Robert Marlow - The Face Of Dorian Gray (Reset Records)

Mr. Marlow is another member of the Basildon mafia, here given his first sniff of the big time on Vince Clarke's new label. The poppy synths carry Vince's trademark but the song, a brief synopsis of an Oscar Wilde novel, lacks that certain something – a strong melody. Still, a useful plot summary if you ever have to study the book. (Mark Cooper, No 1, July 16, 1983)

This is the sort of stuff I expected to hear from Vince Clarke after he left Depeche Mode, rather than the gems he produced with Alf. Pretentious words, clever clever sounds and a catchy tune make up the first release on Vince's new label and it sounds as though he played all the instruments as well (he did co-produce it). RM has got a bland voice and the song is probably a Yazoo reject. (Peter Martin, Smash Hits, August 4, 1983)

Oh dear, how many things has good old Oscar's tribute to youth inspired so far? Well, here's another one and the plink plonk of the synth is about the only new ingredient. That Paris grave must be in perpetual turmoil. (Simon Tebbutt, Record Mirror, July 30, 1983)