Thompson Twins - Lay Your Hands On Me (Arista)

WOW! A new single from THE TWINS! HEY! CRITICAL! FABEROONI! etc. The Thompson Twins find themselves in the almost enviable position of having invented their own clichés - and very marketable ones they are too. This perfectly constructed, sort of spiritual, swingalong cliché of a future hit is as pleasant (i.e. rather boring) and unassuming (i.e. rather bland) as its precursors. Pass the lentil bake, I feel a song coming on . . .  (Lesley White, Smash Hits, December 6, 1984)

This group get better all the time. They made the top five unexpectedly last Christmas with "Hold Me Now". This year, it'll be no surprise if they come out right on top. "Lay Your Hands On Me" is deceptively good. Is it Tom Bailey's ever-maturing singing, so deft and full of nuances. . Or the clever melody that tugs at so many pop memories. . . Or the lush production and the way the instruments seem to swell in and out of the mix.. Whatever it is that makes great pop, The Thompson Twins have got it. (Phil McNeill, No1, December 1, 1984)

Rod Stewart - Trouble (WEA)

Lovable old hack or LA creep? He annoys me a lot less since he's started wearing a suit instead of those cellulite-sausage lycra leggings, actually. "Some Guys", whilst unable to hold a candle to Robert Palmer's version, showed that of big nose still knew how to pick 'em. But this self-written slowie is undistinguished, to put it kindly. (Sunie, No1, November 24, 1984)

In which everyone-over-40's favourite Jack-the-lad takes a breather from the endless round of ditching old blondes, finding young ones and wearing scoop-neck t-shirts to reflect on the sorry fate of the ageing Romeo. A palatable miss-you-babyee effort, this, which merits some success. Trouble is, I remember Rod before he got a full time post at the Ministry Of Music - well 'ard, 'e was. (Lesley White, Smash Hits, December 6, 1984)

Wham! - Last Christmas (Epic)

And the public gets what the public wants . . . The mega-duo celebrate a mega-golden year with another mega-hit - no doubt about that. Well, it is Christmas and George finds himself in the clutches of a young-love crisis while Andrew looks on sympathetically and the Whamettes swoon. For all musicologists out there note the close similarity to Peaches & Herb's cream-curdling duet, "Reunited". (Lesley White, Smash Hits, December 6, 1984)

Predictable schmaltzy seasonal love story from Pinky and Perky. This must be the tenth song in the last six months to have lifted the chord structure of Peaches And Herb's "Reunited". Obviously a hit, but I'd rather listen to the Queen's speech myself. (Andy Strickland, Record Mirror, December 8, 1984)

Laudable B-Sides: Now considered something of a Christmas staple, "Last Christmas" was originally released as a double A side single, with "Everything She Wants" on the flip. After Christmas, Epic simply put the same single in a new sleeve and reversed the order, causing "Everything She Wants" to become the next big hit for the group. Incidentally, the much more obscure extended mix of "Last Christmas" was known as the "Pudding Mix".

Meat Loaf - Nowhere Fast (Arista)

Bad news for heavy metal fans this week because Meatloaf's gone all synthesisery and computerish. His latest single sounds about as heavy as Depeche Mode used to sound about 10 years ago. On the sleeve there's this competition and the prize is a complete and utter bummer right so don't enter it. The prize is a day on the road with Meatloaf and you get to eat a load of motorway food and get hassled by the pigs. Do not on any account enter this competition, it'll be really bad karma for you. (neil [Nigel Planer], Record Mirror, December 1, 1984)

Still tearing down that highway on the verge of a massive coronary, Mr Loaf's all-American biker music never fails to engage his humour. Loud and brash and full of endearing self parody, this single will surely find itself eclipsed by the rumoured follow up where Meat goes hip hop and break dances through the rock stadia of the American Mid-West. Wild! (Lesley White, Smash Hits, December 6, 1984)

Note: even in the bizarre world of pop, the idea of an actor (Nigel Planer) portraying a character (The Young Ones' hippy neil) in order to write manic and rambling reviews of singles by other artists, including future actor Meatloaf, seems very surreal indeed. This was however, shortly after the 'character' scored a Top Five hit with "Hole In My Shoe".

Tears For Fears - Shout (Mercury)

Altogether more relaxed and accomplished than their last single, "Mothers Talk". Effective and powerful pop with an insidious chorus you'll find yourself singing at the most inopportune moments. For that reason, a hit. (Lesley White, Smash Hits, December 6, 1984)

So, it's not quite such a bummer this week after all. I mean there's a new single from Tears For Fears called "Shout". It sounds a bit like the soundtrack to Merry Christmas Mister Boring. You know that film with David Bowie in it pretending to be Michael York dressed up as a lizard. (neil [Nigel Planer], Record Mirror, December 1, 1984)

From Real Men to unashamed Quiche Eaters, and 'arguably their best single yet', it says here. the singing is far too angst-ridden; something a bit cooler would have been twice as effective. But musically, as ever, they're doing interesting, textured things. I just hope that they haven't abandoned their poppier side in favour of this more sombre mood. (Sunie, No 1, November 24, 1984)