poptimists | Now 4 YSI Redemption Special

Because I'm going to Spain (cousin norman had a real fine time last year) until Monday the next Now poll won't be until Tuesday. Cease yr wailing! It gives you time to RE-ASSESS these tunes from Now 4:

Kim Wilde - The Second Time: "lost" KW single falls into the "bang on the 80s production and never mind the tune" box but is not really the worse for that (and most of the tracks from that new Madonna album will sound the equivalent in 20 yrs time so give the lass a break).

Bronski Beat - Why?: "You and me together, fighting for our love!" - this shd have been a contender in the poor field of Now 4 and instead languishes with under 50% approval rating, SHAME ON US ALL.

Elton John - Passengers: OK it's no Nikita but this flirtation w/"tribal rhythms" has a certain brio lacking from most of EJ's 80s and subsequent work. I think it's about Apartheid, in the way that everything was then.

Not related to NOW 4 at all but somebody put it on the Bad Place thread for me and I thought I'd share it:

The Other Two - Selfish: it is her and him out of New Order making gentle and slightly twee electropop. I gave this single of the week the only time I ever wrote about singles for my student newspaper. It's quite good!