Is Between Wine and Blood a good place to start with New Model Army?

Yes, Between Wine and Blood is recommended as a starting point for new New Model Army listeners. A tapestry of raw emotion and political commentary woven through atmospheric instrumentation and haunting melodies. By the time 'Between Wine and Blood' was released in 2014, New Model Army had already established themselves as a seminal band within the post-punk and alternative rock scenes. This album came nearly three decades after their debut, showcasing their evolution while maintaining the fervent spirit that defined their earlier work.

Who is Between Wine and Blood for?

Between Wine and Blood works well if you're into dynamic exploration of existential themes, wave-like pacing with emotional peaks and an anthemic soundtrack for reflection.

How many songs are on Between Wine and Blood?

Between Wine and Blood has 17 tracks, running approximately 80 minutes.

Between Wine and Blood

New Model Army · 2014

80 min · 17 tracks · alternative rock

A tapestry of raw emotion and political commentary woven through atmospheric instrumentation and haunting melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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According to You Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Angry Planet — The track captures the urgency of environmental concerns through driving rhythms and fervent lyrics, encapsulating the band's commitment to activism.
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Happy to Be Here — With its reflective tone, this song contrasts personal satisfaction against broader societal chaos, revealing the band's nuanced approach to songwriting.
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Pull the Sun — This track stands out for its rich instrumentation and emotional depth, blending melancholy with hope, a hallmark of the band's lyrical style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

62 /100

Foothills

Higher than 24% of albums we've rated

The album combines strong lyrical content with varied instrumentation but lacks a cohesive flow across its length.

What we noticed

Several songs incorporate layered instrumentation, building atmospheric soundscapes that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic exploration of existential themes
wave-like pacing with emotional peaks
an anthemic soundtrack for reflection
for long introspective drives

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek short and simple songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Reaffirmed the band's relevance with strong critical acclaim in their later years.
Career context: By the time 'Between Wine and Blood' was released in 2014, New Model Army had already established themselves as a seminal band within the post-punk and alternative rock scenes. This album came nearly three decades after their debut, showcasing their evolution while maintaining the fervent spirit that defined their earlier work.
Stylistic neighbors: The Cult· Killing Joke· The Sisters of Mercy

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Angry Planet

The narrative shifts to address the listener directly, urging them to confront environmental destruction head-on.

This direct address creates an immediate sense of responsibility, breaking down the wall between artist and audience in a call for action.