Sounds Magazine
review by Hugh Fielder July 2, 1983
Who's been listening to the Mamas And Papas then? But if they've learnt the technique they still shy away from the spirit. The hook line apart (which is probably enough to give them a hit by default), their ideas are spread pretty thinly and their lacklustre vocals verge on the turgid.

BANANARAMA ' Cruel Summer'
Review by Steve Sutherland, NME 2 July 1983
Some people, it seems, have no self-respect. None! To rewrite, or rather, re-record (I wouldn't dream of endowing anything Bananarama evertouch with the virtue of having been written!) any song for the upteenth time is bad enough, but when that song consists solely of extending a chiched chorus over a riff ad nauseam, with little charm and no intelligence, the point, apart from financial, evades me.
Messrs Jolly and Swain of Imagination and Spandau fame are responsible for delauing this wash-out existence. They shoudl know better. Switch off the life support, Let the gimmick die. Now!

BANANARAMA
Cruel Summer (July 1983)
Review by Phil McNeill
Producers Swain and jolley give the bananas a bit more muscle but the effort is as bland as ever. These days it seems as if anybody can have hit records. Generally this is a good thing. With Bananarama, I'm not so sure. - Phil McNeill