Music > Album Reviews

New Model Army // Between Dog And Wolf

01/10/13

Release Date: 23rd September 2013

New Model Army // Between Dog And Wolf (Attack Attack)

New Model Army formed 34 years ago and released their debut album 'Vengeance' 29 years ago. In that time, members have come and gone, with vocalist/guitarist Justin 'Slade the Leveller' Sullivan being the only constant. In that time, the music has veered from virulent post-punk to fiddle-led anti-folk.

'Between Dog and Wolf' is the twelfth studio album (and first for over four years) from Sullivan and co. The title comes from a French expression referring to twilight (more literally, the time between afternoon's end and the beginning of evening) and is perhaps a reflection on its place in NMA's career.

Earlier material was marked with vitriol, bile and anger. Unsurprisingly, given the passage of time, the vitriol and bile are marked by their absence, with the anger reigned in. However, social commentary in Sullivan's lyrics remains as incisive as ever. Surprisingly, NMA's musical horizons have expanded to add brass, harp, harmonica and (to quote the sleeve) "layered gospel vocals" to the voice / guitar / bass / drums / keys / strings of yesteryear. 

If I have a criticism, it is the reliance on mid-tempo rockers. A couple of changes of pace would not have gone amiss. When all is said and done, nothing here quite touches the highs of the first three albums. And yet, from opener "Horsemen" and it's percussion multi-tracked vox to closer "Ghosts" via the title track, this is simply the most consistent collection of songs from Sullivan yet.

9/10 Pavlis