The Bangles - If She Knew What She Wants (CBS)

Irresistably catchy, worse luck. I know there are some big fans back at Smash Hits HQ, so I'll probably get a beating for this, but really, it's even more drivelly than "Manic Monday", and there's all these nauseating little harmonies just where you'd most expect them. A bit like one of those Tracey Ullman jokey numbers. I bet they're lovely people but they do sing some awfully wet songs. (Shut your mouth - Deputy Ed.) (Sorrel Downer, Smash Hits, April 9, 1986)

With "Manic Monday" hardly dead and buried, why have CBS rushed this out? Luckily it is another gem with Susanna Hoffs turning out to be a more versatile singer than I'd imagined. There's touches of Dolly Parton in her plus a pure pop harmony and a rousing Californian chorus. A few years ago this would only have stood a chart chance in America but British pop is in such an awful state right now that the Bangles will soon be back to show us how it's done. 5/5 (Max Bell, No 1, April 5, 1986)

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Rage Hard (ZTT)

The best things in life are threes. So after Whambley and Prince, here come the boys who'll come all over you.. Frankie, welcome back. So what's new? Well, there's more of those awfully nice guitar noises, less of the 'frisco disco and some jolly good burps on the B-side. 'Rage Hard' may not at first catch the ear in the same way as 'Relax' or 'Two Tribes' but crank it up for a couple of hours and even Snabber Towers will shake to the chandeliers. Beefy! Only weak link is a less than brutal version of Bowie's "Sufragette City" on the 12-inch but whom careth? The Hit Parade is for Frankie. And Frankie only. 5/5 (Paul Simper, No 1, August 30, 1986)

Frankie have been away for what seems like ages. Actually it's been 18 months and during this time they've been messing about in recording studios all over the world. Naturally then, you'd expect them to come forging back with a single impressive enough to knock your socks off. Unfortunately this didn't even wrinkle mine. "Rage Hard" sounds like any of their previous singles but watered-down and without the guts. They've even used that familiar "menacing" voice from the "Two Tribes" single (the one that tells you what to do in the event of a nuclear explosion) but it's no longer menacing - in fact it sounds like he was out of the room when his bit was being recorded. The overall effect is a bit limp and very disappointing. (Ro Newton, Smash Hits, August 27, 1986)

Stan Ridgway - Drive, She Said (IRS)

Formerly the singer with LA punks Wall Of Voodoo ("Mexican Radio"), Stanard Ridgway enjoys the happy knack of being able to write lyrics outside of pop music's 'I love you' conventions. "Drive She Said" conjures up images of science fiction and those grainy Sunday afternoon B&W detective flicks that had real Hollywood stars like Lana Turner to push the men around, and Ridgway sings it like he means it. Worth two dollars of anyone's money. 5/5 (Max Bell, No 1, April 5, 1986)

Yello - Goldrush (Mercury)

Yello are Swiss and utterly bonkers. They make dance records that you can't dance to, full of lyrics that make absolutely no sense at all. This is probably deliberate. Often they also have lots of wiggy chanting and funny noises, just like this one (helped out, incidentally, by Billy Mackenzie who used to be [in] The Associates). Damn good, actually. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, July 30, 1986)

If any of you read the penpals section of No. 1, you'll probably have noticed that Yello are very popular in Australia. For once I actually agree with the generally awful taste of the Australians. With their breathy vocals, Queen-type harmonies and strange noises all incorporated into a highly danceable rhythm, it's hard to see why Yello aren't massive over here. This could and should be the one. 5/5 (Mark Booker, No 1, August 2, 1986)