Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
 The first ever emo record? November 15, 2001
Ed Perry (HB, CA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
For those of you who don't know, this CD is the first full-length release put out by Ian MacKaye after Minor Threat broke up, and if you were into punk in those days, it was definitely put under a microscope by those in the scene at the time. Most Minor Threat fans already had heard "Salad Days", so there was already a hint that the times were changing, but judging by the initial reviews of the Embrace record, not everyone was ready for it. Let me just say that Ian's voice is completely different when he sings rather than yells. A lot of people don't care for the "emo" Ian. Personally, I loved Minor Threat, I can't stand Fugazi except for one or two songs, but I like this record a lot. I was lucky enough to catch an Embrace show in DC, and they were really good. It's been a long time since this record came out, but I put it on last night, and it was still really good. As a previous poster pointed out, it does kind of lose the intensity a little bit near the end of side two, but there are some solid tracks, especially on side one, like "Dance of Days", "Building", and "Past". If you don't mind Ian's voice in Fugazi, you will most likely love it on this record. Those looking for something closer to Minor Threat will probably be disappointed, though. But keep an open mind, try the song samples here on Amazon, and you just might end up picking this up. Recommended.
Post MT February 1, 2005
D. K. Malone (earth)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
It isn't often that a band's existence can be explained so simply and clearly, but Embrace is one such case:
One of the several reasons behind Minor Threat's demise was that Ian McKaye was sickened by the hardcore scene he'd helped to create. By 1983 it had become insufferably conformist. Even worse, it had also grown to be intensely violent. Even though in many ways the motivation was positive, the release of energy at hardcore shows often resulted in kids getting physically hurt. Ian felt extremely guilty and saddened over it. When bemoaning this to HR of the Bad Brains, HR told him, "You started it." This is why Ian did Embrace. It was his attempt to undo the damage he perceived himself being responsible for. While Embrace didn't last long and crumbled an entire year before they released this album, Ian carried on his same sense of purpose in Fugazi in 1987, and he continues to this day.
 Must Have July 18, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is absolutely the beginning of emo and probably the best album in the genre. If you are one of those emo noobs that listen to all the new emo junk coming out, ie get up kids, etc.. you should try listening to this album. Ian kills it both lyrically and musically. Other suggestions: Dag Nasty, Wig out at Denkos/Can I say ; Turning Point ; Rites of Spring . Dischord Records deserves most of the credit for such an interesting style of music
Best emo band ever April 6, 2003
thelittlebard
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
First of all, THIS is emo. Emo is not New Found Glory or Good Charlotte or anything like that. Emo is post-hardcore punk, with the same energy as hardcore, just tempered. It is intelligent music that always had something to say. It experimented. It didn't sound like pop.The Embrace guys got it right. And so did Rites of Spring. This is an awesome album for anyone who wants good music in that genre. Fans of Minor Threat or Fugazi probably already have this, but for those of you saying you're "so emo", you really need to have this.
No more Pain January 5, 2004
Joshua
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
In A world full of shallow,hopeless bands this record glows in my mind. Every time i put it in my record player I feel as though someone has handed me a Beautiful gift. Out of all of Ian Mckayes releases this one truly stands out in my mind as a classic. All these supposive emo bands would do good to stop and listen to this record. Its one of those records where you never would skip a tract, each song leaves you wanting to hear more. Ian's Lyrical geneious is the real clincher on this record, such lyrc's as "no more heroin death is not glamourous" and " I dont like party's they avoid the truth" "Please smile avoid unpleasant situations" show what real "EMO" is like. You truly can feel what emotions Ian is feeling in his songs
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