The Brilliant Corners - Fruit Machine EP (Revolver)

Imagine the Buzzcocks, only with Morrissey doing a Lloyd Cole impersonation topped with a vintage Dexys horn section. Not far from the sound of the Brilliant Corners - a nail-bitingly fresh guitar sound with some of the wittiest songs about everyday life - and things - it will ever be your privilege to hear. Four sumptuously pleasing tracks, highlight of which is the touching "Jim's Room" - a homage to a lost friend that includes the epitaph "he gave me his ashtray; I was touched by this gesture... and he didn't even have a great haircut." Poetry. (Eleanor Levy, Record Mirror, May 31, 1986)