Review Summary: Meet the Brennans.
At the twilight of their career, the Irish new age and folk wardens Clannad began to realize that the endless well of inspiration that was traditional Celtic music had started to run dry. Mostly comprised of recycled material and refined iterations of the group’s brand of ethereal pop folk,
Anam accidentally became a perfect entry point for those not familiar with Clannad’s music, as well as a very accurate representation of their sound. For those already in the know, the Celtic band’s 13th release included little to no surprises, although it touched on the very different approaches that Clannad have taken to their music since their inception in the 70s. Tracks like the traditional “Uirchill An Chreagain” will unavoidably remind you of lead singer Moya Brennan’s sister and renowned new age diva Enya, who was part of the band during the 80s before her solo career took off. Title track “Anam” will trick you into a gothic illusion mirroring a blurry resemblance to Dead Can Dance, while “In Fortune’s Hand” finds its vibe on a more up-tempo beat, playful sax frills and a memorable vocal duet.
Anam strikes a sweet balance between a meticulous production wrapped with 80s drum pads and keys and the gossamer textures of the new age tinged folk of highlights like opener “Ri Na Cruinne”, the AOR quasi-ballad “Why Worry”, and a soft folk rock deep cut like “Love and Affection”. The US version of
Anam released later included two extra (and older) tracks: “Theme from Harry’s Game”, which was a commission for the UK TV show of the same name, and their popular single “In a Lifetime”, which featured an extraordinary performance of U2’s very own Bono. While I personally think these two tracks are not among the best that
Anam has to offer, it is undeniable that they helped the band to gain momentum abroad.
It may not be the preferred period for Clannad’s long time followers, but
Anam showed that the band still had the spark to create delightful songs that echo the breathtaking natural scenery of their homeland in Gaoth Dobhair, even if that meant reveling in the craft they had already mastered.
