The official NMA board
General Category => New Model Army => Topic started by: Master Ray on August 21, 2016, 08:19:25 PM
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OK, a bit presumptuous of me :-[ ... but I thought I'd start a thread about how we all feel about the next chapter of our beloved NMA saga, WINTER, one that should be should be in our ears and our hearts by next Friday... :D
This is what happened last time (I'm not ignoring BWAB, brilliant album but sort of BDAW 1.5,if you know what I mean).. Didn't go down too well with certain folks.... 12 pages of opinions if you fancy reading or re-reading it.... quite a fun read!
http://board.newmodelarmy.org/index.php?topic=7603.0
But a lot of people posted their heartfelt opinions and I'd love to hear what people think of WINTER once they get to finally hear it. Seems like it might be a bit more 'traditional NMA', but what the heck, we've only heard 3 tracks so far...
So, come 26.08.2016... post something, eh? I certainly will!
A new NMA album coming out? Good times! :D
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As everyone else, I'm very much looking forward to it. I wasn't the biggest fan of bdaw , much preferred bwab , bdaw certainly worked a lot better live. Loved Justin's quote when asked about bdaw being very popular and the said we done the opposite in typical nma fashion. By all reports it gonna be a lot more punky n personally that's what I like
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I wasn't the biggest fan of bdaw , much preferred bwab ,
First time i listened to "Between wine and blood" i thought it was mostly "OK"...but then, 2 years later i think it's awesome and i listen to it more often than "Between dog and wolf" (a fine album, though!)...i mean..."Devil's bargain"...what a great song, powerful (and "Happy to be here"...still not available on Youtube, weirdly!)
Last major NMA album for me is "High" even if all their next albums are good...First half of "Between dog and wolf" from "Horsemen" to "Pull the sun" included is impressive...and "Today is a good day"...i was a bit bored (like "Carnival") of this album these last years but now it has a bit grown on me again! ;)
By all reports it gonna be a lot more punky n personally that's what I like
I just hope it will deliver many moods, electric storms BUT also cool, quiet, "folk" anthems...like in "High" for example ("One of the chosen", "Bloodsports", "Wired" but also the cool beauty of "Dawn", "Into the wind", "Rivers"...)!!
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Guillaume, I have had exactly the same experience with BDAW. I listened to it a lot in 2013, liked it but didn't really love it. Not listened to it for some time, but recently I have listened to it a few times again. After such a break in time, I am still familiar with the songs, but now I can really appreciate the quality and workmanship that has gone into them. BWAB I gelled with instantly and still love it.
Yes, I have been hitting the back catalogue a lot recently in training for the latest addition.
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P.S., Winter. With it being released on 26th, does anyone know if copies will be posted out on the 26th, or sent on the 25th to arrive on door steps 26th ?
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P.S., Winter. With it being released on 26th, does anyone know if copies will be posted out on the 26th, or sent on the 25th to arrive on door steps 26th ?
I seem to recall that a new album, if bought from the website, will show up through your letterbox on the official release date... maybe even a day or two before!
I also recall that a good friend sent me a brand new copy of BWAB when I was really in a bad way, financially... can't quite remember who that was right now... still thankful about that... ;)
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I think the last two release's have arrived the day before in this part of the world.
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The delivery address for mine I put as my work address, trouble is after this Wednesday I'm not in until until next Wednesday.
FFS!! :-[
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I'm really looking forward to this album. The reviews have got me excited. Took a long time to get into BDAW, loved BWAB though. Hoping for a package through my letterbox on friday :D
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Well, I feel very honoured, my copy arrived today along with the 7 inch single 8)
A sign of a good album, I think this is going to need at least five full listens till it falls into place. At first listen, very good. Quite different to BDAW. Marshall is much busier on this album.
Burn the Castle - I think with be an instant hit live in the mosh pit. Particularly liked "Eyes get used to the Darkness".
MD has a great run in "Born Feral"
From one of the reviews, - "Although the album dips a little towards the end" , Didn't think that myself. Last song "After Something" is fine.
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Wtf that's blatant favouritism lol , nice one shush, hopefully the postie will come tomorrow
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Consider me jelaous
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Im hoping mine comes in time for my weekend away. Can blast it out in the Valleys.
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I'm anxious now too, over here in the USA. Has anyone's "order status" been updated to "shipped"? Mine still says "pending release".
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Third time in, gets better each time. Love it :)
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Third time in, gets better each time. Love it :)
Yeah, rub it in, you bugger... >:( ;)
Maybe tomorrow...
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Well, I feel very honoured, my copy arrived today along with the 7 inch single 8)
A sign of a good album, I think this is going to need at least five full listens till it falls into place. At first listen, very good. Quite different to BDAW. Marshall is much busier on this album.
Burn the Castle - I think with be an instant hit live in the mosh pit. Particularly liked "Eyes get used to the Darkness".
MD has a great run in "Born Feral"
From one of the reviews, - "Although the album dips a little towards the end" , Didn't think that myself. Last song "After Something" is fine.
Same here, picked my 7 inch off the floor ( not bragging or owt ) & shock horror underneath cd of winter
my pc decided that I didn't need to listen to it and decided instead to play dead, much swearing & many hours later
the sounds started to play
so far so good, as Shush said with initial listens, got die trying and echo november in my head ( and lad at work never eard NMA
was singing along to die trying ! )
looks like we are 'one of the chosen' Shush
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On first listen so my thoughts will probably change evolve on further listenings (headphones, for example)...maybe i will be a bit "harsh"for this first listen:
It's a good album (and a very good album at times for a "generic" band) but it's a slightly above average album for NMA.
I mean, i don't think there are tracks as memorable and catchy as on their best albums, the usual catchy chorus and really haunting melodies BUT there are the usual good moments and songs, and i like the overall sound and musicianship (the rythm section ifrom Michael Dean and Ceri Monger in particular). Honestly i was expecting (and dreading a bit...) a "louder" album so i'm glad that there are still enough acoustic bits and wandering "ambient" moments. I think that the album's second half is also better than the album's first half ("songs from "Beginning" to "Drifts" included...even if there are not bad songs)
For the moment...the "standout" tracks for me are: "Die trying" (very much "Higher Wall"-like?), "Strogoula", "Echo November", "Weak and strong", "Born feral", "Winter" and the decent closing song "After something".
Burn the Castle - I think with be an instant hit live in the mosh pit. MD has a great run in "Born Feral"
i agree with what you're saying about Michael on "Born feral"..."Burn the castle" is proably the song i liked the least though!
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Guillaume, I have found this album more than others has got better with each listen, I have always believed that a song or album you eventually love has to grow on you first.
BDAW was in my mind a very polished album, as such the songs took on a different sound when played live. This album to me sounds like the band sounds live, I think we are in for some very good gigs in the next few months.
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Shush, i hope you're right and maybe my opinion about "Winter" will change after many listenings and after many weeks and moments!
I listened to it twice last night, headphones and i'm still a bix mixed about it, it has some good moments and some good songs ("Born feral" maybe the best, "Winter", "Strogoula", "burn the castle" (which i quite like now!), "die trying"...but not GREAT songs in my opinion...on most (all?) NMA albums even the lesser ones there are always 2/3 great NMA tracks...for example on BWAB i LOVED "Devil's bargain" and 'Happy to be here". The tracks on the last album are often pretty good, but not thrilling and catchy enough in my opinion like NMA at their best. I had more or less the same feeling when i listened to "Carnival", mixed and uneven album, but some of its songs have a bit grown on me (i'm not sure that the best of "Winter" is as good as the best of "Carnival", "Between dog and wold" and "Today is a good day", and i shouldn't have listened to "Thunder and consolation" after "Winter...)
But il will stop complaining for now ;D, because i enjoyed some moments on the last album, and that's probably the most important. ;)
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So, today is a good day (someone should write a song with that title... ;) )because Winter finally dropped through my letterbox...
Firstly, terrific artwork... nice to see a band still making such a cool package for the fans...
As for the music... loving it. Just onto my fifth full listen. BDAW might have divided certain long-time fans, but I think that this one will re-affirm their love for the band. More stripped-down, harsher... perhaps there's nothing as truly 'heavy' as Angry Planet (although Burn The Castle and Eyes Get Used to The Darkness come close) but there are a few tunes that will get the moshpit folks bouncing and doing the classic NMA 'arms waving and twisting, on someone shoulders' dance... :)
I have to say that 'Die Trying' didn't work for me on the two occasions I heard it live, but the album version..? Loving it, now one of my favourites...
Also, loving Echo November and Weak And Strong... I will post on the Favourite / Least Favourite threads...
So, that's that, the lads haven't let us down. I suspect that we'd forgive them if they did. After all these years, a substandard album would make us all say 'well, it had to happen one of these days, at least we'll have the old stuff at the forthcoming gigs...'
Nope. Another cracking good album that will bother my stereo for many years to come.
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Amen to that M/R. As a good bloke I used to work with would say, "You just slavered a bib full" :D
Proud of my band for turning out yet another superb album. I am sure the doubters who walked away not liking BDAW will come back cap in hand. Welcome back. :)
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BDAW might have divided certain long-time fans, but I think that this one will re-affirm their love for the band.
I am sure the doubters who walked away not liking BDAW will come back cap in hand. Welcome back. :)
More or less the same path with the stripped down "Eight" after the more complicated experimental "Strange Brotherhood" (which met mixed reviews from the fans back in 1998) and with "High" after "Carnival"...i am sure the doubters who walked away not liking "Winter" will come back cap in hand...next album! ;D
But that's ok, great artists can't please everyone with their new works :), especially after a long career full of gems.
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Firstly I don't really agree with the cap in hand idea, but hey everyone is different.
Ok so here is my very early finding (definitely not any kind of review) l find the second record a good bit stronger than the first. For you new fangled cd users that's the last seven tracks ie devil to after something. Everyone a excellent track . Not gonna pick any favourites . So the first record, winter is still the strongest song for me. Sure burn the castle is gonna be the pit favourite. I think beginning will very interesting when played live. Thought a couple of the tracks had a slight stoner element possibly qotsa to them with that kinda dirty sleazy reverb bass sound .
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I haven't read this anywhere else yet, but to me "Winter" sounds like "Carnival 2.0", but not as polished. Since "Carnival" is a personal favorite of mine, I have high hopes for "Winter" too.
But it's still too early so really judge it.
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Sorry, Pol, no offence was intended with that comment. Put it down to revised enthusiasm felt with the new album-and many bottles of Amstel last night. So I apologise (cap in hand)
Of coarse not everyone is going to like every track on every album. I have said here many times I am not a big fan of "The Love of Hopeless Causes", but do like some of the tracks. I do believe if you buy an album, these days for the price of a couple of pints and like only one or two tracks on it, then that is value for money as you have those few tracks for life.
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Fck the pints in Nottingham must have went up especially if you bought the vinyl.
Kinda was trying to say maybe bdaw wasn't everyone's favourite , me included , if anyone was silly enough to spit the dummy then it was there loss .
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I got mine on Saturday, really good album, difficult to listen to in places but some great moments on there. 'Eyes get used to the darkness' being the standout track for Me for general moshing but love all the textures that appear in a lot of the songs and some great percussion all the way through. See You all on tour, The Boys have done Us all proud here :)
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Currently on its first play having just got home to a padded envelope. Not gonna give opinions yet cos it ALWAYS takes me a few listens. But thus far nothing I dislike. 8)
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Far to good. Third listen. After 36 years they are playing the best music of their careers. They deserve so much wider recognition and always have done. Born Feral indeed.
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Aside from the actual music, the booklet packaging is of the highest quality, normal CD cases are so dull and can get scratched/damaged so easily so it is good to see a fair amount of love and care has gone into this as with previous recent releases.
My only gripe would be I need my reading glasses to read the lyrics easier.
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The lyrics are up on the website now as well, so glasses not needed ;)
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At first listen I thought "hm, don't know" (especially Beginning and Burn the Castle) but it's getting better and better. Wasn't even sure if I like the artwork when I first saw it but it goes perfectly well with the music.
As for the lyrics: Didn't really manage to make sense of them yet but I love reading that "handwriting by me." sentence again (do most of the albums have it or is that just on some? I don't own them all so I don't know ) Missed it in between dog and wolf. Yes of course it's harder to read but it suits the lyrics better and is more personal.
And: Hi!
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Loving the album so far (4 plays in). Anyone got any thoughts as to the sentiment behind Echo November? Rob's passing came to mind for me.
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Wahooooo, album arrived & it doesn't disappoint like so many other artists (2 or 3 great tunes with the rest just fillers). NMA make full albums like nobody else. This is, of course in my opinion, a fantastic piece of work.
After donkey's years, for NMA to still produce quality of this extremely high level, we as fans can only thank our lucky stars that someone once said "listen to this" & we said "more please".
Much more they still give, happy days.
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I like it so far. I think I need a few more listens before I can really judge it. I feel that this is a strong but more straight forward album which will be a welcome change for some after BDAW. I thought BDAW was absolutely fantastic so I'm trying to judge Winter on it's own terms rather than comparing it to other albums. So far, I can't hear anything that I actively dislike and at least half the songs I already love. Pretty good after a handful of listens.
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Had it for one week now giving it at least two listens a day. Like all good albums it has needed a few listens to sink in. I absolutely love it. One of the best NMA albums IMO. Does not sound as complicated as some other NMA albums, but at the same time there is lots there and plenty of depth. Just the right amount of orchestra, backing vocals, etc. A good band performance for the five. The more I listen the more subtle pieces of Keyboard can be found. Marshall bangs out some great riffs on several songs after IMO being a little under used in BDAW. Some great base lines from Ceri. Some fine work by DW, if anything is similar in this album to BDAW, it is some of the fine drum beats, particularly in "Born Feral"
Well done lads :)
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Hmmmm.....
Not convinced (yet... And aware that I didn't give BDAW a favourable review either).
I don't like the sound - for my tastes it's too claustrophobic. The use of all the bandwidth all the time isn't something I like, and I find it kills the ambience (no space for subtle use of reverbs, etc) and squashes tone, especially from the acoustic guitars.
Songwise, Die Trying jumps out, but I have to agree with the previous statement that there don't seem to be any instant NMA classics on first listen. Still, I shall persevere - maybe a moment of beauty will jump out and surprise me later.
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Hmmmm.....
Not convinced (yet... And aware that I didn't give BDAW a favourable review either).
I don't like the sound - for my tastes it's too claustrophobic. The use of all the bandwidth all the time isn't something I like, and I find it kills the ambience (no space for subtle use of reverbs, etc) and squashes tone, especially from the acoustic guitars.
Songwise, Die Trying jumps out, but I have to agree with the previous statement that there don't seem to be any instant NMA classics on first listen. Still, I shall persevere - maybe a moment of beauty will jump out and surprise me later.
Completely respect your opinion, mate. But give it another few listens... I suspect that certain tracks will, as you say, 'jump out' at you.
If not, what the fook, there are live dates ahead with plenty of stuff that you will love!
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Hmmmm.....
Not convinced (yet... And aware that I didn't give BDAW a favourable review either).
I don't like the sound - for my tastes it's too claustrophobic. The use of all the bandwidth all the time isn't something I like, and I find it kills the ambience (no space for subtle use of reverbs, etc) and squashes tone, especially from the acoustic guitars.
Songwise, Die Trying jumps out, but I have to agree with the previous statement that there don't seem to be any instant NMA classics on first listen. Still, I shall persevere - maybe a moment of beauty will jump out and surprise me later.
Completely respect your opinion, mate. But give it another few listens... I suspect that certain tracks will, as you say, 'jump out' at you.
If not, what the fook, there are live dates ahead with plenty of stuff that you will love!
Thanks MR - am looking forward to hearing and seeing this material played live, as I think the extra "space" this affords could make the songs come alive.
Also, the fact that I'm not yet convinced is in no way a dig at the band - as a musician, you have to make the music that you want to make, not churning out your most-sold record over and over ad nausem.
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Personally I think the sound of this album is faithful to how the band sound live. BDAW had a much different less polished sound live, many saying they preferred the songs on the live album over the studio album.
I think if you are still unsure about this album, just stick with it. Can honestly say, first listen for me it sounded quite plain. With each listen as with so much music it sounded better and better as the many chorus hooks dig in.
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listening for 3 days in a row now :-)
was really underwhelmed after the first run - the only thing that got stuck was the amazing guitar effect in DEVIL ...
after BDAW blew me away immediatly winter sounded rather "one dimensional" to me.
but then i sat down, read the lyrics while listening to the songs and everything changed ...
even "beginning" makes sense now, justins voice in "burn down the castle" sounds heavy (he should try that more often - i admire "someone like jesus" also because he sings with a very different voice there), "eyes got used" great lyrics, DEVIL is my favourite right now with the unique JS story building, part the water my least favourite right now. BORN FERAL coming in second right now, best line for me so far : "And it’s not where you run but who you run with ... "
looking forward to hear and feel that all live and listening to the album the next 10 years :-)
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I've managed one listen so far.
The album artwork is great, I really like it.
I thought Beginnings was a great...beginning. Moody, atmospheric, and probably my favourite track on the album
I wasn't so keen on Burn the Castle, but after that, aside from my oversensitive CD player skipping Drifts (soon remedied) I thought the whole album flowed really nicely. Die Trying stands out as I type, as well as Devil and Shogoula.
I think this is a real evolution from BDAW/BWAB.
As I say, that's only one listen.
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i admire "someone like jesus"
it's one of Justin's best "ballad" i think...what an haunting track!!
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Must be over several listens now, and beginning to become familiar.
First thoughts... it's a bit unfamiliar - more Today is a Good Day than Between Dog & Wolf (which is now in my top 2 or 3 NMA albums).
If BDAW was for the drummers then Winter is for the guitarists. The main difference these days of course with the band-in-the-room sound is a 5-piece in contrast to the old 3-piece drum/bass -driven NMA.
Beginnings - Didn't take to this to begin with - thought it should have ended before the drums come in - but it has a See You in Hell vibe to it so glad it develops and is now one of my favourites.
Burn The Castle is hilarious. Found this a bit pirate-rock to begin with (perhaps the source of that scathing Times review?), but really, it's the sound of the Mob isn't it, er, burning down the castle! I just love how Justin spits out "Burn The Castle", i'm expecting swearing but it is stronger than swearing.
Winter is great, been loving this since it came out.
Part The Waters is one of them i'm still trying to figure out the lyrics. Almost a contrasting view to Die Trying perhaps?
When it starts, woa, that's a strange NMA chord? and tremolo guitar? wait a minute Morrissey does those chords not NMA. Haha keeping us on our toes again. Great song. In a way, as it develops reminds me of a Who rock opera. One of my early favourites.
Eyes Get Used to the Darkness - a song full of verses, like Modern Times is. Growing on me more and more.
Drifts. Like this one a lot, bit of a western rhythm and vibe to it. Drums sort of a progression from Lean Back & Fall. Great hook chorus. More unfamiliar territory for NMA. Love it, another favourite.
Born Feral. Really strong song straight away. Hint of recent PJ Harvey about it too. Musically the most interesting track on the album, this will be a favourite to many.
Die Trying. Again another popular one. I love how the guitar sounds slightly out of tune at the beginning. Has a credible live camp fire vibe to it (which was probably the point).
Devil. Another favourite. It has that modern heavy rock production to it. great mix and fantastic hook chorus. Love the guitar/bass runs in the chorus too.
Strogoula / Echo November / Weak and Strong / After Something - less familiar with these due to length of the album.
Echo November is the standout of this bunch, and Weak and Strong too. The start of Echo November reminds me of Kate Bush's "Nocturn" (another great song). But not really sure what the refrain means yet (phonetic alphabet "E""N" Echo November, or just the 2nd sequel to March in September? ;D ).
Only criticism is the length of the album really. Not a fan of long albums, ie more than 10 tracks. I think vinyl was the perfect album length (45 mins), particularly these days as I rarely get chance to sit down and listen to an album longer than that. (my work bus ride 40mins)
Any remaining songs can then be used as b-sides. But saying that, I end up tagging the b-sides onto their albums anyway so my argument falls down there!
Besides maybe NMA just think, rather than messing about keeping songs back like a record company to release as cynical money-making b-sides, they just release the whole album as the project it was. Great work.
So no grumbles really. Love every NMA album and it's fantastic we have another.
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Must be over several listens now, and beginning to become familiar.
First thoughts... it's a bit unfamiliar - more Today is a Good Day than Between Dog & Wolf (which is now in my top 2 or 3 NMA albums).
If BDAW was for the drummers then Winter is for the guitarists. The main difference these days of course with the band-in-the-room sound is a 5-piece in contrast to the old 3-piece drum/bass -driven NMA.
Beginnings - Didn't take to this to begin with - thought it should have ended before the drums come in - but it has a See You in Hell vibe to it so glad it develops and is now one of my favourites.
Burn The Castle is hilarious. Found this a bit pirate-rock to begin with (perhaps the source of that scathing Times review?), but really, it's the sound of the Mob isn't it, er, burning down the castle! I just love how Justin spits out "Burn The Castle", i'm expecting swearing but it is stronger than swearing.
Winter is great, been loving this since it came out.
Part The Waters is one of them i'm still trying to figure out the lyrics. Almost a contrasting view to Die Trying perhaps?
When it starts, woa, that's a strange NMA chord? and tremolo guitar? wait a minute Morrissey does those chords not NMA. Haha keeping us on our toes again. Great song. In a way, as it develops reminds me of a Who rock opera. One of my early favourites.
Eyes Get Used to the Darkness - a song full of verses, like Modern Times is. Growing on me more and more.
Drifts. Like this one a lot, bit of a western rhythm and vibe to it. Drums sort of a progression from Lean Back & Fall. Great hook chorus. More unfamiliar territory for NMA. Love it, another favourite.
Born Feral. Really strong song straight away. Hint of recent PJ Harvey about it too. Musically the most interesting track on the album, this will be a favourite to many.
Die Trying. Again another popular one. I love how the guitar sounds slightly out of tune at the beginning. Has a credible live camp fire vibe to it (which was probably the point).
Devil. Another favourite. It has that modern heavy rock production to it. great mix and fantastic hook chorus. Love the guitar/bass runs in the chorus too.
Strogoula / Echo November / Weak and Strong / After Something - less familiar with these due to length of the album.
Echo November is the standout of this bunch, and Weak and Strong too. The start of Echo November reminds me of Kate Bush's "Nocturn" (another great song). But not really sure what the refrain means yet (phonetic alphabet "E""N" Echo November, or just the 2nd sequel to March in September? ;D ).
Only criticism is the length of the album really. Not a fan of long albums, ie more than 10 tracks. I think vinyl was the perfect album length (45 mins), particularly these days as I rarely get chance to sit down and listen to an album longer than that. (my work bus ride 40mins)
Any remaining songs can then be used as b-sides. But saying that, I end up tagging the b-sides onto their albums anyway so my argument falls down there!
Besides maybe NMA just think, rather than messing about keeping songs back like a record company to release as cynical money-making b-sides, they just release the whole album as the project it was. Great work.
So no grumbles really. Love every NMA album and it's fantastic we have another.
Enjoyed your review, mate!
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Finally got my hands on it today, so a bit early for a considered view but suffice to say currently on 5th listen...........
Beginning, Eyes Get Used To the Darkness, Born Feral and Devil are the immediate ear worms. Liking the more upfront guitar work from Marshall but also some nice bass work and keyboards coming through. Can hear some echoes of Carnival in here somewhere and also something that puts me in mind of Ghost Of Cain, dunno what though ;D
But the damn thing won't play through my laptop ???
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As much as I'm not blown away by it yet, I did wake up this morning singing the chorus from Devil.... There's hope yet, aye?
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If you listen for it you will find it lol
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echoes of Carnival in here somewhere and also something that puts me in mind of Ghost Of Cain, dunno what though
there have been a couple of comparisons made to other albums. For me, "Weak and Strong" would be at home on T&C. "After Something" would be at home on Impurity. All the others are pure Winter. :)
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Echo November is the standout of this bunch, and Weak and Strong too. The start of Echo November reminds me of Kate Bush's "Nocturn" (another great song).
Enjoyed your review, mate!
Apart from i compared Echo November to the wrong Kate Bush song! I was thinking of "How to be Invisible" (from same album as Nocturn.
No idea how the professionals can review an album after a couple of listens. It must boil down to if they like the band or not.
It's hard enough not to compare to other songs even when the output is quite unique like NMA.
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Apart from i compared Echo November to the wrong Kate Bush song! I was thinking of "How to be Invisible" (from same album as Nocturn.
indeed! really nice song! Justin is a great fan of Kate Bush.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FMtQrsKM8c
Beginnings - Didn't take to this to begin with - thought it should have ended before the drums come in -
Drifts. Like this one a lot, bit of a western rhythm and vibe to it. Drums sort of a progression from Lean Back & Fall. Great hook chorus. More unfamiliar territory for NMA. Love it, another favourite.
Born Feral. Really strong song straight away. Hint of recent PJ Harvey about it too. Musically the most interesting track on the album, this will be a favourite to many.
Only criticism is the length of the album really.
i agree!
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I need to get hold of this when I get home. Found internet access at the airport. Can't wait to listen to it instead of the 'musak' that's now playing in the hotel lobby!
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Although, saying that, Poison Prince by Amy MacDonald has just started. Now that I don't mind!
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Okay, so this is the bit where I eat my humble pie, wash it down with a long draught of bitter humility and ask for a second helping; ten or so listens and it's grown on me like fresh ivy on an old oak... Still not overly impressed with the sound (I think at the mastering stage), but have really come to like the songs in the main.
Phew!
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Apart from i compared Echo November to the wrong Kate Bush song! I was thinking of "How to be Invisible" (from same album as Nocturn.
indeed! really nice song! Justin is a great fan of Kate Bush.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FMtQrsKM8c
Man I love the Aerial album
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I've had about 30 listens of Winter over the past few weeks and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it but I can't exactly say why. There are a few songs that I like a lot and some that I'm skipping now. There are echoes of older songs here (Orange Tree Roads, Higher Wall, Too Close To The Sun, Innocence, See You In Hell, Sunset and some others that I can't quite put my finger on). Overall, I think it's a solid album. It almost sounds like a cross between BDAW/BWAB and Carnival but somehow it hasn't managed to blow me away in quite the same way as those albums did. Still a good album and Die Trying in particular is a stand out IMO.
It will be interesting to see how it stands the test of time. If the other albums are anything to go by then I will probably end up loving it.
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I have to say that this album has blown me away. In some ways, I am having the same experience as I did with 'Thunder and Consolation' back in 1989, which was my first NMA experience, and had a very intense and profound effect on me that lasts to this day. 'Winter' has rendered all other music temporarily obsolete, and is the only thing my ears want to process right now.
With that in mind, my amazon review reflects my boyish enthusiasm ;)
[I like to think of New Model Army albums as friends. They all have unique personalities, and they all have numerous reasons why you like them, yet not necessarily the same reasons across the board. Some don't make a strong first impression (Between Dog and Wolf was such for me), but over time, as you get to know them, they become so dear to you that you can't imagine life without them. Others you just click with immediately, and know that you have found a soul mate from the off.
Such is the case with Winter. I hesitate to use comparative reference to describe albums, because what we hear and get from music is so personal and subjective, but for me, this album evokes the ethereal crescendos of 'High', mixed with a splash of the growling menace of Today is a Good Day, all wrapped up in the classic touches and vibe that harks back to Impurity.
I have never heard NMA make a 'filler' number in my life- even their B Sides are pure gold to these ears, so I have NMA songs that I love, and those that I merely really like. Every song on Winter, I love. I mean genuinely adore. This album is stunning. To be able to do this in a career spanning 16 albums is frankly supernatural, and leaves me wondering if the Faustian lyrics of 'Devil' may allude to Justin having made a deal for some help somewhere along the way ;-)
It is difficult to offer highlights in an album that IS a highlight in and of itself, but 'Burn the Castle', 'Eyes Get Used to the Darkness' 'Winter', 'Devil'....you see if I carry on I am just going to write out the complete track listing.
Did I mention that this album is a masterpiece? A career highlight in a career full of highlights? Have I managed to convey how utterly and completely I implore you to buy it? Go on, 2 clicks and the price of a round and it's yours. You will not regret it, I promise.]
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Nice review Impuri-D and that is pretty much word for word what I would say. I lent Winter to a couple of people at work who just don't get it, they say it is boring, one paced and monotonous. Which in a way frustrates me but at the same time reinforces the view that this band is our secret who just get better and better. Maybe you need to be a fan to get them I don't know, I only know that it is worth something (someone should put that line in a song!!)
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some well written unofficial reviews here; https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B01IDQF74G/ref=acr_search_hist_5?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=five_star&showViewpoints=0
"There is a certain sadness running through some of this record, and a raw, unpolished, dirty sound which speaks of what CS Lewis might call the "hardness" of the universe. But there's more than a thread of hope to keep our spirits alive, and in some ways it is a testimony to the resilience of humanity in the face of difficulty. It's hard not to be impressed by the quality of the poetry in the lyrics, even if sometimes they hide deeper mysteries."
"I like to think of New Model Army albums as friends. They all have unique personalities, and they all have numerous reasons why you like them, yet not necessarily the same reasons across the board"
"I'm the grey haired grandfather in the mosh pit dancing with an enthusiasm as I did in the early days.
This band has been a huge influence on my life and continues through my kids and their kids"
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I like the comparison of the NMA albums as being friends, old and new. The albums I played endlessly in the late 80's at the time I started going out drinking are like old drinking buddies. One or two of them I haven't seen / heard for some time, but will always be special to me.
nickg, my first listen of the new album, I thought it was repetitive and boring. From past experince, I saw this as a good sign. All the albums which are my favourites I have not liked at first. To me on a top quality album there is far too much to take in for the first few listens. After 10 times, you have not just heard it properly, you have properly listened. You have had time to take in all of the instrumental work, the lyrics, the feel, not just the tune. If people want songs to like at first listen, there are plenty in the pop charts with quick to get catchy tunes. Lots of songs to like which you will then completely forget about in a couple of months. If you are looking for songs you are going to re-visit with the same enthusiasm for the rest of your life, then enjoy Winter.
I am completely in love with this album now, every track. To me it is like the vast experience and musicianship of our band has paid off. Won't be listening to anything else for some time. Some may say that is sad, - but if it makes me happy, thats not too sad :) :)
Impuri-D, completely agree, there are no "fillers" on this album. Fully accept that not all NMA fans are going to like every song on this album, but there are no fillers. What would be the point anyway. Albums long enough with as little as 10 songs. There are 14 songs because thats how many were created while making the album.
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Disapointed with Between dog and wolf, I must admit I had gave up a bit with NMA except old albums and did not quite follow the news. But recenlty came into a record shop and bought Between wine and blood. I told the seller I was bitter about the band now but said I bought it to be loyal. And well, found it really good. Checked the website, saw Winter was released and purchased it.
This album is simply and absolutely brilliant. It’s hard to compare but that’s a total huge good surprise. Don’t know why but it reminds me a bit of Impurity and songs from Eight or even older ones. But it’s like NMA had sorted all the things they’ve done since then and only kept the best aspects. NMA is an incredible band. Cannot even say what is my favourite song. It’s just the whole thing. This jewel of darkness, coldness, anger and love.
Perhaps this album is just the sound I need to hear at this point of my life. Like many NMA albums actually… Odd for an album titled Winter but it sounds like a rebirth. Despite all the doubts, fidelity may mean something after all. Gig in Paris will be great. Thanks for existing.