Spandau Ballet - Through The Barricades (CBS)

After the initial rocking rowdiness of "Fight For Ourselves" the Spands have toned down a notch or two and produced a cool, calculatingly dreamy ballad. Here Tone's distinctive vocals tremble seductively as he finally gets to sing the type of irritating song mums and aunties will be turning the radio up for. In the background there's a smooth, sexy wailing sax, in the foreground, an alluringly gently-strummed guitar, both of which compliment big Tone's big voice a treat. Unadventurous but highly polished, this is very much a classic Spands release - a safe and a sure-fire hit. Just watch this glide effortlessly into the Top 40. (Anna Martin, No 1, November 1, 1986)

Here come Spandau Ballet sounding about as "profound" as Nick Berry and dressed with about as much style as Wicksey. And what a preposterous name for a song - even The Banned's Harry "Trotsky", who uses phrases like "selling out to the establishment", would hesitate before calling a song "Through The Barricades". What has happened to Spandau Ballet? I can remember when they used to make brilliant records like "Chant No. I ", wear dead smart gear and say things like: 'We want this band to be the most contemporary statement possible.' This is all about the troubles in Northern Ireland with references to being 'born on different sides of life' (Protestant and Catholic?) and 'making love on wasteland' all tinged with a vaguely Gaelic, acoustic feel. I'm sure it's all very sincere and significant - I just can't stand it. (Simon Mills, Smash Hits, October 22, 1986)