Audio CD review:
Embrace - Drawn from Memory

Embrace - Drawn from Memory

Band: Embrace Title: Drawn from Memory Rating: Release Date: 03 April, 2000 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: The Love It Takes 2: You're Not Alone 3: Save Me 4: Drawn From Memory 5: Bunnker Song 6: New Adam New Eve 7: Hooligan 8: Yeah You 9: Liars Tears 10: I Wouldn't Wanna Happen To You 11: I Had A Time

Customer Reviews Breathtaking Having once claimed they were better than Oasis and Verve combined, they are actually a perfect combination of both. With their debut album "Good Will Out" in 1998, Embrace represented a different vein of Britpop, one far more introspective and less optimistic. They have mastered the sweeping, orchestral ballads of Verve, but also possess the energetic guitar and superior songwriting of Oasis. "Drawn From Memory" never received a US release, most likely because their first album, which did, hardly made a dent. The Britpop phenomenon which wonderwalled the US in the late 90s had diminished by the 2000 release of this album. This album was far different, though, and if given the chance I think it would have bowled over the adult alternative Matchbox Twenty lovers of the US. It is different because is more racous, less solemn. It contains the best hard rock offerings that pop music can offer with "Yeah You", "New Adam New Eve", and "Bunker Song. " Embrace has already shown that they had an edgier sound with "All You Good Good People," but this was the first time their songwriting was actually edgy. This album also contains less orchestration and is more stripped down, which allows the songs to sweep on their own merit, without the aid of a string section. There are still some tried-true Embrace orchestral ballads such as "You're Not Alone" and "The Love it Takes. " But these ballads are paired with fun, funky songs such as "Hooligan" and "Save Me. " In their second album, Embrace change dramatically from their mainly ballad first album, and move on to create a multi-tonal masterpiece. This album has songs for every mood, and it is successful in these different tones. I recommend this album for the first time listener over their first album, and their third ("Drawn From Memory"). This is the best album to introduce someone to Embrace because it has a range that isn't on their other two albums, and truly displays their songwriting talent. Embrace is a superior Britpop band. After venturing into the staples of this style such as Oasis, Verve, and the Manic Street Preachers- Embrace is the obvious next choice for your collection. To the shame of American music and American listeners....... If it is not angst ridden or pure sap and cheese nonsense, forget it. This is yet another example of what is so terribly wrong with the American public when it comes to music. American music cannot hold a candle to this. This has heart, soul, power. It is capeable of moving people and hitting people where they are, without the anger or dribble of most US bands. As an american, I am partly saddend by the lack of heart involved in American music. To the album in question (specifically): PURE LISTENING ENJOYMENT! That is the nuttshell of it all. Now, the details! Track #1) The song builds to a grand explosion of sound. A nice mellower intro that gently builds to some amazing wah-wah guitars. It gently comes back down to nice calmer music and soothing vocals that lightly fade away. The entire musical spectrum is handled brilliantly. #2) A beautiful and haunting melody. Horns are introduced throughout as is a string arrangement that ties perfectly with the rock music that leads you away. Perfect musicianship with emotion. #3) Dare I say the perfect mid-tempo Rock song. Acoustic driven with conga drums weaved throughout. A must have song. #4) Mellower track. This is a tune handled with piano and clarinet. A pleasent and unexpected surprise. #5) Transition time. This flys out of the gate at an amazing pace. Total opposite of track 4. This instrumental is a grand jam session, loud and fast, BUT. . . . . under 2 minuets is just not enough. 6) An upbeat and forceful rock song. A great follow-up to #5. Loud and fast. 7) Sugar Ray or Sublime might have borrowed this song from these boys. Fun at its best. The addition of Kazoos and whistling are strange and quirky. Fun, fun, fun! 8) Bam! This is Rock and Roll baby. This is the pinnicle of their noise. Bold, in your face, outright arrogant, however, with just cause! 9) Slower acoustic track layered with keyboards. This allows you to catch your breath a bit. 10) A flawless mid-tempo rocker. Again, the horns compliment the song brilliantly and add depth to the wall of sound. An epic song. 11) Slower closing track. Brushes, clarinet, soft horns and soothing vocals. A pleasent ending to a brilliant 54 + mins. . . . . . . In closing, buy this record. Forget comparisons, they are not necessary. I only wish I would have found this sooner, but, then again, it is fresh and new to me. I needed music to rise above the mediocrity and lead the way out of the slums of nu-rock, hip-hop, cheesy pop, repetitive angst ridden garbage (most of what we here today). This did it royally!. Wonderful Hidden Treasure! I had some reservations, since their first record didn't grab me like this one did. I picked this album while I was out of the US, knowing that it would either be unavailable in the states or delayed in its release here. This album has really grown on me and features an ecclectic mix of songs from piano driven ballads or "slower" songs to all out rockers. At first, the mix of songs threw me off, but it has steadily grown on me. Comparisons to Oasis don't belong. Drawn From Memory is really unique. It shows a lot of growth, and to top it off it has some wonderful hooks. I think these guys have a great pop and rock sensibility. Kudos to Embrace for making their own music the way they want as varied as they want! Not many bands can pull it off (let alone have the guts to do it) as Embrace does here. It's unfortunate that this may go severely overlooked with the advent of Coldplay, Travis, SFA, and now Idlewild making waves in the States. Drawn From Memory may not be as successful as these bands in the States, but they belong in the same company. If I bought this album while in South Korea it seems absurd I couldn't pick it up in the US! Not many CDs are worth 24+ dollars, but if you are starving for some good brit pop and don't mind shelling out the green, this is a quality record. . You can see a complete list of all Embrace discography, or go back to the Embrace tabs