It's Immaterial - Ed's Funky Diner (Siren)

One of those poor unfortunate Liver bands that seem to have gotten chewed about a bit. Still, a heartwarming and tuneful record that hints towards the type of thing that made the early Teardrops so lovable. Not half badd-o. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, October 26, 1985)

It's Immaterial - Space (Siren)

It's great to write a song about "Space" - it's an unusual subject and they've done it in a really novel way. It's almost sad at times - especially if you live in a built up city. The song's got that Talking Heads/David Byrne sound which I like. I think they're one of the best new English groups around because they've got intelligence and this is the best new song and the most original lyrics I've heard in a long time. (Gary Kemp, Smash Hits, October 8, 1986)

It's Immaterial never said they were going to conform to expectations and so the deliberately deadpan approach they adopt here is wilfulness personified. This is Itsy in funny peculiar and not funny ha ha mood, too slow and atmospheric to capitalise on "Driving" and never as charming as in "Ed's Funky Diner". Forgettable. 2/5 (Max Bell, No 1, October 18, 1986)

It's Immaterial - White Man's Hut (Eternal)

Clanking bony things aplenty, It's Immaterial go in for rural/tribal chic. Tambourines and infant school choirs also get a look in on this cheeky song from the eccentric Liverpool band. Deserves to be a hit. (Peter Martin, Smash Hits, October 27, 1983)

Busy, industrious Scouse pop. There's nothing wrong with that, but the best music to come out of Liverpool sets its sights a little higher. (Sunie, No 1, October 15, 1983)

It's Immaterial - Rope (Siren)

You're either very irritated or completely beguiled by It's Immaterial. Their songs reach out for that strangeness, that twitchiness that Talking Heads used to deal in. You either twitch along or leave the room. Here, they've re-invented a non-existent traditional folk melody, laced it with ghostly fiddling, and set it to a skipping drum machine. All pastel hues and shadowy word play, it makes for a nervily merry English voodoo pop. Stay with it, and twitch. (Roger Morton, Record Mirror, March 7, 1987)

Itsy (as we fans call them) have had an undeservedly hard time following up "Driving Away From Home". "Rope" could just be the one to do it, ridiculously catchy, hopelessly cheery, and it has a 79-year-old banjo player, one Tarrant Bailey Jr, rocking out. Not a lot of singles can say that! Probably their strength (all their songs are so different) is their weakness (nobody knows it's them). All the same, 'tis a harsh and cruel world that cannot find room for It's Immaterial. (John Aizlewood, No 1, February 28, 1987)