The album, released by Dischord Records,[6] consists of songs composed and performed in the context of Washington, D.C.'s 1985 Revolution Summer by one of its mainstay acts.[7] Although recorded between November 1985 and February 1986, the album would not be released until 1987, after the demise of that social movement and the dissolution of the band.[2][3][8]
Style
According to music journalist Andrew Earles, Ian and Alec MacKaye's previous bands Minor Threat and The Faith were composed of "highly intelligent, creatively restless personalities--precisely the types artistically fleeing hardcore in droves". Building off the aggression of Minor Threat, the album draws influence from New Order, The Cure, and "late-'70s/early-'80s" post-punk, which Earles says the band played "through the filter of tuneful post-hardcore.[9]
The album was released in September 1987 on Dischord Records,[3][11] in LP format.[nb 1][13]
Critical reception
Though not "as gripping or inventive" as that of Fugazi's, the music in the record, "as a vehicle for [Ian MacKaye's] righteous, cutting lyrics and strong voice", is "more than fine", according to reviewer Ned Raggett, who has described it as having production values that switched around from the "usual domination via guitar" with an emphasis on Ivor Hanson's drums, while comparing the work of guitarist Michael Hampton to John McGeoch's early work with post-punk bands Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees.[4]
"If not equal to Minor Threat's one-of-a-kind sonic excellence, Embrace['s instrumentals] are strong and muscular, an effective backdrop for MacKaye ... The confrontational lyricist [that delivers] an impressive [vocal] performance ... transforming an okay mid-tempo punk LP into a great one."[14]
For Mark Jenkins, co-author with Mark Andersen of the book Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation's Capital:[nb 2]
"Embrace featured some of Ian MacKaye's most vivid and direct (and frequently angry) sermons against greed, delusion and self-destruction, backed by tight, tuneful and slightly psychedelic punk."[15]
Jenkins also pointed out that:
"Not all the lyrics are MacKaye's ... bassist Chris Bald, who named the band, had a major role in shaping its sensibility."[15]
In 2002, the original album was remastered by Chad Clark at Silver Sonya Recording and Mastering in Arlington, Virginia, for its re-release on CD, featuring, as bonus tracks, previously unreleased alternate versions of "Money"[nb 5] and "Dance of Days" taken from band's second recording session.[11][13][17] This edition was reissued in 2008 on red vinyl, although without the additional cuts.[nb 6]
In 2009, the album was remastered again, this time at Chicago Mastering Service in Chicago, Illinois, for a reissue in its original vinyl disc format and cover art.[nb 8][11]
