Everything But The Girl - Native Land (WEA)

Although the lyrics are quite challenging, this jazzy, late-night music is perfect to `mellow out' and 'get laid back' to. The only jarring note is the suspiciously out-of-tune harmonica in the middle. What's wrong with a nice bit of flute? (Vici MacDonald, Smash Hits, September 27, 1984)

I'm starting to think "Each And Every One" was a fluke. Nothing Ben Watt and Tracy Thorn have done before or since has matched their own solo work. Lyrically, "Native Land" is a brilliant plea for tolerance and understanding – in a town, in the world. But what little excitement there is in the tune is trodden flat by Tracy's lumpen, hung-over vocal and - on my copy at least - Smithman Johnny Marr's harmonica solo, which sounds painfully off-key. A major re-think required. (Martin Townsend, No 1, September 29, 1984)