The Blow Monkeys - Out With Her (RCA)

What an old cynic Dr Robert is. Everyone else is falling over themselves with the joys of being in love, and here he is analysing the consequences. Should his heart rule his head or vice versa? Judging by all the sighing and gasping he's up to on this slowie, it sounds like love doesn't really come into it at all. Not when you can survive on lust. Classy all the same. (Jane Wilkes, Record Mirror, March 21, 1987)

Hark! What a cheeky monkey Dr Robert is. Hear him wake up, yawn, stretch and then launch into the heaviest breathing I've heard this side of Donna Summer. Highly provocative, and if that alone doesn't make this song appealing, the sultry, smoothy blend of piano and glistening percussion just might. Most relaxing, I must say. (Ro Newton, Smash Hits, March 25, 1987)

The Weeds - China Doll (In Tape)

Yet more Stooge-aphiles here. Splendid country and northern tally ho with a fine line in raucous bounce and bawl. With some incredibly penetrating female vocals on the chorus, this is finger lickin' good. And if anyone recognises their graphics as being akin to a Sixties psychedelic combo of not dissimilar name, contact Age Concern immediately. (Jane Wilkes, Record Mirror, October 25, 1986)

The Mighty Lemon Drops - My Biggest Thrill (Blue Guitar)

Easily their most instantly accessible track to date, all bouncing rhythms and catchy melodies plus some scorching guitar, this couldn't be further from Bunnyland. And what's more, there isn't an 'up', 'down', or an 'around' within earshot. This one's all spills, fills, hills and thrills instead. It'll have them humming all the way to the bank, no doubt. (Jane Wilkes, Record Mirror, October 25, 1986)

If, by any chance, you've been wondering what Echo And The Bunnymen have been up to lately, they've actually gone into hospital and been transplanted into something called The Mighty Lemon Drops. The only problem is that The Lemons (The Droppies?) forgot to borrow any of the better songs and are thus left with a fair amount of egg on face. (Barry McIlheney, Smash Hits, November 5, 1986)

Madonna - La Isla Bonita (Sire)

I've heard this a million times already. I like her and her music's always entertaining. I don't think she's made a bad record, but sometimes you have to be inspired by music and not just entertained. I quite like her records but if there were two record shops across the road and one of them was playing this, I'd go in the other one! I like it but it's not her best. (Owen Paul, No 1, March 28, 1987)

Presumably the last (but not least) single from the True Blue album, "La Isla Bonita" is as close to Abba as Madonna can get without learning a second language. Swaying palms and balmy harmonies. But would she share her desert island idyll with Oliver Reed and a jug of orange? (Paul Simper, No 1, March 7, 1987)

And another one from the multi-platinum True Blue LP. But it's not exactly special. It's got all the Madonna trademarks - a catchy disco synth-beat and the luscious pouting vocals - but it's not cheeky enough. It's not even suggestive. Madonna dreaming of being seduced on a tropical island, by Spanish lullabies!!?? It just isn't up to the gal's usual standard. (Jane Wilkes, Record Mirror, March 21, 1987)