BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF, 2 years on... how do you feel about it?

[Master Ray]

OK, I know we're a couple of weeks away from the actual 2 year anniversary of BDAW, but I couldn't wait... 

I've been looking over old threads regarding this album and it surprises me how 'down' a lot of posters were about that album when it first came out.  Granted, that was before we all saw those tunes played live... and I think we'll agree that they went down well!

I'd be interested to see how any folks who weren't convinced about the worth of the album (when it first came out) feel nowadays.  Likewise, the hardcore BDAW lovers... you still listen to it a lot?  Or are you getting back to the 'old' stuff?

It is doubtlessly (IMO) the most diversive NMA album.

For my part..? It's one I'll relax to and possibly skip the more guitar-y tracks.  It's more about the drums and bass and, yes, keyboards, right now.

Still one of my top 3 NMA albums.

How you lot feeling right now about BDAW?

 

[claireinblack]

Two years?!!!! Blimey..

Ok i wasn't keen then and i'm still not keen now.
There are a couple of bits that i really love, but on the whole, its the one album that i really dont play. I do feel that hearing the album live gave a differant slant to the tracks, some much better (Knieval) and some much worse (lean back and fall, Between dog and wolf). The bass intro on Pull the sun is superb live, but for me, this is difinately their weakest album so far.

 

[Bunny]

Interesting to raise this again. Tbh i like the album but....it wasnt an easy listen first off. I think now, in hindsight, I prefer what came before and BWAB after. But that may be my musical taste, liking heavier stuff I guess.

[Johnz]

I loved it straight away and still do.

One of their best in my opinion.

[Coumarin]

a great album, some take a while to sink in as it were, as with every bands new output, this didn't take long before it "clicked" in my mind, maybe it was Ceri's new input to things?   everything moves on and evolves.

[Guillaume]

I liked it and still like it, two years later...fine album with solid songs and great moods at times, one minor complaint: it's a bit overlong at times...and, maybe, finally, i like more "Between wine and blood"!!

[Pol]

Definitely took some time for some of the songs to hit home, it wasn't as instant for me as other nma albums, hearing the songs live has far improved the experience of bdaw

[Anna Woman von NRW]

A class bit of work.

Layers, textures and depth all over the place. Much more going on than the first few listens might suggest. Seams that 2 years later (really? Feck me!  ) there's still the odd little part of the mix that you might not have clocked before that rises to the ear. And that's before I start gobbing off about the words.......

A couple of personal "skippers" but who ever heard of a flawless diamond?

Easily stands up there at the top of the tree.

 

[witch]

First its a good thread Master Ray .
For me its a masterpice of NMA work strong and powerfulll lots of energy  and I  really love Michaels work on the drums  So feeling glad about this album straight away feeling in love with BDAW really .....
We are having 3 cds NMA BDAW one for my husbands car one for my car and one cd for our home so since BDAW came out Im listening to this cd every day .....for 2 years now and still loving this album soo much so thxs a lot to NMA for getting BDAW

[Shush]

hmm, yes another two years of life that have whizzed by 

BDAW still sounds like a very professionally made album that the band are right to be proud of and a brave change to the more familiar guitar lead sound. I do think at times it sounds a bit over-worked but there is nothing wrong with the songs. Listening to the album you could be forgiven for thinking the songs wouldn't work live, but they well and truly do, one or two much better than on the album, for me, "Storm clouds" takes on new life as a live song. 

[Master Ray]

Some terrific responses here!  Please keep 'em coming!

[Intothewind]

Really love it. Not so hot on the studio Wine and blood songs for some reason, but High, Good day and Wolf are some of my favourite NMA and easily the albums I listen to most.

The live Wine versions add a bit of grit and power not quite captured on the studio album, but it is still a brilliant piece of work and perhaps (along with High) their most moving album, I don't know what it is but this music/lyrics just taps into something deep within me.   

[jackroadkill]

Didn't like it at all, and am still not keen.  I'm afraid to say that I find it quite boring, and overfull of clever production which (in my - possibly not very popular! - opinion) comes at the expense of songwriting.

Summer Moors is my favourite track, but most of them leave me pretty unmoved, and as for that bloody endless "To the sunlight / To the water" refrain....

[huwcamden]

I think its a patchy flawed classic, you gotta admire its ambition and its amazing nma are still breaking new ground, and the songs that work are superb, kneivel, lean back, dog n wolf, stormclouds, tomorrow came etc , but for some of the rest the songwriting has been compromised for the big drum production leaving it as a good but not outstanding album, great topic by the way master ray.

[Johnz]

I find it interesting that most people who don't like the album, like my least favourite songs the most (i.e. Storm Clouds, Tomorrow Came etc). I guess it is because these are the songs that most resemble the typical NMA sound. I like them too but to me they are the least interesting ones on BDAW.  I'm glad the band took the risk and released tracks such as Did You Make It Safe?, Ghosts, Pull The Sun or Qasr Al Nil Bridge. Some of my favourite NMA songs.

I am very curious to see which way they will go from here.