Search - Embrace :: If You've Never Been

Incredibly, even better than their last album!

Denmark Jensen | Carson City, NV USA | 09/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel that Drawn From Memory was easily the best album of 2000, and also an all time favorite. The fact that this album is even better should mean that Embrace are destined to become a household name around the world, mentioned in the same breathe as U2 or the Beatles. Sadly, as least currently, the music world appears to be in some strange state where real quality is not valued, or at least doesn't sell very well. The excellent in every way first single "Wonder" only went to #14 in the UK charts, and the band doesn't currently even have a record deal in the U.S. Ok, enough ranting - why is this album good? Simply because it contains 10 great songs which are each uniquely enjoyable on their own and taken together provide a wonderful and cohesive listening experience for three quarters of an hour. Along the way you'll be reminded again and again of the simple beauty of life, love, and even heartache. What more can one ask for from a music cd? Getting more specific about the tracks, the second single "Make It Last" is, like "Wonder", another classic Embrace anthem complete with beautiful soft building verse and soaring chorus. The sort of title track, "If You've Never Been In Love With Anything", is an uplifting, upbeat surprise that even contains some Beach Boys-like harmonies. "Happiness Will Get You In The End" with its soft piano reminds me of "Liar's Tears", in both musical and lyrical tone. "Satellites" provides a beatiful ending to the album. The other five tracks are each very good as well. I love this album, and it makes one feel that it loves you back."

UK underdogs deliver.

Stephen Doig | New Zealand | 08/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Embrace, it must be said are not everyone's cup of tea. Each new Embrace album is met with adoration by fans and dismissiveness by the UK music press, and I must confess I find it a bit baffling. Too often they are laden with a sub-Oasis tag or considered to be Brit-rock also rans, but it's the fans that know the truth - Embrace are a much, much better band than often given credit for. Embrace's music is not cryptic or high-minded or inaccessible, and in today's art/musical/cultural climate these characteristics are considered as attributes.
However, If You've Never Been's appeal lies in it's heart-rending ballads and pulse-quickening rock, and it connects almost immediately. In this respect, Embrace's music is not at all unlike Coldplay's easy charm and melodicism. Take the opening song 'Over', it's a tremendously moving tune that begins with a simple, catchy, circular riff that slowly builds to a rapturous crescendo combining strings, guitars and Danny McNamara's soaring, aching vocals - truly visceral, spine tingling stuff. 'Hey What You Trying to Say' is of a similar mould - great hook, great chorus, nothing complicated but strongly felt. 'Many Will Learn' is perhaps the dark-horse in the pack, it isn't one of Embrace's more crowd pleasing or anthemic songs yet it has a subtle, unassuming beauty and poignancy to it.
To the uninitiated, If You've Never Been is a perfectly good place to start, and for existing fans, - with the likes of the warm and familiar single 'Wonder', there should be plenty here to, er, embrace."

Genius for the patient

Frances Lee | Austin, TX United States | 04/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Actually, this is the first Embrace album I really listened to. I didn't have the chance to get The Good Will Out and by that time, this came out. Let me tell you, if you appreciate epic songs, you'll love this album. They are so good, it's sick. The guitarwork is great and the tunes are pretty catchy once you listen to them more and more. Wonder, the single, is easily one of the best on it. Over takes some listening to hear all the little nuances. If You've Never Been in Love with Anything is more pop driven and is reminiscent of the Kinks. Lush and highly underrated (in the US at least) overtures from a great brother duo. This shouldn't be an import!"