Embrace,The Delays Live Review @ Apollo (Manchester) - 13 Oct 2006

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Live Review

It is rapidly apparent from their gritting out of the sound of a tri-brid of The Coral, The Magic Numbers and Mercury Rev that Delays career draws parallels with the fortunes of their hometown football team, Southampton. The premier league class debut album, 'Faded Seaside Glamour' caught the attention of many melody lovers a few years back. Tonight two pearls from this offering standout, the winding rhythmic stroll of 'Lost In A Melody' and the trembling power ballad 'Long time Coming', representing Delays answer to Matt Le Tissier and Marion Pahars respectively and wins favour with reflective onlookers. However, tracks from the follow up album are too set on trying to relive the glory days and are largely greeted with blank looks for their lack of real belief. The tightness and enthusiasm is still evident in abundance and a return to form is more than a possibility.

"No use crying, cos you know you're day is gonna come"

How many times during their time in the doldrums of being written off by critics, will Embrace have drawn strength from the above line from their opening song, 'No Use Crying'? Danny McNamara raises the crowd like they are the Mary Rose and there is little resistance, as a newish song is greeted like an old friend. Fan favourite, 'All You Good Good People' whips up a frenzy and a glorious evening is upon us, in the knowledge that the quintet has their mind firmly on the job in hand and do not seem to be yielding to the temptation of prevarication, as they have oft succumbed to in the past. There is a widely welcomed interruption to the songs by way of an emphatic proclamation that Embrace are not splitting up. The audience need little encouragement to get on their feet and bounce around, but they are given it anyway prior to the airing of biggest hit so far 'Nature's Law'. Classics such as 'Come Back To What You Know', 'Gravity' and a rare airing of 'I Had A Time' keeps everyone salivating for more.

An ode to individuality, 'Looking As You Are' provides for a bracing moment and draws attention to the variety that was achieved on the comeback album 'Out Of Nothing'. Merry hecklers try to engage the band in song by erupting into a tuneless, but exuberant rendition of 'Last Christmas'. However, the old pros remain as focused as Heather McCartney in her pursuit for a million pound divorce settlement in their mission to keep the tempo building. A new song 'Heart And Soul', possesses a fatter bass and guitar sound, making the most of Richard McNamara's nimble guitar prowess. The crowd respond with instant ruptures appreciation to Danny's question as to whether they liked it or not? 'Ashes' sees the house rise to their feet for a passionate sing-along and is confirming its status as the band's autobiographical anthem. The set tonight has been freshened up from recent outings and to the disappoint of some, 'Glorious Day' and 'The Good Will Out' are left on the bench, but they were not needed for this exhilarating performance.

Written by David Adair & Stewart Brookman

David Adair