Roaring Boys - House Of Stone (Epic)

When they first appeared earlier this year, perfectly made up with not a hair out of place, the Roaring Boys came in for some stick. Touted as the next DD rumours flew of huge advance payments etc etc. "We're serious musicians," they pouted. Maybe. But this single will do nothing to add to their credibility. Dull, instantly forgettable, and going absolutely nowhere. Don't spend it all at once lads. (Anne Lambert, No 1, June 15, 1985)

Y'know I actually feel quite sorry for those lovable old empty-heads the Roaring Boys. Imagine having all that money and all those people telling you how very talented and good looking you are when in fact - yeah, hilarious isn't it - you're not. In fact an uglier bunch of derivative old also-rans you'd be hard pressed to find. "House Of Stone" treads the well-worn path of sub-Roxy moodiness with all the content, all the right noises but not one whiff of the style or personality. (Graham K Smith, Record Mirror, June 15, 1985)