Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better (WEA)

Years from now, when the '80s are but a memory, I will still detest Howard's "New Song" as much as the day I first heard it, and squirm every time anyone mentions 'mental chains'. But ever since that rather ropey opener, he's been making increasingly likeable pop songs. This is no exception. The bubbling uptempo arrangement (especially good on the 12") masks a rather slight main tune, but the real killer bit is the chant. For the next two months the milkman, the hairdresser, the window cleaner and just about everyone else important in your life will be driving you barmy with their out-of-tune renditions of "woah-oh woah-oh-oh woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh-oh, woah-oh". A massive hit. (Chris Heath, Smash Hits, January 31, 1985)

Song construction kit: take two Squezy bottles, some sticky back paper, an outtake from Finland's entry in last year's Eurovision Song Contest and a smidgeon of garden fence philosophy. Then, get in some real fine musicians, beef it up a bit and smile. (Jim Reid, Record Mirror, February 2, 1985)

Never having succumbed to the Howie `I'm just an ordinary guy with a daft haircut' charm, this one totally passes me by. He sounds as optimistic as ever (how can anyone be that chirpy?), but has dropped the synth dependence for bass and brass and a chorus of "woh woh woah woah woh" which gets more than a touch irritating. 'Things. . .' bounces along merrily enough but there's nothing to convince me that I'd like to get to know him well. (Karen Swayne, No 1, February 2, 1985)