Tears For Fears - The Way You Are (Phonogram)

Apparently months in the making and full of moaning in rhythm, noises from the mysterious East and words about the singer's hands belonging to someone else. All a bit odd, really. I still couldn't make head nor tail of it. Unlikely, but brave. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, December 8, 1983)

Boring. There's no melody, no tune in the backing 'cos it's all percussive. Not one of their best, definitely, but they do have a huge following, so... (Keren Woodward [Bananarama], Record Mirror, December 3, 1983)

They can write good songs, but this isn't one of them. "Pale Shelter" I thought was great. Trouble is, I think those noises have been used all this year by them, by Japan, and that horrible Howard Jones! It makes me sick the way everyone has to bring out a new single every three months. We just refuse to do it. We're only going to release singles when we like them. (Siobhan Fahey [Bananarama], Record Mirror, December 3, 1983)

If all the reviews in this column were reduced to a yes or a no, I'd give this one a definite yes. It's very much the same TFF, well-arranged and tuneful, though not a very strong song. The lyrics are still a bit sixth form, the production still accounts for a good half of the record's merits . . . But in the end, it is a good pop record. Yes. (Sunie, No 1, November 26, 1983)