"Between dog and wolf": your reviews!

[patrick65]

The point is not the style they're into now but the quality of recent songs. I have no problem with an evolving sound as long as the songs are good. But aside of few exceptions, they're not. And frankly, the style has not changed that much through the years ; it is still mainly something dark perhaps even darker than ever. But this is less and less intense. The beauty of truth has disappeared. The beauty of emotions, the beauty of subjectivity, the beauty of revolt, the beauty of despair, the beauty of melancholy, the powerfulness of melody, harmony and rhythm, so simple and so complex at the same time.

This has been lost since 2005. By the way this include in NMA masterpieces not only the 80's one but all the 90's and early 2000 albums including Eight, Lost Songs and JS solo albums. Since Carnival only All consuming fire, Sky In Your Eyes, Into the Wind, Rumour and Rapture, One Bullet, Fireworks Night, States Radio, Arm Yourselves and Run, North Star barely get the level of the old ones. On the last one Lean Back and Fall, Qasr El Nil Bridge and Tomorrow Came are not bad but this is even far from the songs I have mentioned above.

I'm just discovering the new album in its entirety.
ok it's the time of maturity.
ok it's rather different on the form...  but not really on the content, and I can feel Justin's style in this album.
this seems to me very important.

@A-lex : I don't agree with you. 2005 ? and why not earlier ?  (kidding) 
it's your point of view and I respect it.

For 30 years, the world has changed, people have changed, and.... NMA has changed too.

I can find again in BDAW what I've still loved in NMA music: energy, poetry, unique feeling, unique way of seeing the life... even if it's less rock&roll than previous albums.

[Steve L]

   This album could have been aptly named 'Echoes' if the name wasn't already taken by Pink Floyd. All through the album there are reminders of past works from the band, for all a lot of the album is very different from previous works, for me it feels very familiar. From the first listen it was like sitting having a chat to an old friend you hadn't seen for ages, you have both changed but still feel familiar with each other.
    There are more obvious connections, as previously mentioned the title track instantly reminded me of Bluebeat and not just because of the Xylophone, though I'm sure that is a part of it. Red Earth is an influence throughout, a lot of this album seems to be born out of that song, drums drums and more drums.
    High is in there too, the tribal feel of 'One of the Chosen' and the gentle  'Sky in your Eyes' can both be felt in different songs.
    There are lots more, some of which I haven't quite put my finger on yet, such is the scope and subtlety of this very very clever album.
    All through BDAW there is that raw power that NMA put into their music, but this time it is not quite unleashed, just simmering under the surface. The storytelling has reached a new level on this album, almost poetic, very thought provoking, a great listen  on the headphones in a darkened room enjoying the images conjured up.
     I'm no musician, but I feel the cleverest part of this album musically is Marshall's guitar work, yes it has been sacrificed in places to make way for the drums, but it comes in and out of the songs seamlessly sounding just right and it can't have been easy to achieve this.
    A lot more backing vocals on this album, something that doesn't seem to have gone down well with everyone, personally I like it.
    This is without doubt the cleverest album NMA have ever produced, is it the best? I don't know yet, it might well be, but it's too soon to tell. It certainly isn't an album for everyone, a few people don't like it and to be honest I can understand why, but for me it is a masterpiece to match anything they have made before.

[marius]

"And me i have got a black place in my heart my favourite chord, my favourite card, that i draw everytime at these occasions"  goosebumps everytime I listen to this song

[lotus]

Produktinformation
Amazon Germany:

    Audio CD (20. September 2013)
    Anzahl Disks/Tonträger: 1
    Label: Edel Records (Edel)
    ASIN: B00DUPQA1A
    Weitere verfügbare Ausgaben: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3-Download
    Durchschnittliche Kundenbewertung: 4.8 von 5 Sternen  Alle Rezensionen anzeigen (13 Kundenrezensionen)
    Amazon Bestseller-Rang: Nr. 78 in Musik (Siehe Top 100 in Musik)
        Nr. 3 in Musik > Alternative > Alternative Rock
        Nr. 22 in Musik > Rock

[Guillaume]

I'm no musician, but I feel the cleverest part of this album musically is Marshall's guitar work, yes it has been sacrificed in places to make way for the drums, but it comes in and out of the songs seamlessly sounding just right and it can't have been easy to achieve this.

His work on the album is rather understated/restrained, more subtle i think, i love his guitar bit at the end of "March in September" for example, it enhances the beauty of this song, same for the "spanish" (?) guitar on the chorus of "Qasr El Nil Bridge' and the bit before the "Where the breath...where the blood..." part of "Between dog and wolf".
I also want to add that Ceri is also doing a more than apt work on this album, think of the thrilling part at the end of "I need more time"!...or cool bass lines on "March in September", "Seven Times" and "Pull the sun"...Ceri's work is never intrusive and fits well the songs.

Produktinformation
Amazon Germany:

    Audio CD (20. September 2013)
    Anzahl Disks/Tonträger: 1
    Label: Edel Records (Edel)
    ASIN: B00DUPQA1A
    Weitere verfügbare Ausgaben: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3-Download
    Durchschnittliche Kundenbewertung: 4.8 von 5 Sternen  Alle Rezensionen anzeigen (13 Kundenrezensionen)
    Amazon Bestseller-Rang: Nr. 78 in Musik (Siehe Top 100 in Musik)
        Nr. 3 in Musik > Alternative > Alternative Rock
        Nr. 22 in Musik > Rock

Not bad at all ranking  it seems!

[Spudthemariner]

Absolutely love it!
Was expecting that this one would split the crowd but to me it just gets better with every listen (and it definitely helps with a bit of volume). Don't get me wrong, I think that its possibly a couple of songs too long (not sure which as yet) and interestingly, I'm not massively convinced by Seven Times. But yeah, as I said, love it.
The fact that the Army are constantly changing and challenging us is one of the reasons why I still love them and haven't consigned them to the 'meh' file (as I have with a few other past favorites). I can get the NBTS and Carnival comparisons totally. Interestingly (again) I didn't really get Carnival for several years, but then my better half started blasting it out in the van, and it suddenly clicked....
As a sailor though, this one (I think) will be taking it's place next to NBTS as a must have when I'm away! 

   

[Pim]

Finally got it today and I think it's ******* brilliant! The only problem is I can only see them play the songs in Amsterdam. All that bloody waiting!

[Master Ray]

Previously, I made a comment about 'don't feed the troll' or something and I'm feeling a bit awkward about that... after re-reading A-Lex's post, I realised I missed something... ' it started with the two words 'TO ME...'

A-Lex did, actually, make a valid point, albeit one made in a bit of a derogatory way...  if he's fallen out of love with NMA since 2005, then we should respect that. I'm sure that there are a hell of a lot of people who were into the guys in the late 80's but have never bought an album or seen a show since then.

NMA are a constantly evolving band and any kind of evolution will leave some people behind.

All I can say is that A-lex, if you're still reading, I hope you check out the band on their forthcoming tour. I still think your message was a bit insensitive, but the boys are always worth checking out live!  Who knows, some of these tracks might grow on you!!!

 
 

[df]

When they did 7 times, horsemen and March in to September at the preston gig earlier this year, i instantly felt like I knew them, even though it was the first time I'd heard them. So yes....... do check out a live performance.

[Erekosë]

Hmmm, thought you were goin, away ?

And people wonder why there are so many people that departed this board and moved over to Facebook instead...


I don't think his original comments were at all rude - it's simply his opinion of this album and their recent output.  Nothing wrong with that.

[Knievel]

I do hope we're all playing nicely here?
Hello boys and girls - I've been away for a little while again - Got home to a red card that tell's me I've got a new slab of vinyl waiting at the post office - I'm looking forward to it - There were too many messages here to read all seven pages but I read a good handful and quite honestly I felt re assured by the less than raving reviews. It is good to see a forum that isn't filled with platitudes...now let's just hope they do some Rod Stewart on the new tour - 

[Shush]

Hmmm, thought you were goin, away ?

And people wonder why there are so many people that departed this board and moved over to Facebook instead...


I don't think his original comments were at all rude - it's simply his opinion of this album and their recent output.  Nothing wrong with that.

OK, fair point. All opinions are valid, and I have said as such recently . A-lex, if I have been too harsh in responses to your posts, I apologise. Although I disagree with what you have said, I think it is brave of you to say it here.

Also to be fair, when Carnival is referred to as the bands act of death, but imply its not as bad as the new one, its bound to get a response.

A-lex, the passion is not dead -in my opinion-. I hope you still continue to enjoy the back catalogue if not the recent material   

[Guillaume]

On heavy rotation since Saturday in my car cd player and on my headphones, i think that the album's first half from "Horsemen" to "Pull the sun" included is really strong stuff on all levels...

"And me i have got a black place in my heart my favourite chord, my favourite card, that i draw everytime at these occasions"  goosebumps everytime I listen to this song

It's a great song, sad and haunting.

[Johnz]

   This album could have been aptly named 'Echoes' if the name wasn't already taken by Pink Floyd. All through the album there are reminders of past works from the band, for all a lot of the album is very different from previous works, for me it feels very familiar. From the first listen it was like sitting having a chat to an old friend you hadn't seen for ages, you have both changed but still feel familiar with each other.
    There are more obvious connections, as previously mentioned the title track instantly reminded me of Bluebeat and not just because of the Xylophone, though I'm sure that is a part of it. Red Earth is an influence throughout, a lot of this album seems to be born out of that song, drums drums and more drums.
    High is in there too, the tribal feel of 'One of the Chosen' and the gentle  'Sky in your Eyes' can both be felt in different songs.
    There are lots more, some of which I haven't quite put my finger on yet, such is the scope and subtlety of this very very clever album.
    All through BDAW there is that raw power that NMA put into their music, but this time it is not quite unleashed, just simmering under the surface. The storytelling has reached a new level on this album, almost poetic, very thought provoking, a great listen  on the headphones in a darkened room enjoying the images conjured up.
     I'm no musician, but I feel the cleverest part of this album musically is Marshall's guitar work, yes it has been sacrificed in places to make way for the drums, but it comes in and out of the songs seamlessly sounding just right and it can't have been easy to achieve this.
    A lot more backing vocals on this album, something that doesn't seem to have gone down well with everyone, personally I like it.
    This is without doubt the cleverest album NMA have ever produced, is it the best? I don't know yet, it might well be, but it's too soon to tell. It certainly isn't an album for everyone, a few people don't like it and to be honest I can understand why, but for me it is a masterpiece to match anything they have made before.

Great summary. I like the "echoes" analogy. There are so many nods to old songs. More than on any other album. Yet the result is something exciting and new. Elements of Bluebeat, Lullaby, Flying through the smoke, LS43, Red earth and One of the chosen are all in there somewhere.

[moontan]

Not sure what to  make of it yet. I tend to prefer the 'rock band in a room approach' to music.
Love the opening 3 tracks. Not so sure about some of the others.
I think it needs to be listened to late at night, by an open fire, drinking a decent whisky
I always reckon that the only test of an album is whether I'm still listening to it a year or so down the line.
Some albums I've played to death initially and then never listened to again. Others have taken a long time to get into. Hopefully BDAW is one of the latter.
Looking forward to the tour