Arcadia - The Promise (EMI)

Despite exceedingly danceworthy rhythm guitar and extra vocal bits by Sting, this isn't as exciting as "Election Day" and can at first sound a little drab. But it grows on you, believe me. And grows and grows. P.S. There may be a 12", although we didn't get one. This 12" may contain the version with an utterly corking keyboard solo by Herbie Hancock. I hope it does. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, January 15, 1986)

Come on, admit it. . . by the time you'd seen/heard "Election Day" for the tenth time on the video jukebox, you'd, begrudgingly at first, grown quite accustomed to the first and long-awaited sampler from the Taylor/Rhodes/Le Bon collective. Well, in that case, you'll be pleased to discover that "The Promise" goes one better. Maintaining a more pleasurably seductive mood throughout, Simon indulges in aesthetic extravagance and somehow manages to stifle the urge to wail with impromptu vigour. As expected, the goods are immaculately packaged - for maximum enjoyment on consumption. A promising endeavour! Duran Duran take heed. (Anna Martin, No 1, January 18, 1986)

Hot from the desert that is So Red The Nose, it starts with what sounds alarmingly like a Thin Lizzy riff. Simon groans manfully, the bass boings sleepily into action before our Si launches himself into vocals that are truly painful to hearken unto. A predictable review for a predictable record. This is obviously what Duran Duran do in their sleep, so I pity their good lady wives. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, January 18, 1986)

Duran Duran - A View To A Kill (EMI)

After a six month breather, Duran follow in the footsteps of Shirley Bassey and Sheena Easton with a James Bond theme. Co-written by themselves and John Barry, the collaboration is obvious. This contains all Duran's stock ingredients - frenzied guitar and bass, but Bond-ised with tell-tale, dramatic bursts of brass. The dull drumbeat smacks of The Power Station... I Say it's time Simon Le Bon's vocals were laid to rest. (Ro Newton, No 1, May 11, 1985)

The lyrics to this are connected to the Bond film this forms the theme to, I presume, as they are a little oblique. Musically, it's also full of Bond allusions - full of seas of strings and brass stabs. Quite stunning production. Producer Bernard Edwards seems to have superceded Nile Rodgers in every direction. Takes a long time to get to the hook, but very interesting. (Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy, Smash Hits, May 8, 1985)

Those expecting a load of old Thunderballs will be surprised at this grower. Simon Le Bond - licensed to thrill - does his Bryan Ferry/David Sylvian impression on the best Bond theme since Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better". (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, May 11, 1985)