Memory Of Trees, The - Enya

Advantages: great atmospherics
Disadvantages: fairly short album

There is a current resurgence in solo female artists making chilled out atmospheric music, Dido obviously springs to mind amongst others. What we should not forget is that it is a style that has always been in evidence and one of the best innovators of the genre is Enya. What you first notice about the music is its haunting quality and the use of vocals as much as an instrument as to deliver specific lyrics. About half the tracks are instrumental ...
...Spanish and Gaelic are all used. This is not as off putting as it may seem as this is not the sort of album you would sing along to. The words blend in to be more part of the music than something that sits on top. It is very much a back ground sound and creates a soft and relaxing vibe. Even though it contains the single Anywhere Is, its not really an album where individual tracks matter, only the overall feel of the piece. Where as the current ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent musical quality
Disadvantages: Not enough...

This album is relaxing and mellow, making it good to work and listen to, or just to collapse and listen to. Some of the songs are wonderfully Enyaish, like Athair Ar Neamh, and also China Roses. Other elements of the album can be a tad moody in places, but still excellent. If you need something to relax with then buy this. As with all of her albums it is just too short, forgiven by the fact that she must spend a lot of time working on the way her ... Read review

Advantages: Wonderful, blissfully fascinating
Disadvantages: too short!

...It's been too long since Enya's last album, The Memory of Trees. She does seem to take her time between albums, which I suppose isn't too surprising given that her work is all original; no covers, and I imagine all those effects and multi-layering takes 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 grass - and Only Time. Great to listen to: close your eyes and be carried away! Oh, and so what if this CD sounds similar to Enya's previous... Read review

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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 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... Read review

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Advantages: If you haven't heard Enya before, she is worth it
Disadvantages: Nothing new, very short

...I can't criticise Enya's talents - she writes all her own songs, and the music, plays the piano in the tracks and her voice is sublime! This new album by Enya is in the similar style to her previous works, the last album being in the Memory of Trees (ignoring the compilation set) This album features 12 tracks, thought the whole album is very short comared with her other works, which hardly gives the feeling of value for money. Unfortunately, I don't find anything particularly new or refreshing in this album, and find it all very reminiscent of Memory of Trees. There is the usual mix of English and Gaelic, vocal and instrumental tracks, but nothing which will capture the imagination, with the possible exception of the final track, Lazy Days, whch does have a cracking tempo to it. If you haven't heard Enya before... Read review

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