Embrace (American band Embrace album)

Embrace is the debut studio album (and only release) by American post-hardcore band Embrace. consists of songs composed and performed in the context of Washington, D.C.'s 1985 Revolution Summer by one of its mainstay acts. Although recorded between November 1985 and February 1986, the album would not be released until 1987, after the demise of that social movement and the dissolution of the band.

Style

According to music journalist Andrew Earles, Ian and Alec MacKaye's previous bands Minor Threat and The Faith were composed of "highly intelligent, creatively restless personalities--precisely the types artistically fleeing hardcore in droves". Building off the aggression of Minor Threat, the album draws influence from New Order, The Cure, and "late-'70s/early-'80s" post-punk, which Earles says the band played "through the filter of tuneful post-hardcore.

Production and release

Embrace was compiled from the only two studio sessions the band recorded. while the other three were done in February 1986. All of the songs were recorded by the same lineup at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia,

Critical reception

Though not "as gripping or inventive" as that of Fugazi's, the music in the record, "as a vehicle for [Ian MacKaye's] righteous, cutting lyrics and strong voice", is "more than fine", according to reviewer Ned Raggett, who has described it as having production values that switched around from the "usual domination via guitar" with an emphasis on Ivor Hanson's drums, while comparing the work of guitarist Michael Hampton to John McGeoch's early work with post-punk bands Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees.</span>

For Mark Jenkins, co-author with Mark Andersen of the book Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation's Capital:

Jenkins also pointed out that:

<span style="font-size:95%; line-height: 1.31em;"> and "Dance of Days" taken from band's second recording session. This edition was reissued in 2008 on red vinyl, although without the additional cuts.

Also in 2002, the song "Money" was featured on the 3-CD compilation box set 20 Years of Dischord.

In 2009, the album was remastered again, this time at Chicago Mastering Service in Chicago, Illinois, for a reissue in its original vinyl disc format and cover art.