Number One Magazine (26-May-1984)
Reviewer: Karen Swayne.
After the catchy but disposable 'De Niro' here's the real proof of Bananarama's new-found maturity as song-writers. More Mamas & Papas than perky disco, 'Rough Justice' is their most complete song to date. Some seem to find the idea of the girls singing about anything other than boys and fun too ludicrous to be taken seriously, but then they are probably the ones who thought Bananarama would just be another one hit wonder. - Karen Swayne (Number One Magazine, 26 May 1984 p36).

BANANARAMA Rough Justice (London)
NME (19-May-1984)
I have no expectations of Bananarama, am quite satisfied with a tune that salvages their forebears' pride and has the apparatus of cuteness put to positive ends - something that's merely pretty is quite good enough. But does Rough Justice measure up to even that meagre standard? I say it's over-produced and overwrought, and i say over and out with it.

BANANARAMA - Rough Justice (Import Single)
Creem Magazine (USA), 1984. Reviewer: Ken Barnes
Sometimes it's frustrating when you know you've found a classic record, but the other people (reviewers) don't agree. The entire British press must have been in a royal snit when Bananarama's Rough Justice (and the sumptuous album it's taken from) came out - not one good notice on a single that's patently smashing. Bananarama are a superb modern girl group - they sing appealingly and write most of their own generally excellent material (Rough Justice even shows some socio-political awareness, and it it's not the revolutionary manifestio I thought it was before I saw the lyrics, it's a long way from Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye).

In the hallowed girl group tradition, Bananarama's producers, Tony Swain and Steve Jolley (who also do Imagination and Spandau Ballet and join Trevor Horn on my producers-to-watch list), play a substantial role in crafting the records. Rough Justice's irresistable melody is supported by a foundation of massed strummed guitars (their forte), trim sax fills, and world-class dancefloor crashes. Single of the month. So thrill to their new US single Cruel Summer (in my top 5 last year as an import), check out Rough Justice on the LP or the import single, and see if I'm not right.