I personally love this album, I think it shows Maxwell's growth as an artist especially his writing, singing, and arranging. However most people have been extremely critical of this album because it is a complete departure from the sound he used on Urban Hang Suite. I have heard some state that Embrya has no soul, its elevator music, or some just dismiss it as a sophmore slump but I beg to differ. I actually feel that Embrya was one of the most creative albums of the 1990's. The entire album sounds like it was recorded underwater and its soothing sound adds to the overall concept. Moreover Maxwell and Stuart Matthewman(Sade) created an album that was both mood altering, lush, and musically complex. The album incorporates, strings, impassioned vocals, a wide range of guitars, heartfelt ballads, and abstract imagery. I guess most people were not prepared for these drastic change in sound that Maxwell experimented with on only his 2nd studio release. I guess since Maxwell has been labeled a "Neo-Soul" artists all of his albums have to follow the same rigid guidelines that are now making everyone in this genre indistinguishable. I really do not consider Maxwell solely a neo-soul artist because his albums straddle genres and his sound is not as formulaic as fender-rhodes, beat machines, or ?uestlove on drums. His last release "Now" is trumpted by many as a return to form because many of the song lyrics are straight-forward (or atleast the seem that way). So it begs the questions do most people want their favorite artists to grow or constantly give them what they like without ever challenging their musical tastes? Also are people so conditioned to only using music as background noise that they have a hard time appreciating something that my take a few spins to get into or God forbid something that requires thought??

I love that album. I have it in my favorites collection.

Love,

Suzie

It's called "balance". Challenge yourself, push new musical boundaries- all the while creating catchy tunes. This is something Prince does very well.

I liked Embrya, took me a lot of getting used to, but I liked it. It was just too far left feild. It needs that balance! Whereas, the Now album needs more of that left field stuff that Embrya had.

jtgillia said:

What defines balance and Who is to say what is or is not a catchy tune??--That's subjective

I was very much into Embrya when it came out back in 1998.

I loved the first album too. I really think Embrya is his best effort. The song 'hula drowndeep' is probably the one that clinched it for me. Very very Prince like. "matrimony' is superb as well. It's funny but my biggeset complaint about Maxwell is that his music is too sleepy. I love it and that is a very simplistic description but I wish he'd do something a bit faster.


I guess I'm used REAL drastic changes like "purple rain' to 'around the world' to 'parade' sign of the times' to 'lovesexy' etc. 'rainbow' to 'one night alont' etc.

The guy that i really thought would be the one to watch was 'Tony Rich'. Again, in my view, it's hard to distinguish between the songs on his first and last album. Mind you, I think the song writing is much stronger on the 2nd.

I love both of these guys (I wonder what Tony Rich is up to, has he been dropped by his label'?) but the pale in comparison to the MAN !

I like to "Go Downtown" to track #7 (should have known) that song is beautiful!!!

In my opinion Embrya was a better album than Urban Hang Suite. I enjoyed the first album as well I just prefer the departure in the sound. It seems to me that record companies pressure artists to stick to what sells and no longer encourage artistic growth. Also some fans want their favorites to make the same songs all the time but to me that is boring. Yes there should be balance but an artist or group should not be damned for expressing "their" art.

Got it, love it. I love "Matrimony".


Peace,

JD

classic77 said:

I agree wholeheartedly...Urban Hang Suite was good, but Embrya was a much better album..IMHO

First Album I Like the Best.far More Soulful.Cool Unplug Set.Hit&Miss with "Embrya"."Now" Kinda Average to me."Fourtunate"is My Favorite Song He has doen thus far to me.I tend to Like His Up-Tempo Material better overall.He reminds me of a Lightweight to MiddleWeight Le Roy Hutson overall IMHO with a Dash of Smokey Robinson in there.but He hasn't found His Full Groove quite Yet IMHO.also Sony is Messing with His Creativity.hopefully He can stay on track.

Great album

Embrya is a good album

I was just listening to this today.