Sirius [Import, Original recording remastered]

Clannad | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony/Bmg Int'l
• ASIN: B0000AM6OY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #368,625 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. In Search Of A Heart

2. Second Nature

3. Turning Tide

4. Skellig

5. Stepping Stone

6. White Fool

7. Something To Believe In

8. Live And Learn

9. Many Roads

10. Sirius

11. The Hunter

12. World Of Difference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Underrated Album, April 13, 1999

By 

P. A. Agnew (Wellington New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sirius (Audio CD)

Clannad was flogged mercilessly by the music press when this album first came out. Dylan went electric, Miles Davis mixed Jazz with Rock and in 1987, Clannad effectively prostituted their Irish folk leanings to radio-friendly AOR rock in a cynical attempt to win a bigger American audience.

The truth, needless to say, is less extreme. There can be little doubt that this album is certainly rock and that it is overwhelmingly electric in sound. Granted, all that electricity did overpower Clannad's folk roots, but that's really the only major problem with this album. Instead of becoming all defensive in the face of all this new technology as most other folk bands might do, Clannad responded with some very strong material.

"Second Nature", "Stepping Stone", "Live and Learn" and the title track are all good tracks, which despite their obvious rock, still bear some distinctly fok mannerisms. On "Second Nature" for instance, Saxophone and Bagpipes trade solos in a highly effective fashion (seriously!) The rest of the above tracks are also far from pedestrian.

But perhaps the best moment of the album is "White Fool" That song is still Clannad's greatest studio achievement. A brilliant mixture of vocals, tribal beats and rock music. Excellent stuff.

Of course, your attitude to this album depends largely upon your initial expectations. If you admire Clannad because of their Irish folk leanings, then you will probably not like this album. On the other hand, if you want to hear a rare example of a band not scared to take risks in the face of massive criticism, then this album is definitely worth hearing.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Many Roads, May 28, 2003

By 

Mars Velvet (Green Tree, Blue Earth...Deep Space) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sirius (Audio CD)

Clannad took a lot of flack about this album. Some believed that an American production took away the raw energy and left nothing but a slick polished rock sound. But, do not dismiss SIRIUS too easily for on this album are some fine moments of music!

Standout tracks include:

The cymbal-crash of "In Search of a Heart" which proves to those who believe Clannad can only do slow songs that Clannad is not a one trick pony.

"Second Nature" has a big sound when it comes over the speakers. Electric instruments find an odd companion in the Irish pipes!

"Skellig" should be filed with the "Clannad's Tour of Ireland In Song" catagory with songs like "Newgrange" and "Poison Glen". I love it when Clannad do historical music! "Skellig" refers to a group of rocky islands off the coast of County Kerry. Because of their placement ships have trouble getting in and out of the inlet. The music is very atmospheric with the sound of the ocean and wind blowing through a harp...beautiful!

"White Fool" is a musical account of the Roman occupation of Brittain and Ireland when they pilaged for treasure and pushed back the Celts. Steve Perry (from Journey) joins the boys on the chanting of tribal Gaelic backing Maire's determined voice.

Maire duets with Bruce Hornsby in "Something to Believe In". Just a perfect piece of pop showing off their amazing harmony.

If you are just now getting into Clannad this was an important album for them, the last of the 1980s.

The album isn't lush like LORE but hearing it will help you understand how they got to make LORE (which many fans consider their best). Artists must continue to grow and experiment and SIRIUS was a worthwhile effort and a must for listeners.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Underrated Album, April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sirius (Audio CD)

Clannad was flogged mercilessly by the music press when this album first came out. Dylan went electric, Miles Davis mixed Jazz with Rock and in 1987, Clannad effectively prostituted their Irish folk leanings to radio-friendly AOR rock in a cynical attempt to win a bigger American audience.

The truth, needless to say, is less extreme. There can be little doubt that this album is certainly rock and that it is overwhelmingly electric in sound. Granted, all that electricity did overpower Clannad's folk roots, but that's really the only major problem with this album. Instead of becoming all defensive in the face of all this new technology as most other folk bands might do, Clannad responded with some very strong material.

"Second Nature", "Stepping Stone", "Live and Learn" and the title track are all good tracks, which despite their obvious rock, still bear some distinctly fok mannerisms. On "Second Nature" for instance, Saxophone and Bagpipes trade solos in a highly effective fashion (seriously!) The rest of the above tracks are also far from pedestrian.

But perhaps the best moment of the album is "White Fool" That song is still Clannad's greatest studio achievement. A brilliant mixture of vocals, tribal beats and rock music. Excellent stuff.

Of course, your attitude to this album depends largely upon your initial expectations. If you admire Clannad because of their Irish folk leanings, then you will probably not like this album. On the other hand, if you want to hear a rare example of a band not scared to take risks in the face of massive criticism, then this album is definitely worth hearing.