after earls's positive comments about the new embrace album, i couldn't pass up the opportunity to go and see them play their tenth birthday party (complete wih presents, cake, fizzy orange, rolf harris records and balloons) in a scout hut in a forest near brighouse... one of the most fun gigs i've ever been to. for some reason, they played a cover of 'sweet caroline' too.

i can now confirm that the new album will be a cracker.

I really lost interest after Drawn From Memory, which was half ridiculous (Yeah You, New Adam New Eve) and half sublime (Drawn From Memory, You're Not Alone).

I haven't played it in years, but deep down it's one of the most evocative and personal albums ive ever heard, it pretty much soundtracked my life aged 14, the last time i remember being a really, really happy bunny. It reminds me of people and places the way they were when i loved them and they loved me, and for that reason it's hard for me to be objective about it. I can admit it's a flawed record, but there's no words I can use to say just what it does to me when i hear it.

Good Will Out doesn't do that, but it's a very strong record - a stronger record.

But since 2000 i have barely listened to the stuff i have (bar the odd nostalgic spin of Drawn From Memory) let alone followed the new stuff.

Maybe it's time i did if it's as good as people say. I'll hunt for Gravity on soulseek.

gravity is written by danny mcnamara's good friend chris martin of coldplay, though it does sound typically embrace-ish - danny was very frank about the reasons for releasing this as the first single (basically the pr said they had to, and they NEED this album to be a success). look for 'ashes', a much more upbeat, good-will-out-type anthem... can't honestly recommend the third album, 'if you've never been', but from what i heard of the new album it'll be a return to form.

i used to have drawn from memory as my alarm - a gentle awakening with 'the love it takes', and then the big brassy bit from 'you're not alone' would get me up and ready for a hard day's doss.

I take it the Southerners among us have seen PS News on the next secret Embrace gig...

yeah... that should be a good 'un, will you be attending? i obviously won't, enjoyed sunday a lot though. the embrace messageboard is great whenever one of these things is on. typical conversation:

hi, does anyone know how i get into the secret gig site?

use the password! it's around here somewhere *looks at top of screen*

it doesn't work

try copying the whole thing, you dumb fuck

aaaaaaaaah... right, does anyone know the proper address of the gig? and how to get to leicester square on a thursday night?

dude, do you have any idea of what the word 'secret' means? please fuck off. and die.