Doctor And The Medics - Spirit In The Sky (IRS)

Spirited and vibrant in mood and appearance - just like the Medics really - this colourfully animated sound gives you all you could possibly want or expect from a single (plus a free full-colour fold-out picture bag no less!). Soulful, haunting backing vocals quiver in joyous unison as the Norman Greenbaum classic is covered with sheer complimentary aplomb by the good doctor. To betaken twice daily - at least. 5/5 (Anna Martin, No 1, May 10, 1986)

Timbuk 3 - The Future's So Bright I've Gotta Wear Shades (IRS)

Don't let the title, which is a bit of a mouthful, put you off. This is brilliant, clever and downright catchy. This husband and wife team from Texas prove that not all American musicians are sheep. Pat MacDonald and Barbara K go their own way and the result is the funniest, most positive and original debut in ages. Makes you feel good just thinking about playing it. The perfect antidote to a dismal couple of weeks. (Pat Thomas, No 1, January 31, 1987)

Horrible old hippies with a whacky little number that I find infuriatingly catchy. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, January 31, 1987)

R.E.M. - Don't Go Back To Rockville (IRS)

American pop is enjoying something of a renaissance at present with bands like R.E.M. and Jason & The Scorchers. 'Rockville' is anytown USA, a dismal, homely place to be until the local neighbourhood garage band come along and blow it up. Michael Stipe's dreamy country twang carries the day without persuading me that R.E.M. are about to break down any British prejudices and storm our charts. (Max Bell, No 1, June 16, 1984)

R.E.M. - Wendell Gee (IRS)

I have been known to like the odd country-flavoured band before now, but I'm not quite sure of the wisdom of releasing something quite so down tempo. I fancy it won't convert many barnstormers and I'd hazard a prediction of non-hit. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, October 26, 1985)

Stan Ridgway - Camouflage (IRS)

Graceful guitar and banjo country ballad, somewhat spoiled by its cute tale of Vietnam war camaraderie. Pity that such a good tune should be wasted on the rotting heap of American war apology. This isn't 'Rambo', but it's not a song about the effects of Agent Orange, either. (Jim Reid, Record Mirror, June 28, 1986)

The Alarm - Absolute Reality (IRS)

"You may love/ You may hate/ You may be President of the United States/ But you can't deny it while the world wants to die/ This is absolute reality." The Alarm are still singing the same old duff lyrics but musically have now moved on from early Clash to 'Modern World' Jam. Give us a break, chaps! (Paul Bursche, No 1, February 16, 1985)

Good intro, I like this already. First of all I'm a Bob Dylan fan, it's a very clear lyric with a Dylanesque sound, but the chorus is not the kind of thing that you'd associate with Dylan. Intros are so important, because they establish attention, and within 60 seconds of this there are changes that indicate it's not going to be a monotone. There's energy, attitude, it's a well-constructed record. (Gary Byrd, Record Mirror, February 16, 1985)

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)

The Alarm - Sold Me Down The River (IRS)

After years of sometimes scurrilous Alarm bashing, even I've got to admit that "Sold Me Down The River" is a darn fine single, ripe with luscious Celtic guitars and trembling emotions. The flip side features a Welsh version of the song where Mike Peters inflicts some very serious damage to his tongue. (Robin Smith, Record Mirror, April 1, 1989)