Billy Bragg - Between The Wars (Go! Discs)

A low price EP of four songs showing the man with the large nose at his most potent and lyrical. Billy 'pulls no punches', the thing beginning with "Between The Wars", an anti union-bashing song and ending on a new, slower version of "It Says Here" attacking the Tory press. You could argue that blatant political commentary alienates and ends up preaching only to the converted. Yet subtlety never works either. (Eleanor Levy, Record Mirror, March 16, 1985)

With just his trusty guitar and a swagbag of modern folk songs Spiced with the acid wit of punk, Billy Bragg has confounded all those who've said such antics had no place in 1985. Neil Kinnock's fave pop person (after Trace of course) has now released his first ever 7-inch single. It has four tracks that highlight Billy's mastery of investing simple songs with a sense of defiance and humanity. At £1.25, you can't go wrong. (Adrian Tierney-Jones, No 1, March 9, 1985)

Oh dear, I hate this man and his music. I've heard this on Whistle Test and hated it – my opinion hasn't changed. It's got the same monotonous tune all the way through and he can't sing to save his life. Why don't you just leave the music business, Billy? (Marshall O'Leary, Smash Hits, March 14, 1985)