Advantages: You possibly never heard of this
Disadvantages: You possibly have heard of this

...If you have read some of my Op’s you’ll know by now that I have a fair few CD’s. These range from the bizarre to commercial pop! Or pap! You choose! I think it’s more fun to Op on something that’s been out over a decade, hardly heard about and in no way current! ;o) Anyhow, I was in a pub several years ago (well just over a decade ago!) with some of the lads on an “All day bender” when I saw an odd thing! MTV are playing a Video! It must be odd because I’m paying attention to it! The opening shot is of a brunette with long lustrous locks, pretty face, luscious lips – full and pouted, a low cut satin 18th century style dress And to be honest, massive Norks! And thus, I had my first experience of the group who are: - >>>>>>>>>>Army of Lovers<<<<<<<<<< I shall first explain the group and a brief history for those of you who... Read review

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Advantages: Much better sound quality
Disadvantages: None

...release with his band, Tubeway Army. This album, released at a time when Punk had almost given way to the New Romantic and early Goth movements, spans the musical gap brilliantly. It's electro-pop synths were considered very experimental at the time, and unlike most of his contemporaries, Numans music has not dated over the years. Whilst being quite dark and dramatic lyrically, the tunes are up-beat and really stick in your head like all good music should. Gary plays keyboards on this album, as well as the guitar, and his style is whirling, and rather heady, like that of Jane Child or maybe Vangelis. If you have never heard of anything by either The Tubeway Army or by Gary Numan, then why not try this CD? The track listing is as follows ..... 1) Me! I disconnect from you 2) Are friends electric? 3) The Machmen 4) Praying... Read review

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Advantages: You get to hear them live
Disadvantages: none

...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... Read review

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Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...New Model army moved through many musical phases in their long career, but always managed to play the game their way and stay one step ahead of the pretenders to their throne. Despite a fluid and ever changing musical style and personal fashion, the stereotypical image of the band is as northern working class rock warriors, the black combats, the metal shod clogs, the angst and pain in the songs. Thunder and Consolation is the album that best reinforces that image. The album marked their transition from the heavier guitar dominant sound, typified on the previous release Ghost of Cain, to a sparser and more haunting sound, with the acoustic guitar seeing more use and the introduction of the violin. It kicks off with a dark, bass driven affair, I Love The World, a tale of being present when civilization falls, and shouting from... Read review

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Advantages: Usual quality product you expect from NMA
Disadvantages: none I can think of

...New Model Army have a knack of being able to deliver albums that on the one hand always sound like New Model Army but on the other hand push their musical style ever forward. To be able to do that for over twenty years is a triumph in itself. The hard edge is still there, as are the moody atmosphere, the thought provocing lyrics as well as the passion that oozes out of every second of the album. Justin Sullivan, you feel is a man who has experienced lifes emotions to the full. This time round keyboards are used to much greater effect, colouring the gaps that used to be filled with string sounds instead with moody washes of atmosphere and smooth harmonies to the more aggressive guitar work. Its an album with as varied a content as any that they have produced, maybe more. Flying through the smoke, the opening song on Eight, throws... Read review

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Advantages: passionate, meaning ful music
Disadvantages: none

...of politically conscious, socially marginalized and environmentally concerned have faded again, to be replaced by and large with the old throwaway musical subject matter, but as a wise man once said "there's more to life than cars and girls." It is with this in mind that I look forward to any release by New Model Army, for the very reason that they are one of the few bands that still care enough to be raging at the state of the world. It may be unfashionable to be socially aware in these days of dumbing down and re-branding but as it becomes apparent that those at the top of the system care very little for anything but themselves, the importance of bands like New Model Army only increases. New Model Army have always been something of an underground band, though if measured in album sales or sheer tribal devotion of the fans would surprise many... Read review

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Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...The title of the review is born of the fact that the album cover of Ghost of Cain is of a leather jacket, painted with a distinctive design and the album title hung over the back of a chair.The release of the album caused thousands of loyal fans to paint their jackets the same way and the faded evidence of the times can still be seen today being worn by thirty somethings in cities all over England. Its was the underground answer to "Frankie Says" tee shirts. This album in many ways was a watershed for New Model Army, falling somewhere between the post-punk power and simplicity of the first two albums and the more intricate soundscapes that were to follow. That said it is still New Model Army to the core but you get to see a change in attitudes towards the way songs were to be made, a taste of things to come. Justin Sullivan... Read review

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Advantages: Superb follow up to White Blood Cells
Disadvantages: None

...This year really is the year for decent follow up albums. Hot on the heals of my op on Blur's Think Tank comes The White Stripes 4th album Elephant. The last album was released in 2001 and so 2 years after everyone suddenly discovered the White Stripes the follow up has now arrived. For anyone out there who doesn’t know about The White Stripes they are Jack and Meg White, although no-one seems to know if they are brother and sister or man and wife. Meg plays the drums and does all the backing vocals and Jack does all the lead vocals, Guitars and Piano work. Seven Nation Army **************** The first single to be taken from the album, Seven Nation Army has to be one of my favourite tracks this year. It starts with a bass line quickly being joined by the vocals. The beat stays pretty much the same all the way through picking up... Read review

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Advantages: A definite return to form, some good new ideas
Disadvantages: None really

..."Eight" represents a definite return to form for New Model Army- I say return to form because "Strange Brotherhood" didn't really cut it for me. Although this is very definitely a New Model Army album, with the usual distinctive sound- rolling drums, driving guitar, Justin's outraged snarl over the top of it all- there are some curiously intriguing left-turns taken by the band on this album which mark it as a cut above even their impressive back-catalogue of records. The stand-out track for me (if I had to choose just one) is "Someone Like Jesus", a chilling, sparsely beautiful song where Justin half-talks, half-sings, the vocals interspersed with whining harmonica, quietly strummed guitar and a faint keyboard chorus. "There's something in the corner of your life that just can't quite see" he croons, the vocals making this oddly... Read review

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Advantages: A great live rendition of the band
Disadvantages: none

...New Model Army have always been essentially a live band, their following has been built up very much on the strength of their shows, and this album captures that essence for you to keep and enjoy in the comfort of your own home. The title Raw Melody Men is actually an anagram of New Model Army and the cover depicts a seething crowd, dry ice billowing from the stage and light show obscuring any detail of the band. NMA live shows were very passionate affairs for the fans, well coreographed and aggressive dancing, a crowd that knew the words back to front and an energy and spark that electrified the place. The album opens with the crowd noise rising as the band take the stage, and with the typically understated words "OK...lets do it" from Justin Sullivan the guitar kicks off Whirlwind, a new number at the time but a suitable opening... Read review

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