The The - This Is The Day (Epic)

Imagine a Depeche Mode backing track with added accordion. Imagine one of those very English voices that sound as if they ought to be presenting Newsbeat. That's Matt Johnson. Ten years ago he would have made a tidy living serenading sentimental female persons in one of those clubs where they put candles in empty Rosé bottles. These days he has to shoot for the charts and he's yet to come up with a mustard-cutting hook line. I look forward to his album but meanwhile I'd suggest he did something about that name before it's too late. (David Hepworth, Smash Hits, September 15, 1983)

Why none of The The's singles have never been hits I'll never understand. This is another beauty. Matt Johnson's deep, clear vocals and the sweet synths add up to a mixture that completely overwhelms the senses. It's dreamy and psychedelic. Buy it, God dammit! (Debbi Voller, No 1, September 10, 1983)

The The - Heartland (CBS)

The The have been around for a few years now, but unfortunately they're one of those bands who deserve more than they've ever had but will probably never get it. It's a shame that Radio One have banned this for including the word 'piss', we could have seen them on Top Of the Pops in a few weeks' time. 4/5 (Mark Booker, No 1, August 2, 1986)

Well, well. Second time around for former cult figure Matt Johnson (as The The is known to his mum). I always used to find his stuff a bit cold and mechanical, but this stunning, stringy, singalong state-of-the-nation ballad is something else again. What a terrible mess we are in, he seems to be saying, and of course he's right. This year's "Ghost Town" and Single Of The Fortnight. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, July 30, 1986)