The Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian (CBS)

Actually we reviewed this single in the last issue of Smash Hits and it got a bit of a "thumbs down". However, an error of monstrous proportions had taken place. The reviewer was listening to the wrong side of the record which isn't very good at all and so rightfully received a drubbing. The A side is really much, much better. Brilliant in fact. Probably the best song that The Bangles have ever done. It's a sublimely addictive piece of nonsense verse that jumps about all over the shop with this sort of imitation Middle Eastern melody. One takes "Walk Like An Egyptian" to be a reference to the ancient heiroglyphics on the pyramids in which blokes are pictured with their heads and hands at funny angles. Honorary Second Single Of The Fortnight. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, September 24, 1986)

Let's look at the cover of this one. Poor old Susanna still hasn't found a blouse and the others (whatever their names are) haven't found a comb/decent dress designer/shower (delete where applicable). For me the Bangles are the non-event of the century and this record smacks of gimmickry. Which came first, the record or the marketing campaign? 2/5 (Pat Thomas, No 1, September 6, 1986)

Pet Shop Boys - Suburbia (Parlophone)

A bit of a glum song with Neil Tennant singing about how miserable it is to live in what he calls a
'suburban hell'. I must confess that I find all this stuff about 'broken glass' and 'bus shelters' a tiny bit boring, lyrically speaking, but it's got a lovely mournful one-finger piano tune which isn't half bad at all. And it has dogs barking on it. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, September 24, 1986)

Madonna - True Blue (Sire)

There are a few like myself who are not, and have never been, smitten by the charms of Madonna. We have waited for two years for her to put a foot wrong and disappear into pop's legendary dumper. But she never does. And I'm forced to admit that she's certainly not dumper-bound with this one either. It's from the LP of the same name and has Madonna singing in a fantastically coy voice about true love, over one of those thumpa-thumpa-thumpa-thumpa rhythms. And just to prove that I've always been wrong about Madonna it'll be a huge hit. Bother. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, September 24, 1986)

Blondie had "Sunday Girl", Madonna has 'True Blue' - the perfect popsicle to sing your lungs out to. And then what? "True Blue II"? A glorious retirement? Or more filling of coffers? Whatever, Madonna will now be remembered as the girl who wrote a song so sweet it melts your brain. (Paul Simper, No 1, September 20, 1986)

Pete Wylie - Diamond Girl (MDM)

My copy of this record had a hole in it - and I don't mean in the middle. I should have tossed it aside in an indignant huff and refused to review it but in between the pops, skips and clicks there is a jolly good pop record. You just can't help but like Wylie and this is a very worthy follow up to "Sinful". I'm told the copies in the shops don't come with the second hole - perhaps I should hold onto this in case it becomes a collectors' item. 4/5 (Pat Thomas, No 1, September 6, 1986)

"The fabulous Josie Jones" is actually Pete Wylie's ex-live-in-lover, and whether she's the one responsible for making this song a superbly jaunty piece of "rock" I don't really know, but anyway it's an excellent follow-up to "Sinful". Pete Wylie's wanted to be a pop star for years and now - presto! - he is one. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, September 24, 1986)

Two People - Mouth Of An Angel (Polydor)

Liverpool group Two People were hotly tipped a while back, released a not very good single, then disappeared off the face of the planet for a while. Until now. in fact. This is a surprisingly sprightly thing, guitars strumming away at a fine old pace while kettle drums boom away and the song fair jogs along. Very acceptable. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, September 24, 1986)

Smart young men with nice haircuts part 149. Two People could be any one of those vacuous duos record companies have been hell bent on signing up. A lot of expensive production has gone into a completely unmemorable song. Even after four plays, all I wanted to do was keep staring out of the window at the pigeons. (Robin Smith, Record Mirror, September 20, 1986)

Vinyl Gold: My own copy of this single cost 16 quid, and the 12 inch is worth a bit more. Although they recorded an album, nothing by Two People has been officially released digitally.

Howard Jones - All I Want (WEA)

Hooray! He's back. And with a "new sound" too. This is the first single off his forthcoming third LP which is often the point where pop stars go off the rails a bit, but not Howard. He's returned with a harder, slightly electro-ish "sound", and one of the best songs he's ever written; a big sweeping melody and a rhythm that thumps along happily. Really very good. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, September 24, 1986)

Another chap who's had a bit of time off recently but the rest doesn't seem to have done Howie much good. The programmed synths, brassy sounds and falsetto chorus vocals are still there but unlike uplifting ditties such as "Like To Get To Know You Well", the result this time round is rather limp and a bit depressing. 2/5 (Andrew Panos, No 1, September 27, 1986)

Hollywood Beyond - No More Tears (WEA)

How very, very disappointing. One expected something better than this after the wonderfully original "What's The Colour Of Money?", but this is hopelessly average. Sure enough it rocks along at a fair old pace, and there's definitely a bit of a 'riff'' in there, but apart from lots of people chanting No more all the time like there was no tomorrow, nothing actually happens. Tush! (William Shaw, Smash Hits, September 24, 1986)

Don't expect "What's The Colour Of Money?" - look forward to something far better. This is more up-tempo, has a better variation of sounds and proves that Hollywood Beyond are in no danger of being one hit wonders. Mark Rogers may be the most outspoken man this side of Dirty Den, but this is the evidence that he has a right to be. 4/5 (Anna Martin, No 1, September 13, 1986)

I loved "What's The Colour Of Money?" but this is a distinctly off-colour follow-up. Sounds more like a Eurythmics record. More brashness, more gawkiness. Immediately. (Lesley O'Toole, Record Mirror, September 13, 1986)

Just too nice and polished. I like that son of bassline but this should have been much tougher. Wasn't bad enough where it should have been. Never edges its way above mediocrity. (Skin [of Hipsway], Record Mirror, September 13, 1986)

Samantha Fox - Hold On Tight (Jive)

Firstly, can I say that this review is in no way influenced by the death threats I received after reviewing Sammy's LP recently. OK, on with the review. Oh yeah, great. It doesn't sound a bit like Pinky and Perky meets Shakin' Stevens and don't you just love people who keep their talent up their T-shirts? Yeah, of course you do, don't we all? There, will that be OK? (Andy Strickland, Record Mirror, August 30, 1986)

Lamentable. Sam Fox wearing lace gloves, on a motorbike, singing a sort of naffo naffo "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". Perhaps the Frankie idea of canines on Kawasakis singing "Rage Hard" isn't so ludicrous after all. (Paul Simper, No 1, August 30, 1986)

A Sam Fox record without (brackets in the title)! I've always wanted to review one of her records, shame it had to be this one. After the brilliant heavy rock piss-take that was "Do Ya Do Ya Do Ya", this one falls a title flat (Are we talking about the same Sam Fox? - Ed). A standard country rockin' affair which leaves the listener in no doubt that whatever attributes Ms Fox might possess, a singing voice isn't one of them. (Pat Thomas, No 1, September 6, 1986)

Samantha, dear, dearest, sweetums. There is only one Shakin' Stevens and it is not you. Your attempt to try a spot of rock'n'roll here is little short of an absolute disgrace. Your voice is unpleasantly squeaky, and posing as a Bonnie Tyler motorcycle vixen on the record sleeve is not going to make things any better. I never ever want to hear this record again. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, September 24, 1986)

Paul Johnson - When Love Comes Calling (CBS)

This is the first single by a man who's made quite a reputation for himself as a British gospel singer. It's a lighthearted piece of soppy soul that bounces along in a most catchy manner and I've an inkling it may do rather well. Most pleasant. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, January 14, 1987)

I don't know anything about this bloke (he comes from Croydon and the single's produced by Junior Giscombe). He's got a good voice but the song doesn't go anywhere. It's too midtempo and there's not enough of a hook. I've listened to this twice and I still can't remember how it goes. It'll probably be a minor hit, around the 40s but it won't get into the Top Ten. (Lee MacDonald, No 1, February 21, 1987)

Love And Money - River Of People (Mercury)

Less overtly aggressive than "Candybar Express" and less Hall And Oates than "Dear John", L And M's third shot should give them the shortest odds on a hit yet. "River Of People sees James Grant drawing in his quiff (metaphorically speaking), toning down the squealing guitars a mite and unravelling his most conventional rocker to date. Forceful, fixating and damned wearing on the toes. (Lesley O'Toole, Record Mirror, January 10, 1987)

Hoist the flags, chher loudly and abandon yourself to wild behaviour. Amongst this fortnight's somewhat tawdry collection of singles there is this gem by this Glaswegian group. You may remember that they've already had one undeserved flop with last year's rock-along "Candybar Express", which was produced by former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, but perhaps they'll escape such shabby treatment this time with this optimistic, soulful thing that swings along at a joyful pace. Very enjoyable, praise the Lord! (William Shaw, Smash Hits, January 14, 1987)

Prince - Raspberry Beret (Warner)

The leader, and so far the only card carrying member of the new psychedelic revival is at it again. But if your first impression is to give this one a big raspberry, listen again.
This second single from the album that wasn't supposed to have any singles packs more punch than the last one. No instant appeal but could be a grower. (Pat Thomas, No 1, July 20, 1985)

The regal fruitcake returns with a chirpy tune about falling in love with someone who wears a beret. To my ears it's very much like the '60s-ish "Paisley Park", churning away to an addictive chorus in which Prince tells us about the said headgear. Of course paratroopers wear raspberry coloured berets, but I don't think we should jump to any conclusions there. (William Shaw, Smash Hits, July 17, 1985)