Spandau Ballet - Through The Barricades (CBS)

After the initial rocking rowdiness of "Fight For Ourselves" the Spands have toned down a notch or two and produced a cool, calculatingly dreamy ballad. Here Tone's distinctive vocals tremble seductively as he finally gets to sing the type of irritating song mums and aunties will be turning the radio up for. In the background there's a smooth, sexy wailing sax, in the foreground, an alluringly gently-strummed guitar, both of which compliment big Tone's big voice a treat. Unadventurous but highly polished, this is very much a classic Spands release - a safe and a sure-fire hit. Just watch this glide effortlessly into the Top 40. (Anna Martin, No 1, November 1, 1986)

Here come Spandau Ballet sounding about as "profound" as Nick Berry and dressed with about as much style as Wicksey. And what a preposterous name for a song - even The Banned's Harry "Trotsky", who uses phrases like "selling out to the establishment", would hesitate before calling a song "Through The Barricades". What has happened to Spandau Ballet? I can remember when they used to make brilliant records like "Chant No. I ", wear dead smart gear and say things like: 'We want this band to be the most contemporary statement possible.' This is all about the troubles in Northern Ireland with references to being 'born on different sides of life' (Protestant and Catholic?) and 'making love on wasteland' all tinged with a vaguely Gaelic, acoustic feel. I'm sure it's all very sincere and significant - I just can't stand it. (Simon Mills, Smash Hits, October 22, 1986)

David Bowie - When The Wind Blows (Virgin)

Taken from the forthcoming film soundtrack of When The Wind Blows (which also features Hugh Cornwell, Paul Hardcastle, Genesis and Squeeze) Bowie's vocal performance is at his usual high peak. Why he should suddenly get the urge to sing on every available soundtrack remains a bit of a mystery to me though. But then again, this is pleasant enough, although not exactly what you might call potential chart material. Be interesting to see how it fares. (Anna Martin, No 1, November 1, 1986)

"Bowie" has become very accessible over the past few years, hasn't he? It seems that nowadays he'll do a duo with any doddery old pop star or write a soundtrack for or "star" in more or less any old film that comes along. I wonder if people still see him as a "style guru" and search through his lyrics for hidden meanings? Probably not. But having said that, "When The Wind Blows", from the soundtrack of an excellent animated film about a nuclear war which is based on the book of the same name, is rather grand and has a nice "classical" feel to it. Well! (Simon Mills, Smash Hits, October 22, 1986)

Human League - Human (Virgin)

Hands up anyone who actually remembers the Human League. Sheffield's own were last gracing the charts in 1984 with 'Louise'. Then Phil Oakey went off to do things with Giorgio Moroder. Now they're back with this smoochy little number which at first isn't all that impressive. However for want of anything better to play we've given it quite a few listens here at No.1 and it does grow on you - honest. With time this could be a massive hit. 5/5 (Pat Thomas, No 1, August 16, 1986)

Long-awaited re-appearance of the Leaguesters, and I'm seemingly the sole objector at rm. What infiltrates the charts with unswerving regularity these days, they ponder? Mostly American, mostly medallion-sporting balladeers. Aw shucks, we can't fail. Exactly the girlie nonsense I consistently fall for, but not this time. As for that dumb blonde talkover twixt 'I'm only huuuman'... yeeuurrk! Limp, listless and resolutely installed in the subconscious. Mammoth hit. (Lesley O'Toole, Record Mirror, August 16, 1986)

Just about everybody in the Smash Hits' "office" tried to bully me into awarding this record the unparalleled accolade of Single Of The Fortnight. At first I agreed. After all, it is a beautifully crafted, warm and melodic tune. A perfect pop record, no less. It's also remarkably similar to many other songs by artistes like The SOS Band. Change. Alexander O'Neal and Cherelle who have all, together with "Human", been produced by the much in demand team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. There is one howlingly evident difference, though: Philip Oakey can't sing. The vocals on this single sound, as on all League records, fragile and unconfident. "I'm only human, born to make mistakes," sings Philip in his own unique flat style. Jam and Lewis actually turned down Lionel Richie to make this record and I would guess that as well as producing it, they arranged it, played all the instruments on it and probably wrote most of it as well. Pity they couldn't sing on it or get someone else in to do the job. (Simon Mills, Smash Hits. August 13, 1986)