So... the big 'From Here' thread...

[Whirlwind]

Upon first listen to "From Here"....

...not good.

I have only given half the album a few spins (even though it is a CD I am old school and still think of an album as having two sides) and other than the bass line in "Never Arriving," nothing at all has grabbed me musically. And lyrically...rather blah, cliched. And am I the only one noticing that the songs are far too wordy? Just thumb through the lyric booklet. "Never Arriving," "Weather," "Passing Through," man, there are more words on those pages than in the entire book "War And Peace."

[cthulhu]

"Let the Whirlwind blaaaaahhhh..."

[Shush]

Well, I may be easier to please than some other NMA fans, but I am equally at home with NMA's ballads as with the electric guitar tracks. After many listens over the last five days, I absolutely love it. I have found the album much easier to bond with than BDAW and Winter. Lyrics throughout are excellent as usual. I cannot pick out a least favorite track as of yet or a potential song to skip in future listens.
Cannot pick out a favorite yet but I am finding myself humming and singing "End of days" and "From here". The excellent guitar work in "Conversation" is stuck in my head. Several lines of lyrics remind me of older songs such as "Better than them".
Someone suggested BDAW, Winter and From here are like a trilogy and I can agree with that, Although sound wise for me , From here sits in the middle of the trilogy.
Look forward very much to hearing some of these tracks played live. I can see "Watch & Learn" being popular with the mosh pit.

[Guillaume]

I have to say that, at least for me, my wife and 3 other NMA fans that are close friends, Navigating by the Stars is even better than any NMA album. And I LOVE NMA albums.

All the people i know who are mixed or don't care about NMA, when they listened to NBTS, they all liked it and even loved it in most cases. 

[Whirlwind]

I have to say that, at least for me, my wife and 3 other NMA fans that are close friends, Navigating by the Stars is even better than any NMA album. And I LOVE NMA albums.

All the people i know who are mixed or don't care about NMA, when they listened to NBTS, they all liked it and even loved it in most cases. 

It ain't for sale anymore.

Isn't it just Justin strumming an acoustic guitar and singing? Man, that song "Ballad" on "Ghost Of Cain" is the worst song I've ever heard. I know I can not take an entire album of that crap.

[cthulhu]

Navigating By The Stars...........one of the most atmospheric/haunting/beautiful Albums ever....

I would have said it like that! Love it!!

[ManxPat]

Whirlwind, do you actually like NMA at all? I don't know if it's pure provocation on your part or a misguided attempt at humour but you don't seem to say anything positive ever. For someone who spends so much time posting on here and is 'obsessed' you rarely offer anything other than negativity. Its all rather strange really.
Anyway, ..
From Here..
   Like an excited kid I couldn't hold on til my birthday to listen to the album. On my 4th run through now and I like it. It's different but to these ears has more in common with older stuff then the last three or four records. It is certainly a lighter album than Winter. It is very well produced sonically, and JS vocals sound really fresh but I can't help feeling the band have missed a couple of tricks along the way. Passing Through ( touches of Before I Get Old? ) for instance. The point at which the background sounds cut out and Justin sings, " Back to where we came from.."  would have been perfect if they had gone into a really driving groove from there on in. Oh well. The drums towards the end of the song sound really Nordic. Great stuff.
End of Days has grown on me. Especially the chorus.
Conversation is brilliant but I would have liked it to be a little sparser in its arrangement and, as ever, have the bass higher in the mix.
Where I Am is, as far as I'm concerned the best track on the album. Stone cold classic in fact.
A lot of people don't seem to like Watch & Learn but I do. it isn't gonna change the world but it will be a good live song for sure. It puts me in mind of Stupid Questions.
Maps is really interesting. I don't know quite what to think about it yet but it's definitely epic. Quite primal too but sounds slightly unfinished.
Setting Sun has the groove that maybe others lack. Ceri's playing shines on this one. I hope there is more like this from him.
From Here works well although it isn't my favourite. I do like the harmonies.

All told, I think ..From Here is quite a remarkable piece of work. Not the sound of a band in a room but nor is the sound of a band experimenting for experiments sake. The word that comes to mind is mature, which obviously seems ridiculous given the length of time NMa have been a going concern and the volume of output but it's what comes to me.

[Whirlwind]

Whirlwind, do you actually like NMA at all? ...you don't seem to say anything positive ever.

I spent my hard earned money on a region free DVD player just so I could watch the New Model Army DVD releases that our DVD players here in America can not play.



I spent my hard earned money buying a natural finish Gibson SG guitar just so I can play New Model Army tunes and sound like Justin.



I spend my hard earned money buying every album, single, EP, 12" single that New Model Army released.




I am without a doubt the biggest New Model Army fan here. That point is not debatable. It is an accepted fact. What makes me different is that I am honest. I am not a silly fanboy who thinks everything the band does is the greatest thing the world has ever beheld. I love the band so much that I get angry when they do not live up to expectations.

[Master Ray]

Nice review, Manxpat!  Interesting reading, I agree with much of it (not all, but isn't that the way with NMA, no problems here!)

Whirlwind... well, we've all tried to get along with him.  In a previous incarnation as 'Space' he posted stuff that was damn antagonistic, upset many regular posters and actually got him banned from this Forum, but he seemed to sneak back in.  He also posted vile PM's to me... even after that, I tried to mend those bridges, hey second chances and all, but nope the antagonism continued.  He thinks it's a big joke and we all lack a sense of humour. Give the guy a swerve, he can't get past the mid-80's NMA period, he's the kind of person so desperate for attention that he'd rather be despised than ignored.  And, yes, I know I played right into his hands by posting this but I had to get it off my chest so, you know... fook him.   

[Whirlwind]

...he can't get past the mid-80's NMA period, ...

.
Well, that's the period - the first releases - that many of us fell for. I guarantee you that if "From Here" was the first ever New Model Army release this love-fest site would not exist.

I loved The Cult. The early "gothy" stuff was what drew me to them. But should I still love them even though they became very poor imitations of AC/DC and Led Zep?

Hey, New Model Army hit it out of the park (that's an American expression meaning WOW!!!!) with the release of "Between Dog And Wolf." That was mid-two thousand tens. A far distance from mid '80s NMA...and I loved every second of it.

(Oh, by the way, Master Ray, why don't you mention the vile PMs you posted to me? I still have them, by the way.)

[Vagabondage]

Ok - My first and only critique of the new album, What strikes me most is the similarities to a few older songs in the most inspiring way - it's almost like there is "Orange Tree Roads" part 2 as an example to compare with "The Weather" and every listen draws even more familiar memories from older work. This is NOT an immediate album and for that it is getting better with each listen! Also timing couldn't be better it is so relevant and required (If You live in the UK right now) as the zombie hoards gather outside!!! Stay safe and enjoy Boom Shanka xxx PS Whirlwind - Grow A Pair!

[Master Ray]

...he can't get past the mid-80's NMA period, ...

.
Well, that's the period - the first releases - that many of us fell for. I guarantee you that if "From Here" was the first ever New Model Army release this love-fest site would not exist.

I loved The Cult. The early "gothy" stuff was what drew me to them. But should I still love them even though they became very poor imitations of AC/DC and Led Zep?

Hey, New Model Army hit it out of the park (that's an American expression meaning WOW!!!!) with the release of "Between Dog And Wolf." That was mid-two thousand tens. A far distance from mid '80s NMA...and I loved every second of it.

(Oh, by the way, Master Ray, why don't you mention the vile PMs you posted to me? I still have them, by the way.)

Have at it, sweetie.

[Whirlwind]

...he can't get past the mid-80's NMA period, ...


Have at it, sweetie.

.
Why do you constantly post about me? Up above me and another fellow were discussing the latest album then all of a sudden you pop up giving some past, distorted history about Space and Whirlwind. Why? Can you just stop mentioning me?

[Vagabondage]

 Why do you constantly post about me? Up above me and another fellow were discussing the latest album then all of a sudden you pop up giving some past, distorted history about Space and Whirlwind. Why? Can you just stop mentioning me?


He who has the last laugh - Not advisable to get caught out laughing...

[Master Ray]

Space, my desperate little honeypie, you either (a) have some condition that forbids you having any memory of stuff you posted before, (b) have no PM's that I sent to you (I know damn well that any time I fired back at you, I did it in public) or (c) you know damn well that I've tried to do the good thing and let you stick to the few people who can be bothered with your usual arsetwattery whilst I connected with my friends here... but you kept on goading, didn't you?

Well, I supposed we're back to the old days when Viv had to get involved, eh?