New Model Army - Thunder and Consolation

Thunder and Consolation begins grandly, keeping the keyboards from 'White Coats' on 'I Love the World,' an anthem filled with bittersweet irony and sarcasm. Self-produced, the album never falters, and the single 'Stupid Questions' made an impression on American college and modern-rock radio, especially when working visas were granted to the band and they were allowed to tour the U.S. Violin was added by Ed Elain Johnson to further fill out the sound and give it an 'Irish Folk' quality on epic songs 'Green and Grey,' and 'Vagabonds.' The band uses samples on '225' and 'Green and Grey' to further enhance the flavor of the album. EMI. 2006. Album Description

Back when people wore this logo, Dead Kennedies or the Anarchy sign

NMA is a remarkable band and one of a kind. Their masterpiece Thunder & Consolation is truly amazing and I can still remember how I came across this band. It's the same way essentially how I discovered London Calling, which is also one of my all time favourites. I remember searching through the discount box of the record shop, just at the time they were switching from recordings to cd's and all the best records were on discount. I took the single "Green and Grey" home with me and although Holland has no hills to speak of, it lit a spark of recognition in my soul.

Back in those days there was still alternative rock music that could be discovered and a huge exchange market existed between friends to acquire the newest and hottest music, as well as the most recent reissues on cd. I remember The Acoustic Motorbike, The Best of The Waterboys 81-90, Up to Here among those that stuck with me, because of the message they all contained. The message of the NMA is all too clear, just lookup the meaning of their bandname and the connection it has with The Levellers, that followed in their footsteps. I was lucky enough to see them perform live after so many years and they have not lost their spirit.

For their website and future concerts, see [...]. October 15, 2007

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