Clannad is the jaw-dropping Celtic jazz/folk/new age band that’s been around and setting cross-genre standards since 1970-something.

However, long-term followers of the group will probably be at least confused if not disturbed with the striking lack of sincerity and emotion that went into the lyrics and vocals...and the music dangles dangerously close to (GASP) elevator/department store/grandpa’s radio station.

Unlike most of their albums, there isn’t a single up-tempo song until halfway through the track list. And by not up-tempo, I mean near-stagnant. What many fans will find even MORE disappointing is the reprint of—not one—but TWO songs that were recorded way back in the eighties—In A Lifetime (a soulful, yet decade-old duet with Bono from U2) and the Theme From Harry’s Game—
making this at least the third time the latter song has been included on an album since it first emerged on Magical Ring way back in 1982. (Their excuse this time was that the song appeared on the Patriot Games Soundtrack.)

Anam opens up with the less-than-interesting Ri Na Cruinne, an environmentally-friendly song that was commissioned as the theme song for an environmental event which I apologize for not being able to remember what it was. It’s a Gaelic song with about three lines sung over and over in apology to the “King of the World” for not doing a good job taking care of the earth. (I’ve never found any solid explanation for who the heck the Ri Na Cruinne is, although Maire uses this name several times in reference to the Christian God in her solo projects.)

Next comes “That Bono song,” and then the title track, Anam. This is a song so quiet and slow, you might not notice it’s happening—and I’ve yet to make out or pay attention to enough of it to have any idea what it’s about. All I know is that it’s Maire singing really high with a celesta-esque synthesizer tone.

Now, I know I’ve beat up on most of this album pretty badly, but it does have some spectacular moments that jump out unexpectedly here and there. There are three of them, to be exact.

The Poison Glen is one of my all-time favorite Clannad picks, and how it wound up here is beyond me. It’s a surprisingly sad and folksy turn in the album with guitar, mandolin, and harmonica. Maire sings a lovely lyric adapted from Irish folklore. Any fan of contemporary Irish music should be familiar with this track.

Next on my redemption list comes “In Fortunes’ Hand,” one of the two up-tempo songs. It’s catchy, with a cool synth brass section that almost lends the piece a big band feeling, though in a more new age way. Maire and Ciaran’s vocal layering here is direct, engaging and on target, though the lyrics are still a little rusty.

Finally comes Why Worry, a song that manages to be jazzy without quite going all the way to elevator—although the polished sound nearly caves it all in on this one.

Although it has its moments, Anam is not an album to go paying huge pocketfuls for unless you’re sure what you’re getting into. I recommend buying it used, or borrowing it from your local library. I would also recommend using the general artist summary below and my reviews on the subsequent albums Banba (http://www.epinions.com/musc_mu-90717) and Lore(http://www.epinions.com/musc_mu-197489) for further knowledge and comparison with their other work.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ON THIS ARTIST –

CLANNAD (pronounced CLAN-ned, the A and E both long) takes its name from the Gaelic word for Family.

CURRENT LINEUP –

Maire Brennan (pronounced MOY-a) – Most lead vocals, Keyboard and Celtic Harp

brother Ciaran Brennen (pronounced KEER-an) – Additional vocals, Occasional lead, Keyboard, Acoustic, Electric, and Bass Guitars, Mandolin

cousin Noel Duggan – Acoustic Guitar

his twin brother Padraig Duggan (pronounced PAH-dug) – Acoustic guitar and Mandolin

PREVIOUS MEMBERS –

Pol Brennan – Brother to Maire and Ciaran

Enya Brennan – Sister to Maire and Ciaran (Yes, THAT Enya)


CLANNAD is an Irish band from County Donegal, not far from the Northern Ireland border. A traditional family band for some years, they decided to go into professional music making around 1970. Their first few releases were mostly traditional pieces sung in Gaelic. They’re “big break” came with the release of their 1982 album, “Magical Ring,” which included the Theme to Harry’s Game, a BBC made-for-television movie. Clannad is best known for their layered harmonizing vocals, a technique where Maire and Ciaran record numerous harmony parts on the same vocal track, thus producing an ethereal chorus-like effect. Enya adapted this method and fans of her music will find the style comparable (though much more organic in sound).

CLANNAD’s most recent studio recording was LANDMARKS in 1998.

MAIRE BRENNAN has produced several popular solo projects. These are (to date) –

MAIRE
MISTY EYED ADVENTURES
PERFECT TIME
WHISPER TO THE WILD WATER

FOR A FULL DISCOGRAPHY, PICTURES, LINKS, AN FAQ, LYRICS, AND ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THEIR SONGS IN GAELIC, SEE THE UNOFFICIAL CLANNAD WEB SITE AT –

http://www.empire.net/~whatmoug/clanhome.htm


Recommended:
No

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep