This is the first of what will probably many review of various music CDs, DVDs, and books. These will come in no particular order, and will focus on no particular topic or genre; they are simply the works that I like. However, my taste in music is mainly split between classical, Christian, folk, and new age. When it comes to DVDs I like true stories and documentaries. And as for books I like theology, history, science, true stories, personal improvement, and those related to my job and hobbies (design, programming, art, writing, etc.).
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I was a bit nervous about starting with this one, but the title begins with “A,” so there you have it. It isn’t my all-time favorite album or anything. It just happens to be my first review.
Amarantine, by Enya
I didn’t buy all the tracks on this album; in particular I skipped tracks 1, 2, 5, and 8. The nice thing about buying music on iTunes is that you can choose which tracks you want. (Of course, you get only 30-second previews, so it’s still sometimes hit-and-miss.)
Enya is one of those artists who produces some really beautiful songs, but also some songs that I would never listen to. This album, Amarantine, is one of her latest. The songs seem to have a more pensive, wistful, nostalgic, remorseful, hopeful theme to them — and in that same vein, some of her more gentle, flowing music.
I’m not going to describe every track. You can listen to them on iTunes or wherever you like to buy music. LIke most Enya albums, there is a mix of songs with English lyrics, Gaelic/other language lyrics, and instrumental pieces. If you don’t like new age or Celtic-inspired music, you probably won’t like this. On the other hand, if those genres are among your favorites, Enya is an artist worth checking out.
The final track, “Water Shows the Hidden Heart,” is a song I find incredibly beautiful. I’m always tempted to play it again each time I hear it. The lyrics are not in English, and I have no idea what the meaning of the lyrics is. But it has the most amazing harmonies. At about 1:40 into the song there is a really beautiful segue that I totally adore, that lasts about 35 seconds. I’m actually listening to it right now … it is sooo amazing! Beautiful.
There are a couple touching love-related songs on this album. “If I Could Be Where You Are” is a song of longing for a (physically or emotionally) distant love. “A Moment Lost” is probably one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful sad songs I’ve heard. Here are the lyrics:
It’s only now when words are said
that break my heart in two,
I wonder how you can endure
all I’ve said, all I say to you.
How strong, how brave, how true of you
to bear the hurt I gave.
I know it tears your heart in two;
all I’ve said, all I say to you.
After all the words are said,
after all the dreams we made:
every one a precious one,
every one a summer sun…
A moment lost, forever gone
can never be again,
so know how much it means to me;
all you said,
all you gave,
all your love to me.
“Long, Long Journey” describes the sense of hope and optimism of someone beginning a long sea voyage home. “Amid the Falling Snow” is a cute and sweet song reminiscing about childhood memories of a winter night’s snowfall.
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