Customer Reviews

Sirius

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is a great album for a first time Clannad purchase. The songs are arranged so well. The music Evokes real emotion that is sadly lacking in todays music Buy it and enjoy!!!!

While this is definitely a Clannad CD worth owning, I suggest that you just skip the first three three tracks. They are not good and may leave such a bad taste in your mouth that you are unable to appreciate the remainder of the CD. It is best viewed as a CD from which you can draw several otherwise unattainable Clannad tunes for a personal compilation. In particular, it contains exceptional songs like Stepping Stone, Something to Believe In, Live and Learn, and Sirius. The songs Skellig, White Fool, and Many Roads also have their appealing moments. None of the above are one of the first three tracts!

I love Clannad. Their music is pure and a keltic version of Gregorian Chant. Through their albums you get reflective lyrics, Gaelic sounds that take you away to a spiritual journey. I understand how to worship rocks when I hear their albums. Then comes Sirius. Some reviews say skip this, or that one is better than this one. I read in these reviews that they got a blast from critics when they went electric. Yet, the music is a blend of smooth with a driving beat. The combination of instrumentation is incredible. Did anyone pick up on the French Horns? The purity of their sound is amazing. Something To Believe In, is a mantra, reflective of Clannad at their spiritual best. The rest is hang on to your hats. As usual, the critics were wrong. Frankly, Maire Brennen and the rest showed that they can do rock as good as anybody.

This was not a sell out or a bad turn. They blew the lid off and went on. I have all their cd's. I keep coming back to Sirius. They made it as their song says, "against a fierce wind, and a turning tide."

This is just a little example that Clannad knows how to make music. They handle the folk and celtic music, but also knows how to rock.