SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN

Both tracks on this single are from the 1987 album Sirius, which hasn't stood the test of time quite as well as Macalla (1985). Much of Sirius feels a bit over-produced in the 80's pop style. 'Something to Believe In' is a nice mid-tempo ballad featuring piano and backing vocals of Bruce Horsby (who had a hit 'It's Just the Way It Is'). Moira Brennan's vocals suit excellently to this melodic song. Elton John might have written something in this vein, but I don't think I'd enjoy any of his 80's songs as much as this Clannad song.

'Second Nature' is more fast-moving, and if I remember right, one of the worst in Sirius. It has a wrong kind of 'edginess' that feels somehow phoney. Despite the A side song being fairly good as a pop song, there's hardly a reason to rate this single more than two stars in this site.