Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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217 of 223 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A strong entry for Enya, November 11, 2008
First of all, let me say that I typically do not enjoy contemporary "Christmas" or "Winter" albums on the whole because I often find that the take on many of the classic carols and hymns are poorly arranged and sung. Also, if there ARE new Christmas songs by the artist, they come of sounding contrived. I am a huge Enya fan, so I am biased, but I genuinely found AWC to be probably the best Winter/Christmas-themed album I've heard. To start off with, there are only two traditional hymns--Oiche Chuin (an Irish version of SILENT NIGHT) and O COME O COME EMMANUEL (an older hymn based on Gregorian chant). Both are performed by Enya with exceptional beauty and skill on this album. Although Enya did perform Oiche Chuin years ago, this new version is is a harmony-based version instead of the single vocal line version of the past and (IMO) is better.
Many of the original compositions are heavenly. LAST TIME BY MOONLIGHT is a spectacular piece both melodically and lyrically. ONE TOY SOLDIER is very sweet and child-like (again, the harmonies are amazing). One of the big surprises is MY! MY! TIME FLIES, which is a 70's-inspired pop song with clever lyrics and a ripping electric/blues guitar solo. I really love JOURNEY OF THE ANGELS as well (it has a bit of the Lord of the Rings theme, Aniron).
There are various reasons to criticize Enya (my biggest criticism has mostly to do with the use of the same instrumentation over and over), but she consistently writes incredibly melodies and her voice is always a pleasure to hear. This album is as good as any of her last 3 albums, and I think most people will love the feeling it creates at Christmas time...the feeling of peace, happiness (and maybe a bit of reminiscence and melancholy).
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140 of 143 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, lush, inspirational, and yes- even complex!, November 16, 2008
I have read reviews of this album (and previous albums by Enya) where people say that Enya needs to pick some new instruments, write more complex music, and choose a new orchestra. These reviewers of Enya's work are simply not listening! Enya IS the instrument. Enya, quite simply, IS the orchestra. In spite of how airy and light her sound may seem, I urge you to turn this album up just a notch louder and listen to what you think is an orchestra or instrumentation on many of the songs. Don't forget that what you are hearing is Enya's own voice; layered and layered with great skill to achieve a remarkable, unified sound. No other artist in our time does this (layering the voice up to 20 times or more to create one pitch) with the uncanny talent that Enya has. It may all sound simple- but it is something that is very hard to pull off without sounding like a big mess. Enya has an amazing ability to be able to "see the big picture" (or "hear" the big picture) before, during, and after recording. Imagine being able to think of your own voice in several layers all at once- and then use those layers to build a single note and even a complete song. Suddenly there is a lot of complexity in the seemingly simple work that Enya creates!
And what a beautiful album Enya has crafted for us here. I don't find this to be an overly commercial Christmas album at all; in fact I commend Enya for including "the reason for the season" many times. The first song that she sings on this album, "Journey of the Angels," is all about angels bringing gifts to the Christ Child on Christmas morning. If you listen carefully to this song, you will notice that much of what you are hearing- sounds that at first listed seem to be violin, cello, and bass- are actually those beautifully layered and crafted notes that Enya creates with her own voice. Other songs on the CD, both new and classic (such as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and Oiche Chiuin or Silent Night) continue to mention- in a gentle way- that Christ is the reason for celebrating Christmas; not going out to party and buy expensive gifts. I generally do not like Christmas albums because they are typically secular (in other words, commercial) and never mention Christ at all. THANK YOU Enya for being daring enough to include the true meaning of Christmas on this album! (Incidentally, Enya's new version of Silent Night is listed on the album as being a "chorale" version- again, the entire chorus is made up of that skillful layering and merging of Enya's own voice!)
Enya fans will not be put off by the fact that this IS a Christmas album- you can listen to it year round as that it is as lush and beautiful as all of Enya's albums. I particularly like the quiet nature of the album- many songs have the feel of snowflakes drifting over the ground; or the feel of stars on a crisp Winter night. That is another skill that Enya carries off with beauty- being able to create a feeling and a "picture" of Winter with her music. I feel that her musical vision is lost on many listeners- but many great artists who are visionary in their work are looked over by an audience that just can not understand or see their vision. Thank God that Enya still shares her vision and her fine craft with those of us who do hear what she has to say.
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92 of 100 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is THE winter album to own!, November 11, 2008
If there is one album you should have in your collection this year, it has to be this one. There is a reason why it reached #1 on Amazon's best seller list! This is the release of the year. Every track is outstanding in its own way, there isn't a bad song on it. And Winter Came is Enya's first "winter themed" album. Some may think of it as a "Christmas" album. Here is a breakdown of what to expect when you listen to the album.
1. And Winter Came-The album opener, an instrumental. This is a reworking of a b-side track from Enya called "Midnight Blue" (available on the Wild Child single if you want to hear it) Nice opener, the beginning of the song is the best part. I think an excellent job was done with the tweaking.
2. Journey Of The Angels-A slow, traditional/religious carol. Said by Roma Ryan (lyricist) to be the story of the nativity as it would be written in the 21st century. Gorgeous song.
3. White Is In The Winter Night-A fun, upbeat song. Enya describes it as "very descriptive" and "a song to join in on" which I think is a fairly accurate way of putting it. Its lyrics are quite catchy. This is said to be the second single pulled from the album.
4. O Come O Come Emmanuel-This has to be the most exquisite rendition of this song I have ever heard. If this doesn't leave you with goose bumps, I don't know what will! The lyrics, the arrangement, her voice, just beautiful. The best on the album.
5. Trains And Winter Rains-Everyone knows this one! It reminds me of a mixture of past Enya songs (The Magic of the Night, May It Be, some say Orinoco Flow) Somewhat dark sounding. It's about a journey, there's no turning back. It's the first single taken from the album and I think it was a nice choice.
6. Dreams Are More Precious-This one reminds me of Once You Had Gold, but much better all around. It could be thought of as the "lullaby" of this album.
7. Last Time By Moonlight-This can be thought of as one of her fine moments in song. The lyrics are very moving. The strongest lyrics: Oh, remember this/for no one knows/the way love goes
8. One Toy Soldier-A Long Long Journey-esque song. To quote Roma: "One Toy Soldier is basically a children's song, a song about a little toy soldier. He's a favorite toy. He's been in the family for many years, he's like an heirloom, and as with all things that have been with you for a long time, he's not perfect, he's broken, his little drum is broken." An inspirational piece.
9. Stars And Midnight Blue-On some parts of this song, she almost sounds like her sister Moya. This song reminds me of If I Can Be Where You Are, but much better executed.
10. The Spirit Of Christmas Past-Based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Very wonderfully done. Lyric sample: When tears are in your eyes/it's time to look inside/your heart can find another way
11. My! My! Time Flies!-This is an upbeat, catchy song that is most different from Enya, but at the same time, not radically different. It's a tribute to the late Jimmy Faulkner. There is a clever reference to The Beatles in the song and some nice blues guitar. The most surprising track on the album. Said to be the possible third single.
12. Oiche Chiuin (chorale)-A remake of her classic rendition of Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night) Richer sound, improved from the original. It's done in the fashion of tracks on Watermark.
Miraculum-This is a bonus track that is available for downloading on this site. The track uses the background music from One Toy Soldier, but the lyrics are different. This song was created in honor of 20 years of music. Sang in Latin.
Enya has not failed to please with this album. I would more than recommend this to any Enya fan (casual, once in a while, long term, whatever!) The artwork is also a very gorgeous presentation. The photos online do not do it justice. Some are saying that this work is not up to her potential, but I believe it has reached her potential and then some. Enya has yet to disappoint (and she won't!) This is one that won't leave your CD player (put it in one that has good bass and turn it up loud, it's the most gorgeous sound ever) Do yourself a favor and don't listen to the naysayers, you'll be missing out on some of her best recordings.
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