THE GOOD WILL OUT
by EMBRACE
Take the first track 'All you good good people' this song swaggers through 3 minutes of lush string arrangement, buliding to a terrific climax and splendid guitar work from Richard McNamara. This the song that brought Embrace initial praise it is obvious why. As throughout the lyrics are of a personal, passionate nature brought to life by Danny's voice, which I believe is rich and admirable. Significantly the intro features an orchestra warming up, and second track, and forthcoming single 'My weakness is none of your business' features more patent strings. However the songs are so well crafted the overuse of an orchestra does not nag, as it should. If this were Hurricane#1 it would all be very irritating. 'My weakness..' is a slow burner which lyrically presents the bands outlook on life 'Bad will always collect into one big melting pot' and presumably 'the good will always come out.' Track three is the Top 10 epic 'Come back to what you know.' Embodying all about Embrace, who are a widescreen epic band. Danny sings, 'Take it easy on yourself ther's nothing new about regretting how you felt.' The stream of consciousness type lyrics are occassionally a little baffling, but the music more than makes up. Big guitars, big hearts and eyes set skyward. It surprises me when Embrace are accused of being a cynical band. If anything their straight, self belief is endearing. 'One big family' is a darker, rockier song, 'I own your 'ass now by rights..' which has a singalong chorus and some good pedal wah wah use by Richard. 'Higher sights' chooses to follow the slow burner, big chorus route. And 'Retread' is a semi acoustic message to a past girlfirend. 'I want the wrold' repleat with handclaps, and rattling tambourines is a weaker track, far too much of Oasis present, 'You've got to say yes' pretty much the same.
However suddenly the piano ballads step in and save the day. 'Fireworks' is a sombre, heart wreching effort Danny singing 'I don't need convincing I've seen enough to want to try and change things, you fell in love I fell in line.' A quick gear change to another rocky number, this time far less Oasis and more Embrace is the attitude packed, snarling 'Last Gas' in which he pleads 'Give me a go at the wheel.' 'That's all changed forever' is another poignant paino ballad, famiilar if you have seen those Nike post world cup adverts on t.v. with the desolate landscapes and sad faces. 'Now you're nobody' is similar but different enough to appreciate as a classy song, with good piano work. Finally comes the magnificent, uplifting title track 'The Good will out' 'There must be a time between the well meaning when the good will come out and start the healing..' This starts subdued, a piano twinkles with an irrisistable hook and builds to a quite spectacular chorus complete with Glasto favourite singalong 'Nah nah's'.
Well there it is, my opinion on Embrace's debut album. Embrace do have their negative aspects, CHEER UP DANNY you're young,rich and in a popular band. They excell on record, perhaps less breathtaking live (excusing an excellent Glastonbury set) but after all I believe that their hearts are in the right place. The Good will out, and here....it has.
Reviewed by Greg O'Keeffe.
