Simple Minds - Speed Your Love To Me (Virgin)

You'll be relieved to know that I haven't been bribed by Virgin to review this one well but nevertheless this is a very catchy piece of material from some great friends whose taste in music is not dissimilar from our own. This verges on the modern gothic but they had better be careful because it also sounds surprisingly similar to their last single ["Waterfront"]. It will be a hit but the massive one they deserve will elude them this time. (Martyn Ware [Heaven 17], Smash Hits, January 19, 1984)

One of my favourite bands - another Simple Minds classic. (Steve Strange, Record Mirror, January 21, 1984)

Spear Of Destiny - Prisoner Of Love (Epic)

A rather natty pack of two 7-inch singles, featuring two sides recorded live in Gdansk (bless you). I was expecting not to like this but it just goes to show how wrong you can be. It reminds me of a cross between Velvet Underground and Gary Glitter and I like them both. Bargain of the fortnight. Make these men stars. (Martyn Ware [Heaven 17], Smash Hits, January 19, 1984)

Spear Of Destiny are such a great band...I don't think this is the single they should have chosen. (Steve Strange, Record Mirror, January 21, 1984)

The Colour Field - The Colour Field (Chrysalis)

Thirty seconds into this I thought Is it was Echo & The Bunnymen's B-side and then a voice sounding like Terry Hall came on. "It's Terry Hall," I shouted to Glenn [Gregory], Sarah and Karen. "It can't be," they said. But looking at the cover, it is. For the next minute of the song we were totally riveted. However by the end the rivets had fallen out. I hope it's a hit because I really like them and I like Terry Hall because he never smiles. (Martyn Ware [Heaven 17], Smash Hits, January 19, 1984)

Terry Hall has obviously been spending his time since The Fun Boy Three split productively. He's managed to find a couple of guys whose expressions are as deadpan and morose as his. He's also brought out a brilliant record. Although never a barrel of laughs, Terry Hall's work is rarely less than excellent and this is no exception. The distinctive vocals and melancholy tune on first hearing make this sound similar to FB3, but there's more emphasis on mood, less on rhythm. His view of the world is as jaded and cynical as ever, but it's good to have him back.  (Karen Swayne, No 1, January 14, 1984)

Terry's voice is so easily recognizable that you immediately think of Fun Boy Three - but don't be misled, it's very different, interesting and new. It's hard to say if this will be a hit, but is that what he's aiming for? I hope it does well. (Steve Strange, Record Mirror, January 21, 1984)

Girls Can't Help It - Baby Doll (Virgin)

This arrived with some soft-focus colour pics of three rather attractive models wearing very few clothes and sultry expressions. One of them was holding a teddy bear. Do I really have to tell you anything about the record? (David Hepworth, Smash Hits, October 28, 1982)

A frolicsome threesome to get grandad's pulse racing for the first time in 16 years. Shove Toto Coelo under the pillow, I'm sticking with these girls who bump 'n' grind while purring like kittens. The girl equivalent of Imagination. (Robin Smith, Record Mirror, October 30, 1982)

On the cover it's got 'US Remix' - didn't work over here, so they're gonna try it on the poor yanks! (Steve Strange, Record Mirror, January 21, 1984)

Private Lives - Living In A World (Turned Upside Down) (EMI)

The best record of the week comes from two London boys called John Adams and Morris Michael. "Living In A World (Turned Upside Down)" is a lush soul ballad that could have stepped straight out of the Hall And Oates back catalogue - though it's some time since John and Daryl came up with a record that gripped like this. Considering the standard of the current chart, Private Lives ought to walk right into TOTP and take up residency. And if it doesn't happen here, it's certain to happen somewhere: Top Ten in at least ten countries is my rash prediction. Estimated chart placing: 10. (Phil McNeill, No 1, January 28, 1984)

My wise old editor, Mr McNeill assures me that this new version of the Private Lives single is not a patch on the original, released earlier this year. And who am I to argue? That said, there's not much more wrong with it this time round. Seven inches of pop/soul that's up there with the very best of Hall And Oates. Now you can't say fairer than that. (Paul Simper, No 1, October 13, 1984)


I like Private Lives' older material, but you can't please everyone all the time. I think John's vocal arrangements are good and should get played on Radio 2's peak time! Right on Robin Gibb! (Steve Strange, Record Mirror, January 21, 1984) 

"Living In A World (Turned Upside Down)" is trying to be a classic of someone else's kind. Hall & Oates' kind, to be precise. It fails. Instead, the duo provide what is commonly termed 'a ballad' with the truly inspired message 'We're living in a world turned upside down'. Profundity is obviously not their strong point. (Eleanor Levy, Record Mirror, October 13, 1984)