Embrace - The Good Will Out

Oops, got the wrong album, buts its pretty good britpop anyway

I downloaded this album thinking it was by the post Minor Threat, pre Fugazi project by Ian MacKaye, my bad. And much to my suprise I got some emotive britpop that sounds kinda like a mixture of Verve, Oasis, and Radiohead circa The Bends without the emotional despair. Very nice, melodic and thoroughly enjoyable music by some guys who aren't afraid of a beautiful melody and anthemic songs. Not bad, if a tad formulaic, but its a very pleasant listen so what the hell? August 11, 2005

Inconsistent masterpieces

Okay, so I'd give this album 5 stars if it were consistently good. What I mean is, there are songs on here that are simply amazing: grand anthems, sweeping choruses, majestic orchestrations, etc. Yeah, it sounds over the top, but it is & it's done in a good way- as only the British know how. Like I mentioned earlier, the only problem is that not every track follows this formula; not every track is up to par. Some songs are rather straight-forward & bland. But the good songs are SO GOOD.

Songs like "Retread," "Come Back To What You Know," "Higher Sights," "My Weakness Is None Of Your Business," "Fireworks," & "That's All Changed Forever" use strings & orchestrations to build to an emotional climax. These songs are tremendously moving- it's why I love music so much!

"All You Good Good People" is one of their better known songs that uses a full orchestra- horns & strings- in more of a heavy setting. It's a great introduction that will lift you off your feet- check out the intense cresendo & how it lifts you up & drops you into a rousing interlude.

"The Good Will Out" is probably the best song on here. It's a classic album closer: linked-arms-sing-a-long. The horns are great too- it's a poignant song without dipping too much into balladry.

The rest of the songs- like "Blind," "I Want The World," & "The Last Gas"- are okay at best, but don't live up to the excellency of the aforementioned tracks. I wouldn't miss them if they were off the album- at least you'd have a stellar EP. (Well, it'd be longer than an EP.) But that's typical of Embrace- many of their albums feature incredible individual songs but a handful of lackluster ones. However, at any rate, this album (their first) features the most songs where they're at the top of their game. They seemed to be on to something. Too bad they never caught on in the States, but at least we had the good fortune to have this album released (their only Stateside release).

If you like this then you should also check out the import for Fireworks- their greatest hits. That way you can bypass the lackluster [stuff] in their other 2 albums. But there are definitely "non-hits" on The Good Will Out that are worth a listen. And for that reason, check out this album. May 13, 2002

the good is out

this album has blown me away. Before listening i had heard "All You Good Good People" and "Come Back To What You Know". I didn't expect anything as good as the singles but i got better. "My Weakness..." is an excellent mix of an emotional ballad and an epic football chant. "One Big Family" is a noisy shout-a-thon. "Retread" for me was a stand out track, especially the breath taking outro. "Fireworks" is an excellent sentimental ballad. "That's All Changed Forever" is a quiet epic, getting bigger and bigger throughout and "The Good Will Out" is a great end to an amazing album, especially with the "Hey Jude" style sing-a-long outro. This is an album for getting up in the morning, singing along to in the car, playing on the pub jukebox and sending you to sleep. The soundtrack for your life. March 31, 2000

Embrace is tops...

The Good Will Out is an amazing album. I think it puts Embrace on the top of the British music scene as a powerful song writing force that has come of age. Although, sadly, their music will probably not hit the US charts as it has the UK charts (which means no tour of the US in the near future) due to the poliferation of wack pop groups and image driven gimp bands. The album is based around the center piece, "All you good good people", which is was got me interested. Immediately after listening to the album a few times other sadder more plaintive songs jumped out like, "That's all Changed Forever" and "Fireworks", two calming yet uplifting ballads. If you are a fan of the Verve and need something to fill the void of their breakup, then listen to "The Good Will Out". It is an album that will uplift you during your darkest, drunkest times. March 7, 2000

A absolute must have

Few albums get it all right. This is one of them. I loved it the first time I heard it. It's a simply brilliant work that anyone would be foolish to ignore. March 7, 2000

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