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)