No, not hug someone tonight -- though, I do highly encourage hugging. I'm talking about the band.

Embrace is huge in the UK but I've barely heard about 'em on this side of the Atlantic border. Nonetheless, I'm venturing to Spaceland tonight to see them perform. Being that this appears to be their first time to the US, I doubt anyone's seen 'em, but perhaps you've seen them overseas? If so, yay/nay?

At least, the opening band will be good -- local boys, The Colour. Seen them a few times and have always enjoyed their performance. Plus, the lead singer is HOT!

I'm assuming this isn't about the Ian Mckaye-led band of the 80s.

Goddamn unoriginal name-stealin' Brit-poppers!

Oh, and have a good time.

seriously. some band from LA calling themselves the Colour has got to be a blatant OCS ripoff. and i was also like, "tania likes embrace? wait - embrace is still around?!?!"

You know me, ever expanding my horizons.

I've seen them a couple of times. Good live, nothing out of the ordinary. If you've not heard the new record, it's the best one they've done barring the very first one from 1997ish. Very, very Coldplay - Chris Martin even wrote a song on it.

Chris Martin and company are rumoured to appear tonight. It would be cool being that I'm a Coldplay fan too.

I have one album which I really need to listen to more. "All You Good Good People" is the best Oasis song ever.

They not only share a sound with Oasis, they share a problem--most of their songs should be at least a minute shorter. ("All You Good..." might not have made my Best of the Year tape were it not for the single edit.)

I have their latest "Out of Nothing" and think its pretty good. I look forward to what you think of their live set Tania. If anyone here knows a good show it's you.

With their big sweeping choruses and catchy melodies they should go over well at your show.

I hope they come to the midwest on this tour....

I love(d) this band and their second album Drawn From Memory is a classic, IMO, and made my listmania. The Good Will Out, their debut, is still quite good as well and enjoyed it last time I played it, a few months back. It almost sounds like a singles collection where five songs did come out as such.

2001’s If You’ve Never Been reminds me a lot of Travis’ The Invisible Band where there are some good songs, interesting lyrics, but doesn’t have it for whatever reason.

Last years Out Of Nothing is suppose to be a rebirth for this band. Stylus, some British press and fans seem to really like it. It has done so well that it has been picked up and will be out in the US in May. I like it alright but played Drawn again and they didn’t even come close to that one.

Edit to add info: Embrace Out of Nothing" (released in U.K. last fall; producer: Youth; standout track "Gravity" was written by Coldplay's Chris Martin; first single: "Ashes" (Lava/Atlantic, May 3, 2005)

np: Decemberists – Castaway and Cut-Outs

Sold out show. Absolutely brilliant. Met the entire band. Need sleep. Will tell more later. G'night.

Is this the same UK I live in?

Yup. Nine top 20 hits since '97 ain't small.


dead on.

These guys are booked to a few summer UK festivals and are used to performing in front of large sold out audiences. But, last night, they performed in a small club in Silverlake, California -- probably a humbling experience for most artists used to large crowds, not for these guys. They were genuinely pleased to be here -- "It's taken us eight years and we can't believe we're finally performing in America. In my 34 years, I can't believe I'm at a loss for words. This is great!", said Danny. Add to the fact that they hadn't slept in 40 hours having encountered visa problems entering the US, made for a very surreal experience for them.

I'll confess, I don't own anything by Embrace but the audience in attendance certainly did. Singing along to each and every song, it just made the band smile more and more at the warm embrace (yes, I said it) Los Angeles was giving them. The show was seriously fantastic and I had a great time!

There were no Chris Martin Paltrow sightings much to the dismay of my friend, Audree, but we did get to meet the band before and after the show. Very nice and excited to be here. San Francisco is tonight, followed by New York this weekend. They're eager to return and according to the band, it looks as if they'll be the supporting act for Snow Patrol on their next tour in May/June.