Tough, uncompromising rock with occasional folky overtones. new Model Army evoke the sometimes bleak spirit of the UK (and Northern England specifically) in the mid-80s. Lead singer/songwriter Slade the Leveller shows that there's more to his game than just politicising by coupling punchy lyrics to deceptively catchy tunes. The title track 'No Rest', a reasonably successful single in the UK, exemplifies this with its combination of self-loathing and memorable riffs. Other stand-outs include the opener 'Frightened', whose lyrics ring true even now in the tabloid media's obsession with the breakdown of society, and the sinister 'Grandmother's Footsteps', which follows a deceptively relaxed start with a caustic chorus. The band's folky side gets more of an airing in 'Better Than Them' and the final track 'The Attack' both of which are acoustic-led, but no less powerful. Listened to as a whole, the album is an intense, but ultimately rewarding experience. Those who prefer the band's punkier edge are recommended to look out for their earlier independent label mini-album (now available as an extended CD), while their folkier side reached its zenith in the third full album 'Thunder and Consolation'.
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