Impurity

EMI, 1990

Their first album of the decade introduced different shades to NMA’s palette. The old thunder was present on Get Me Out, but the synth that colours The Space adds an expansive element to their sound, Before I Get Old is one of their most atmospheric songs, and Marrakesh is among their loveliest, and saddest.

That melancholy streak extends to 11 Years, whose backwards-tracked drums couldn’t mask the sadness at the passing of time shot through it. It came along during a run of albums that threatened to take them to the next level, but the mainstream proved resistant to them. Probably for the best.