Search - Enya :: Amarantine

Delights & surprises

Dom | Malaysia | 12/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"AMARANTINE



A style that is redolent of `Only Time', it is Enya , working on a hooky pop song with universal lyrics. The melody may draw many at first listen like myself, and for others it may take a little longer. Al though it reminds me of `Only Time' the high chorus owes more to a church choral hymn than a pop song. As a song, I like it much more than `Only Time' which took me awhile to really like.



THE COMB OF THE WINDS



An Enya instrumental with voices. A gentle melody that is a crisper version of `Midnight Blue' , with the sensibility of `A Day Without Rain' infused with `Drifting'. The mid section features vocalised harmonies that drive it along without overpowering the instrumental section. Then back again to the main melody. As a B side, it most likely had to make way for `Drifting' in the `Amarantine' album.





THE SPAGHETTI WESTERN THEME FROM THE CELTS



The first time I hear an Enya composition, really adhering to a style of an existing genre of musical style, that conforms to the style from themes of action Western film. It opens with castanets and dramatic guitar chords, then whistling, percussion as the main melody plays. Enya's most obvious contribution is in the vocalisations, backed by Ryan and Bridgeman. The percussion by Bridgeman gives it dynamics, power and a sense of urgency. The dramatic guitar opener and timely chords within the song, give it the necessary twang. The vocals propel that sense of urgency and motion further. The sound of pealing bells should be familiar to fans who have Enya's `The Celts' recording.

It lends a strong image. The start is like the hero checking the barrels of his revolver, he takes his shotgun and then unties his mount. He puts on his coat and off he goes, galloping away. The mid section where the mission bell tolls tell us of the villain and his henchmen waiting. The track tells us of the hero's swift gallop to the place of showdown. The track ends with the sound of distant pealing bells, of the town square, where the final climactic scene of shoot-outs will be played. Can Enya do a Spaghetti Western? Definitely and convincingly.

"

A good single release from Enya...

Paul Edwards | Brighton, UK | 12/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In an age of chart drivel and seemingly endless hip-hop and (yawn) R&B, it's good to see Enya back with a new album and this single release - which looked there for a minute as if it wouldn't come out at all (changing release date etc etc).



Most Enya fans are familiar with the song "Amarantine"...but what of the extra tracks? "The comb of the winds" is your bog standard, typical Enya instrumental but it is all the better for it, similar to "The Promise" and "Oriel window" (from previous singles releases) - I like it very much. "The Spaghetti Western Theme From The Celts" i'm not too sure about. It must be from an advert or something - it's way too short for a start and doesn't seem to get going or have a purpose.



Still, this is a welcome single release from someone who I have admired and followed for many a year. Most Enya fans will get this anyway for the extra tracks but I still recommend it for the un-converted...



...after all, there's got to be more to music nowadays than Hip hop and screeching girl groups, hasn't there...?



Regards.





"

Very nice.

deora ar mo chroi | MI United States | 01/30/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to say that I'm not surprised that they chose this for the first single because it does have that mainstream appeal, although it wouldn't have been my first choice (I would have to say It's In The Rain or Less Than A Pearl should have been, simply because I love those) Not to criticize Amarantine at all, it's one of my favorite tracks on the album. Moving on to Comb of the Winds, this makes the single all worth the purchase. It's such a beautiful piece, one of the best instrumentals given to us by Enya in my opinion. The Spaghetti Western wasn't really my cup of tea. I would say add this to your collection, it's worth it."