Embrace have quietly created an admirable body of work without fuss or the internal friction that has dogged so many bands of the era - They were founded by the McNamara brothers, singer Danny and guitarist Richard in 1990 in Baliff Bridge, West Yorkshire - Joined by bassist Steve Firth, drummer Mike Heaton and keyboard player Mickey Dale, the line-up has remained stable ever since.
Signing to the ultra-cool Fierce Panda label, the group's debut single All You Good Good People was to become a UK Top 10 hit in October 1997, eight months after its first release, when it was reissued by Virgin offshoot Hut Records. As a result, their debut album, The Good Will Out was eagerly anticipated. Released in June 1998, over its hour, it showcased a range of styles and approaches. From the tender ballad Fireworks to the anthemic title track, the singles My Weakness Is None Of Your Business and Come Back To What You Know, the album's 14 tracks represent an accomplished, beautifully crafted body of work. It is easy to see why Chris Martin of Coldplay (who supported Embrace on tour in 2000) is such an admirer, among many others.
In many respects, Embrace form a trilogy with two other great northern groups of the time, Oasis and The Verve ? yet they were no junior partners: The Good Will Out fully captures the scale of their ambition.
It is presented with scrupulous attention to the detail of the original UK first pressing and available in audiophile 180gm vinyl.
