If it actually had a start, a middle, and an end, we might have played it right through. The rhythm track's good, I like all the tom toms and stuff, but it doesn't seem to go anywhere. They'll probably beat us up now but I did like a couple of their records. We've got a roadie who's mad about Killing Joke but he won't go to any of their gigs because you get spat on. (Andy Taylor [Duran Duran], Record Mirror, July 14, 1984)
A very dated guitar riff announces the fact that we're not to expect anything new from Killing Joke in this latest release. They're apparently attempting to sound threatening and raw, but the band have always been a little guilty of being pantomime punks, and this just reinforces that pastiche. Killing Joke are about ten years too late, and the only people they threaten are the record company. (Muriel Gray, Smash Hits, July 19, 1984)
At last! After five years making exactly the same record - deafening drums and guitar, a tuneless vocal - Killing Joke have actually written a song. It's not a very good one, and unfortunately the swish production does let us confirm for the first time what a load of twaddle their lyrics are. Nevertheless, it's a start. (Chris Heath, Smash Hits, January 31, 1985)
Killing Joke used to make great records. Then singer Jaz Coleman took an extended holiday in Iceland and things fell apart. "Love Like Blood" starts with a big build-up, but then goes on to . . . not much. It all sounds far too smooth and compact. They just can't seem to capture the feeling anymore. (Ursula Kenny, No 1, February 9, 1985)
Legend has it that the word "languid" was put in dictionaries all over the world purely in anticipation of the coming of Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry. Disappointing though the Boys And Girls LP was, the previous single "Slave To Love" and this one stand out. Welcome rocky islands in a quicksand swamp. (Paul Bursche, No 1, August 24, 1985)
Moving from strength to strength, Killing Joke have surpassed the twisted power of "Love Like Blood" and come up with their most immediate single to date. "Adorations" has a smiliar feel to their previous hit but with greater depth of sound - there's still the threatening, distorted guitar, but this time it's blended with a synthesizer and the vocal is sung not shouted. When you look into Jaz Coleman's eyes you know he means business. And this is the business. Single Of The Week. 5/5(Frank Hopkinson, No 1, August 9, 1986)
I think Killing Joke would like baggy jumpers, too; plenty of room to ruminate. This is the usual pitch black mood, thumped out with straight faced no-nonsense seriousness. But is it really that serious, boys? (Jim Reid, Record Mirror, August 9, 1986)
'Courage and cowards move heroes to ecstasy, welcomes of war and wounds, vigil and victory.' Cor! Real swashbuckling Boy's Own stuff this. The same sort of enormous, swirling sound as "Love Like Blood" but without the power and strength which made "Blood" such a sturdy compelling noise. "Adorations" is very nearly a pop record. (Simon Mills, Smash Hits, August 13, 1986)
