Artist: Enya Album: A Day Without Rain

Year: 2000
Duration: 37:25

A Day Without Rain - A Critical Review of Enya's Album

Enya is one of the most recognized and acclaimed new-age artists of all time, known for her unique blend of Celtic and classical music, and for her ability to paint landscapes with sound. Enya's 2000 album, A Day Without Rain, was a commercial and critical success and sold over 15 million copies globally. In this article, we'll take a critical look at the album, examine the artist's history, explore the music genre of the album, take a look at some of the best songs on the album, and offer a critique of the work.

Enya began her music career with her family's band Clannad and then proceeded to embark on a successful solo career. Her first album, Watermark, was a commercial and critical success and established her as a force in the world of new-age music. A Day Without Rain, Enya's fifth album, released in 2000, continued her theme of exploring nature, and the sounds of the Irish countryside, and included some new sounds.

The genre of New Age music has been labeled by music critics as a catch-all phrase to describe music that is relatively melodic, often instrumental, and relaxing. Enya's music has rarely been confined to this genre, but A Day Without Rain is a classic example of New Age music. The album tells a story of the changing seasons, of the countryside and of the landscape. From the first song A Day Without Rain, to the final song Lazy Days, the album takes the listener on a journey that's as much about the imagination and the senses as it is about sound.

Four songs from the album made it on the Billboard's Hot 100 list, with Only Time being the most popular. Enya's unique style of harmonizing vocals over lush soundscapes of harps, strings, and synthesizers is particularly evident in Wild Child, Tempus Vernum, and Pilgrim. There's something mystical and otherworldly about Enya's music, and these songs are no exception.

One of the most innovative things about A Day Without Rain is that no two songs sound the same. The album reflects a wide range of influences, from Irish folk music to classical songs. The instrumentation is varied, with violins, oboes, saxophones, and panflutes accompanying the usual synthesisers and harps that Enya is so well known for. This diversity makes the album an interesting and moving piece of work that stands out from the crowd of new age music albums that are all too similar.

A critical look at the album is necessary to balance the praise given to the album. While Only Time did well on the charts, some listeners have complained that the album as a whole lacks depth, and that the songs can feel repetitive and uninspiring after a while. The album may feel like a continuation of Enya's past work, with few surprises or new directions. For many listeners, this isn't a problem - they appreciate the consistency in Enya's work. All of these factors make A Day Without Rain an album that won't please everyone, but it will be adored by many listeners who enjoy Enya's unique sound.

Overall, A Day Without Rain is an excellent work of art, with stunning soundscapes, sweeping melodies, and textured vocals. It may not be perfect, but the album remains true to Enya's vision and style, and it's an excellent complement for anyone looking for relaxing, soothing music. The album is a continuation of Enya's sound, but with new twists and turns that keep things interesting, and the diverse instrumentation and structures make it an innovative piece of music.

Overall, A Day Without Rain is an excellent work of art, with stunning soundscapes, sweeping melodies, and textured vocals. It may not be perfect, but the album remains true to Enya's vision and style, and it's an excellent complement for anyone looking for relaxing, soothing music. The album is a continuation of Enya's sound, but with new twists and turns that keep things interesting, and the diverse instrumentation and structures make it an innovative piece of music.