James - So Many Ways (Sire)

James are a bunch of enthusiastic, cheerful and dedicated Manchester "lads" who don't seem to give a tinker's cuss whether they have hits or not. "So Many Ways" is a kind of modern folky dirge with an uplifting chorus built from layers of vocal harmony. Unfortunately, their fresh "live" sound and total lack of slick production will probably prevent them from getting onto the new Radio 1 shrunken swizzaway "play" list. Shame. (Duncan Wright, Smash Hits, June 18, 1986)

Billy Bragg - Levi Stubbs' Tears (Go! Discs)

For a long time, Billy Bragg has been about the only politically motivated English singer not to trip over a soapbox every time he opens his mouth. And all he's ever needed is his voice and a guitar. But here he has added some percussion, keyboards, a bit of harmony and some "production" - and (hey presto!) the coarse strength of his old approach is gone. It seems a shame, especially as his gruff old voice is a bit swallowed up, but the words and subject matter (about the lead singer of the Four Tops) are not as strong as usual anyway. Oh dear. (Duncan Wright, Smash Hits, June 18, 1986)

I've always believed that anyone who has to through life looking like me or Billy Bragg deserves fame and fortune as compensation. "Levi Stubbs' Tears" succeeds on the title alone for me: standard Bragg with a story to tell. (Gary Crowley, Record Mirror, June 21, 1986)

Bangles - Going Down To Liverpool (CBS)

Americans only usually know two 'towns' in the whole of Britain. London, because everyone knows London, and Liverpool - because it's where the Beatles come from. Thus, the Bangles in their quest to get a hit over here, give us a song the British public can relate to. With this in mind they offer us an immortal line 'Hey; Where you going with that UB40 in your hand?'. What? (Eleanor Levy, Record Mirror, April 6, 1985)

Moderate song with its moments of glory - such as the supreme incongruity of the West Coast trash thrash meeting this line: 'Heh, where are you going with that UB40 in your hand?' Makes more sense than the Easterhouse album, though. (Jim Reid, Record Mirror, June 28, 1986)

Psychedelic music was made to reach the mind. When breakdancing and Go-Go have spun themselves silly, groups like the Bangles could catch on. They're an American four-piece all-girl guitar group with a mean line in mellow harmonies - and an excellent live act. This lazy but rocky song is loaded with 60s influenced jangly guitars and jolly tambourines. Old hippies who've heard it all before may scoff. For the electro-generation, this is a new trip. (Debbi Voller, No 1, April 13, 1985)

I first heard the Bangles perform this on the Tube, and I'm glad to say that the studio version is every bit as pleasing. There's nothing spectacular about it, just very hummable harmonies, and a great chorus that I defy you not to sing along with. That said, pick a sunny day (not easy, but. . .), find a car, roll down the windows, and play it loud. Especially if your singing is a little on the, ahem, 'unpredictable' side. (Ursula Kenny, No 1, June 21, 1986)

I love the Bangles: they hardly do anything and yet they're hugely successful. They don't write their own hits, they don't always play very well "live" and when they do play they look sooo 'nonchalant.' But they do make wonderful poplicious singles and that makes all the difference. "Going Down To Liverpool" is a re-released flop but so what? - it's a lovely, bangly, jangly pop song that makes you feel that we might actually get some "summer" at last (if only in three minute bursts). Single Of The Fortnight. (Duncan Wright, Smash Hits, June 18, 1986)

Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) (Sire)

A track from the excellent 1983 album Speaking In Tongues, which finds the band in classic style. The characteristic Byrne vocals harnessed to some truly funky guitar keeps the heads nodding in time. Rather senseless to release such an old track, which obviously breaks no new ground, although it contains all the usual dance qualities, zany appeal, profound professionalism and personality that you would expect from the Heads. (Diane Cross, Record Mirror, June 14, 1986)

Talking Heads now have a different British record company, so the old one is predictably trying to make some cash from the old stuff. This could mean endless tired old re-releases, but in the case of a chestnut like this one, who cares? It's absolutely ruddy marvellous! A dreamy little holiday of a song that transports you away on funny bendy notes, interesting choppy beats and charming lyrics and is just...yummy. (Duncan Wright, Smash Hits, June 18, 1986)

Tracie Young - We Should Be Together (Polydor)

Tracie Young used to be just "Tracie", a young thing nurtured into teenage semi-stardom by the benevolent "uncle" Paul Weller, but here she is with a much lower (and much improved) voice, singing a pretty reasonable, sprightly chartbound type "number". Not bad, not bad. (Duncan Wright, Smash Hits, June 18, 1986)