Embrace were a band from Washington, D.C. who were active from the Summer of 1985 to the Spring of 1986.
Embrace consisted of Ian MacKaye on vocals (formerly of the Teen Idles, Minor Threat, and Skewbald/Grand Union at this point in time) as well as Michael Hampton (guitar), Chris Bald (bass), and Ivor Hanson (drums), who all previously played in the Faith. However, Embrace was certainly a departure from the hardcore sound its members had become renowned for. They, like many others, were part of "Revolution Summer", a movement in D.C. that sought to get away from the increasing violence within the hardcore scene that they started. This occurred in the Summer of 1985, with the first (and most noteworthy, along with Embrace) band being the seminal Rites of Spring. Embrace followed a similar path, in that they abandoned the fast-paced chainsaw-like assault of outward anger in favour of a more personal and introspective approach. This is clearly exemplified in Ian's lyrics. He maintains the personal, straight-forward approach in his lyrics, but shifts the topics being discussed from the exterior to the interior, making himself seem more vulnerable than any other one of his projects. This results in some gut-wrenching lines filled with truths nobody wants to hear. An even more drastic evolution occurs in the music itself. The Faith are a great band of course, but didn't stray too far from being typical of a hardcore band from D.C. at the time. In Embrace, however, it is clear that these three musicians are quite adequate on their respective instruments. I personally love Hampton's guitar playing. Rhythmic power chords, but with an element of lead playing that's normally crucified within hardcore. He's also got a great tone. Bald and Hanson also bounce back and forth to create some interesting rhythms, where Bald's melodic lines and Hanson's tight drumming compliment each other perfectly.
Embrace consisted of Ian MacKaye on vocals (formerly of the Teen Idles, Minor Threat, and Skewbald/Grand Union at this point in time) as well as Michael Hampton (guitar), Chris Bald (bass), and Ivor Hanson (drums), who all previously played in the Faith. However, Embrace was certainly a departure from the hardcore sound its members had become renowned for. They, like many others, were part of "Revolution Summer", a movement in D.C. that sought to get away from the increasing violence within the hardcore scene that they started. This occurred in the Summer of 1985, with the first (and most noteworthy, along with Embrace) band being the seminal Rites of Spring. Embrace followed a similar path, in that they abandoned the fast-paced chainsaw-like assault of outward anger in favour of a more personal and introspective approach. This is clearly exemplified in Ian's lyrics. He maintains the personal, straight-forward approach in his lyrics, but shifts the topics being discussed from the exterior to the interior, making himself seem more vulnerable than any other one of his projects. This results in some gut-wrenching lines filled with truths nobody wants to hear. An even more drastic evolution occurs in the music itself. The Faith are a great band of course, but didn't stray too far from being typical of a hardcore band from D.C. at the time. In Embrace, however, it is clear that these three musicians are quite adequate on their respective instruments. I personally love Hampton's guitar playing. Rhythmic power chords, but with an element of lead playing that's normally crucified within hardcore. He's also got a great tone. Bald and Hanson also bounce back and forth to create some interesting rhythms, where Bald's melodic lines and Hanson's tight drumming compliment each other perfectly.
Embrace, despite their very short time as a band, were groundbreaking and seminal in the development of "emo", "post-hardcore", "punk", "hardcore", or whatever term you wish to apply to them. They brought music from one place to another, and that certainly warrants recognition. They released exactly one album, which is self-titled on Dischord (obviously) in 1987, a year after they broke up. In 2002, this album was re-mastered and included alternate versions of two songs, "Money" and "Dance Of Days", which I included if you want to check them out.
1. Give Me Back
2. Dance Of Days
3. Building
4. Past
5. Spoke
6. Do Not Consider Yourself Free
7. No More Pain
8. I Wish I
9. Said Gun
10. Can't Forgive
11. Money
12. If I Never Thought About it
13. End Of A Year
14. Last Song
15. Money (Alternate Version)
16. Dance Of Days (Alternate Version)
