Hipsway - Ask The Lord (A New Version) (Mercury)

Amazing how much better records sound when the band are famous. This is a "new version" - remarkably similar to the old version, actually - of Hipsway's earliest single, a naggingly catchy, busy little chugger which begins with an Eastern call to prayer, has Graham "Skin" Skinner observing that money doesn't bring happiness (crackling with originality, this) in the middle and ends with him asking the Lord why not. The Lord's reply (if any) is not recorded. (Ian Cranna, Smash Hits, May 7, 1986)

OK. So we know what a good single this is. But, does that really justify its re-release (even if the cover itself is pretty snazzy)? What makes it worse is the fact that there are some exceedingly lush tunes on their self-titled debut LP eagerly beckoning release - namely "Forbidden" and "Long White Car". Hands up (and no cheating!) those of you out there that can 'really' distinguish an original recording from its newly remixed twin? Not many I'll bet. A worthy song all the same. 3/5 (Anna Martin, No 1, May 10, 1986)