How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money
Advantages:
You get to hear them live
Disadvantages:
none
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I was introduced to New Model Army a few years ago by my mate Dodie. She has been a fan of them for years. When I first heard them, something spoke to me. I felt the music pounding through my central nervous system. I fmusic does that to me than I am hooked for life.
Then, three and half years ago, I got the chance to see them. The were playing at the Northumbria University Student Union. My sister as studying there at the time and grabbed me a couple of tickets. By another stroke of luck the gig was only 2 days before Dodie birthday, so that solved my problem of what to get her. The only problem no though, is that every prezzie I've bought since has been crap in comparison. How can I top New Model Army as a gift? LOL
After seeing them live went out and bought the live album Raw Melody Men by way of recapturing the night. It's very difficult to pigeon hole NMA's music. It tends to be catagorized as goth which is fine by me, but it doesn't quite sit properly there. NMA have a sound which is purely their on. The only other band who have this claim, in my opinion, is The Cult. How many other bands have a mandolin player. New Model Army does. NMA's music is very bass heavy but not in the same way as death metal. They also make a lot of use of minor chords. Even the drum is used a a melodic instrumrnt in it's on right rather than just for percussion.
Raw Melody Men was recorded at various venues in 1990 and contains 16 of the tracks performed on that tour.
1 - WHIRLWIND
This song is about the struggle of the underdog against a much stronger power.
Fave lyric :- I saw which was the inning side but still I joined the other.
2 - THE CHARGE
This track seems to be about soldiers going into battle while the Generals orchestrate it all from behind. It's actually an attack on the politics and unemployment of the 80's.
Fave lyric :- We called for some assisstance from the friends that we had known, But this is the 1980's and we are on our own.
3 - SPACE
Space is essentially about being outside of it all and away from all the chaos.
Fave lyric :- And should the devil come; and should he say, All of this would I give toyou if you just bow don and worship me. I'm on my knees
4 - PURITY
Purity is about the want for something to absolve us of the corruption of modern life. But all the promises of salvation come to nothing.
Fave lyric :- I don't give a damn that I never will be worthy, Fear is the only enemy that I still know.
5 - WHITECOATS
This track is about the relentless march of progress and how we, as humans, don't fully understand what we're doing.
Fave lyric :- Well we know what makes the flowers grow but we don't know why. And we all have the knowledge of DNA but we still die.
6 - VAGABONDS
Vagabonds is about how, no matter who we are, we are all on the same journey through life.
Fave lyric :- We are old, we are young, we are in this together. Vagabonds and children, prisoners forever.
7 - GET ME OUT
This track is about the futility of everyday living and the desperate need to bee somewhere else.
Fave lyric :- Get me out, get me out of this place, get me out of this trap, get me out of my brain.
8- LIBERAL EDUCATION
Liberal Education questions the All Mighty's wisdom. He has given the human race everything they've asked for but not what they actually needed. We are still a barbaric and warlike species.
Fave lyric :- We didn't want a victory, we just wanted to fight but you wouldn't fight, you said it isn't nice to fight.
9- BETTER THAN THEM
This track is about social clicks. Each group believes itself to be better than all the others.
Fave lyric :- And we build the walls that we can hide behind, Our finest weapon is our poisoned pride. Here in this town where the jealousies burn, We're watching you.
10 - INNOCENCE
Innocence is basically about the results of drug abuse.
Fave lyric :- And noshut down, closed in, with all the money you owe.
11 - LURHSTAAP
This track is about the end of youth and the start of the asteland of adulthood.
Fave lyric :- The Freedom Passion and the two-faced call They dance together upon the all With nothing left to break the fall
12 - LOVE SONGS
Love songs is about being in love despite what life throws at you.
Fave lyric :- Under darkening, thundering, towering skies We live through these painful days Walking like strangers in streets of damnation Under the enemy's gaze.
13 - ARCHWAY TOWERS
This track is about life on a council estate and how those in power have no idea of what it's like.
Fave lyric :- The people in the blue ties rise from the podium, Crazy with power, blinded by vision, The mass-chosen leaders for a brutilised nation.
14 - SMALLTOWN ENGLAND
Smalltown England is about people who live in bubbles. Doing the same thing every week out of fear of change.
Fave lyric :- The incrowd know that the shell is thin, so they all protect the cage they're in. Get drunk, stoned, wrecked again, there's no tears of rage, no cries of pain. Nothing venyred, nothing gained, in Smalltown England.
15 - GREEN AND GREY
This track is about running away to find a better life in the city. Not knowing that the braver thing would be to stay at home.
Fave lyric :- For God's sake, don't you realise, that I still hear that call. Do you think you're so brave to running, to that which beckons to us all.
16 - THE WORLD
The world is about man's battle to subdue nature and how we're never going to win.
Fave lyric :- Well I never said I as a clever man, But I know enough to understand, That the endless leaps and forard plans, Will someday have to cease.
You may have gathered from those lyrics that New Model Army are quite cynical. This is why I love them so much, because I am very cynical myself. Don't make the mistake that NMA are depressing and morose. They're simply realists. The deepness of the music touches parts of my soul that pop music can't get near.
Have a listen to them. You may be surprised.
New Model Army are comprised of ;
Justin Sullivan - Vocals and Guitars Robert Heaton - Drums and Vocals Nelson - Bass, Keyboards & Vocals Ed Alleyne Johnson - Electric Violin, Keyboards & Mandolin Adrian Portas - Guitars
For the tivia fans amongst you, Raw Melody Men is an anagram of New Model Army.
Thanks for Reading. Dawn x
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