With 1982’s Too-Rye-Ay and its international hit “Come On Eileen,” Dexys Midnight Runners entered the realm of proper pop stars. However, as one of music’s genuine visionaries, Kevin Rowland was never going to fall into complacency. Don’t Stand Me Down cost a fortune to make, the group initially refused to release any singles from it and audiences were bemused by its passages of seemingly rambling conversation. However, time has shown the band’s third album to be its most artistically rewarding. Not least on “This Is What She’s Like”: 12 glorious minutes which encapsulate all the joy and burning desire for transcendence that made Dexys one of the 1980s greatest bands. 

– Chris Catchpole