Embrace

[Psychocandy]

http://www.embrace.co.uk/_graphics/diary/abbeyroad/08.jpg

I've started listening to Embrace again in preparation for their soon to be released and entirely unexpected fourth album. This band are one of the most underrated ever to come out of the bustling British music scene. Hampered by idiotic comparisons to Oasis (Embrace are a much better band than Oasis could ever hope to be) and a music press that failed to acknowledge their brilliance, the band eventually split up after only three albums.

In the face of a British music scene that was likely to be more receptive to their epic ballads they have regrouped and armed with Gravity (not the force that keeps our feet on the ground...Gravity is their new single, written by none other than Chris Martin of Coldplay) they are set to release a new album that word of mouth suggests could put them a lot closer to the success they deserve.

I know that a certain fellow schmoe by the "name" of Paul Calf has a keen ear for these guys. Anyone who enjoys huge hearfelt songs of love, loss and redemption should definitely check out any of their three albums and keep their ears open for the new one when it arrives.

[quoth_the_raven]

Eh, I did go through a phase of liking them, all down to the wiles of an ex-gf. When we split up, I found myself utterly hating them. Probably just bitter. They're not a bad band though, certainly better than Oasis, and although I'm not into them now, I would recommend them.

Just don't split up the girl who introduced you to them ;)

[Psychocandy]

Good god!!! NME gave the new album 1 out of 10. I've been listening to the album for around a week and expected them to give it at least 7 out of 10. Now...I understand how tastes differ and one man's nectar is another man's poison and all that bullshit but after reading the review I listened to the album again on my train journey home from work and there's no fucking way it deserves so negative a review. The album has had a mixture of above average reviews and absolutely glowing reviews from most other areas of the media. Very odd indeed.

[Reigh Kaufman]

The new album, as good as it is, is still not as good as the first and I'm disappointed there is nothing as quirky as 'Hooligan'. That said, and Pychocandy may kill me for this, I like the album far more than I liked the second Starsailor album (though why I equate both bands is beyond me). Good album, but first timers would do well to go back to The Good Will Out and listen to the likes of 'Fireworks' and 'My Weakness is None of Your Business'.

7/10

Edit: Just read Psychocandy's post and all I can say is this: NME gave Beyonce Knowles the best lyric of 2003 for 'Uh-oh'. Those who are likely to be put off by NME are not people I would take recommendations from on matters of music. Sorry, NME readers...(but come on, after the championing of such acts as Gay Dad and Bis, I stopped reading that rag fucking forthwith).

[paul calf]

agree witrh most of what mr kaufman said it's a really good solid album but not enough of the track's really knock your sock's off,saying that it still beats most of the crap around just now hands down but it fails to reach the dizzy hights of the good will out.
stand out track's for me on the album are;
glorious day
someday
near life
keeping(up to now my favourate track).

i can imagine all these track's being superb live though because so many of them have epic chorus's and great bouncability,can't wait to find out.

oh yeah and fuck nme that mag stopped being important a few years ago.

[Psychocandy]

I've gone and lost my tickets to see these guys tomorrow night. I've looked everywhere for them. Four hours i've spent ransacking the place. I think i've thrown them out or something. Has anyone else ever done anything dumb like this?

[Reigh Kaufman]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
I've gone and lost my tickets to see these guys tomorrow night. I've looked everywhere for them. Four hours i've spent ransacking the place. I think i've thrown them out or something. Has anyone else ever done anything dumb like this?

No. Hope you find them, mate. That would be devastating.:(

[Reigh Kaufman]

How did you get on, brother?

[The Postmaster General]

Thanks for the info, Psychocandy!

I hope you find your tickets - that sucks worse than me losing my ULTRA 80s Vs ELECTRO CD during my recent cross country move.

And, man -- That really sucked!

I'm on the lookout for Hooligan - the song you posted in the tag game was gold.

I never trust NME too much.

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by Reigh Kaufman
How did you get on, brother?

I didn't. And y'know what's worse? At approximately 8.55pm. Just about the exact time i'd have been standing in the Barrowland waiting for Embrace to take to the stage. I was watching a music channel (MTV2 or VH2) and the video for Gravity came on. It wasn't enough for fate to deliver to me a mighty painful kick in the balls...the bitch had to follow it up with a knee in the face. Goddamn it!!!

Still...i'm going to see Travis on Tuesday, Franz Ferdinand a couple of weeks later, Keane in December, and REM next February. And at least I haven't lost any of those tickets.

[paul calf]

tickets for the tour went on sale today for all the people on the official mailing list,thought i would get a pair for myself and missus calf no bother,bastards sold out for manchester in under an hour what's the world coming too,will have to hope i can pick up a pair from other sources now.
i am not a happy camper.:mad:

[B1rd_Po0p]

Just downloaded Gravity: got Hooligan downloading...

Just wanted to thank you guys for introducing me to some new stuff!

sorry 'bout the tix, Psychocandy: I'd have been pissed... ouch.

[paul calf]

just wondering if anyone had heard embraces version of the d12 song how come,it is on the b-side so to speak(not sure if they exist these days) of the new single ashes and for me it is a damn fine version,but i did love their version of de la soul's three is a magic number.