Diana Ross - Shockwaves (EMI)

It's rather difficult to imagine that some 20 years ago Diana Ross (with The Supremes) was making some of the most fearsomely dazzling ditties the world has ever cocked an ear to. Sadly, her recent stuff hasn't been much cop and while this does have a thumping beat, a saxophone solo and Di sounding like she's just run up two flights of stairs, it still sounds a bit jaded and will no doubt end up being used in a "wacky" TV commercial for the hair gel of the same name. Oh dear. (Lola Borg, Smash Hits, October 7, 1987)

Pet Shop Boys - Rent (Parlophone)

You can always rely on the Pet Shop Boys to write a good tune - even though half the time they (the tunes) vaguely sound as though they once belonged to someone else. This moody slice of tragi-disco with its swirly trumpets and ping-pong-y Kraftwerk type bits is possibly even more lump-in-throat making than the wondrous "It's A Sin". The LP version is possible more dark and brooding, and this has a weedy voice-over by Neil at the beginning, but this is more than made up for by a chorus of "I love you - you pay my rent". I still think they look a bit silly in all that squeaky rubber and leather they've been wearing lately but this is fabness itself. (Lola Borg, Smash Hits, October 7, 1987)

The Cure - Just Like Heaven (Polydor)

Yet another dollop of charmingly tinkly whimsy from Robert Smith, the man who has made a career out of distractedly singing like he's contemplating the cosmos, warbling and putting on his lipstick all at the same time. Like all Cure records it gently transports you away to a dream world where tooth fairies really do exist and lollipops grow on trees - and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. (Lola Borg, Smash Hits, October 7, 1987)

The Style Council - Wanted (Polydor)

Old floppy fringe is back! And he's obviously spent his time putting every other Style Council waxing into a giant computer, jumbled them all together, pressed the button and - voila! Out pops this carbon copy of their last x-million singles. There's a bit in the middle that could well be ancient soulsters The lsley Brothers and throughout it all Paul burbles on about how he only wants to be wanted. Well, here's my little bit of advice - if that's what you want then don't make any more snoozy records like this. And get your hair done, for goodness sake. (Lola Borg, Smash Hits, October 7, 1987)

Eighth Wonder - When The Phone Stops Ringing (CBS)

I can't believe that Eighth Wonder have had a number one in Italy. Are all Italians mad? Or are they just deaf? Anyway, singer Patsy Kensit warbles an instantly forgettable tune as though she's holding a lolly in one hand and her teddy in the other and there are yet more puff pastries "tra-la-laaing" in the background. And, why, you ask yourself, does she pretend she hangs out in downtown New York and use American slang like "Momma" when she really comes from Surrey? This girl's a bit of a fraud and no mistake. (Lola Borg, Smash Hits, October 7, 1987)

George Michael - Faith (Epic)

Gosh! This kicks off brilliantly in a Songs Of Praise kind of fashion with ominous swirling church organs giving the idea that George might be back to his brilliant best, but then - alas! - it plummets rapidly into a squiffy Country and Western style jaunt with jangly guitars by the dozen. And all the while there's Georgie rasping and wheezing, Bee Gees style, about sexy bodies and other pervy nonsense. I think George Michael has got far too smutty of late and I really don't like it one little bit. (Lola Borg, Smash Hits, October 7, 1987)

Pseudo Echo - Living In A Dream (RCA)

Who, of sane mind, could ever forgive Pseudo Echo for a) having such a stupid name, b) brutally murdering that wonderful Lipps Inc. classic "Funky Town" and c) being responsible for this mundane electro-drone about walls falling all over them(!)? Not me anyway. (Lola Borg, Smash Hits, October 7, 1987)

Black - Wonderful Life (A&M)

Aaaaaah (satisfied sigh). This is a wonderful record - sentimental without being slushy, and the most enjoyable song to whistle along to this fortnight. In fact Black have released quite a few wonderful records, it's just that until "Sweetest Smile", none of them were hits. This is a re-release of one of those earlier songs, and it's possibly even more poignant and swoonful than "Sweetest Smile" (though the one before that, the Bowie-esque "Everything's Coming Up Roses" was even better). It's heartening to see someone who a) isn't particularly handsome, b) has a spook-name (i.e. Colin Vearncombe), c) has no discernible "image" and d) writes slightly odd lyrics, get into the charts purely on the strength of their music, which in this case is very strong indeed. (Vici McDonald, Smash Hits, August 12, 1987)

Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To Deserve This? (Parlophone)

The brilliant thing about the Pet Shop Boys is that they get is everything right - memorable tunes, perfect production, intelligent lyrics, excellent sleeves, loads of style and a self-deprecating sense of humour - a very rare combination. So, having decided to do a duet with a soulful chicklet, they've naturally got the best - '60s songstress and living legend Dusty Springfield. Her voice is still as thrilling as it was in her "prime"; if there were any justice in the world, a mere trill of it would be enough to make the likes of Whitney Houston crawl into a hole and weep with shame. This isn't their absolutely best-ever song, though; that has to be "Paninaro", the most perfect synth-pop thing ever invented. (Vici McDonald, Smash Hits, August 12, 1987)