CD - Enya - And Winter Came

Reviews, By ap_bcd, 6th January, 2009

Enya. Her name alone awakens a flood of memories. In 1988 Orinoco Flow bought Enya to the attention of the world and her music has featured on soundtracks from Greencard through to The Lord Of The Rings. Her particular breathy/new-age/Celtic sound is unmistakable.

Now her ninth album (and seventh full length studio album) offers us her first full offering of original seasonal music, having previously released a Celtic version of Silent Night in the early nineties and a six track in 2006 – again of traditional songs.

And Winter Came is both a typical Enya release and the forging of some new ground. The multi-layered vocals, which define her trademark sound, are here in abundance, along with some of the same synthesizer generated sounds that have featured since her first album, her old Roland D5 must be one of the last in serious use. With lyrics by long time collaborator Roma Ryan and production by Nicky Ryan this is an excellent album.

The lead single from the album is Trains And Winter Rains which is a percussive number that provides a good contrast to the album’s bulk of more mellow songs. The album is a very secular Christmas offering with references to toys, childhood remembrances and lost love, only three songs are in the Christian tradition.

And Winter Came will be the perfect lunch or dinner relaxation CD. It is something you can let yourself drift into, or enjoy relaxed conversations with Enya providing a gentle soundscape as a backdrop. As with most Enya albums listening to the lyrics is totally optional, rather enjoying the mood she inspires is the best thing to do.

Ultimately this is a limited appeal album, it might be played for a few weeks before finding a home at the back of your collection, perhaps to be bought out again next year, but more likely to be replaced by 2009’s seasonal album. This is really strictly for the Enya fans.

Finally my favourite track is the up-tempo My! My! Time Flies, it has a slightly drunken lilt and – shock horror – an electric guitar solo. This is the track you play to gently but firmly move your relatives on for the day, allowing you some moments of peace.

Enya – And Winter Came is out now through Warner Music.