Once unfairly derided as a second-rate Oasis, it looked for a while as if the McNamara brothers and co might be swept away in the great Britpop clear-out which saw off even more successful outfits like The Verve. (In fact, lead singer Danny McNamara once told yours truly that if things didn’t work out in the music business he fully expected to be back flipping burgers.) But somehow they’ve managed to survive against the odds and come up with what many are calling their best album to date.
Out Of Nothing certainly sees a quantum leap in the songwriting department, as more subtle melodies replace an earlier tendency toward overblown epics. Yet the opener ‘Ashes’ isn’t all that different from anthems like their biggest hit ‘All You Good Good People’. But thankfully things take a turn for the better on the current single ‘Gravity’, which is all lush textures and swooning, sensitive vocals. If it sounds more than a tad like Coldplay, there is good reason for this as it was co-written with the latter’s Chris Martin. In fact his outfit’s distinctive, piano-based approach to songwriting seems to have had a profound effect on Embrace, as much of this is similarly low-key and understated. ‘Looking As You Are’ is another memorable tune while the slow-burning ‘Wish ‘Em All Away’ features a killer harmonica hook. By the time they get to the final (title) track ‘Out Of Nothing’ things have moved up a gear proving that Embrace are not quite ready for the quiet life just yet.