This article was publish in Svenska Dagbladet which is a daily morning newspaper. One of only two national morning newspapers that is not genre specified. Publication date was November 30th, 1998.

Embrace announce the best music year

English band Embrace play at Studion tonight. It will be a surprise for them coming to the Swedish winter darkness. Embrace played Hultsfredsfestivalen (summer festival, webmaster's note) this past summer and one thing made an impression on them.
- I loved it, it was light all night, says the band's singer Danny McNamara.
- It was a nice gig. We did soundcheck and only around 20 people stood there, so we thought it'd be the worst flop. But we didn't know the doors to the area were locked, so once we entered the stage it was full.

In contrast to what many people think, Embrace are not a new band. Danny and his brother Richard have been playing together for nine years, and as Embrace for eight years, but they only got their record deal two years ago.
Why?
- We were simply not good enough before, we didn't have any songs. It is also difficult coming from the north of England. Record companies only move in London and its surroundings.
How is it going now then?
- The album went to number one and sold gold in one day, so it has gone as well as it was possible.

A big part of the hype around Embrace came from a comment they made about Oasis. And the papers blew it up immediately in hope of a new pop war since Blur had quit (not quit as a band but quit the Brit pop war, webmaster's note).
- I don't really regret anything I said, but it was very naive of me. But it's not about that, in the end it's all about the music. It's a shame that English bands throw so much crap at eachother, if I don't like a band I just don't buy their record. It should be enough.
How about now, what do you think of the music climate in England?
- 1998 was the best music year so far.
Better than 1968?
- Absolutely! A lot of good records have come out this year, but we have everything old as well. We can buy records from 68 and 98. So logically, next year will be even better (have to say that's smart of Danny, webmaster's note).

Eric Fallander