XTC - This World Over (Virgin)

Mention XTC in mixed company and no doubt you'll be regaled with a chorus of "Making Plans For Nigel", their biggest hit. Five years later, they're still slogging away getting more misses than hits. "This World Over" is a sad, regret-filled postcard of a song from a post-nuclear holocaust world. It's haunting and chilling and might finally end those choruses of 'Nigel'. (Adrian Tierney-Jones, No 1, November 10, 1984)

Anti-war holler, wistful and winsome. XTC have stepped back from music industry machinations and are making better records. (Morrissey, Smash Hits, October 24, 1984)