"No Rest for the Wicked" is the second studio album by British rock band New Model Army. Released on 20 April 1985, the album was the band's first to chart in the UK Top 40. The album, produced by Mark Freegard, showcases New Model Army's unique blend of punk, rock, and folk.
Several musicians contributed to the creation of the album, including Justin Sullivan, Stuart Morrow, and Robert Heaton who were the main members at the time. Additional contributors were Jason 'Moose' Harris on bass and Ricky Warwick on background vocals. One prominent track, "No Rest", has been appreciated for its intense drumming patterns and vivid lyricism.
"No Rest for the Wicked" was followed by a period of intense touring for the band, during which they launched a total of three singles. Despite the band's initial popularity, however, this album marked the start of a brief decline in New Model Army's commercial success, due in part to the departure of bassist Stuart Morrow later in 1985.
Nevertheless, "No Rest for the Wicked" remains a pivotal album in New Model Army's discography, embodying their early raw energy and uncompromisingly political lyrics. Its significance continues to resonate with fans of post-punk and indie rock genres.
