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Post by thedn on Apr 25, 2014 13:34:36 GMT
I love how so many of the folk who come on here just to say how much they hate the album are unregistered guests. Pinch of salt anyone? To be fair so far I see only one "guest" bashing the album with an unconstructive post. Otherwise I see many folks saying they like it and some (myself included) expressing constructive criticism and disappointment, which I think is fair enough.
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Post by DC on Apr 25, 2014 14:13:40 GMT
I talked to Glen yesterday about disabling the guest function for a while, she - quite rightly - said no and said people were entitled to their opinion. I think if you've listened to the album and don't want to hear anymore you probably won't want to register on the unofficial board of a band you no longer have any interest in.
The write ups are interesting whether I/we agree with them or not (for example, I enjoyed the thedn's review), but that doesn't mean trolls won't get their IP addresses blocked.
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Post by hayleybailey on Apr 25, 2014 14:17:04 GMT
I'm all for constructive reviews. I'm sure the band don't just want sycophantic admiration. I don't like when people just say "it's shit". That goes for all music/art/performance. You're perfectly within your rights to not like something but say why you don't like it. Don't just be dismissive.
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Post by sensation on Apr 25, 2014 14:34:09 GMT
I only had the chance to hear it through my laptop at work yesterday with the volume on low. Since the last album, two children have come along and now dominate my home life so no chance to listen there. So I brought my headphones in today and have had it up fucking loud and all I can say is, WOW.
Refugees grabbed me straight away back in January, FYH took a little bit of time but now I think its a very strong tune. Of the new album tracks I hadn't heard at all, I Run and At Once are standout and as a closing track, A Thief on my Island is just beyond epic. Can't wait to hear it live.
All in all another very clever comeback. The exposure they've had after 8 years away has been phenomenal, whoever is involved in the marketing/pr etc at cooking vinyl should get a hefty pat on the back / firm handshake.
Embrace are back. Fuck yes.
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Post by bewildergirl on Apr 25, 2014 14:42:05 GMT
I love how so many of the folk who come on here just to say how much they hate the album are unregistered guests. Pinch of salt anyone? I'm thinking of stopping guest posting. If people want to take the time to register and engage in a discussion that's fine.
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Post by sonic on Apr 25, 2014 15:02:06 GMT
I've listened to the album a couple of times now so these remain early thoughts but I have to say (and it genuinely breaks my heart to say this) I think it's a massive disappointment. I want to preface what I say by saying that I was 17 when TGWO arrived, it's head and shoulders the most important album in my life, I would go as far as to say it changed my life - it still changes me when I listen to it. It was all at the same time brave, brash, humble, thrilling, deeply personal, universal and honest. Musically it was wall-to-wall melodies you couldn't ignore, lush orchestration and beautiful vocals. It set a standard that perhaps would be impossible to ever eclipse, but incredibly on DFM and OON I think Embrace came very close. If You've Never Been had some sublime moments (Over, Wonder, Satellites stand out for me) but fell short and the less said about TND the better. When Refugees arrived I wasn't blown away. My brother (also an Embrace fan) texted me immediately on first listen "What's with all the "production"" and it mirrored my own thoughts. It sounded like a song written on a MacBook as much as on a guitar. That said I still think it's a very strong and interesting song with a lovely and surprising last section. Follow You Home was a nice surprise, a real crowd pleaser with a huge sing-along chorus, but again I was slightly concerned about the fact that the vocals were all doubled. Two singles in and we'd barely heard Danny sing amidst reports from live shows that he was struggling. This morning on Chris Evans show they opened with a re-worked version of Ashes; again the vocals were all doubled, again Danny sounded unsure and struggled with pitch. The doubling of the vocals, the over-production and a real absence (in my opinion) of the stirring melodies that really made me love Embrace are the hallmarks of the new album for me so far. It's by no means a disaster. I think Protection, I Run and At Once are beautiful and these are songs that belong in at least the same discussion as songs like Higher Sights, Retread and Fireworks, but (and I appreciate they will grow on me over time) ultimately I think they fall short. Again the comparison between the production of the two albums does the new album no favours in the comparison and it's Danny who is insisting in every interview on making the comparison. I genuinely think he believes that they have made an album to rank alongside if not eclipse TGWO, perhaps some of you do too, but for me it's almost embarrassing to hear him say that as much as it would be embarrassing for Noel Gallagher to compare Be Here Now to Definitely Maybe. Elsewhere I just really don't follow some of the new songs. In The End might be one of the weakest things they've released I think and, though I know others will disagree strongly, I'm not a fan of Self-Attack Mechanism or The Devil Looks After His Own. Again, I'm just not drawn in by the melodies. I think Danny has focussed so much on the lyrics of this album that he hasn't found the melodies to do them justice (this is exactly the way I feel about Nature's Law - a strong lyric let down by a tedious and forgettable melody). I should say that I am no fan of songs like Even Smaller Stones, Near Life and This New Day, which I regard as low points in the band's catalogue. I know a lot of people feel differently and I suspect those people will love this album. But for those of us for whom songs like Higher Sights, Fireworks, Drawn From Memory, Someday and Out Of Nothing are favourites, I just don't hear anything on the new record that will ever capture my affection like those songs have. For me Embrace will always be that big-hearted, innocent band who (as one magazine put it) carried around an orchestra in their back pocket - the Embrace of Live at Abbey Road. All bands of course have the right to evolve and develop - indeed it would be tragic if they didn't - but that doesn't mean that fans will necessarily like where the journey takes them. For this fan of over 16 years, the over-reliance on electronica, the heavy production (in particular the doubling of vocals) and, to my ears at least, the almost total absence of any memorable Embrace melodies from the new album means that in another 16 years time, while TGWO will still undoubtedly be my favourite album ever and on regular repeat, I fear this new album will sit alongside TND, subject only to the odd curious listen and, ultimately, a reminder of the disappointment I feel now. Terrific post, and pretty much repeats the thoughts in my post above. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I had my tin hat on when posting my views. I really miss the melodies that are synonymous with the band. When I first listened to TGWO (sorry to compare again but the band are doing plenty of it themselves) it captured me, was easily the most absorbing piece of music I had ever heard. This does the complete opposite for me. I will need some more listens as I found it mostly forgettable.
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Post by jamesbduk on Apr 25, 2014 15:02:10 GMT
I've only listened to it a couple of times, but it's doesn't hold up for me.
I can't articulate in a forum post how sad this makes me. This album has been a long time coming; and it's just not that great.
It worried me how dismissive the boys had been about This New Day, as i genuinely liked a lot of that album. Their claim that this one beats (or even matches) everything they've previously done is deluded bravado...
I was planning on heading to Shoreditch this evening for the screening and Q&A, but after listening to the Album stream yesterday my 2 mates both pulled out...
For the record, i was a full member on the original board, but lost all my login details and can't be bothered to re-register. Embrace have been my absolute favourite band for the last 15 years and they've soundtracked my life. I can't imagine singing any of these songs to my Wife or Children, and even just that makes me really sad...
JD
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Post by jamesbduk on Apr 25, 2014 15:04:10 GMT
I love how so many of the folk who come on here just to say how much they hate the album are unregistered guests. Pinch of salt anyone? I'm thinking of stopping guest posting. If people want to take the time to register and engage in a discussion that's fine. How do i retrieve all my original details from the old board??
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Post by sonic on Apr 25, 2014 15:08:57 GMT
I love how so many of the folk who come on here just to say how much they hate the album are unregistered guests. Pinch of salt anyone? I'm thinking of stopping guest posting. If people want to take the time to register and engage in a discussion that's fine. I hope this isn't purely because people are being critical. I'm all for hearing any comments as long as it is constructive. Some people may want to come on and give their view only on the album rather than register for any sustained period. Unless it becomes overwhelming, and/or non-constructive I would quite like to hear everybody's view on the album, not just the Embrace loyal.
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Post by jamesbduk on Apr 25, 2014 15:11:27 GMT
I've just re-registered... I don't want my views to be dismissed as a non-fan troll!
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Post by richielumsdon on Apr 25, 2014 15:17:46 GMT
Listened to it 3 times now and I'm still not too sure as to where I stand. There's some strong songs such as Protection, Thief and Follow you Home, there's some weaker songs (Self Attack Mechanism has to be up there with the weakest ever Embrace tracks) and there's some "meh" songs. As a body of work it doesn't have the instant impact of Out Of Nothing or The Good Will Out. Maybe some more of the songs will reveal themselves on repeated listens.
What does stand out is the vocals (I know I have to watch what I say here as two previous topics about vocal quality have been locked by the Stazi, sorry moderators). To me, and I could well be wrong, its appears that some of these tracks have been written with Danny's vocal limitations in mind. There are a few songs, ATOMI especially, where even under studio conditions it sounds like he's struggling. Its for this reason that it's unlikely we're going to get any more of those classic Embrace soaring ballads, as to put it bluntly he can't sing them any more.
The production of the album is brilliant, Richard has clearly moved on leaps and bounds since he produced some of the TND b-sides, and for that reason alone I'm looking forward to listening to the physical copy of the album through a decent sound system.
To summarise I'm not unhappy I'm just a bit ambivalent to it at the moment which in itself is disappointing...
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Post by sonic on Apr 25, 2014 15:18:14 GMT
I've just re-registered... I don't want my views to be dismissed as a non-fan troll! Welcome back.
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Post by joshwood on Apr 25, 2014 16:42:16 GMT
It's almost painful how much I love Thief. That last three minutes. Fuck. FUCK. I miss how deafeningly loud it is when played live, but I suppose it's probably best not to blow out your listeners' ears. Quarters is nailed down on record too. Holy shit. Thief was the one that blew me away at SG19 and it still does. So much so that at 2 o'clock this morning I cracked a green glowstick for light and played it REALLY LOUD - instantly back in that basement. /saddo It is very likely that the existence of Thief will be the reason I go deaf eventually.
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Post by GoGoGoG on Apr 25, 2014 16:50:21 GMT
Just finished my second listen. So far, I'd say it could be their 3rd best album.
I may be wrong be wrong but I haven't been before.
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Post by nowimnobody on Apr 25, 2014 17:13:08 GMT
This is (partly) a response to user "thedn" but I thought I'd refrain from pasting the entire post.
I hear what you're saying and I definitely agree that Danny should stop with the TGWO comparisons, it can only be counter-productive. For any of us who've been into the band for that long, I don't think it's realistic to judge any new material by TGWO standards, especially in terms of the deeply felt emotions that many of us have for it. So I've resisted the temptation to do that and trying to let it stand on its own.
It wouldn't have made sense to try to create a 2014 version of TGWO, and I'm glad they haven't. Sometimes a band has said all they want (or are able) to say in a particular style, and if they keep trying to repeat what they've done they're on a hiding to nothing. By their own admission they've had enough of "pussy ballads", and that's probably good because they've done many great ones and would be hard pressed to better those songs. Many bands who've been around a long time say the secret of their longevity is to constantly shift and reinvent. That's a good thing.
As for the album itself, the New Order / Joy Division / U2 influences are pretty obvious, which is perfectly fine by me. I've probably listened to it in entirety about four or five times. Only Protection really grabbed me the first time through. Quarters and In The End took a couple of listens, as did Refugees and Follow You Home when they first came out.
I do think they got a bit carried away with the electronics and effects, to the detriment of the trademark piano melodies that we know and love. But they've moved on, so that's natural. Incidentally I really enjoyed the version of FYH on the Chris Evans show this morning because it was a bit more back in that direction. Give it a listen.
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Post by willow on Apr 25, 2014 17:19:24 GMT
I've only listened to it once because I don't want to overplay it and get bored of it so this is literally my initial impression. It's good! I'm rather relieved actually, I thought it wouldn't be my thing. It all sounds rather epic and I actually like the new electronic direction they've taken. The end of Thief is bloody brilliant, beats every other album closer they've done. Self-Attack Mechanism is rather good, as is Protection. And I Run! I love this one. If you asked me to pick a favourite off the album, I'd say I Run. Quarters. Can we talk about Quarters for a sec. One minute I'm listening to an Embrace song and then - I don't even know. One minute in - where did that come from?! I was so surprised I burst out laughing (sorry. Was laughing at my own reaction really). That's not to say it is a bad song. Because it's not. It is a good song. Just... unexpected. As for the "It's better than TGWO" claims... Having listened to it once, I wouldn't know. I get emotionally attached to songs/albums and I love TGWO including all its flaws so anything that proceeds it is not going to sound as good at first. Maybe after several months I will get attached to this new album and it will be better, I don't know. It's possible, it has the potential. I too am disappointed at the lack of trademark Embrace melodies and whoever said this is more Richard's album, I think you're right. I did always connect better with Danny's songs than Richard's unfortunately. I hope in the next one (?) they find a better balance between the two. But overall I'm liking the sound of it and it does sound like it will be a very good one gig-wise
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Post by thedn on Apr 25, 2014 21:37:24 GMT
sonic I hadn't actually read your post when I posted my "review" but having done so it was interesting that we both highlighted the absence of the sorts of melodies we associate with the band. I can tell we both desperately want them to be there but I'm on my third full listen now and I still don't hear them. Perhaps once I've heard them live I will connect more, I certainly hope so. nowimnobody thanks for the considered response and I agree with much of what you said. I suppose for me two examples come to mind: The Bends is one of my favourite albums ever and OK Computer wasn't far behind but as much as I wanted to like Kid A I never have and I never will. The melodies of Fake Plastic Trees, High and Dry, Street Spirit were nowhere to be found and I couldn't connect. Of course one of the reasons Radiohead are so admired is their evolution but they pretty much lost me from Kid A and a part of me will always regret what might have been had their evolution been less extreme. You also mentioned that the band shouldn't try and make another TGWO and I agree. But that doesn't mean they need to ditch many of the qualities that make them special. For example, what I've heard from the new Coldplay album I've really loved - it sounds very reminiscent of Parachutes but at the same time feels like an evolution and progression. What's more its low fi acoustic sound is a beautiful contrast to the enormous fluorescent soundscapes of Mylo Xyloto. I just wish this new Embrace album could have married the evolution the band so clearly crave with the melodies and feeling of TGWO, DFM and OON.
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Post by thedn on Apr 25, 2014 22:03:44 GMT
I should also say the album is growing on me with each listen (and I'm through 4 complete listens so far). Side 1 is now sounding strong with I Run being the stand out track bookended by the two singles. Still finding Side 2 more of a challenge but I won't give up trying to love it!
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Post by retlivdead on Apr 25, 2014 22:05:53 GMT
I've had over a day to listen to this and I'm in the 'fucking love it' camp. As someone who has something of an obsession with the synth-pop of OMD, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order et al, a band who is known for their ballads and anthemic guitar sound could've really embarrassed themselves going in this direction, thankfully they haven't. It's completely bonkers, all over the place at times, some of the lyrics make me cringe a bit yet the whole thing works beautifully. Even when Embrace stray into U2 territory, they have the decency to stay in Unforgettable Fire era.
I wasn't sure whether we'd ever get another Embrace record and even then I wasn't sure I'd be interested in it if we did, I felt the same before Out Of Nothing. They proved me wrong in 2004 and they've only gone and done it again.
Two thumbs up from me!
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Post by Archie's Dad on Apr 25, 2014 22:17:39 GMT
Only 1 listen so far and I'm impressed. I can see why some are seeing it as too much of a departure from the band we know and love but I'm happy with that. Do I think it's better than TGWO, probably not, but I'm not sure that it is fair to compare the two. Loving Rick's influence on the album as a whole and his production. Well done boys, glad you're back. PS Barry Gibb's guest vocals on Quarters were the biggest surprise. Bet he didn't come cheap!
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