Search - Embrace :: Drawn From Memory

Extra Tracks Add Nothing To An Amazing Album

A. Seuthe | United States | 11/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With their debut album "Good Will Out" in 1998, Embrace represented a different vein of Britpop, one far more introspective and less optimistic. Having once claimed they were better than Oasis and Verve combined, they are actually a perfect combination of both. 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.The extra tracks to this album are "I've Been Running" and "I Can't Feel Bad Anymore." To get these tracks you risk paying an additional 20 or so dollars, which they are not worth. B-sides are alterates for a reason, and they are some exceptions to this rule, but very few. "I Can't Feel Bad Anymore" is the same solemn, regretful ballad that could have been found on "Good Will Out" but it offers no new revelations, insightful sorrow. If you loved "Good Will Out" you will love "I Can't Feel Bad Anymore" but it's just the same old, same old. "I've Been Running" is a similar story. My advice is to save your money, the import version will be expensive enough. If you still want to blow 20 bucks, then a *much* better B-side choice for this album are the "Save Me" remixes, which improve upon the album version, which is too stripped down to really break out to its groove potential. The remixes are nothing short of amazing, and unlike most remixes you can actually distinguish from one another. These are available on the "Save Me" Pt. 2 single. Go for those instead."