Post by Moe on Nov 11, 2008 14:35:50 GMT -5
Review: And Winter Came
First off, I have to say I don’t find a weak track of any kind in this album, which I consider the best Enya has ever released, period. The fact that it is oriented around a Christmas theme has not wounded it at all; instead it has inspired Enya, Roma and Nicky to reach for and obtain new musical heights.
I’ll comment here on each track, in the order they are arranged on the album.
1. And Winter Came:
It does not “bother” me one bit that this is a re-working of Midnight Blue. I respect the opinions of those who wanted a brand new instrumental track to launch the album, but I think AWC is a perfect opener. It sets the mood of the album as a whole in a peaceful and reflective manner. The instrumental makes me feel as if I am sitting by a fireplace on a quiet and beautiful night. The rich vocal overlay adds great warmth to the composition. If it takes its origin in Midnight Blue, well, this is MB on Christmas steroids – not wild and raging, but overwhelmingly peaceful and waiting for Christmas to come.
2. Journey of the Angels:
Definitely a Christmas song, the “new carol” kind of song that both Enya and Roma have spoken of. The vocal line is beautiful, and its “choral” nature suits the season. Like Silent Night, this song revolves around one special night when all things are possible.
3. White is in the Winter Night
This will likely become a Christmas favourite for kids of all ages – my nephew adored it the first time he heard a clip of it. The rhythm is happy and energetic, and the lyrics are full of images of Christmas – some of the best lyrics Roma has ever written.
4. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
This traditional Christmas carol, in both English and Latin (three cheers for the Latin), is beautifully sung. The vocal line powerful, and the overall presentation of the carol simply gorgeous. It replaces Oiche Chiuin as my favourite Enya Christmas carol.
5. Trains and Winter Rains
After the Christmas glory of O Come, we find ourselves in a very secular setting (despite the agnus dei refrain, the purpose of which I still struggle with). And from the quiet sound of O Come, we are now in a powerful rhythm – a dramatic break from all that has come before in this album. It’s also a darker song – there are journeys that take us away from what we love, flinging us into an unknown future. Hence the energetic “movement” of the track – the relentless pounding of trains as they run through the landscape. I think this was a good choice for the first single, with high commercial appeal. Record companies do care about that sort of thing.
6. Dreams are More Precious
We leave the train and all is peaceful again, as this track is exactly what Roma said it was: a lullaby. It is comforting, soft in sound, and a deft return to the Christmas theme (e.g., the appearance of the invocation “Come” as in OCOCE, lyrics with Christmas imagery). Overall, this is a gorgeous track, and I loved it the first time I heard it, knowing it would rank among my all time favourites. It was hard to conceive of a track on the album that could be better, but just wait…………….
7. Last Time by Moonlight
This one blew me away once I heard it all. The somewhat sad, nostalgic mood of the song, the image of lovers parting, may be more “secular” in terms of the album’s overall theme, but the track is absolutely fantastic. The vocals are great, the lyrics moving: “remember this” and “nothing is forever” (etc) are perfect for this wistful song. The whole “package” is exactly what I love about Enya’s music. Even better than DAMP.
8. One Toy Soldier
Obviously a Christmas track, with a rhythm perfect for the subject matter, a song kids will adore. Who hasn’t had a much loved toy that has seen better days? It may be damaged and well worn, but it still has a place in our hearts. This track evokes Christmas Day very well indeed.
9. Stars and Midnight Blue
A more secular song about love with a sad tone and gorgeous lyrics (lost in dreaming; lost in you). A great vocal completes the track and makes it among the best in the album.
10. The Spirit of Christmas Past
The spirit of Di-ckens here, in a sad but hopeful song. Lines like “let the shadows go” and “dream until the night becomes the morning light” make for powerful lyrics. It fits the Christmas theme, but also has a more universal nature.
11.My My Time Flies
A great “fun” song, akin to OF in its clever lyrical references to Newton, The King, B.B. King, the Beatles, etc. It has an up tempo, “beatlesque” melody that just wins the listener over at once. It’s a great tribute song and has, like TAWR, real commercial potential in any season.
12. Oiche Chiuin (Chorale)
We are so familiar with Enya’s earlier version of Oiche Chiuin that some may be tempted to give it short shrift and say “of course this had to be the closer.” But it’s really a beautiful reworking of the first version, just as And Winter Came is a beautiful reworking of MB – the album begins and ends with familiar material presented in a new, and exciting, way. The “chorus” effect works wonderfully, and it’s in Gaelic – something I wanted this album to have (as well as Latin).
OK, I’m gushing, I have to admit it, but this album has moved me in ways that the previous album did not (well, except for WSTTH, which I still adore). Flaws? I don’t really see any – the trio has meshed everything so well here. It’s a fantastic Christmas present to all the fans.
===========================================
OK, did I mention that I like the album?
What do you think of it, folks?
First off, I have to say I don’t find a weak track of any kind in this album, which I consider the best Enya has ever released, period. The fact that it is oriented around a Christmas theme has not wounded it at all; instead it has inspired Enya, Roma and Nicky to reach for and obtain new musical heights.
I’ll comment here on each track, in the order they are arranged on the album.
1. And Winter Came:
It does not “bother” me one bit that this is a re-working of Midnight Blue. I respect the opinions of those who wanted a brand new instrumental track to launch the album, but I think AWC is a perfect opener. It sets the mood of the album as a whole in a peaceful and reflective manner. The instrumental makes me feel as if I am sitting by a fireplace on a quiet and beautiful night. The rich vocal overlay adds great warmth to the composition. If it takes its origin in Midnight Blue, well, this is MB on Christmas steroids – not wild and raging, but overwhelmingly peaceful and waiting for Christmas to come.
2. Journey of the Angels:
Definitely a Christmas song, the “new carol” kind of song that both Enya and Roma have spoken of. The vocal line is beautiful, and its “choral” nature suits the season. Like Silent Night, this song revolves around one special night when all things are possible.
3. White is in the Winter Night
This will likely become a Christmas favourite for kids of all ages – my nephew adored it the first time he heard a clip of it. The rhythm is happy and energetic, and the lyrics are full of images of Christmas – some of the best lyrics Roma has ever written.
4. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
This traditional Christmas carol, in both English and Latin (three cheers for the Latin), is beautifully sung. The vocal line powerful, and the overall presentation of the carol simply gorgeous. It replaces Oiche Chiuin as my favourite Enya Christmas carol.
5. Trains and Winter Rains
After the Christmas glory of O Come, we find ourselves in a very secular setting (despite the agnus dei refrain, the purpose of which I still struggle with). And from the quiet sound of O Come, we are now in a powerful rhythm – a dramatic break from all that has come before in this album. It’s also a darker song – there are journeys that take us away from what we love, flinging us into an unknown future. Hence the energetic “movement” of the track – the relentless pounding of trains as they run through the landscape. I think this was a good choice for the first single, with high commercial appeal. Record companies do care about that sort of thing.
6. Dreams are More Precious
We leave the train and all is peaceful again, as this track is exactly what Roma said it was: a lullaby. It is comforting, soft in sound, and a deft return to the Christmas theme (e.g., the appearance of the invocation “Come” as in OCOCE, lyrics with Christmas imagery). Overall, this is a gorgeous track, and I loved it the first time I heard it, knowing it would rank among my all time favourites. It was hard to conceive of a track on the album that could be better, but just wait…………….
7. Last Time by Moonlight
This one blew me away once I heard it all. The somewhat sad, nostalgic mood of the song, the image of lovers parting, may be more “secular” in terms of the album’s overall theme, but the track is absolutely fantastic. The vocals are great, the lyrics moving: “remember this” and “nothing is forever” (etc) are perfect for this wistful song. The whole “package” is exactly what I love about Enya’s music. Even better than DAMP.
8. One Toy Soldier
Obviously a Christmas track, with a rhythm perfect for the subject matter, a song kids will adore. Who hasn’t had a much loved toy that has seen better days? It may be damaged and well worn, but it still has a place in our hearts. This track evokes Christmas Day very well indeed.
9. Stars and Midnight Blue
A more secular song about love with a sad tone and gorgeous lyrics (lost in dreaming; lost in you). A great vocal completes the track and makes it among the best in the album.
10. The Spirit of Christmas Past
The spirit of Di-ckens here, in a sad but hopeful song. Lines like “let the shadows go” and “dream until the night becomes the morning light” make for powerful lyrics. It fits the Christmas theme, but also has a more universal nature.
11.My My Time Flies
A great “fun” song, akin to OF in its clever lyrical references to Newton, The King, B.B. King, the Beatles, etc. It has an up tempo, “beatlesque” melody that just wins the listener over at once. It’s a great tribute song and has, like TAWR, real commercial potential in any season.
12. Oiche Chiuin (Chorale)
We are so familiar with Enya’s earlier version of Oiche Chiuin that some may be tempted to give it short shrift and say “of course this had to be the closer.” But it’s really a beautiful reworking of the first version, just as And Winter Came is a beautiful reworking of MB – the album begins and ends with familiar material presented in a new, and exciting, way. The “chorus” effect works wonderfully, and it’s in Gaelic – something I wanted this album to have (as well as Latin).
OK, I’m gushing, I have to admit it, but this album has moved me in ways that the previous album did not (well, except for WSTTH, which I still adore). Flaws? I don’t really see any – the trio has meshed everything so well here. It’s a fantastic Christmas present to all the fans.
===========================================
OK, did I mention that I like the album?
What do you think of it, folks?