New Model Army

B-Sides and Abandoned Tracks documents the non-LP material from the second LP through the present (the earlier non-LP stuff belongs to an indie label who's already compiled it on another great LP) and it instantly catapults itself over five of the six proper NMA LPs, and gives 1986's The Ghost of Cain a run for its money for the "best-ever NMA LP." No joke, this is a band whose B-sides have been mind-bogglingly great, and this 18-track monster plays start to finish with one truly memorable composition after another; how they could have left some of these off the LPs we'll never understand.

Known for their unique blend of punk rock, post-punk, folk, alternative rock and all kinds of musical sub-cultures, New Model Army refuses to belong to any club or style. Formed in Bradford in 1980, the band's lineup has changed over the years, with Justin Sullivan being the constant and central figure.

New Model Army make a welcome return with their first full studio album since their acclaimed long-player 'Between Dog and Wolf' kick-started a creative renaissance in 2013. This album saw the band receive the best critical response of their career and garnered top 30 chart positions in UK and Germany. 'Between Dog & Wolf' was shortly followed in 2014 by Matt Reid's fascinating and absorbing documentary feature film 'Between Dog and Wolf: The New Model Army Story' which had a successful run at worldwide film festivals. Its excellent reviews on home entertainment release in turn created further interest in this unique and passionate group who have always remained true to themselves and steadfastly refused to follow any given trends or fashions.

In 1645 the fate of the British monarchy hung in the balance as the Royalist Army under King Charles I fought the Parliamentarian Army for control of the country. In this book Martin Marix Evans gives a vivid account of the pivotal battle of Naseby. He introduces the origins of the campaign and explores the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing armies…

Sacrificing the experimental post-punk doodling that worked so well within defined songs on the first LP Vengeance strangely enough works here for this incredible band that won't hear any malarkey about how bad second LPs are supposed to be. A more direct approach works wonders, rendering every song a possible single, every one a flaming, emotion-wracked foray into human thoughts, customs, and politics. And Slade the Leveler's got some unparalleled British lyrics for this kind of statement-oriented music and tremendous songwriting on side one.