Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It (EMI)

And here it is. . . the surprise bundle in this week's box of tricks. Talk Talk are one of those mystifying bands that revel in glorious success throughout Europe but fail to make any mark in the UK charts. Dismissed by many and ridiculed by others, TT sustain an unfathomed quality all of their own - one that requires further investigation. After an 18-month absence, "Life's What You Make It" offers a rare glimpse at the possibilities. Hopeful. (Anna Martin, No 1, January 18, 1986)

Reluctantly placed in the latter category simply because these young men don't seem to get off the starting blocks in this part of the world. A slow and smouldering song that grew on me after a while. I've a feeling I could take to it a bit more, minus the angst ridden vocals. A bit too laid back for Radio One, I trow. And what they say, still goes unfortunately. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, January 18, 1986)

Talk Talk - My Foolish Friend (EMI)

Oh, the pain of being a member of Talk Talk! The starched shirts, the meaningful expressions, the dry ice, the anguish, the adenoids, not to mention the snide reviews! (David Hepworth, Smash Hits, March 17, 1983)

Talk Talk - Living In Another World (EMI)

I've already made a note (somewhere in the pile of papers on my desk) that "Life's What You Make It" will go down as one of my Top Ten singles of '86. Now here's another breath of fresh air from Talk Talk's excellent album The Colours Of Spring. Mark Hollis' poignant and haunting voice soars across an enchanting and rhythmical song that's driven along by harmonicas, organs and tambourines. Dead dreamy - Talk Talk are certainly living in another world at the moment - and in a class all of their own. 4/5 (Debbi Voller, No 1, March 8, 1986)

Has some rather nifty mouth-organ solos, but apart from that it's "Life's What You Make It" sped up a bit and with a wider selection of incomprehensible lyrics. (Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, March 12, 1986)

Can you imagine anyone growing up wanting to be a member of Talk Talk? It's not that this single - like the one before, and the one before that - is a bad song, it's not. It's accessible enough to get the right amount of radio play, but just perverse enough to guarantee a third or fourth listen will reveal an interesting 'ting' or 'ding' that you'd missed. It's just so faceless, so characterless, Talk Talk are probably the most boring band in the world. (Eleanor Levy, Record Mirror, March 8, 1986)

Talk Talk - Talk Talk (EMI)

They're a mite too close to Duran Duran for comfort. They share the same label and the same producer (Colin Thurston) who has given them a similarly smooth and well-sprung sound. Try again, boys. Try again, boys. (Ian Birch, Smash Hits, April 15, 1982)

Talk Talk - Mirror Man (EMI)

Ah ha - talent. Highly promising stuff from a new group that blends tune, interesting lyrics and contemporary feel in a manner that suggests they know what they're doing and doing it right. Difficult to pigeonhole, easy to like. (Red Starr, Smash Hits, February 18, 1982)