music And You (MCA)

Sounds like gospel singers in the background. It's a pleasant melody but I think the Classix Nouveaux man has overdone it with the backing vocals. For your next single, Sal, I'd recommend that you don't use another choir. You did on "San Damiano"– a very uplifting song - and you've done it again on this one and might have another Top 20 hit with it. But, if you carry on like this, it won't be a case of third time lucky. (Marshall O'Leary, Smash Hits, March 14, 1985)

Thereza Bazar - The Big Kiss (MCA)

In 1982 Thereza Bazar was the golden girl in Dollar, with her perfect pop lovingly crafted by Trevor Horn in preparation for his future ZTT extravaganzas. Now she's all alone, with her hair carefully cropped and miming in a ludicrous rubber skirt on Wogan. And her pop is now far from perfect. "The Big Kiss" is so bland it adds a brand new dimension to the words plinkety plonk. Bring back Sooty, I say. (Adrian Jones, No 1, June 8, 1985)

A happy medium somewhere between Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. I like this track for some unknown reason. Everything in it has been done before but it fits nicely somehow. Really 'catchy'. (Simon O'Brien, Smash Hits, May 22, 1985)

Nik Kershaw - Human Racing (MCA)

You shouldn't be embarrassed by your fans - ever. Surely it's better to be David Cassidy than Billy Joel. This is pure cocktail party music, uncannily like Mr Joel (who, it must be said, wrote "Say Goodbye To Hollywood", which I love). Still I suppose it is a good career move. (Bobby Bluebell, Smash Hits, August 30, 1984)

This is really bizarre. I understand that Kershaw is inordinately popular these days in spite of the dull, workmanlike nature of his 'art'. I understand that this is the title track from his LP. I understand that it was obviously time for a ballad after his three boppety-bop hits, to show that he's a mature, sensitive guy and not just a scream object.
What I don't understand is why the heck he sings the whole number in a fake Stevie Wonder voice! Excellent impersonation though - [Mike] Yarwood look out. This boy is a real all-rounder. (Sunie, No 1, September 1, 1984)

Glenn Frey - Sexy Girl (MCA)

The girl on the cover is sexy; the record is monotonous. That's all I can say. (Simon O'Brien, Smash Hits, May 22, 1985)

Personal note: one of the few singles reviews from back in the day that I remember word for word. Confusingly, the standard UK picture sleeve featured Glenn Frey on the front and not the model.

Glenn Frey - You Belong To The City (MCA)

Another track from the Starsky And Hutch (or was it Miami Vice?) soundtrack, and to be honest I've had enough. "The Heat Is On" was definitely off, "Smuggler's Blues" should have been quarantined, and as for "You Belong To The City", well I'm defecting! (Mark Booker, No 1, November 9, 1985)