Today Is A Good Day
New Model Army have been a cult band since the early 80s and although their mainstream popularity peaked in the late 80s/early 90s they have retained a passionately loyal following. As is often the way real critical acclaim didn't come their way until recently and they aren't about to buck that trend with their first album in four years Between Dog And Wolf.
What's different perhaps on this album compared to previous efforts is that they made a conscious decision to do something a bit different. It's still unmistakenly NMA but they haven't shied away from throwing in some unusual (for them) more pop orientated backing vocals and orchestration. A bit of a gamble perhaps but it works very well and adds a new element to the band. The single March In September is pretty classic NMA, simple but very effective and destined to be a live favourite. NMA aren't the spitting, visceral band that they once were but they still have that repressed intensity that has always made them so compelling. They also remain completely impossible to pigeonhole and that is arguably their greatest achievement, they have a truly unique sound.
Admittedly it takes while to get into this album, especially if you are a long term fan because there's a part of you that wants it to sound like 1989 (or whatever your favourite NMA period is!).Once you get past that however and take the album for what it is there's a lot to like here. Seven Times and Did You Make It Safe? prove that they still have more than enough melodies in the tank to put their contemporaries to shame.
It's evident that frontman Justin Sullivan has lost none of his passion and that really comes across in the vocal delivery, it's urgent and often on the edge and if anything it's the one element of the band that hasn't changed over the years. The majority of the songs are mid paced but there is never a sense of duplication and when songs like Lean Back and Fall kick in you just have to accept that you're listening to a band with a new sense of who they are and the result is very, very good. There are a few tracks that would fit comfortably on previous albums, Storm Clouds being a prime example with it's huge drum sound and chugging guitar. Tomorrow Came is a superb song and the lyrics, for which NMA are well known are delivered in a way which draws you in completely and takes you on a little journey.
By the time you reach the last track Ghosts you'll be ready to play it again and each time you do you'll notice something new lurking in the mix. Between Dog and Wolf is a fine album with some superb moments that stands up well amongst the back catalogue. It sounds insistent and relevant and it pushes the boundaries for NMA a bit. They haven't strayed too far from their trademark sound, just enough to show that there is more to discover.