CRANN ULL

A return to Clannad 2? Unfortunately yes. Though the opening track, Ar A Ghabhail'n A'Chuain Damh, gives an intrigue, it starts like a typical Irish folk song but soon transforms into an instrumental piece with jazzy percussion and even electric piano. But after that... the Celtic tradition rules again. The same charming and (or better say but?) naive and unpretentious themes, the same habitual instrumentation and delicate vocals as six years before, nothing new. Many people find Crann Ull uninteresting and self-repetitive. But this very traditional album has a highlight, a zest if you like. Two dreamy, romantic, medieval-like harp-dominated instrumental tracks, La Coimhthioch Fan Dtuath (A Strange Day In The Country Side) and Planxty Browne, divide the total song massif into two parts and therefore bring logic into the album structure.