Marc Almond - Love Letter (Virgin)

A strange choice for the follow up to "Stories Of Johnny". Marc contracts a touch of Bronski-itis and flutters his eyelashes on a lullaby vocal set against a galloping electro beat. In a sprint to the finish he just about keeps up with the rhythm to bring off a minor victory for perverse synchronicity. Get the 12 inch for the full, long-distance drama. (Roger Morton, Record Mirror, October 19, 1985)

He's known as "The Boss" round these parts, actually. But at the risk of getting the sack, I have to say that this one's a mite tiresome, what with a jittery synth backing that sets the teeth on edge, and a more repetitive and simplistic lyric than one expects from such an accomplished storyteller. Not one of his best. (Vici MacDonald, Smash Hits, October 9, 1985)

Subtitled "a simple message of undying devotion", this finds the willing sinner in a very romantic mood. The sleaze of old has been replaced by a lush melodrama, with Marc's vocals mixing sweetly with those of a choir. The hi-energy synth beat saves the thing from drowning in schmaltz, giving it a remarkably cheery sound after the depths of despair that the Almond of old indulged in. It must be love ... (Karen Swayne, No 1, October 19, 1985)