NEW MODEL ARMY
NEW MODEL ARMY “Unbroken”
By Octopi Mills
Since 1980 this band has been around in one way or another, carrying through the years and things that come with all this sort of thing. Many long running acts face the same problems of being somehow relevant or updated and it seems the classic ones always hang around, becoming "classic" somehow and somewhat to those who follow and forget, return and revisit.
It seems the themes and topics here are said to be personal and political, a dangerous if not one way communication for the latter in times now and afar. A soup pot of different styles are present; punk, electronic, rock. Their fans, "The Family" seem to have been cult like and loyal and won't be disappointed by this new album. The music remains fresh and invigorated, and valid in regard to what it is.
"Summer After Summer" has a folk vibe and marries the punk style to it, with its ideological and intent, rounded off by the more modern sounds of electronics on something like "Cold Wind", which follows. "Coming or Going" has an old, upbeat goth feel that turns into things akin to punk and alternative rock, and THE ARMY blends eras and styles in a manner they make their own. Perhaps in the bands last few years of staying in the live sense and keeping up with making songs and such they have preserved and kept themselves valid and I can't help but think of this in hearing "If I Am Still Me", for whatever it is worth. Something like "Idumea" sounds tribal and all around sunny and nutty, and though nowhere near my own personal taste in music I must give them credit for keeping inspired and trying to be relevant when age comes and frosts the beards of good men and makes them elderly and closer to the big golden handles of the Irish folk coffin or the cold stone sepulchers of yore. It is in that very tomb that may end the whip like dance of life or death and the rise of something else? My god, it is closer every day...make use of this time, I say to thee. There are worse accompaniments to it than “Unbroken”.