Rock: Justin's Army at the double!

Fans of Bradford's most enduring alternative rock band had to wait five years for them to bring out their last studio LP.

But this time they have completed their new album Eight in double quick time.

Featuring 11 tracks, it was recorded at New Model Army's own studio in Bradford and at an old farmhouse in North Yorkshire and was mixed at The Dungeon.

Eight, due for release on January 31, will be the first New Model Army studio album on their own Attack Attack label, following last year's live set ...& Nobody Else.

New Model Army's manager Tommy Tee said: "Eight compares very favourably with classic albums such as The Ghost of Cain and Thunder and Consolation. Those albums successfully captured the feelings and emotions that were evident throughout society at the time they were recorded.

"The songs on this album share that same feeling of involvement."

Eight is the first studio album to feature new drummer Michael Dean, who replaced Robert Heaton after New Model Army's 1998 LP Strange Brotherhood.

Justin is now the sole surviving original member of the band, whose line-up also includes Nelson on bass, Dave Blomberg on guitar and Dean White on keyboards.

The new record is made up of 11 brand new recordings written primarily by Justin. "This has not happened since the earliest days of the band," said Tommy.

"Justin claims the experience has caused him to be reborn as a songwriter and judging by the quality of the tracks on the new album he is right."

Eight is also the band's first to be produced entirely by Justin.

"His experience of working with such luminaries as Glyn Johns, Nico Bolas and Tom Dowd over the years educated him in the art of making recordings that are true to the soul of the song," said Tommy.

New Model Army have announced five live shows in the UK to mark the release of the album. They will be at Bradford University on March 4.

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