Embrace - The Good Will Out

This debut album came out in 1998 and none of the songs ever probably got a lick of radio airtime here in the USA. That's a shame because this is a fantastic collection of songs, both mellow and heavier. But I suppose in '98 we were starting to get a big dose of Britney, Christina, and Jessica. What can I say? America's musical tastes pretty much bite. That gives Best Album of the Day a reason to exist though: We must educate the masses.

Some of the louder songs are very Oasis-like (see "All You Good Good People" and "The Last Gas"). I am also wondering if guitarist Richard McNamara is singing a few of them too since they don't sound like lead singer and brother Danny McNamara. Either way, great songs.

This album contains a ton of slower, ballad-like tracks as well. "Come Back to What You Know", "Fireworks", and "Now You're Nobody" are all excellent, but the best track on the album by far is the title track "The Good Will Out." It's the final song on the album and provides one of the best album closings that I've ever heard. They closed their A Glorious Day: Live in Leeds concert DVD with that track and it's amazing. And thanks to the goodness of YouTube, you can view it online!

Great album, great band. I wish they'd come to this continent someday. To think that Coldplay used to open for these guys.

Thirteen Senses - Contact

If you like Coldplay, you'll probably enjoy this album. Actually it's got a good mix of Embrace, Athlete, etc. as well. I bought Thirteen Senses' first album, The Invitation, a few years back as suggested by someone on the Embrace website. It was alright, but nothing too noteworthy.

Contact is a much better album with some very good tunes and a lot of that dreamy Brit-rock sound. It's a good "at work" album since it's not in-your-face and yet it's melodic without being too mellow. I have no idea what that means. Bottom line is it's a good album.

Eskimo Joe - Black Fingernails, Red Wine

I've heard this group on Pandora a lot in the last few months, but was never able to hear the whole album since it wasn't on my music subscription service (Yahoo) yet. Sorry to post yet another "British" sounding album on here (these guys are actually Australian if that helps) but I post what's good, and this is a good album.

They actually pop up on Pandora if you are listening to the Embrace station, so naturally they fit into the same stylistic category. The lead singer's voice sounds a lot like the guy from Reamonn too, and they do a lot of similar harmonies. Good album. I'd be interested in seeing these guys in concert since it looks like they are a trio, and the album sounds a lot bigger than that.

Athlete - Beyond the Neighbourhood

Athlete are probably one of my top-10 favorite bands out there. They aren't anything super exciting that'll blow you away, but it seems like every time I put one of their albums on it just hits the spot.

Beyond the Neighbourhood just came out today and I've probably listened to it 10 times already. Great album with excellent instrumentation and melody. Another artist that I really like is The Album Leaf (check them out!) - I think Athlete does too as evidenced by the opening instrumental track on this release. It's something straight out of TAL's book.

Rest of the album is just great brit/indie rock. I have been really impressed with some of the more melodic guitar-driven tracks on this album. And my favorite track thus far is probably Airport Disco. Good stuff!

Travis - The Boy With No Name

Released this week, the latest album by Travis is, well, a Travis album. Every album by these guys just sounds like Travis. They have definitely carved their own sound and this album has been worth the past few years of waiting for a new release. Enjoy!