Embrace at the Leeds O2 Academy (Scott Smith / Live4ever)
It’s very easy to be cynical about these ‘Album In Full’ gigs, especially this far into the game.
It’s virtually an industry in itself, and the logical evolution from band reformations. As there are very few bands that would generate excitement in reforming, we have basically come to the end of that road. Amidst all the (justified) hype about Doves’ return, it’s largely ignored that they didn’t actually split up in the first place. Similarly, while everyone is revisiting Sleeper’s back catalogue and are pleasantly surprised, it’s not doing them a disservice by suggesting their return wasn’t the most hankered for.
These bands ride the crest of a wave, but what of the long-suffering, long haul merchants? To want a slice of the pie is human nature, and the potential audience to play a beloved album to is considerable – Peter Hook has made a new career out of it. This year alone we have Massive Attack, Manic Street Preachers and Bloc Party all performing album shows, with countless others on the circuit. In the case of the latter, there’s not even a reason to celebrate; Silent Alarm being 14 years old is hardly a landmark.
That said, at least Embrace have the good grace to play the game; it’s been 21 years since their debut The Good Will Out hit the shelves. It was quite a big deal at the time; feted as the next Oasis (northern, brothers in the band), the Yorkshiremen made quite a splash following a series of hit singles. They’ve been plugging away ever since with varying degrees of popularity, but if tonight is anything to go by, they will always have a place in hearts.
Obviously the album is played in full, in order, so it’s a strong start; the anthemic All You Good Good People has the crowd in fine voice from the first moment. Sadly, the purse strings don’t stretch to having a full brass section, such an important part of the song, but throughout the set the orchestral flourishes are ably provided by Mickey Dale on keys. It’s a barnstorming start, sustained with Come Back To What You Know two songs later. As they work through the album, one is reminded of how much of a rock band they were before settling into Coldplay-influenced, uplifting melancholia on later albums; I Want The World sounds mighty, as does The Last Gas.
Sadly, the McNamara brothers (Danny on lead vocals, Richard on backing and guitar) have never been able to list singing as their key strength and it briefly shows at points; Danny is a bit flat on certain songs, and when Richard takes the lead on We Are Family and then Refugees in the encore, he’s barely audible. Not that it matters, they have the crowd in their pocket throughout (‘let’s see if you can be louder than Manchester the other night’) and as such any deficiencies are drowned out through the power of the band or the audience singing along.
The encore is a run through of more recent hits, and by the time the closing salvo of Gravity and Ashes are reached the atmosphere is at fever pitch. But the gig is summed up at the close of the main set via a cannon shooting confetti into the crowd: good natured, a bit cheesy but ultimately about bringing smiles to faces.
So yes, it’s easy to be cynical about ‘Album In Full’ gigs, but when you’ve got a beaming band – one who have worked tirelessly for over two decades – being applauded rapturously by a thoroughly satisfied audience, the cynicism is swallowed by joy.