Edwyn Collins - Don't Shilly Shally (Elevation)

Five years ago this man's not-very-ugly face adorned the cover of Smash Hits, since when he's gradually floundered into undeserved obscurity. Nevertheless, he's been very influential: the naive pop songs of his early '80s group Orange Juice Inspired practically single-handedly the thousands of jangly, shambling, anorak-bedecked indie groups so beloved of Janice Long (a somewhat dubious honour, Some would say). This is his first single for two years and, weirdly, it's produced by the Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie; this works, even though Edwyn's raw, twangy, guitar-laden rock 'n' roll is about as far removed from the Cocteaus' swirlesque gloom as you can get. Sadly, the record probably won't get beyond night-time radio, although anything which manages to be so drivingly humalong and include the immortal lines "Put this record on again and turn the volume up to ten" quite clearly deserves to be a hit. Pity about the abysmally designed Cover, though ... (Vici MacDonald, Smash Hits, August 12, 1987)

Orange Juice were a good old band and it's good to see Edwyn Collins finally back in action. This is yet another song with a strong '60s influence (I've got the '60s coming out of my ears this week!) with Beatlesque harmonies on the chorus. Ace! (Debbi Voller, No 1, July 25, 1987)

Dave: It's certainly a bigger pop noise than he's ever produced before but it's the same old diction and everything I love.
Simon: Wonderful! Strange choice of producer (Robin 'Cochteau' Guthrie) but it works. Great guitar sound but I'm not so keen on the sleeve, Edwin. You come and produce our next single and we'll do your next sleeve. (The Chesterfields, Record Mirror, August 1, 1987)