There are divided opinions on RAIN. As a follower of Enya since 1989, thought I could shed some understanding to these polarised commentary.
I used to admire Enya for her talents; her voice, her unique instrumentation, her powerful instrumentals. I mean, who could forget the melancholic ... Read review
Advantages: If you hadn't heard her before, you would enjoy her soothing vocals and relaxing tunes. Heals the heart, cultivates the soul. Disadvantages: For those who know Enya well enough, the album can be a disappointment as she has offered nothing new. Her faster tunes are missing the magic of Orinoco Flow and Anywhere Is.
There are divided opinions on RAIN. As a follower of Enya since 1989, thought I could shed some understanding to these polarised commentary.
I used to admire Enya for her talents; her voice, her unique instrumentation, her powerful instrumentals. I mean, who could forget the melancholic piano in Watermark, or her outstanding vocals in poignant tunes such as How Can I Keep From Singing and Marble Halls in the album Shepherd Moons? Those ... ...The Memory of Trees a treasure as well.
Unfortunately, with ever higher expectations (of the listeners) on etheral tunes and romantic lyrics, Enya (as the self-professed perfectionist) somewhat falls short. Before RAIN, there was Paint The Sky With Stars and A Box of Dreams (CD Box set). We were treated to the best of her works, waiting for better to come, but RAIN turned out otherwise.
There are divided opinions on RAIN. As a follower of Enya since 1989, thought I could shed some understanding to these polarised commentary.
I used to admire Enya for her talents; her voice, her unique instrumentation, her powerful instrumentals. I mean, who could forget the melancholic piano in Watermark, or her outstanding vocals in poignant tunes such as How Can I Keep From Singing and Marble Halls in the album Shepherd Moons? Those interested in New Age music should find Pax Deorum in The Memory of Trees a treasure as well.
Unfortunately, with ever higher expectations (of the listeners) on etheral tunes and romantic lyrics, Enya (as the self-professed perfectionist) somewhat falls short. Before RAIN, there was Paint The Sky With Stars and A Box of Dreams (CD Box set). We were treated to the best of her works, waiting for better to come, but RAIN turned out otherwise.
Her first single was Only Time (Track 3 in album), a slow piece that was interpreted with the change of seasons in the MTV. Sadly there wasn't much of a showcase of vocal prowess; rather, we hear an effusion of sentiments. Further, the beautiful chorus, after several repetitions in the song itself, loses its touch; much like how Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On lost its gloss after excessive exposure.
It is not common practise for Enya to release a slow track as the first single. If you recall, she used Anywhere is for The Memory of Trees. Her faster tunes such as Orinoco Flow and Far and Away are invariably more popular amongst listeners, and I was quite surprised Only Time was used for RAIN.
Now, on the point of faster tunes. Because of its better acceptance, listeners pay more attention to them. If they're really into her music, they would, as I had, realise that she is starting to over-emphasise background music rather that lyrical beauty. Anywhere Is shone in the clever use of poetic lines that fit seamlessly with the catchy tune. From there, we have Only If. However,it is so heavy on the music, and the chorus - repeated umpteem times as in Only Time - spoilt everything.
The second track of RAIN, Wild Child (Track 2), suffered the same problem. Though the music was acceptable, and the engineered voice sounded soothing, imagine how it would feel to hear the 9-lined chorus 7 times in 3min 48sec.
The other english tracks were good, and lyrics were admirable. Flora's Secret (Track 6) and Pilgrim (Track 9) are fine examples.
As for non-english ones, Tempus Vernum (Track 4) was quite appalling. If you've heard the haunting but inspirational Pax Deorum from the Memory of Trees, you may start to think if Tempus Vernum is a rushed version 2.0.
Somehow, Enya's lost her magic in RAIN. We hear less of impressive vocals (Pilgrim is one of the few exceptions) and inspiring instrumentals (personally I cannot grasp her understanding to The First of Autumn/Track 11: maybe someone can enlighten me through comments).
Nonetheless, RAIN - overall - is a good album if you hadn't listened to her before, because her refreshing style will appeal to your senses. However, if you've heard her before, you would think she could have done better. This is exactly why some people get really critical about RAIN, whilst some find it otherwise.
Advantages: Everything we have come to expect from an Enya album, technically flawless Disadvantages: After 12 years, it's losing its appeal. More invention needed. The pristine production now seems more cloying than ever. And it's only 37 minutes long (including FOUR instrumentals)
...not be disappointed by A Day Without Rain. If you like what you know, then you certainly get what you know with Enya.
There are four types of Enya track. One : upbeat, plinkety-plonking jaunt with a catchy chorus (usually chosen as the first single). These sound inherently seasonal, and are beginning to seem just a little too formulaic after all this time. Examples here - Wild Child, One By One, Pilgrim.
Two: graceful, melancholic ballad with choirboy ... ...such a short album (A Day Without Rain is only 37 minutes long) that seems above average. Overall, the album offers absolutely nothing that Enya hasn't done before. 1995's The Memory Of Trees showed signs of creative evolution, but it was her worst-selling record. Clearly, that experience forced a rethink, but if anything A Day Without Rain is too safe for its own good.
Very nice and everything, but a little more ambition and variation next time, ...
EnglishPatient 19.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Day Without Rain, A - Enya
...wish is to have a day of thirty hours, but time is this, and so our CM (in italian C[XXX]i Miei) would rarely satisfied...
Great, or not?
"If you work it means you earn", could say someone. It's true. But it's also true that only the passion we have to this work brings our to make it: all money of this world isn't enough to make this work, that doesn't permiss you to make nothing different from it, a work where you are continously watching quotes ... ...isn't a repetitive melody. All seems follow a logic, a history, and the music is good setted.
Ending, "A day without rain" is good maked. Money spent to buy it are good spent, but you must like the genre... otherwise hear it: I don't think you will be disappointed!! ...
percefal 19.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Day Without Rain, A - Enya
Advantages: Wonderful, blissfully fascinating Disadvantages: too short!
...time to record. Anyway, A Day Without Rain doesn't disappoint, apart from its relative brevity in these days of 16 - 20 tracks on most albums, and playing times of around an hour. It's surprising, therefore, that this has only twelve tracks. Nevertheless, it has twelve *quality* tracks. Wild Child is possibly the most 'commercial' here, and it's very good; I tend to prefer tracks such as Flora's Secret - wonderful imagery of the lovers in the long ...
quadruped 02.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Day Without Rain, A - Enya
Advantages: Highly Relaxing Disadvantages: not ground-breaking
Enya is one of those "love her or hate her" types, musically speaking (up there with Celine Dion and Charlotte Church) and this, her latest offering, will merely re-enforce your opinion of her.
I'm in the "Love Her" camp, and was slightly disappointed that she didn't manage to come up with anything radically new, but then a cover of a Metallica classic was never really on the cards!
What we get instead, right from the off, is her trademark moody ... ...ambient sounds.
All 12 songs seem to blend into each other, and there's a catchy riff in each one for you to hum along with. It's essentially an album that you'll put on in the background when you're trying to concentrate on something (such as writing a Ciao opinion!), or if you're merely trying to relax.
If you've lived on Mars for the last 15 years and have yet to hear Enya, then go right out and buy the album if the above sounds appealing (although ...
ildamiano 06.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Day Without Rain, A - Enya
Enya is musically not to everyones taste. However, she is to mine. Her music is soothing, relaxing, and enjoyable. This latest album of her is again to her usual standards, and if you like her type of music you'll love this. My favourite still has to be orinocho flow, although others come a close second. This album include the title track, Wild child, the first of autumn and eleven others. This album is ideal for relaxing in a bath with the candles ...
dabmim 28.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Day Without Rain, A - Enya
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