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over style, but its the second gaelic song Buachaill On Eirne that stands out. Again its not important that the words are not in many peoples first language, the sound of the voice still manages to hit the heart with its evocative sounds. Very minimal in its use of instruments, it shows you that often songs come alive when the band knows when not to play, something modern writers and players can learn from.

The male vocal lead on Blackstairs makes for a nice change of pace but I must confess that by the time Maire resumes her duties on Journeys End, Im glad to have her back. This more upbeat song sounds almost like an English medieval tune, more in the realms of something that Kate Rusby would do, but a nice song and given that Clannad gloss that you expect. The album ends with Northern Skyline, a typically moving piece again vocally led and a nice and mellow way to bow out of the album.

If you are looking for your first taste of Clannad then this is a good place to begin, as its a watershed of their style. If you are taken by their traditional sounds then you can work your way backwards through their previous releases, if its the more contemorary sounds that grab you then follow their career forward. Most people find that once you get under the skin of their music you will find both styles equally pleasing and as this is the album where it is best combined, then Macalla remains the classic Clannad album.

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