Midge Ure - That Certain Smile (Chrysalis)

I've always been fascinated by the paradox of Midge Ure. He makes grandiose, swirling high pop with allusions to quality and distinction, but its success is rooted more in hard graft perspiration than cool inspiration, He's a workman who tosses out nee-symphonic ditties with the industry and efficiency of a factory. The product is always functional, adequately pleasing in design and has built-in obsolescence. While most bands unconsciously aspire to this plateau, despite mouthing, to the contrary, Midge has turned this reliability into an art form. (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, November 9, 1985)

It's the plush, grandiose pop sound of "If I Was" once again, only more so - which can mean only four things... 1) "That Certain Smile" will be a very big hit; 2) You'll be quite fond of it for a couple of days; 3) By the time it being played on the radio every six minutes you'll be sick to death of it; 4) If he does those stupid theatrical hand wiggles in the video again you'll scream and scream and hurl the TV set out of the window and it'll land on top of a police car and you'll be sent to prison for a very long time. Bad luck. (Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, November 6, 1985)

Midge Ure - Wastelands (Chrysalis)

Pretty heavy stuff here as our Midge unfolds some of the horrors of 1980's Britain. Now, normally with Midge Ure this means not finding the right size Yamomoto jacket, but this time it refers to some of Britain's urban "wastelands" and the miseries of living there. Starts with a solitary cello and builds itself into a crashing crescendo of every instrument they could find in the ruddy studio. (Simon Braithwaite, Smash Hits, February 12, 1986)

'The boy is listening to those records from the past. . . They are the voices of the faces on the wall. . . One day he even cut their names upon his skin, they mean that much to him'. . Will anyone ever cut Midge Ure's name on their skin? For ten years he's shown a remarkable gift of survival, being in most of the right places at the right time with Slik, Rich Kids, Ultravox, Band Aid . . . but he's never been the sort of pop star a fan could die for, despite his likeable personality, powerful music and ever-changing facial hair. In fact, of course, the likeability and facial hair have always worked against Midge's music. Nobody ever took him seriously like they did, say, Gary Numan (to whom facial hair and likeability are equal sins) - which is no doubt why Midge has lasted longer. No one felt let down when Midge stopped acting like a Viennese aristocrat (unlike Numan's fans, who ditched him the day they realised he wasn't a robot after all). Anyway, sometimes he makes jolly good records like "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", and sometimes he doesn't. "Wastelands" is Midge at his most pompous, but as long as being a No.1 solo artist doesn't go to his head, fair enough. (Phil McNeill, No 1, February 8, 1986)

Midge Ure - Call Of The Wild (Chrysalis)

Much what you'd expect really. Clean, respectable (vacuous, sterile?), perfectly crafted pop song. As 'wild' as a Quaker coffee morning and just as stimulating. (Eleanor Levy, Record Mirror, May 31, 1986)

Martin: Midge Ure is receding. He needs to get a wig. Neil: This sounds a bit artistic and classy. The squeaky guitar solo's quite good - very Van Halen. This has got "hit" stamped all over it. It'll probably be number one. We can't be too rude about Midge. Martin: Yes we can. I hate music. I never listen to records. This is not going to stop World War IV and I would not buy it. (The Boys From Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Smash Hits, May 21, 1986)

Midge Ure - If I Was (Chrysalis)

I've never like the pompous rock approach that Ultravox indulge in for single after single. But surprise, surprise! I do like the simplicity of this, Midge's solo effort.
It's a song that soars along at a steady pace, very reflective and rhythmical.
Bland, but so much easier on the brain. (Debbi Voller, No 1, September 7, 1985)

Take the opening of Queen's "Radio Gaga" and the sound of Midge at his mighty organ and what do you have? Well, a hit obviously. But this is slightly less pretentious than recent Ultravox offerings so let's be grateful for that at least. (Andy Strickland, Record Mirror, September 7, 1985)

In which Midge wonders whether he'd stand more chance with some young lady if he was, well, a whole list of things. I usually find Mr Ure's taste in melodies a little too dramatic, but here it suits the song perfectly. Not bad at all. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, August 28, 1985)