Embrace @ The Academy

Perhaps it's because I'm from the wrong side of the Pennines that the atrophic sounds of Embrace just don't resonate kindly. Perhaps it's because I feel that the only thing that Embrace could clinch is a mediocre attempt to re-invent the melodies that provided the soundtrack to years gone by in Manchester. But even when setting this apart, Embrace's gig tonight was excruciating. The crowd goes wild, illustrating their support through intoxicated, repetitive bounding, and off beat in-the-air clapping. But then again, so do fans at a Phil Collins gig, who, like these fans, are seemingly electrified by regurgitated MOR drivel. Embraced by banality, this group try hard to plum new depths in the abyss of retro flavoured indie. They would have been more at home in 1994, although that would have necessitated originality. This new day - same old shite. [Sam Eccles]