12 December 2014 (gig)
14 December 2014
Music News were privileged to be invited down to the Forum Friday night for NMA's annual December-time visit to London. The Bradford based band are having a creative renaissance these last couple of years, releasing two albums of music that is as necessary and as relevant as when they first started out over thirty years ago. The enthusiasm and energy that still runs with passion, like a throbbing artery through the heart of what they produce belies the years of founding frontman Justin Sullivan (I mean, he is getting on a bit now!) who deserves the iconic status garnered him.
Tonight was a treat - two sets, 31 songs, a small string section, plenty of percussion and guest appearances from two significant musicians: Ed Alleyne-Johnson, virtuoso violinist (who uses an electric violin that he carved with a kitchen knife!) who recorded and toured with NMA for five years in the '90s; and Mark 'The Harp' Feltham whose harmonica sounded exquisite. This collaboration gave the set a richer sound and allowed for some classic renditions of fan favourites such as Poison Street, Vagabonds and the beautiful eponymous Ballad.
Almost as if to prove their relevance, they opened first with their latest single Guessing, and while the last chord was still ringing, JS broke in with the opening riff to their opening song on their first album, Christian Militia. That pretty much set the temperature for the rest of the gig. Drawn in early (and standing near the front, loaded with a Guinness or few) lyrics were belted out with hands raised high, whilst big sweaty blokes with no shirts moshed about (some of them were getting on a bit too!)
With so many songs in their catalogue to choose from they're are always some that you want to hear in preference to another. But in honour of their beginnings they played quite a number of early songs, sewn in amid the more recent recordings. All subjective of course, but their recent two albums possibly include some of the best songs they've released. Lyrically, JS is masterful. Conjuring up image and emotion that makes NMA such an emotive band.
After almost three hours of music I left on a high, privileged again that I've been a part of the NMA experience. Doubting myself a little as to whether they really are as good as I've (almost obsessionally) convinced myself into believing. But the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that they really are one of the best bands in the world. Go see them! While you still can.
